Page 37 of An Enchanting Kiss (Captivating Kisses #5)

R upert went to the schoolroom, knowing Celia and Miss Wilson would still be at breakfast. His eyes were gritty from lack of sleep. Lady Lia had departed yesterday for Kent.

And he wasn’t certain he would survive until next spring without being able to see her.

Yesterday, he had kept busy doing manual labor about the estate.

He drove himself hard, wanting to bury himself in work, trying to forget the auburn-haired beauty.

Even Holson had begged him to take a break, but Rupert had only pushed himself harder.

He had returned to the house well after dark, going up in time to tuck Celia in for the night.

She had wrinkled her nose, calling him smelly, and ordered him to go take a bath.

Laughing, he had done so, all the while wishing Lia Worthington had been naked in that bathing tub with him.

His idea of waiting until the Season began and courting her as a gentleman was a sound one.

He had been surprised when the Dowager Duchess of Millbrooke had given him permission to call upon her family when he did come to town for the Season.

Deliberately, Rupert had not glanced to Lia because he was afraid to see how she might react to this.

Poorly, most likely, because of the way they had parted.

He was determined to make things up to her.

That is, if he could manage not to go mad before next April.

He had a little less than five months to wait before being in her presence again.

Actually, he needed to go to town early so that he might be fitted for a new wardrobe.

While the local tailor had done a fine job of creating everyday wear for Rupert, Burrows had no experience in sewing evening clothes for ton events, and Rupert would need plenty of those for the many social affairs he would attend.

He wanted to be sharply-dressed—even stand out—because his heart told him Lia would be surrounded by a bevy of suitors.

Anything he could do to pull away from the pack of callers would help.

Now, it was the second day since Lia had left Cumberland.

Should he continue to count the days, or would that prove more difficult?

Already, he’d had trouble sleeping. If he kept this up, he would look like a cadaver.

He needed to eat right and sleep well. Keep his mind on sensible things.

Work the estate and spend time with Celia, which was what he was planning to do now.

Rupert reached the schoolroom and stood in the doorway a moment.

Celia was telling some story to Miss Wilson, who managed to look interested and entertained by the girl’s chatter.

The governess was a true gem, and he knew his niece would flourish under Miss Wilson’s hand.

Already, he had called in the governess and spoken to her about happy he was with the progress she was making with Celia.

In turn, Miss Wilson had told him that this post was everything she had hoped it would be and that she would stay as long as Celia needed her.

Rupert assured the woman that she would be employed until Celia’s come-out ended, knowing it would be nice to have a woman’s touch during that time.

Celia must have sensed his presence because she turned. Spying him, she sprang from her chair, coming to wrap her arms about his leg.

“Good morning, Uncle Rupert. I’m telling Miss Wilson about my dream.”

He led her back into the schoolroom and took a seat, his knees almost next to his ears as he crouched in the small chair.

“When you finish your breakfast, I was hoping we might ride together. That is, if it will not interrupt Miss Wilson’s plans for you.”

“I am always flexible, my lord. Miss Celia enjoys spending time with you. If you are available now, please take her with you.”

“Can I ride Posey?” she asked. “Or am I going to ride with you?”

“Which would you rather do?”

“Ride Posey!” she cried. “I’m a good rider, just like Lady Lia.”

Hearing the name was like a knife to his heart. Rupert smiled, though. “I want to see how your riding has improved. I am off to have my own breakfast, and then you and I can ride for a bit.”

Rupert excused himself, making his way downstairs. As he sipped his coffee and ate eggs which seemed tasteless, he went through the post, finding nothing of interest.

Celia joined him, and he finished his coffee with a final swallow.

Lifting her atop his shoulders, he strode toward the stables, having their horses saddled.

Miss Wilson had continued the riding lessons, and she had confided that Celia already had more confidence atop a horse than most children of that age.

Still, he knew that they couldn’t ride too far, much less gallop.

They enjoyed walking their horses in the pale sunshine for almost three-quarters of an hour before returning to the stables. Celia took his hand as they returned to the house.

“Uncle Rupert, why do have on your sad face?”

Her question caused him to stop. “What do you mean?”

Her face scrunched up in thought. “Well, you just look sad. I like it when you look happy.”

“I suppose I am a bit sad,” he shared. “I miss Lady Lia.”

Celia’s eyes widened. “I do, too. Can we go see her?”

He smoothed her hair. “Ah, little love, Lady Lia lives all the way in Kent. We have told you it takes many days riding in a carriage to reach it. She has only been gone two days. She will not even be home for another week and a half. Possibly two weeks. The roads are in poor condition this time of year, so it takes longer to reach everywhere. ”

“But can we go see her?” his niece repeated.

“No, Celia. You must be invited to go and see someone. Remember how we were invited to go to the picnic by Lady Traywick? That is how things work.”

Her bottom lip thrust out. “But I miss Lady Lia.”

“I do, as well.”

“Why can’t she live here? With us?”

Rupert was afraid to say too much. He had already trampled upon Lia’s heart. She might not even allow him to become one of her suitors next Season, so he did not want to get his niece’s hopes up.

Then he recalled how she mentioned how her family all planned to take their children to the Season, so that all the cousins could grow up with one another and parents could see their own children.

It had not occurred to him that he would be leaving Celia behind for the duration of the Season.

Why, that would break not only her heart, but his.

He would need to take her to town with him come next April.

Thankfully, he had the efficient Miss Wilson to keep Celia on track with her studies.

“We will see her in London in a few months.”

She brightened. “I know where London is on the globe. In the atlas, too.”

“Lady Lia will be in London, starting in April. She is looking to find her husband. I will also be looking for a wife.”

“Could you marry her?” Celia asked.

“I would like to,” he said carefully. “But Lady Lia must also want to wed me in order for us to become husband and wife.”

“Do you love her?”

The unexpected question caused him to stop in his tracks. Lia had asked a similar question, and Rupert had certainly mucked up his answer.

“Yes. I do,” he said simply.

Celia thought a moment. “Then why do you have to wait to tell her? Why can’t you go and tell her now, Uncle Rupert?”

Out of the mouth of a child came something so incredibly simple—yet so very right.

Why not tell her now? Why wait for months, having her heart harden against him and his break apart? They belonged together. They always would.

Scooping up Celia, he held her high in the sky, twirling about. She giggled, that beautiful noise that made his step light.

“You are right!” he cried. “I should go after her. We should go after her.”

Rupert said this because he could not possibly leave Celia alone.

It might take a couple of weeks to reach Millvale and a couple more to return.

That did not include the time it would take for convincing Lia to wed him.

Then there was the matter of the banns being read.

Bloody hell, that would be another three weeks.

Setting Celia on her feet again, he recalled talk of a special license, something he could purchase that would expedite matters.

He had heard someone in university mention that his older brother had wed by special license, some kind of dispensation granted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

All Rupert could remember was a place called Doctors’ Commons.

Yes, that was where something of this nature could be purchased.

Determination flooded him. He would have them go to Kent by way of London, stopping to acquire this special license. Of course, Lia might not want to wed him, even if he did arrive with the marriage license in hand, but Rupert could not wait for months, pining for her. He was a man of action.

Celia was jumping up and down, clapping, grinning at him. “We’re getting married.”

Quickly, he dropped to one knee, clasping her shoulders. Looking at her gravely, he said, “I cannot promise you that Lady Lia will want to wed me. I have hurt her. Hurt her feelings. She may not forgive me. ”

His niece looked at him, and with words far wiser than her years, said, “Just tell her that you love her, Uncle Rupert.”

He would do that. He only hoped that would be enough to convince her they belonged together.

They returned to the house, and he took Celia up to the schoolroom. Miss Wilson sat at the table, perusing several books open in front of her.

“Miss Wilson, are you up for a bit of traveling?” he asked. “I would like my niece to accompany me to Kent. Naturally, I would wish for her lessons to continue.”

A slow smile grew into a wide, happy one. “I would be delighted to continue with Miss Celia’s lessons on the road, Lord Cressley. Travel is very educational in itself. I assume you are going to Millvale?”

Rupert couldn’t help but grin at her. “Yes. Celia has convinced me that I should leave immediately and tell Lady Lia that I love her.”

“That we love her,” prompted Celia, causing both adults to laugh.

“I sensed that there was something between the two of you the minute I arrived at Crestbrook,” the governess said. “I think it wise that you act quickly, my lord. Lady Lia’s generous heart and beauty will attract many gentlemen. You do not want to be too late in expressing your sentiments.”

“I agree. Can you have Celia and yourself packed and ready to leave early tomorrow morning?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Then if you will excuse me, I have other preparations to make.”

Rupert quickly sought out Adam Holson, informing his steward that he would be gone at least a month and possibly longer.

“I know I leave Crestbrook in steady hands.”

“Thank you for your trust and belief in me, Lord Cressley. I will not fail you.”

Next, he called a meeting with Prater, Mrs. Prater, and Damsley .

“Miss Celia, Miss Wilson, and I are leaving tomorrow. We will be gone approximately four to six weeks. Damsley, I will need my things packed, and you will accompany us on our travels. Prater, inform the stables and my coachman. Mrs. Prater, let Cook know of our absence.”

He hesitated. If things did not work out as he hoped, all would be for naught, but he added, “I would also like the viscountess’ rooms prepared in the event they may be occupied soon.

Clean out any clothing which remains. Have new bed linens purchased.

See that the carpets are cleaned and the furniture polished until it shines. ”

The housekeeper looked at him hopefully. “Might it be Lady Lia who comes home with you, my lord?”

“That is my fondest desire, Mrs. Prater. I cannot guess at this point if she will return with us or not. If she does so, I want everything prepared for her.” Then his tone grew sterner.

“But that is not to leave this room,” he warned.

“While the rooms are to be made spotless, do not say a word as to who might occupy them.”

“Certainly not, my lord,” Mrs. Prater said. Then her face softened. “But I will pray that occurs.”

“I will need all the help I can get, from God and man, to convince Lady Lia to become my wife,” he told the trio. “I do appreciate those prayers, Mrs. Prater.”

Rupert left them, knowing his orders would be carried out. He escaped to his study, excitement building inside him. He had one chance now to make things right between him and Lia.

He only hoped he would not stumble again—because the rest of his life depended upon it.