“Ian, what brings you here so early? In this weather…”

Ian, his gaze fixed on Laura’s right hand, replied softly.

“I told you. Because I missed you.”

“So you moved up your schedule?”

“With the rain coming, all the wagon drivers headed to the tavern, so I left my luggage at the inn and came on a borrowed horse.”

Laura looked at Ian’s wet hair with pity.

“You could have waited until the weather cleared. Why rush?”

“It’s exactly because of the rain that I hurried. My wife’s hand is in such pain.”

Ian soaked the cooled cloth in warm water again.

‘Ian…’

Tears welled up in Laura’s eyes. As his love touched her heart, it stung like a thorn piercing her chest. It was strange. Normally, his care brought her only happiness.

Ian repeated the process, rewarming the cloth each time it cooled and placing it on her hand. After about an hour, he gently stroked Laura’s slightly reddened hand and asked,

“How does it feel now?”

“…It’s better.”

He smiled and kissed her right hand.

“That’s a relief.”

Laura bit her lip tightly. Ian’s shoes and trouser hems were a mess, as if he’d waded through a pond. Water dripped from his hair, soaking his face and shoulders.

Yet, the first thing he did upon returning home was tend to her. He poured all his care into her right hand, as if his own state didn’t matter.

Laura finally let out a sob.

Ian, who had been gently kissing his wife’s right hand, looked up. His eyes widened in surprise. Her face was streaked with tears.

“Laura.”

He quickly climbed onto the bed, sitting face-to-face with her. Studying her closely, he noticed her face was swollen and bloodshot.

“Are you ill?”

Laura shook her head.

“Then what’s wrong?”

When she didn’t answer, he grew visibly anxious.

“Why are you like this? Tell me. Did someone hurt you?”

Ian quickly jumped to a conclusion. When Laura didn’t deny it, his face hardened. Gripping her shoulders, he pressed,

“Who was it? Tell me now. I’ll track them down and deal with them.”

Laura’s lips trembled. The truth caught on a hook in her heart, unable to escape. That hook was love, fear, and a protective instinct. Love for Ian, fear that he might suffer, and a desire to shield him.

‘Oh, I’ll surely go to hell. I don’t even deserve to be a wife.’

Laura forced a weak smile.

“Who would hurt me? It’s just… my hand was aching, and I thought of Uncle…”

Ian’s hardened face twisted into a grimace.

“That damned Gerald Pendleton.”

He spat the name like a beast gnashing its prey and pulled Laura into his arms.

“Would seeing that man’s corpse ease your heart?”

Laura shook her head.

“It’s in the past. What’s the point of revenge against someone who’s already fallen?”

“Your pain is still here, in the present.”

“It’s just today. I was… alone at night, without you, and I felt… pitiful for no reason…”

“Were you sad because you felt lonely?”

Laura nodded.

“Because I wasn’t here?”

Overwhelmed by deep guilt, Laura answered,

“Yes. That’s it.”

Ian pressed his cheek against hers, rubbing gently. Tears and rainwater mingled between their skin.

“Normally, I’d be pleased to hear that, but seeing your tears, I can’t feel glad. I’ve been away too often lately, haven’t I?”

“You have your work to do. That’s what I want for you.”

“And yet, it makes you sad?”

“Just today. Usually, I’m fine. Don’t worry about it.”

“You say not to worry, but you’re crying in secret.”

Ian let out a pained sigh and showered her face with kisses. After the flurry of kisses, their eyes met.

“I’m sorry. For being a man with so many responsibilities.”

“I said it’s fine.”

He ignored her words.

“The Sheffield ironworks are running smoothly. I just need to inspect Leeds. When I return, let’s spend time together. Sleeping and waking side by side, traveling to the hot springs in winter, and picnicking in spring.”

His thumb gently caressed her tear-streaked, bloodshot cheek.

“Be patient a little longer. I won’t let you feel lonely again.”

Fresh tears pooled in Laura’s eyes.

“…I’m sorry, Ian.”

“What are you sorry for?”

‘For not being able to have a child. For hiding things about Henry.’

“For not returning as much love as you give me.”

He chuckled softly.

“Silly. Don’t you know your mere existence fills my life completely?”

“Me?”

Ian smiled, tenderly stroking her cheek.

“My soulmate. The missing glove to my pair. A flower that never wilts. I waited thirty years to meet you. I saw only flaws in other women because I was waiting for my perfect companion.”

Tears streamed down Laura’s face.

“Oh. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“They’re tears of joy.”

“Really?”

Ian grinned, gazing down at her with eyes full of love and adoration.

Laura clutched the hem of his coat.

“Will you hold me?”

“…What?”

“Hold me. Right now.”

Ian looked at her for a moment, then walked to the bedroom door and locked it. He returned to the bed, shedding his jacket and unbuttoning his vest.

“This wasn’t why I came early.”

As he removed his shirt, his sculpted physique was revealed before Laura.

Laura lifted her nightgown and slipped it off. The only fabric covering her body fell to the floor.

Ian’s eyes narrowed. He unfastened his trousers and leaned over the bed.

The sound of servants’ hurried footsteps echoed through every corner of the manor.

Laura, leaning against the headboard, turned toward the clock on the wall. The hour hand was creeping toward seven.

Without the clock, it would have been hard to gauge the time. The clouds, still unsatisfied after pouring rain all night, filled the sky, casting a dim, dusty haze over everything.

‘It’ll probably rain for a few more days.’

Laura clenched and released her aching right hand, then looked down at her husband beside her. Ian was fast asleep, oblivious to the world. He lay on his stomach, his head turned toward her.

His dark hair, tousled over his forehead, framed a face so beautiful it seemed to light up the dim room. His skin was fair, his features soft yet defined. Perfectly proportioned, with striking contrasts of black and white, and flawlessly clear.

Laura’s gaze lingered on Ian’s lovely lips. Those lips that had rained kisses over her body last night. Lips that licked her tears and whispered love. Lips that let out soft moans and curved into a satisfied smile.

Suddenly, she wanted to kiss him. Despite making love all night amid the drumming rain, Laura still craved his affection.

Instead of kissing him, she gently brushed the hair from his forehead. His handsome brow came into view.

‘Have I ever studied his sleeping face so closely?’

Hardly ever. Ian always fell asleep after her and woke before her in the morning.

Laura lowered her eyes, gazing quietly at his face.

“Ian.”

She called his name softly. He didn’t stir. Of course not. He’d shortened a two-day journey into one and spent the night making love—even he must be exhausted.

To him, who could hear nothing, she confessed a secret she couldn’t bring herself to voice before.

“Your nephew says he loves me.”

A chill ran through her. It felt even more dreadful spoken aloud than it had locked in her heart.

“Why is Henry doing this? Was I too unguarded around him? Too kind, without restraint? I can’t find an answer. I don’t know why this is happening.”

A cloud of melancholy settled over Laura’s expression.

“Tell me, Ian. Tell me it’s not my fault…”

Her lips trembled.

“…I want to tell you everything. To lean on you and be protected. But if I do, you’ll be hurt. That’s unavoidable.”

A single tear fell from her eyes.

Swallowing her tears, Laura steadied her breathing. To protect him, she needed to regain her composure.

‘I have to make Henry give up. Quietly and decisively.’

There was only one solution: physical distance. Out of sight, out of mind.

Henry was a good boy. Not perfect in innocence, but aware of his mistakes and gentle by nature. If his aunt suggested a path, he would follow it.

‘I’ll cut off contact with Henry immediately and stay apart for a few years… To do that, I need a plausible reason that won’t raise suspicions from the Dunville Park family or Ian. If Henry suddenly stops visiting, they’ll find it odd.’

Just then, Ian let out a soft groan and reached for the space beside him. His hand found Laura’s waist and pulled her close.

Laura’s body slid back onto the bed. Ian, wrapping his arm around her waist, buried his face in her soft, bare chest and fell back into a deep sleep.

A shy smile spread across Laura’s lips.

Her beloved husband. Laura hugged his head tightly.

“Ian, I love you.”

She pressed her lips to his warm crown.

“Just as you protect me, I’ll protect you.”