“We smelled bitter almond around his mouth when we went to move him the first night,” Richard explained, urging her to walk again.

Christiana stared at him blankly. “I don’t understand.”

“We think he was poisoned.” Richard glanced around as they reached the house and urged her to follow the others inside. “Don’t worry. We have a plan to catch the blackmailer.”

“What is this plan?” she asked worriedly as he started to lead her upstairs.

“I’ll explain later,” Richard said rather than answer the question. He also started to move more quickly, urging her upstairs and along the hall to the master bedroom. “You just go on inside and refresh yourself before the meal. All will be well. I’ll have Grace and your chest brought up. Would you like a bath?”

Christiana frowned. “No, that would take too long and I know you want to head back to London. A basin of water to wash with will do.”

“Right. I’ll see it’s brought up,” he assured her opening the bedroom door.

She started to automatically walk into the room, but he caught her back, drawing her around to face him and then suddenly kissed her. It was no quick pressing of lips like the one in the church, but a hard, demanding kiss that quickly had her sinking against him with a sigh and wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

“To tide me over until we can consummate the marriage,” he said with a sigh as he ended the kiss a moment later, and then he smiled crookedly and added, “You are now most definitely, and legal y, my wife.”

Christiana managed a smile despite her reservations, and he urged her into the room. “I shall send up Grace and your chest. Take your time. I’m sure Cook will need a bit of time to get the meal on the table.”

He then pulled the door closed, leaving her alone in the master bedroom. Christiana sighed and glanced around as she moved further into the room.

She had never been in it before. When she and George had stopped on the way into London she’d been given the connecting room next door and never stepped foot in the room. She’d also cried herself to sleep wondering why George had been so short with her that day and why he hadn’t come to her that night. She’d cried herself to sleep many nights during the first six months of their marriage wondering the same thing.

Shaking those memories away, she walked around the room, looking over everything curiously as she waited for Grace. It seemed to take forever for the woman to arrive with two footmen in tow carrying Christiana’s chest. Despite Richard’s telling her to take her time, she was quick about her ablutions and change of clothes. Even so, Suzette was stepping out of her room when Christiana left the master bedroom to head downstairs.

“I feel better,” Suzette commented as the two of them started toward the stairs.