Page 46 of Ella’s Desire

“My lady,” Drake’s voice came through the door. “The Countess of Calville and Lady Lark have arrived.”

“Oh, how wonderful,” Ella stammered. “I shall be down in a moment.”

“As will I,” Bronson declared from behind her.

She shot him a chastising look and he shrugged. “We are reading in here.” He pulled a book out, opened it up and tossed another in her direction.

Ella stretched her hands out and snapped the book from the air before it could hit the ground. “Are you mad? You can’t handle books like that.”

She cradled it to her chest as though it were a baby. Surely, Bronson knew better than to handle books so callously.

Once Drake’s rhythmic footsteps faded away, Ella set her book back on the shelf. Bronson offered her his arm and led her down toward the bailey to meet his stepmother and half-sister.

16

Bronson stood proudly with Ella on his arm as he waited for the retinue traveling with Brigid and Lark to arrive. The small wooden cart with their trunks rattled behind them as they rode up on fine brown horses alongside several of Werrick’s soldiers, sent with them to ensure their safe passage.

The Earl of Werrick had given them good horses to ride, as well as protection, and for that, Bronson could not have been more grateful. Lark stared up in awe at the castle as they approached while Brigid smiled kindly at Bronson and Ella.

“Your stepmother is b…b…beautiful,” William stuttered from where he stood beside Bronson, his gaze locked on Brigid. “Beautiful,” he said again, this time under his breath, in a whisper and without the stammer.

Bronson turned a curious eye to William, who watched the procession come to a halt like a man seeing a work of art being unveiled.

“I will introduce you.” Bronson hid a smile at the man’s reaction.

William’s expression became quickly shuttered. He shook his head. “Nay. That is n…n…not necessary.”

It was a surprising response when his reaction had been so strong upon seeing Brigid for the first time. Bronson stepped forward to help her from her mount while Peter assisted Lark. Both ladies were dressed in fine clothes that suited their station and, in Lark’s case, her size.

The coin he had given them when he left, as well as additional funds he’d had sent from items he’d sold, had gone to improving their appearances considerably. Both women practically gleamed with good health, and it warmed his heart to see it.

“Brigid.” Bronson bowed to her. “You and Lark look lovely. I do hope your journey was an easy one.”

“Oh, it was wonderful.” Brigid’s gaze wandered up to the castle. She touched a hand first to her chest, then to her mouth as her eyes filled with tears. “The castle is beautiful.” She reached a hand for Bronson’s. “You have done so much for us,” she said softly. “Thank you.”

“You needn’t mention it,” Bronson said quickly. He hoped she would not mention it again lest Ella hear.

After he’d worked so hard to get Ella to want to marry him, he could not lose her affections. Not now when they were so close to the wedding. Not when Brigid and Lark looked to be thriving once more.

“Ella, this is my stepmother, Brigid Berkley, the fifth Countess of Calville.” He regarded Ella and saw her as Brigid must, with tumbling locks, a beautiful smile and fine silk clothing. “And this is my bride to be, Lady Ella Barrington, third daughter to the Earl of Werrick.”

Ella curtsied. “Well met, Lady Calville. Welcome to Werrick.”

Brigid reached out a hand to stop Ella. “Oh please, that isn’t necessary. Do call me Brigid. We never fell on formality in my home, and I think the title of Lady Calville will be far lovelier on you.”

Lark shifted closer with shy steps, her long brown hair pulled back in a simple braid. The green kirtle she wore was of fine cotton and such a deep shade of green, it made her eyes appear startling in her fair face.

“And is this Lady Lark?” Ella asked.

Lark nodded and glanced up sheepishly at Bronson. Reticence wouldn’t do among brother and sister though, not for him. He caught her in a hug that lifted her feet from the ground and had her laughing before he set her back down.

Leila came forward with two handfuls of small purple and white flowers, which she handed to Brigid and Lark. “If you set them by your bed, they will not only look beautiful, but will also help you sleep well.”

“How kind of you,” Brigid said. But it was Lark that Leila was watching with quiet hope. No doubt a friend for little Leila to play with. They were about the same age, he wagered.

“This is Lady Leila,” Bronson said by way of introduction. “Leila, will you be so kind as to show Lark where she’ll be sleeping? Mayhap introduce her to Lady Catriona and Nan and Bixby? But mind her around Moppet.” He lowered his voice with warning and widened his eyes dramatically. “She won’t want to be left alone…with Moppet.”

“Oh, he isn’t that bad,” Ella offered in reassurance.