Page 59 of A Rogue to Cherish

They continued to discuss the living situation while Wren busied herself with eating. The food was delicious, and she was ravenous despite having eaten a large dinner the night before.

“I had planned to have a meal brought up to you. It surprised me to see you up and about so early.” Felicity winked playfully. “I assumed you’d be exhausted.”

“It is later than usual,” Grant muttered, giving his sister a narrowed-eye look. “Come, Wren, let us walk about the garden.”

It was a bit chilly outside, so Grant placed a shawl over her shoulders. They walked in the garden at a leisurely pace. The air was perfumed by blooms from beautifully blooming gardenias. Wren inhaled deeply, enjoying the flower’s gift to those who walked by.

Grant took her shoulders and turned her to face him. “If you wish for us to live elsewhere or remain here, it matters not to me. I want you to be happy and feel comfortable.”

“I wish you to be happy and comfortable as well. What were your plans before marrying me? Did you plan to remain here forever?”

When he pulled her against him, she laid her cheek on his chest. Grant’s deep voice vibrated in her ear when he spoke. “I planned to remain here for at least another year. Once the ship returned, I hoped to purchase a home. Not a grand one like this one, but more the size of my parents’ home. I prefer living closer to town.”

He lifted her face. “What about you? In your dreams, what kind of home have you wished for?”

“I wished for a small cottage with a big kitchen, land so I could garden, and a cat to sleep in the sun.

“A cat?” Grant chuckled. “Why a cat and not a dog?”

“Cats are much more independent.”

He pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “How about my larger house with a garden and we can then get a cat?”

“I like it.” Wren giggled when Grant meowed.

Her husband took her hand, and they continued walking. He looked up to a tree where a bird sang gayly. “I have enough saved to purchase a townhouse. A small one. However, if we wait six months then I will be able to purchase a larger one, which I prefer. Because we will have children, and they will need rooms of their own.”

Children!Her heart warmed. “Very well, we remain here until then,” Wren answered. They’d made their first important decision together and it felt good. That they were a couple now who would discuss so many other things in the years ahead.

If only her family had lived. They would love Grant. Especially her mother, who’d always insisted Wren marry a handsome man.

“Is something wrong?” Grant stopped and studied her. “If you’d really rather move sooner, just say it and we’ll go.”

“It’s not that,” Wren said, cupping his jaw with her palm. “I was considering how much my mum, da, and sister would love you. I was wishing they were here to meet you.”

“I am sorry not to have had the privilege of meeting them. You are the walking embodiment of all things good and kind. I imagine it is because you had wonderful parents.”

Wren nodded. “They were.”

He began walking once more, his hand in Wren’s. “We have made our first decision of many. Next, I will give you and Felicity free reign to redecorate the rooms. My statement is only a formality. I am sure my sister already has appointments with decorators.”

The relationship between Grant and Felicity was a good one. Wren was glad to see how well they got along. It would make living there much easier.

“Look,” Grant pointed to a tree branch where a yellow bird was perched. “A canary!”

“How beautifully it sings,” Wren moved closer, and the small bird stopped singing to regard her.

Grant came to stand next to her and whistled at the bird. It cocked its head to the side, its dark eyes intent. “He must have escaped from his cage. Wealthy people like to purchase these rare birds to keep them caged in order to hear their song.”

“Will it survive on its own?” Wren asked as the bird resumed its song.

“I am sure the bird is aware of where he lives. For now, he prefers to be free. I will let the staff know to put out breadcrumbs in case it decides to remain.”

*

Everything was differentand felt different, Grant mused as he joined his friends at the Grant Hotel. Several gentlemen were there to listen to a lecture from a well-known archeologist who’d recently returned from a dig in Africa.

However, Grant joined Evan, Miles, and Henry in a smaller room that was away from the man’s lecture.