She so hoped he liked what they’d planned. He missed his father and had felt guilty for many years about not spending more time with him when he was ill before he died. Nora hoped that this hunt would remind Titus of happier times as well as help him feel as though he could truly carry on his father’s legacy. The previous duke had been beloved by his retainers and tenants and Nora wanted the same for Titus. He was very dedicated and worked hard, but he didn’t always allow himself to relax and simply enjoy. It was a characteristic that had added to his reputation as the Forbidden Duke. He seemed unapproachable and aloof, and for the most part he was content to embody that role. Nora, however, knew a different Titus. Her husband of the past several months was warm and loving, and she wanted everyone to know it.
“I suppose I should go get him.” Nora looked expectantly between her in-laws, and they gave her encouraging smiles.
She made her way to Titus’s office and knocked softly on the door, which stood ajar.
“Come in,” Titus called.
Nora stepped inside as the steward stood from his chair. “I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she said.
Titus got up from behind his desk and smiled warmly at her. “You’re not, we’re finished.” He nodded at the steward who turned and started toward the door. He exchanged a knowing glance with Nora as he departed.
Nora focused her attention on her handsome husband, and her breath caught, as it often did. They’d married last spring, but her heart still beat wildly when she was with him. She smoothed her skirt over her belly as she moved farther into the office. “I thought we could go for a ride in the barouche today. It’s so glorious outside after all this rain.”
Titus came around his desk and approached her, his brows pitching down. “I wanted to stay inside and snuggle with my beautiful wife.” He slipped his arms around her and nuzzled her neck.
Nora giggled. “We do that every day.”
He kissed the flesh beneath her ear, his lips warm and soft. “Is there a limit?”
A sigh escaped her mouth as he trailed his mouth along her jaw. “No. But I really would like to go out while we can. Please?” She pulled her head back forcing him to stop and straighten.
He frowned slightly as he stared down at her. “I’d rather not. Truly. I think we should stay in. Especially in your condition.” He patted her belly and turned away from her to return to his desk.
Nora tried not to feel slighted. “That’s absurd. I can go for a ride in the barouche.”
He shook his head. “It’s far too cold.”
Frustration grew in her breast. “It isn’t. The sun is out, and it’s quite fair. Besides, I’ll have a blanket.”
“I’m afraid I insist we stay inside.”
“You insist?”
He sat down in his chair. “Yes. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a few letters I must respond to before we can commence snuggling.”
As if she wanted to snuggle with him now. He was ruining everything! “What if I insist on going out?”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “I’ll give strict instructions that the vehicles are not to be taken out.”
Nora resisted the urge to stamp her foot. Or throw something at his stubborn head. “You’re being beastly. I just want to go for a simple ride.” And restore a long-held tradition. As well as create a memory they’d cherish forever. It was their first Yuletide season together after all. It was also Nora’s first away from her sister, a fact she tried not to think about. Today’s festivities would help with that.
Titus leaned back in his chair and looked up at her. “It’s not simple. The ground is saturated. It would be too easy for the barouche to get stuck in the mud. Why don’t you read for a bit, and I’ll join you shortly in the drawing room?” He gave her a bland smile before looking down at his work.
Having been dismissed, Nora stared at his dark head and scowled. She spun on her heel and stalked back to the drawing room where the Satterfields were expectantly waiting. Their faces fell in unison when they saw her.
“What’s wrong?” Lady Satterfield asked, rising from the settee.
“He refuses to go. He spouted some nonsense about my condition and mud.” Nora folded her arms over her chest. “Now what do we do?”
Lord Satterfield, who’d stood with the countess, exhaled. “I’ll talk to him. You both get ready, and we’ll meet you in the entry hall.” He gave them both a look of pure determination before leaving.
“Do you really think he’ll succeed where I failed?” Nora asked, dropping her arms to her sides.
Lady Satterfield patted her arm. “I hope so dear. Otherwise, we’ve gone to a lot of trouble for nothing, and many people will be greatly disappointed.”
Nora prayed that wouldn’t happen.
Titus frowned at the door after Nora had left. He was a beast. He wouldn’t have hesitated to take Nora for a ride, but it was imperative they stay at home today. He would move heaven and earth to give his wife her heart’s desire, which was precisely why he wouldn’t take her out in the barouche.
He winced as he recalled the disappointment in her gaze followed by shock and then anger. He hadn’t meant to patronize her and hoped she’d forgive him. Of course she would. Later today, she’d be too happy to remain upset.
Or so he hoped.
His stepfather walked into his office, his face dark and his mouth turned down. “Why won’t you take Nora for a ride? It’s absolutely beautiful, and she’s been cooped up inside for days.”
Titus stood up. “I just don’t want to go out today. I’ll take her out tomorrow.”
Satterfield, a typically affable fellow, gave him a hard look. “And what if the rain returns? There’s absolutely no reason you can’t go today.”
There was every reason, but he wasn’t going to explain himself to his stepfather. “This is my house, and I’ll decide what reasons are valid.” Titus inwardly flinched—that didn’t sound good or rational even to his ears.
“Would it help to know that your wife has planned a special outing for today and by not going, you’ll be crushing her?”
Hell. A special outing? What was he supposed to do now? He’d planned something special for today, and they could not leave.
Titus walked around his desk as he pushed out a breath. “I didn’t realize. Still, we can’t go today. Can’t we just do this tomorrow?”
“Certainly. If you’d like to sleep alone for the foreseeable future. You’re still a newlywed. You don’t understand a woman’s anger. It is a force unto itself.”
Titus wiped his hand over his brow. “I’m not trying to make her angry.” Damn it all, this was not going as planned.
“We never try, son. Nevertheless, that’s precisely what you’re doing.”
There had to be some sort of middle ground, but Titus couldn’t think of it. “I’m sorry, but we just can’t go today.”
Satterfield glared at him a moment, and Titus wasn’t sure he’d ever seen him that put out. “Then we’ll go without you. You really are the Forbidden Duke, aren’t you? You forbid yourself even the simplest pleasures. Enjoy your solitude.” He turned and strode from the office.