Page 36 of The Duke’s Bride (The Duke’s Alliance #6)
Elizabeth, who was sitting next to her, took her hand. ‘Papa will not let anyone distress you ever again. He is a formidable gentleman and with him at your side no one will dare be impolite.’
‘Thank you, my love, for saying that. We are almost there. Are you looking forward to living here?’
‘We are, Mama, but something else has occurred to me. We no longer need another piano or harp as both instruments are already in place in our new home,’ Thomas said from the other side of the carriage.
‘Good heavens! You are quite right to point that out, but there is nothing we can do about it now as they will be on their way. I shall have to discuss with your papa how best to deal with the surfeit of musical instruments that we shall have.’
The children filled the silence with their chatter as they eagerly pointed out various landmarks that were now part of their own domain – places they would spend the next few years happily exploring.
‘When the governesses finally arrive, Mama, they will be most surprised to discover there is no longer a Lady Fenchurch and that they must now apply to Mrs Sheldon for employment.’
‘Very true, Elizabeth, but as they are now more than two weeks past the allotted time for their interviews I suspect they are not coming. I shall have to begin again to look for someone suitable for you both.’
‘I expect Papa will have the matter in hand. It is he who will arrange things for us in future, is it not?’
Viola was about to make a sharp retort but reconsidered. ‘He will not wish to be concerned with domestic matters, my love, but no doubt I shall discuss it with him.’
Thomas asked permission to lower the window so he could look out as they turned into the drive.
‘I suppose that you may do so, but only because it is a special day.’
Elizabeth lowered the window on the other side of the carriage without asking and the two of them leaned out like village urchins.
‘Mama, the house looks bigger than I remember. There are a dozen servants waiting to greet us and Papa is there too.’
‘I would expect him to be, Thomas, and for the staff to do the same. Remember to be on your best behaviour; you do not wish to disappoint today.’
Edward was beside the carriage himself and opened the door and kicked down the steps. ‘Allow me to assist you to the ground, ma’am, and then my housekeeper will show you to your apartment. It is on the ground floor and your drawing room opens onto the terrace.’
‘No stairs? How thoughtful of you, my boy. I much appreciate your kindness.’
Her mother did not wait for the rest of them but hurried off, obviously consumed with curiosity to see her new accommodation.
‘Out you come, little ones, your nursemaid is waiting to conduct you to your new chambers. No doubt you will wish to arrange your toys and playthings yourselves.’
He reached in and swung Elizabeth out and then did the same for Thomas.
They were both quite capable of exiting a carriage without being lifted like infants.
They did not object, but she must explain to her new husband that they were too old to be referred to as little ones and carried about the place as he was doing.
When he turned to her she was already out. ‘There are several items of furniture that I should like to have here and I hope you will agree they can be fetched over the next few days.’
‘This house is sparsely furnished; there is ample room for anything you wish to have with you. I cannot tell you how delighted I am that you will all be living here with me for the moment.’
‘I am surprised the dog is not dancing around the children. I hope he has not gone to the kennels again.’
‘I am ashamed to admit it, but I have allowed him into the house against my better judgement. I think he deserves to be treated like one of the family after what he has done for us. I hope I do not live to regret it.’
Hearing him say this was exactly what she needed to settle her nerves.
Impulsively she stood on tiptoe and placed a kiss on his cheek.
This was only possible as he was looking down at her.
The joy in his eyes at her gesture made her head spin.
Whatever her doubts about this rushed arrangement, one thing she was certain of was that he loved her as much as she loved him.
What more could a woman want in a marriage?
He had his arm around her shoulders and when they arrived under the portico, to her surprise, he swept her up into his arms. ‘It is customary in some places in the world for the groom to carry the bride across the threshold the first time she arrives at the marital home.’
‘Then it is fortunate you are a large gentleman and I am so small.’ She was smiling at him and the rest of the world faded so only the two of them were in it. ‘Imagine the difficulty if I was two yards tall and you no bigger than my papa was.’
He lowered his head so he could whisper in her ear. The touch of his hot breath sent heat racing to her nether regions. ‘I love you so much, my darling, and you have made me the happiest man in Christendom.’
‘I love you too, and I pray that will be enough to see us through any difficulties that might arise.’
His smile slipped for a second and something flickered in his eyes that she did not recognise. Then he placed her gently on her feet and she turned to greet the assembled servants.
She had only visited this place once and had not realised it was so grand, not as large as Fenchurch Manor, but certainly a substantial and impressive property. Everywhere sparkled and shone; she was astonished his staff had been able to prepare the house so speedily.
The tour included the nursery floor, which was in need of redecoration but perfectly serviceable for the present. The children were busy rearranging their books and other items on freshly polished shelves.
‘Mama, Papa we love it up here,’ Thomas said happily. ‘It isn’t as big as before but much warmer and friendlier somehow. Can we sleep on this floor, as Sally and Meg have rooms next to us?’
‘Of course you can. The schoolroom is more than adequate for when your lessons resume in earnest. I shall begin teaching you tomorrow as you have already had more than two weeks free from your studies.’
‘Papa, can my piano lessons begin again tomorrow morning?’
‘They can, Thomas. Perhaps your mama would play for us later, as I cannot wait to hear the harp put to its proper use.’
‘Could you play a duet? We can be your audience.’ Elizabeth looked hopefully from one to the other.
‘I am willing, if we can find music that we are both familiar with. We shall leave you to your tidying as I have yet to show your mama her new apartment.’
When they were private he stopped and encircled her waist and turned her to face him.
He waited a heartbeat for her permission.
She reached out and put her hands around his neck.
He needed no further encouragement. His kiss was passionate and she returned it in full measure.
If he had carried her to the bedroom she could not have denied him at that moment.
However, he replaced her to the boards before things got out of hand. ‘Well, Mrs Sheldon, I believe that is our first legal kiss. Was it to your satisfaction?’
‘You cannot ask me something of that sort, my love; it is most improper of you to do so.’
His smile was infectious and his eyes held a wicked glint. ‘I am your husband, your lord and master, and I can ask whatever I wish of you.’
This could have been the moment when her fears returned but instead she laughed. ‘Then I shall tell you, sir, that it was most enjoyable and I should be happy to repeat the experience whenever you wish.’
‘Then I think it’s better if I do not show you my bedchamber. Your room has a communicating door to mine. This is locked on your side. You have your own boudoir and I have an adjacent sitting room. I shall leave you to explore those on your own.’
He kissed her once more, his lips hard on hers, and then strode off and she could hear him laughing to himself.
There were still things she had not asked him, that they had not arranged; she would not allow him to desert her like this.
She ran to the head of the nursery stairs and put her fingers in her mouth as he had shown her and whistled.
To her astonishment it worked and the noise echoed.
She heard him swear and stumble. Then he was pounding up the stairs. He did not look particularly impressed with her prowess.
‘Good God, if you wish to speak to me, there is no need to do that to attract my attention.’
He sounded cross but his eyes belied this. ‘Edward, you cannot rush off without telling me where you are going and when I shall see you again. I have yet to hear where we are to go for a wedding trip, when I am to get my bride clothes made, if the matter with Mr Fenchurch has been settled…’
He held his hands up in mock surrender. ‘Then we had better go to the drawing room so we can discuss these matters.’ They were about to leave when the children arrived, closely followed by the dog who thought the noise had been to summon him.
‘That was capital, Mama. We did not know you could do that. Will you show us how to?’
‘Your papa taught me; I am sure he would do the same for you. No, Brutus, you are not needed downstairs; you may remain in the nursery with Thomas and Elizabeth.’
‘I shall show you, Thomas, but it is not a suitable thing for a young lady to do. I intend to have firm words with your mama on the subject when we are alone.’
He was smiling as he spoke so they were not alarmed at his threat. ‘Our tea is arriving. Will you both come up and say goodnight to us later?’
‘We shall, of course, be delighted to do so; it will be a novel experience for me and one I am sincerely looking forward to.’
Her heart was full as she walked at his side, his arm draped around her shoulders, knowing she was finally truly happy, as were her children and her mama.