Page 71 of The Widow Wore Plaid

The company gathered around Elizabeth, congratulating her and her husband on their blessed news.

* * *

Taking advantage of the distraction, Bella slipped over to the window, looking out on the denuded garden. The reminder that they would be in London for the Little Season filled her with sudden anticipation. Perhaps this Season would be better than that disastrous one this past summer. Lady Brack and her sister would be there, and perhaps Georgie. She wouldn’t feel so all alone. Both of these ladies likely knew gentlemen they could introduce her to so she wouldn’t have to be a wallflower again.

Glancing at the little group behind her, she caught sight of Lord Harold, kissing his sister-in-law on the cheek. If she were lucky, he’d also be at the Little Season. He’d said his experience this past summer had been horrible, just like hers. So perhaps he’d want to see if his luck would improve in the autumn. As they’d gotten along so well here, she’d certainly welcome his company again.

“Miss Granger.” Lord Harold appeared at her side, making her jump.

Think of the devil and he’ll appear. She smiled at the thought, although the gentleman hadn’t acted devilish toward her at all. Well, maybe only a little. “Lord Harold, you are off tomorrow with Lord and Lady Brack, I think?”

“I am, Miss Granger. They will take me home to Blackham for a few weeks before I move to London for the Little Season.” He kept his gaze on her face.

Watching for a reaction, perhaps? Well, she would give him one. “How splendid. I was just reminded by my sister-in-law that we will be attending the Little Season as well.” She flashed a generous smile. “Perhaps we will meet again there.”

“I certainly hope so.” The blue of his eyes deepened almost to black. “In fact, if I may be so bold, I would like to request the first dance of the first ball you attend.”

Bella’s heart stuttered. “But I have no idea, my lord, what ball that will be.”

“Then pray ask your sister-in-law to tell Elizabeth. As she’s chaperoning her sister during the Season she can inform me where you will be.” His steady gaze was wreaking havoc with her breathing. “If you make the acquaintance of Miss Worth, Elizabeth’s sister, we can make quite a party of the time we spend there.”

“That is a splendid plan.” Lord Harold sounded truly interested in her. Had their conversations here at the castle been more than mere flirtation? The idea was thrilling beyond belief. “I’ll ask Maria about it tonight.”

“Will you journey directly to London when you leave Kinellan?”

“No, we will return to my brother’s home, The Grange, in Suffolk near Lavenham and remove to London in late September most likely.” Hugh had told them days ago he needed to go back home to attend to business. Bella had been so happy she’d grabbed him around the neck and hugged him. They’d been from home since April, and Bella wanted nothing more than familiar surroundings and the peace and quiet of home.

“Ah, you’ll be able to see your Great Danes.” He nodded, a spark of mischief in his eyes. “Do the people in Suffolk consider them dogs or small horses? I’ve seen the breed before and I’ll wager you could put a saddle on some of them.”

The gentleman was ludicrous at times, but always so charming. “I doubt they would make an acceptable mount, my lord. At least mine would not as they have not been broken to the saddle.” She chuckled at the thought. “Once, however, when I was about nine, I harnessed my two previous Danes to a small wagon and they pulled me all around the house until my father made me stop. He said they were dogs, not horses, and I shouldn’t make such a mistake again.”

“Then I suppose that answers my question, Miss Granger.” Lord Harold grinned at her. “I shall make a note of it for future reference.”

“I will be awfully glad to see them again, at least for a little while. They are great companions when I go out riding.” She couldn’t wait to have them with her again.

“Could you not bring them to London with you? They would make quite a stir in Hyde Park when you are walking or riding.”

Lord Harold’s suggestion caught her by surprise. She’d been so worried about her come-out this past spring she’d not thought to ask if the dogs could join them. “Another splendid idea, my lord. I’ll suggest that when we are home. If my brother approves, you will be able to meet them in September.”

“A pleasure I will look forward to almost as much as seeing you again, Miss Granger.” He nodded and offered his arm. “Would you care for some tea? I believe I also saw cherry tarts somewhere, if Jemmy hasn’t already stuffed them all down his throat.”

Laughing, Bella slid her arm into the crook of his elbow and allowed him to lead her back to the group still clustered around his sister-in-law. Her hope of enjoying the Little Season had just become a certainty.

* * *

Brushing her hair before bed every night always helped calm Jane after the stresses of the day. Tonight, however, anticipation made it a futile action. Even as she pulled the soft bristles through her long hair, she listened for a sound, a very particular sound she’d not heard for several weeks. After such a long time, tonight she would hear it again.

There it was—the light scratch of fingernails on the door that connected her apartments to her husband’s. They’d waited until he was truly well to celebrate their wedding night. Well, second wedding night, if they wanted to count the handfasting ceremony as a wedding. In any case, Jane was more than ready to have her husband back in her bed.

She rose, hurried to the door, and opened it.

Garbed once more in his blue banyan, and sporting a bottle of wine and two glasses, Gareth stood before her, a smile on his lips. Although she’d worried his sojourn down to dinner tonight would sap his strength, she had to admit he looked for the first time whole and healthy as of old. The ghastly pallor had gone and days of sitting with her in the sun had given him a ruddy hue instead. There was still some pain in his left shoulder, but Robbins assured them it would fade with time. So tonight would be a celebration of their marriage, his miraculous recovery, and the start of their life together.

He sauntered into the room, set the bottle and glasses down on a table, then took her hand and led her to the bed. They sat, feasting their eyes on one another. Then he leaned toward her and kissed her softly. Softness became urgency as he slid his hands into her hair and pressed in to deepen the kiss.

A hunger she’d suppressed for too long flamed up all over and she grasped his head, kissing him back, reveling in the nearness of him after so long without this intimacy. That she almost lost him had been a constant thought in her mind for days, but here, now, with him in her arms, that past horror melted away like dirty snow after a clean rain. She wanted nothing more than to stay like this, safe in his embrace, forever.

Gareth, however, had other ideas. He shrugged off his robe and pressed her back against the covers. Slowly, he trailed kisses down her neck. “Oh, Jane, I have missed you so much, my love.”