Chapter 34-2

“Do I think Hoss so loyal to me that he would rid me of my wife, so I might have you instead?” William asked, and aside from the arched angle of his brow there was little else to decipher his thoughts or feelings on the matter of his man’s dedication and devotion to him. “Yes.” Nan replied, her answer unsure, but un-halted by the uncertainty of her want to know. “If Hoss was truly that fanatically loyal to me, he’d have had done with Sophia when the knowledge of my love for you had become known to him.” William stated matter-of-factly. “As it is, Hoss does nothing without my express order. Though he does have a way of translating my words to his benefit, I think most likely he’s already set his own course into action.” William added, shaking his head as though there was no reason to think Hoss hadn’t and no point in trying to stop it if he had. His words causing Nan’s brow to crease as she gazed up at him utterly confused by his meaning, but feeling it was not her place to ask, she remained silent on the matter. “So what do you intend to do now?” Nan questioned warily. “I’ll write to my attorney and see how quickly and pray god, quietly we might handle this matter.” William replied, his tone wistful and tired as he continued to stare out the door, then looked back to Nan with a thoughtful and almost curious expression. “How do you fair at cards?” William asked, his unexpected question and change in manner further puzzling Nan as she stared up at him slightly perplexed. “I hardly know.” She admitted haltingly. “I’ve had little call to play in recent years.” “A thing I would see remedied. As a matter-of-fact,” William continued, cocking his head to look at her full on and placing his hands on his hips as he gazed at her in consideration. “There are a great many things I would see remedied on your account.” “Such as!” Nan snapped, fisting her hands on her hips as she glared up at him. Taking offense with his statement though she hardly knew why, save for the manner in which he spoke made her feel that she should. The sight of her sudden affront placing a wide happy smile on William’s face as a little laugh shook his chest and shoulders as he beamed at her. “Be calm, my Love.” William grinned, stepping forward, taking one of her fisted hands into both of his as he raised it to his lips and kissed the clenched knuckles, her bemused expression delighting him further. “It just occurred to me that you knew only one dance at the ball.” “Yes, because I’ve had little call to dance in recent years too.” She stated peevishly, staring at up at him with an expression that stated it should have been obvious that such was the reason for her lack of knowledge on the subject. “Yes, my Love. I understand that. What else I’d like to know is…” he paused, his brow creasing deeply as he fought to frame his words just right, only to end up cursing a moment later as the elegant frame he sought eluded him.“Oh Bloody hell!” Giving up on the wording he just asked plainly. “What’s your favorite color?” he asked, the simplicity of his question catching Nan so off guard she stood in complete silence, unable to do little more than stare at him. “Oh come now, my Love. Surely you know that.” William pressed, “It’s a simple enough question. I’m a blue man myself. Though given I was Seaman for so many years I’d think it obvious. What about you? Red, yellow, green?” “Why?” Nan asked, shaking her head as she stared up at him. Baffled by this sudden turn in their conversation as she tried to recall when they had gone from discussing Williams’ intent towards his wife to what her favorite color was. “Why what?” he questioned in turn. “Why do you want to know this?” she replied. “Why not?” he shrugged. “But shouldn’t you be going after Hoss?” she questioned. “Didn’t you say he had yet to receive your order to not go after your wife.” She asked, staring up at William with such a befuddled expression it almost made William feel he had grown a second head. “Was I not supposed to?” Hoss’ voice rang from the door as he looked between his Master and Nan with as utterly a confused expression as Nan currently wore. Though the look William wore upon seeing the man was no longer the thoughtful and almost teasing face he had been wearing mere seconds before. “Where is she?” William asked, his tone flat and his expression blank as he stared at Hoss. “In the Jade room. With the door locked. I’ve ordered one of the footmen stay by it should Lady Horton of need of anything… specific. Though I feel she’ll be returning to France in a day or two.” Hoss answered swiftly, meeting his Master’s eyes dead on, his expression a near perfect match to William’s. With a wordless nod William dismissed Hoss and turned his attention back to Nan who was staring once more out the empty door. Slow realization filling her features as she stared quietly. “I take it you’ll be getting your divorce then.” Nan stated after a moment, her eyes never leaving the doorway. “You gathered that just from a few moments of conversation between Hoss and myself?” William asked, his tone thoughtful. “I gathered that from the look on Hoss’ face.” she replied. “He gave me that look once.” She stated, recalling his threat to rape her if she didn’t put an end to William’s destructive behavior. “And what was it he wanted you to do to give you such a look?” William asked, slowly turning towards her, his tone low and dark, clearly knowing the threatening meaning of Hoss’ look and not liking the idea of it being used on Nan. With a blink Nan shook her head and refocused her attention on William, her thoughts having scattered upon the realization of what Hoss had just succeeded in doing. Giving William his problem-free divorce and what that now meant. That William would ask her to marry him. And she’d already turned him down once.