Page 29

Caro set her glass down and leaned slightly forward, hindered by the child she carried.

“We are going to visit Gervais’s aunt and uncle, Lord Titus and Lady Theo Grantham.

Lady Theo is the youngest daughter of the Duke of Gordon.

They have a large house in the new part of the city.

” Caro grinned. “From my correspondence with Lady Theo, I’m sure they would welcome more company.

” She glanced at Phoebe then Anna. “In fact, we can all go. I shall write to her immediately after dinner and should receive the answer in a day or so.”

Mary stared at Caro. Her eyes glowed and excitement swirled around her.

She had been denied a whole Season, but had still found love.

The scheme had much to offer. Granted, Edinburgh wasn’t London, but it was a capital.

Mary would have her friends with her; she wouldn’t come across anyone who knew her as Lady Mary Featherton; and they were correct, Gawain would never think to look for her there.

Not only that, but she’d heard interesting things about Scottish men.

If she and Mr. Featherton didn’t suit . .

. Perhaps this was meant to be. “What a wonderful idea. If you wish you may use my escritoire and write the letter now.”

Once Caro had sealed the missive, Mary sent it down to be posted by special messenger. She wondered what Kit would think of the plan. No matter, she was going in any event. If he chose to come, he was welcome to accompany them.

The next morning, Kit was in the game room organizing the fishing rods, when Huntley joined him. “The gear looks to be in good condition, and I have enough rods for everyone.”

“Any idea what fish is most prevalent here?”

“Mostly trout,” Kit said over his shoulder as he fixed a hook to one of the lines.

“I don’t suppose you’ve spoken with Lady Mary this morning?”

He turned. When he’d received the message the ladies were breaking their fast in the nursery, he’d not thought it strange, yet now . . . was something wrong? “No, I have not. If you have something to say, open your budget.”

“Caro wrote to my aunt yesterday. She and I were already going to Edinburgh. Now there’s a plan afoot for all of us to visit the city for a few weeks.”

Which meant Mary wasn’t bolting to the Continent, at least not yet. “Indeed.”

Huntley lounged against a wall, swinging his quizzing glass. “You’re invited as well. It might be to your benefit. No one can deny you show to advantage at entertainments. She’d see you at your best. ”

As if Kit was a horse on sale at Tattersall’s.

“You might have something there.” Mary was an Incomparable, and Kit had no doubt the Scottish men would be all over her.

Competition, but nothing he couldn’t handle.

Surely she wouldn’t actually want one of them as a husband.

In any event, he’d make sure none of them got too close to her. “When do we depart?”

“I expect an answer by late to-morrow. I’m sure the ladies will wish to leave a day or so afterward.”

“Is there a possibility your aunt will not be able to accommodate us?”

His friend grinned. “Not a chance in the world. Uncle Titus has had her trooping all over ‘those blasted rock sites,’ as she calls them. Although she enjoys it immensely, she’s more than ready for female companionship and parties.

” Huntley stopped playing with his glass.

“Aunt Theo will also be extremely happy to try to find a match for Lady Mary.”

Kit wasn’t aware he’d clenched his jaw until a dull ache began. “Your aunt needn’t bother. Mary will wed me.”

Huntley grabbed three of the fishing rods and strode to the door. “Naturally. Just like the biddable lady she is.”

Kit slammed his fist on the table. “Hell and damnation!”

Huntley’s laughter floated down the corridor. Lady Mary Tolliver would marry Kit no matter what. She cared for him, and he more than cared for her. Somehow he’d bring her up to scratch.

Eunice tripped lightly down the steps to the hall where Brian awaited her. “I can’t tell you how glad I am that Mary’s friends are here. It relieves me of all my chaperone responsibilities.”

Her heart fluttered as he smiled down at her, placing her hand on his arm after he’d slowly kissed each finger.

“I share your joy.” They walked out to the drive where his curricle stood.

She could scarcely breathe, her heart was galloping so wildly. She wanted him to kiss her lips and so much more. Oh my. Imagine being affected like this at her age. She was sure someone would say it was inappropriate. “Where are you taking me?”

“I thought you might like to see the property I mentioned.” He helped her into the carriage, climbing in the other side. “Unless it is too soon for you, that is?”

“No, your timing is perfect.” Having her niece’s friends here and watching how happy they all were had given Eunice time to think of hers and Brian’s marriage. She really did not wish to wait much longer.

They were half-way down the drive when he asked, “Have Mr. Featherton and your niece decided when the marriage will be?”

She tried to stifle the sigh but was unable to. “No. The truth is, Mary says she will not wed if she’s not sure she is in love.”

“It creates a problem, but I can’t say that I blame her. I’m surprised Featherton hasn’t been able to get her to agree.” Brian was still for several moments as he feathered the turn onto the road toward Rosebury. “Didn’t you tell me you and your husband had a love match?”

“Indeed we did. Yet unbeknownst to us, the marriage had been arranged.” Eunice thought back ruefully to the day she had confronted her parents.

“I was young and very rebellious. When I discovered there was a plan afoot to marry me off, I was certain my father had chosen another gentleman. Someone the very opposite of me, who would try to tame my spirit.” She couldn’t help grinning at the memory of her young self.

“Consequently, I very dramatically stormed into his study and announced I would wed Roger or no one. Papa nodded calmly and said that was a fortunate circumstance as he’d signed the betrothal agreement the previous day. ”

Brian let out a bark of laughter. “That took the wind out of your sails.”

“It did, rather.” She smiled. “I’m not sure I ever remembered to thank him.”

“Did their other matches turn out as well?”

She thought back to her other brothers and sisters.

“Yes. Those who are alive are still very happy. I believe Mama had something to do with Barham’s marriage, as well as the eldest girl’s.

Still, she’s never been this obvious before.

The only reason I can think of for her behavior is that the cousin must be a much more serious threat than we’d previously thought. ”

A comfortable silence fell, until Brian turned into a well-maintained drive lined with hedgerows. “Here we are.”

In a few moments, an elegant manor house built in the local, light yellowish-brown stone appeared. “It’s lovely. How clever to have placed a round flower bed in the middle of the drive.”

“I was told the owner built the house for his grandson who, instead of marrying a local girl, wed a young woman whose father owned a shipping company and had no son. The man has made Bristol his home.” He drew the gig to a halt at the Georgian-style portico.

“There is apparently every modern convenience.”

“That, I’ll be interested in seeing. I suppose it’s one of the advantages of building a house rather than having one handed down over the centuries.

” Eunice put her hands on his shoulders as he lifted her down, setting her lightly on her feet.

She stood still for a moment, breathing in his very male scent of leather, horse, and musk.

“Eunice, my love.” His voice was low and seductive. “If we remain here, I’ll kiss you in front of God and whoever is here.”

Although she couldn’t see anyone . . . he was the rector and they shouldn’t take the chance. “Lead on, sir.”

The house was indeed modern, with Rumford fireplaces in all but the main drawing room, where two marble fireplaces intricately carved with Greek figures anchored each end of the room. The dwelling had been tastefully and expensively furnished. “Does the furniture come with the house?”

“I believe the owner is willing to sell it as part of the whole.”

Crystal sconces lined the walls. “These almost look like the new gas ones.”

“They are, but they’ve been altered so that candles can be used until we get gas up here.”

“How forward thinking. Is there a ballroom?”

“I don’t know.”

They walked through all the ground floor rooms, impressed by the pocket doors used so that rooms could be combined if needed.

A ballroom was found on the side of the house with most of the formal rooms. It jutted out into a garden, and gave the appearance of a conservatory with three glass walls set at angles.

She was surprised to find that the panes of glass opened.

“How lovely and clever. Just what one needs on a warm night.”

They didn’t spend too much time looking at the bedchambers on the first floor until they got to the master’s bedchambers. The apartments included two bedrooms, each with its own dressing room. She glanced at a door that did not lead into either of the bedrooms. “What is this, I wonder?”

Brian opened it, allowing her to enter first. Light flowed through windows built high on the walls, which were covered in pale yellow glazed tiles.

A stove, covered in elaborately decorated multicolored tiles stood centered on one wall and next to it was a large, pink marble shell-shaped bathing tub complete with pipes for water.

It was as if the Romans had constructed it.

Brian flushed, and when he spoke his voice was gravelly. “The birth of Venus.”

“I’ve never seen anything so decadent in my life.” Eunice laughed. The sound echoed around the chamber. “I’m quite sure my dresser would declare this scandalous.”

“No wonder the price is so low.” He ran a finger under his collar. “We probably ought to see the remainder of the house.”

She whirled around, unable to resist teasing him. “Perhaps we should give it a try. You know, just to make sure the water pipes work.”

“Eunice.” Her name came out in a strangled tone.

“What?”

He turned toward her, backing her up to a wall.

Leaning in, he anchored his hands to the tiles on either side of her head.

“I’m doing my very best to keep from taking you here, against the wall.

The least you could do is not tempt me. Unless”—his lips touched hers, and she could feel his barely repressed lust—“this is where you want our first time to be?”

Her breathing quickened. Was that what she wanted?

Her nipples ached for attention, and need coursed through her.

It had been so long, so very long. She took a breath.

This was the first time she’d seen him out of countenance, and she loved that he had such passion for her.

As to the bathroom, definitely sometime but not their first mating.

“Oh, very well. Though I do want this house. If you don’t buy it, I will. ”

He straightened, hustled her out of the room, and quickly closed the door behind them. “If you want it, you shall have it.”

“Wonderful.” She turned to him, went up on her toes, and kissed him. “How soon may we wed?”

“Considering I can barely keep my hands off you, we should let it be known we are betrothed and will marry almost immediately.”

“Come to think of it, with Mary and her friends going to Edinburgh, we can put it about that she and Mr. Featherton are leaving for an unknown period of time, making it necessary for us to wed soon.” She tilted her head, watching him study her.

“To-morrow perhaps? I’ve always wanted to elope to Scotland. ”

Brian caught her around the waist as she danced away, bringing her flush against his hard body. “You, my lady, will be the death of me. The morrow is not possible, but in a few days we can leave. Fortunately, the rector in the next parish owes me a favor. He can stand in for me on Sunday.”

“What a fabulous idea.” Their lips touched, and she opened to him, slowly stroking his tongue with hers. “I have plans for our new bathing vessel.”

He nipped her ear. “You’re not the only one.”