Page 83 of Adam's Promise

As he turned away from her, he spotted Lord Blackthorne. The viscount was the last guest to leave the house, leaning on his cane and limping down the steps on his wooden leg, following his valet, who carried a leather satchel.

“My word, Coates, Mary has just given me enough blueberry tarts to turn me into one! What a perfectly delightful family you have.”

Adam met the viscount in the middle of the yard and pumped his hand. “Have a safe journey, my lord.”

“I most certainly will, and I will take up the case of your marshlands at Government House and see what can be done.”

Their handshake continued. The viscount seemed reluctant to leave. He nervously cleared his throat and lowered his voice. “And do accept my apologies, man, for what occurred between Lady Thurston and me. I must thank you for not challenging me to a duel or something of that nature, Coates. You certainly had the right.”

Adam smiled at Lord Blackthorne. “Nonsense. Diana was free to do as she chose. Life here in Cumberland could never have been right for her, and I think we all knew it.”

“Yes, yes, well, I’m glad things worked out.” He peered over Adam’s shoulder at Diana, waiting in the coach. “By God, but she is a lovely creature, is she not? More charm than a sparkling jewel. What were the chances that a man like me could everdreamof marrying a woman like her?” He whistled in disbelief.

“You are a lucky man, my lord,” Adam replied dutifully.

“And so are you, Coates. Miss Oxley is a lovely young woman in her own right. Quite ravishing, actually. She seems to belong here. I always thought so, from the first moment I saw her. She’ll be a good mother to your children, and with God’s blessings, give you many more.”

“I have no doubt.” They said goodbye again, and the viscount limped off to his coach.

Madeline went to say goodbye to her sister. Adam watched them hold hands and kiss each other on the cheek. It was a fine thing to see sisters reunited with each other after so many years apart. Or perhaps they had found each other for the first time, here in a new land.

Penelope and Charlie appeared on either side of him, and he wrapped his arms around his children.

The coach lurched forward and Madeline waved goodbye. As soon as the convoy turned into the lane, she faced Adam, a glow of true happiness lighting up her face.

Adam moved toward her and held out his hands. The children giggled and dashed for the house, leaving Adam and Madeline alone in the yard, facing each other with the sun raining down on their faces. Adam raised both of Madeline’s hands and pressed his lips to her soft knuckles.

“Shall we go and find the reverend?” he asked, with a seductive grin.

Madeline giggled. “Now?”

“Yes, now. I would have preferred it to be yesterday, or the day before, or the day before that, but I will settle for today.”

Her voice was silky and flirtatious. “Why the hurry?”

“You know why, love.”

“Because you’re afraid I’ll change my mind?”

“No.”

“Because you’re afraid John Metcalf will come back and propose to me again?”

“No.”

“Because…hmm. You have dykes to build and fields to drain, and today is your only free day?”

Adam covered her mouth with his own, tasting the sweet honey of her kiss, consuming the light that had finally begun to shine from her soul.

“Does that give you a hint?” he asked, rubbing his nose against hers. “If not, just wait until tonight, my Yorkshire bride—and I will show you exactly why.”

Madeline smiled enticingly and kissed him again. “Then take me to the reverend, and let me tell him that ‘I do.”’