Page 126 of The Matrimonial Advertisement

“Am I to decide?”

“I suspect you have a plan.”

“It’s not a very complicated one.” She ran the backs of her fingers along the edge of his jaw. “I didn’t come to Devon alone. Jenny is with me. I left her at the Abbey to supervise the servants.”

“We haven’t many of those at the moment. Mrs. Standish deserted us three weeks ago.”

“Mr. Boothroyd said as much. But it doesn’t matter. I’ve brought plenty of servants with me. A butler, three maids, and two footmen, to be precise. There were several more at my uncle’s townhouse who were anxious to get away, but I didn’t like to deprive him of his entire staff all at once.”

Justin’s lips twitched. “You took his servants.”

“He won’t miss them. Besides, we needed them more. We’re going to restore the Abbey to its former glory. I’m going to make it into a proper home for us.”

“A thankless task.”

“Not in the least. We’ll be grateful for it and so will Neville and Mr. Boothroyd, and our children, too, whenever they arrive.” She curved her hand around his neck. The warmth in her gaze made his stomach tremble. “A home, Justin. Yours and mine.”

“Anywhere you are is my home.”

Her eyes glistened. “What a perfectly lovely thing to say.”

“It’s the truth. I’ve been in hell without you, Helena. Good God, today I actually contemplated returning to India.”

She frowned. “Yes, I know. Mr. Boothroyd told me.”

Justin’s brows lowered. “Did he?”

“You must forgive him divulging your secrets. The poor gentleman. He was terribly worried for you—and ever so happy to see me. Even Jonesy and Paul looked relieved.” She twined her fingers through the hair at his nape. “My darling, you’ve been in a dreadful mood, haven’t you? Impossible to live with.”

He nuzzled her cheek. “I daresay you’ll remedy that.”

Helena laughed. “Do you know,” she said as she drew his mouth to hers for another soft kiss, “I do believe I shall.”

Two Months Later

Helena teetered precariously on the topmost step of the ladder, reaching to affix the final candle on the Christmas tree. It was an enormous pine, tall and full, with sappy branches that stretched out to tangle in her velvet skirts. A glittering tinsel star crowned its head. “I almost have it,” she said. “Almost…”

Neville held the old wooden ladder steady. “Be careful.”

“I’m being exceedingly careful. It’s this dratted candle that won’t cooperate. Do we have any more bits of wire? If you could look in the basket—”

“I leave the hall for five minutes and this is what I find on my return.” Justin’s voice sounded from the doorway. He’d been helping them decorate, but when the afternoon post had arrived, he’d taken one look at it and abruptly retreated to the library.

She glanced at him over her shoulder. “Is everything all right?”

“No, it’s not all right.” Justin strode across the hall, taking Neville’s place at the base of the ladder. “Come down from there, my dear, before you break your neck.”

She grasped her skirts in her hand, holding them out of the way as she began to climb down. She’d descended no more than two steps when Justin’s hands closed round her waist and lifted her the rest of the way to the floor.

“I wasn’t in any danger,” she assured him.

He gave her a stern look. “You should have waited for me.”

“It’s the last tree candle, Justin,” Neville explained. “We’re putting it in the empty spot.”

“There’s an empty spot?” Justin cast a dubious glance around the hall. “Where? We’ve covered every conceivable surface in the Abbey.”

Helena couldn’t argue the point. In the past week, she’d become somewhat obsessed with decorating for the upcoming holiday. Every room was adorned with festive greenery, winterberries, and ribbon bows. Justin and Neville had never had a proper Christmas before and she was determined to deliver one to them with all the trimmings.