Page 42 of When She Was a Governess
Henry cut into his lamb. “Now, tell me about your visit with Charlotte this afternoon. She is one of my favorite people.”
“She was wonderful. Easy to talk to. And so welcoming. I was pleasantly surprised. I thought she might think me unfit. That is, until she told me it was her idea for us to marry.”
He raised an eyebrow. Was Sophia offended by this? If so, he wasn’t totally clear as to why. Who cared who thought of it?
“Does it bother you?” Henry asked. “That it was her suggestion?”
“It does. But I am not entirely certain why.”
“Perhaps it should please you.” Henry chuckled under his breath. “To know that the man you’re about to marry isn’t the one who thought of such a mad idea in the first place.”
“Would you have thought of it otherwise?”
He set his fork aside, looking over at her. “I do not believe I would have, but not because of you. Or that you haveshortcomings of any kind. No, quite simply, I would not have seen what a perfect solution it was for all of us. I am not nearly as smart as Charlotte.”
“Or as romantic?”
“What do you mean?” Henry asked.
“Charlotte gave me the distinct impression that she thought our relationship would not always be one of pure convenience. She said she has a sense about these things.”
“Yes, that sounds like her.” Henry shook his head, laughing under his breath. “She always thinks she knows everything about everyone. She’s been like that since we were kids.”
“Is she usually right?”
He picked up his fork and knife, cutting another bite of lamb. “Thus far, yes.”
“Then we shall see if she predicts this one as well,” Sophia said, eyes sparkling flirtatiously.
This woman beguiled him. Perhaps his cousin was right. Perhaps they would fall in love and be happily married like she and Thomas were.
He had not expected to ever entertain such an idea. But sitting across from his pretty fiancée he had no choice but to hope for the thawing of his own heart as well as hers.
Had he lost his mind? Most likely. But right now he couldn’t summon the energy to examine his motives or actions. He simply wanted to be having dinner with his lovely bride. And that is what he would do.
*
Henry woke tosunlight streaming through his chamber windows. Such brilliant, unexpected warmth this time of year. Davies was already laying out his clothes for the day.
“Good morning, my lord. Looks like we’re getting another unseasonably fine day.”
“So it seems.” Henry sat up, running a hand through his hair. The beach. He’d promised Amelia they would go to the beach today. His stomach tightened at the thought.
“Will you be riding out this morning, my lord?” Davies asked, holding up Henry’s riding coat.
“No. I’m taking a walk down to the shore. With Miss Ashford and Amelia.”
Davies’s hands stilled for just a moment. “The shore, my lord?”
“Yes.”
“I see.” Davies set down the riding coat and selected a jacket more suitable for a casual walk. His tone was carefully neutral, but Henry knew Davies understood the significance. Henry hadn’t been near the water in six years. Not since the morning he’d found Eleanor’s body washed up on the rocks.
“It’s time,” Henry said quietly. “Amelia has asked me to spend time with her near the water and I cannot say no. I shouldn’t say no.”
“Yes, my lord. I believe it is time.”
An hour later, Henry descended the stairs to find Sophia and Amelia waiting in the entrance hall.
