Page 33 of Scandal with a Sinful Scot

His eyebrows rose. “What do you think we’ve been doing from the moment we met?”

“Well, true enough. But we agreed to keep this quiet for the time being. Plus, think of Megan. I want us to be completely sure before revealing this. Besides, there is the getting-to-know-you business to see to.”

Garrett laughed. “I believe that we have moved beyond the boundaries of courting.”

“Not for us, my darling.” She playfully swatted him. “I will stay for a short while, then I must return to my room.”

As Garrett lay with Abbie curled around him, a warning bell tolled in his head. He would never forgive himself if he placed Abbie and Megan in danger. He spoke the truth when he stated the curse was still with him. Vigilance was warranted. But when she lay in his arms like this, nothing else mattered. Not curses, past hurts, youthful mistakes, or regrets. He was in love with a glorious woman—the same woman—for the first and last time in his life.

Chapter 11

Once they had indulged in a late brunch, Megan and Abbie were escorted to the Wollstonecraft carriage with a promise that it would return later in the evening for dinner. Abbie did not own a fancy gown, but the earl had assured her that it would not be a formal affair.

As the footmen unloaded their cases and carried them into the residence, Abbie placed her hands on her cheeks. Still flushed and tingling from her passionate encounter with Garrett the night before. How would she be able to keep this secret? Much had been resolved, truths spoken, feelings admitted, but nothing pleased her more than him agreeing to a new beginning and to place the curse aside. It was as if a black cloud had been lifted from her heart, at least partway. She would remain optimistically cautious.

Alberta greeted her warmly, calling for the tea tray as they all settled into the parlor. Megan and Jonas exchanged shy glances but did not speak.

“How was the visit, Megan?” Alberta asked.

Her face lit up. “Oh, Mrs. Eaton, the place is a palace, or at least as large as one. The earl gifted me with a signed copy of Frankenstein. The author is his fourth cousin. Can you imagine! He and the viscount were ever so kind, and the food! I thought I would burst.”

The housekeeper entered with the tea tray and a plate of lemon biscuits and placed them on the table in front of Alberta. “Thank you, Mrs. Claxton.” As she poured, she asked, “And what did you think of Garrett Wollstonecraft?”

Abbie’s insides tumbled with apprehension as she awaited her daughter’s reply.

Megan’s mouth turned down. “At first glance he’s frightening, with his size and all. But he kept us busy going for rides around the estate, playing parlor games, and giving tours of the libraries. They have three.” She paused as Alberta handed her a teacup and saucer. “Perhaps someday I will like him well enough. I am still angry, in here.” Her daughter placed a closed fist to her chest. “I do not need or want a father, and I feel as if I am being forced to accept him.”

Not a ringing endorsement at all, and Abbie was disappointed. What did she expect, her daughter to claim him as her father after only a few days? How unrealistic. “No one is forcing you.”

Megan sniffed. “I was not given a choice to meet his family. You made me go.”

Well, she had her there. Abbie did not wish to tell her daughter it was mostly to have her focus on something else besides Jonas. She couldn’t relay that fact, what with the man in the room drinking tea with them. Megan’s approval of Garrett was of paramount importance if Abbie was to have a future with him. It was an immense if.

Abbie accepted the tea from Alberta. If she did decide to reconcile with him, it would mean a major upheaval to their lives. Leaving Standon and the only home that Megan had ever known. Abbie was wise to suggest that they keep their budding relationship slow and secret.

“I like Garrett,” Jonas stated as he reached for a biscuit. “He helps people. He’s helping us by paying for supplies.”

“True. We are on a fixed income,” Alberta stated. “I know talking about finances is frowned upon, but there is no possible way I could afford to renovate this place entirely out of pocket. I argued, but to no avail. Garrett has contributed lumber and labor. When I protested further, he stated that I was giving a number of his tenants much needed work. How could I say no?” Alberta sipped her tea. “The entire family is generous to a fault.”

Alberta’s statement made Abbie admire Garrett all the more. If only Megan would take the words to heart.

The large landau arrived promptly at thirty minutes past seven. Once they were all seated, the carriage departed, and Abbie was filled with anticipation at seeing Garrett. She wore a sapphire blue gown with an off-the-shoulder style, the neckline trimmed with three layers of lace. There would be no crinolines for her, not only for the cost, but because Abbie did not care for the current style. Instead, she used several layers of petticoats to emphasize the wideness of the full skirt.

Though the gown was more than adequate for a Standon event, it hardly suited for dinner at an earl and viscount’s estate. Alberta’s silver gown was of a similar style. On the seat opposite was Jonas, looking rather stunning in a black suit and a snow-white cravat. Megan kept giving him clandestine glances. Garrett had informed her of the conversation he and his brother, Julian, had with Jonas. She could only hope that the young man would keep the promises he’d made to Garrett and Julian.

Megan wore a new purchase: her first gown that hung to her ankles. Another sign her daughter was growing up. Pale green in color, it accentuated the emerald in her hazel eyes and showed her crowning glory of red hair to perfection. She still wore her hair down to show she wasn’t completely mature. But she and Alberta had styled it attractively, using a pearl hair comb to hold the locks of her thick hair in place.

When they arrived a phalanx of footmen assisted them from the carriage while Martin, the butler, welcomed them. Once their cloaks and capes were taken, they were all shown into a room Abbie did not recognize.

The formal parlor had three crystal chandeliers, and Abbie smiled at the bright illumination. Gas lighting was not to be found in Standon yet. The walls were gold, the velvet curtains red, and in the far corner, tables and chairs were set up for cards and the like. Enhancing the elegance of the room was the expert workmanship of the cornices and moldings.

After the earl and viscount stepped forward to greet everyone, Abbie found she was alone with Viscount Tensbridge. “Where is Garrett?” she asked.

“My valet is assisting him. By their own choice, he and my sons do not have their own, so we share for dinners and such.”

Here lay the perfect opportunity to converse about his son. “Speaking of sons, my lord, Garrett has asked me to speak to you regarding Aidan.”

Tensbridge clasped her elbow and pulled her farther away from the others. “You have news?”