Page 17 of The Widow’s Christmas Surprise

Maria beamed at him. Such a truly kind man. One willing to risk his own position to see a wrong righted. If Lord Kersey found out about the subterfuge, he might very well sack Mr. Granger. The new earl had struck her as a gentleman who wanted things according to his orders and would let nothing stand in the way of his getting it. “Thank you, Mr. Granger. From the bottom of my heart.”

Despite the intuition that it was a mistake, Maria allowed her eyes to meet his, and fell headlong into the unfathomable blue depths. She clutched Jane closer to her, as if the baby could help keep her steady.

Intense to the point it excluded everything else, his gaze captured her, held her as tightly as he had her child. If they stood any closer he’d be able to hear the hammering of her heart. A yearning she’d not felt since William had left with the army that long-ago morning assailed her now. A longing for a man’s arms to hold her tight. For this man’s arms to keep her safe from every hurt the world could throw at her.

As if coming up out of a chilly pond, Maria gasped and stepped back, clutching Jane to her so hard the baby squawked in protest.

“Not at all, my lady. I am glad to give the Tates a chance to remain in their home.” Mr. Granger now turned toward the window, seemingly absorbed in the blustery day.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Granger.”

Both Maria and the steward jumped as Jane’s words made her presence known. How long had she been standing in the room? From the narrowed eyes she turned on Maria, she’d witnessed more than Maria cared to have to explain to her cousin.

“Good afternoon, Lady John.” He bowed to Jane and his face assumed a pleasant mask. “I had merely come by to inform Lady Kersey about the fate of the Tate family. She’s taken an interest in them since the autumn, you see, and I thought she’d like to know that they have been informed of Lord Kersey’s decision to change the tenancy.”

“Very thoughtful of you, Mr. Granger.” Jane’s face was pleasant, but her voice held just enough frost to let Maria know that they would be discussing Mr. Granger’s visit in detail and for some time to come. “I am certain my cousin is grateful for the most current news about the Kersey tenants.”

“Indeed I am, Cousin.” Maria jumped to the steward’s defense. Jane could give all the looks she liked. She was still grateful for Mr. Granger’s intervention on the behalf of the Tates. “I believe I told you that Mrs. Tate had become my special cause?”

Brows raised to a painful height, Jane marched to the sofa and sat. “Perhaps you did mention something about Mrs. Tate.” She held out her arms for her namesake. “Do sit down and have tea with us, Mr. Granger. I am certain you can regale us with fascinating tales of all of the tenants.”

Maria handed the baby over to her cousin and sighed. Jane was a dear, but she had her own notions about what was and was not correct behavior for Maria. But this time, if it saved the Widow Tate, Maria was going to have a say in things.

“Thank you, Lady John, but I have some business I must attend to that will not wait. I just stopped in to give Lady Kersey word.” He turned to Maria. “I will keep you informed, my lady.”

“Thank you, Mr. Granger.” Godspeed, she added silently. “Please do let me know if there are any further developments.”

“My lady, my lady.” With an elegant bow, he left.

Before Jane could utter a word, Maria rose and rang the bell.

The door opened almost immediately. The butler had obviously been hovering about.

“Tea, please, Saunders.”

“Yes, my lady.”

When he had gone, Maria strolled back to the sofa and gingerly lowered herself onto it, steeling herself for the blast.

“What do you call yourself doing, Maria Kersey?” Jane hissed, apparently in deference to the baby who was going to sleep in her arms. “Making sheep’s eyes at Mr. Granger.”

“I was doing no such thing.” Oh, goodness. Jane had entered well before Maria had been aware of her presence.

“Do not tell me what I did and did not see. I hesitate to think what kind of scene I would have come upon five minutes later.”

Maria had to draw a deep breath to keep herself from denying what her cousin had so obviously witnessed. “I cannot help it if I like the gentleman, Jane. Hearts cannot be ruled.”

“As your current circumstances show very clearly.” Her cousin shook her head and pressed a kiss to the sleeping baby’s cheek. “I do not see anything wrong with Mr. Granger as a person, my dear. He is a gentleman and very kind and rather handsome into the bargain. But you must always keep this little one in the front of your mind, Maria.” She lifted the child in her arms, rocking her gently. “You don’t have yourself alone to think of this time. You must do what is best for little Jane.”

Maria sighed again, deeper and more heartfelt. Her cousin was right, of course. She could not ally herself with a gentleman who could not provide well for her and her daughter. No matter how relentlessly she was drawn to him.

* * *

“This just arrived for you, my lord.” Chambers offered the Earl of Kersey a silver salver with a single letter upon it.

Lord Kersey looked up from a book on Nash’s architecture, a glass of brandy half full in his hand. He plucked it from the tray and waved a hand of dismissal in the direction of the butler. God, it felt good to have servants to wait upon one hand and foot, as the saying went. He had adjusted to his new life with astonishing speed, although Margery had not taken to being the Countess of Kersey as well as she might. He shrugged and looked at the letter. She’d come around eventually.

Franked in London and sealed with a blob of black wax. The seal was unfamiliar . . . Kersey cocked his head to and fro. He’d seen this seal before, but where? Pausing before he ripped it off, the peculiar-looking crest caught his attention. Three stars pierced by a lance or spear . . . Clarke! It was from the family solicitor, by Jove.