Page 50 of Miss Devon’s Choice

Christian stopped and nodded, folding his arms across his chest.

“I must thank you again for bringing Rebecca to see her sisters. It means a great deal to all of us,” Gilbert said, his expression earnest. “I care for her as if she truly were my sister, and I would hate to see her unhappy.”

“I intend to do all in my power to keep that from happening,” Christian answered firmly, then checked himself. Did he mean that? He had every intention of seeing to his wife’s needs. Rebecca would have a beautiful home, wealth, a title, and could easily cultivate her social status as she wished. But had he truly ever considered what would make her happy?

No. He’d been too concerned with his own feelings, protecting himself, to really take thought of what this arrangement meant to her emotions, her heart.

Besides her absurd declaration that she wished to love him, what did he really know about what she wanted or expected from him? He’d assumed, since the beginning, that a title and wealth would be all she wished for, given the nature of their arrangement. Having spent time in her company, and meeting the people she cared for most, he needed to reconsider.

When they entered the room wherein Rebecca and the other ladies sat, he noted at once the way her face glowed. He’d seen her smile, tease, and knew her to be cheerful, but this was different. This was joy. His breath hitched in his chest when she raised her gaze to his and he waited, half in despair, for the look on her face to change. He must be a reminder of all she was giving up to wed him.

Rebecca surprised Christian, coming to join him, the light in her eyes undiminished. She held a hand out as she approached and he took it, drawing her to his side.

“Christian, I am having a marvelous time. I hope you are being well-treated?”

Christian nodded, gently running his thumb across her knuckles. “Your brothers-in-law are easy to get along with.”

She chuckled and turned to listen to her sisters, who were teasing Gilbert. Christian remained quiet, focused on observing Rebecca. Here, in this place, she was content. This was what a good husband would have to replicate.

A good husband wouldn’t fear growing close enough to her to give her such happiness.

He wasn’t certain he would ever be the right man for her.

After a day spent in the company of Rebecca’s loving family, seeing the way they all cared for one another, he’d almost felt like he belonged. But his desire to protect himself kept him just outside their circle.

There was the matter of the letter he’d sent to his grandfather, as well.

When the moment came for goodbyes a few hours later, Christian saw Mrs. Gilbert put her hand on Rebecca’s arm. Rebecca stood near a mounting block, making promises to write as often as she could.

“Your gown came here, Rebecca. I suppose there was some confusion, since I bought it for you, but I will send the parcel over this evening if you wish.”

Rebecca’s expression fell and she pressed her lips together tightly before answering. “I think you had better keep it for now. Aunt Jacqueline has forbidden me to accept the dress.”

“But it’s a gift—”

Forestalling her sister with a gesture, Rebecca shook her head. “I cannot, Christine. You know how our aunt is. Perhaps you could send it to me as a wedding gift. I cannot imagine the dress will be out of fashion in a month’s time.”

It looked as though her sister wished to argue, but Rebecca turned to the mounting block and a groom assisted her onto the saddle before another word was said. Rebecca took her horse a few steps away, clearing the way for Christian’s mount to be brought forward.

“Mrs. Gilbert,” he said, going to stand by the woman who had yet to say more than a few words directly to him. He bowed and doffed his hat. “I wanted to thank you for your hospitality.”

She regarded him with a critical eye. “You are most welcome. I am pleased you could come and meet more of the family.”

He bent toward her and lowered his voice. “Send the parcel to me, Mrs. Gilbert. I will make certain that your sister has her gown, without consequences.”

He’d completely taken her by surprise, judging by the way her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. “Lord Easton—”

“Good day, Mrs. Gilbert.” He wasn’t certain what had overtaken him to make such promises. Christian swept away to mount his horse and didn’t give the gaping woman a chance to reply.

From horseback, Rebecca called her last goodbyes, and everyone stood in the drive to wave. Even little William, flapping one arm about wildly from his father’s arms.

They hadn’t been on the road long before Rebecca sidled her horse up to his. “What was it you said to Christine that made her stare like that?”

He shrugged. “I thanked her for her hospitality.”

“She thinks you rather solemn and severe, you know.” Rebecca’s relaxed manner was evidence that she had enjoyed herself. “My sisters are my dearest friends. What did you think of them?”

Honestly, he hadn’t paid as much attention to them as he had their effect on her. He tried to think on how to admit such a thing without sounding ridiculous.