Page 107

Catherine had been so busy accepting well wishes from guests that she had not eaten anything at all at the wedding breakfast. She had also lost track of her husband.

Looking amongst the crowd, she searched for him with anticipation in her eyes.

When she finally spotted him, he was walking toward her with a full plate of scrumptious delectables.

“How did I manage to lose sight of you? You are a great, tall kind of a husband.”

“I am unsure. Maybe it is because you are shorter than many of the people here?“ He gently pressed his lips against her cheek. “I know that you have not eaten. Come sit with me and eat something.”

“Yes, my love.” With a giggle, Catherine went with him to a nearby table. Sitting, she giggled again when he temped to press a piece of strawberry to her lips.

“You will need to eat before we leave for Matlock,” Theodore said with a mischievous grin.

“I am perfectly capable of eating without assistance,” she assured him.

Taking a bite of the warm scone, she chewed slowly, feeling the crumbs melt on her tongue as she leaned against him.

After a few more bites enjoyed in silence, Catherine spoke up.

“I want to show you something before we go. I had it brought with me from London, and it is going to be taken to Matlock as long as you approve.”

Theodore remained still, allowing Catherine to stay snugly nestled against his side. “It will be your home, too. You can put whatever you want in it.”

“Yes, I know, but it is a wedding gift for you. I want you to pick where it goes.” Smiling to herself, Catherine finished the scone and brushed her hands of the crumbs. “I have it waiting for you to see whenever we are ready to sneak away for a moment.”

“I think once we are done eating, we will have a few moments to ourselves.”

Eager to show him the gift she had worked so hard to give him, Catherine sat up. “I am done if you are.”

A low bark of laugher from Theodore was quickly followed by him sneaking his arm around her waist and him pulling her back into his side. “You barely ate one scone and a strawberry. There is no rush. We will see your gift soon enough. Eat.”

After a pleasurable few minutes of finishing the breakfast he had gathered for her, Catherine was walking down the hall with her husband.

They made it into her sitting room where on an easel, carefully covered with a cloth, her masterpiece remained hidden, a product of countless hours of dedication.

Bouncing on her toes next to the artwork, Catherine was suddenly terrified.

She hoped he liked it, but what if he didn’t?

Theodore looked at her and then at the covered easel. “You painted something for me?”

With a nervous gesture, Catherine pressed her teeth into her lower lip before she whispered, “Yes, and suddenly I am afraid that you will not like it, but I hope… I hope that you do.”

Shaking his head in denial, Theodore responded.

“Of course, I will like it. You made it for me.” Pulling the fabric away from the easel, Theodore froze in place, visibly stunned by what he revealed.

In the painting, Cedric and Theodore were frozen in a moment of happiness, with Cedric's arm casually draped around his brother's shoulder, his proud eyes fixed on Theodore. It was from that night, before Cedric’s heartbreaking death, when everything was still sparkling and bright.

It was the perfect expression of a brotherly affection, a reminder of the love his brother had for him, the pride.

“What do you think?” Catherine asked, her voice still hushed, but now with solemnity. She hoped the shocked expression on Theodore’s face was a good sign.

“I have no words.” Theodore’s voice was rough with unshed tears.

“Do you like it?” Sensing his appreciation for her gift, she reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“I love it.” Pulling her into his side, he pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. “And all I got you was jewelry.”

As she laughed, Catherine had a moment of realization that she might be the only new countess unmoved by the idea of jewelry. “Well, now you know next time to get me more paints.”

Joining in her merriment, Theodore chuckled. “If this is the kind of masterpiece that you make me, I will buy you your weight in paint and canvas whenever you wish it.”

“I love that my husband knows just what to offer me.” Standing on her tiptoes, she gently pressed her lips against his cheek.

She was just short enough that it was not easy, but worth it.

Theodore ran his nose along the tip of hers, and Catherine’s breath caught in her throat as she became captivated by the storm brewing in his eyes.

She felt his strong arms encircle her, pulling her tightly against his chest, and sensed the frantic thudding of his heart that mirrored her own.

“I love that you know just what I need.” Leaning down, he proceeded to devour her lips with his own, only pausing long enough to stop for breath and to trail light butterfly kisses along her jaw.

They might have continued without the notice of time passing them by if not for the startled maid walking into the room to gather the last of Catherine’s things.

Pulling apart reluctantly, they grinned at each other before turning to the maid.

Catherine smiled at the poor girl. “Thank you, Grace. Could you please make sure that the painting is securely wrapped and ready to be transported?”

“Yes, Miss, or… I am sorry. Mrs., or um…Lady? I am so sorry.” The maid stood there, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red, nervously twisting her hands together.

“Do not worry, Grace, I am hardly used to it. I think we will all need time to get used to the change.” Catherine was quick to try to reassure the maid before turning to Theodore. “So, would you like to bring your painting to Matlock?”

“Yes, I would like that very much.” Leaning down, he whispered into her ear, careful not to be overheard by the already timid maid. “I would also like to bring you Matlock. Do you think we can leave yet? I would like to be away with my new bride.”

Stepping back from Theodore, Catherine tried to think of where her maid might be. “We can say our goodbyes and leave soon, but first I need to find Lambert so that I can change into my traveling clothes.”

“We do not need Lambert. I can help you change.” Theodore's eyes sparkled with amusement as he gazed down at Catherine.

Catherine tried to look stern but found it impossible. “I have this nagging sensation that if you were to help me change, we would experience some sort of delay.”

Theodore’s booming laughter echoed through the room and down the hall, reaching the ears of everyone in the vicinity. It was something those who knew the pair eventually got used to. Theirs was a marriage, a partnership that would always be filled with love and laughter.