Page 39 of Wedding the Widow

“No. What would make my happiness complete right now is for you to call me Jemmy.”

The fire that shot to her cheeks surely warmed the library. She ducked her head to avoid his eyes. “I will confess I have thought of you that way for some time now, though I still feel strange addressing you as . . . Jemmy.” The wretched blaze in her face increased. The name sounded strange on her tongue, but when she finally raised her head to him, his eyes shone with joy. He kissed her hands with a renewed fervor that touched her heart.

“Now I do claim to be happiest man in the world.” The coiled excitement in him made her fear he might shout the house awake just to tell them the news. “Will you go with me tomorrow to my father to inform him about our intentions? He’s at Blackham Castle in East Sussex, scarcely a half day’s carriage ride from here.”

“I think that would be lovely. Will Georgie accompany us?” She knew Georgie had been disinherited upon her marriage to a vicar’s son, but her friend had hoped time and her widowed state might change her father’s mind.

“No.” He shook his head sadly. “That avenue is not quite open to her as yet, unfortunately. But while we are there, I will plead my sister’s case. It is time Father relented and opened his arms to her again. Of course, if he does not, we will soon be able to make her circumstances better.” He twined her arm through his, lit her candle, and started out of the library on an optimistic note.

Elizabeth sighed, contented as she had not been for more than a year. Perhaps her dream and that wretched book had led to a wonderful new chapter in her life after all.

Chapter 15

Jemmy’s carriage rolled up to the front door of Lyttlefield Park at precisely nine o’clock later that morning. He’d already breakfasted early, in the company of Elizabeth, who stood beside him, looking fresh and pretty as a summer sky. Her pale blue spencer had a matching bonnet that framed her lovely face and brightened the blue of her eyes to azure.

They should have been weary and yawning after their late-night assignation, but he supposed the excitement of the moment kept him at least alert. However, there would be time to nap in the carriage during the long ride.

“Will you spend the night at Blackham, Jemmy?” Georgie had come out with them to see them off, the crisp air pinking her cheeks.

“Yes, it will take more than half the day to reach the estate.” He handed Elizabeth in and turned back to his sister. “I wish you were coming with us.”

“I do as well.” Georgie wrinkled her nose and pursed her lips unattractively, making him laugh. “I wonder what would happen if I simply showed up on Father’s doorstep? Do you think he’d make me sleep in the stable?” Her lips quirked into a smile, but her eyes were now sober.

“Doubtful; however, we will not tempt the fates today. I will speak to him, though, about your returning after Lady Cavendish removes to Wrotham Park. If you are very sure you wouldn’t rather return to Mrs. Reynolds and the Kirkpatricks?” What a choice to have to make. Elizabeth had told him just how badly his sister had been treated by her sister-in-law.

“Rather like having to decide between Scylla and Charybdis. Live with a sea monster with six heads or a whirlpool that sucks you to the bottom of the sea.” Georgie’s rueful smile went straight to his heart. “I can see Mrs. Reynolds with six heads, and not one of them with anything nice to say to me.”

His sister’s woebegone face settled the matter. He must bring his father around and make him allow Georgie to return home at least for the short while before the Season began. Then, if she made a match Father approved of, she could marry and leave Blackham before the summer was out. Pity she hadn’t gotten on better with his friend, the Marquess of St. Just, a very eligible parti in the ton right now.

“You’d best be off, Jemmy. Don’t stand here staring like a mooncalf.” She giggled as she playfully steered him toward the waiting carriage. “Give my love to Father, if he’ll have it.”

Jemmy nodded, bussed her cheek, and stepped up into the carriage. The door shut, and the coachman started the team.

Clutching her thick black shawl about her shoulders, Georgie continued to wave at him until the carriage turned into the long, tree-lined driveway and she was lost to him.

Settling back against the soft leather seat, he smiled at Elizabeth and took her hand. “I have hopes of mediating a reunion with Georgie and our father. After I’ve introduced him to you and he is secure in the knowledge that his heir is perhaps on the way, I’ll wager he’ll be in a more lenient frame of mind.”

“I only hope he will not be shocked by the news.” Elizabeth trembled at what Lord Blackham would think of her, already breeding before the wedding. It happened quite frequently in ton circles, even in the best of families. As long as the couple wed before the birth, nothing was thought about such situations.

“Father is seldom shocked by anything.” Jemmy busied himself tucking the carriage robe more securely around Elizabeth. “Although his youngest child defying him may have done so. Disowning her has hurt not only her, but the whole family as well. My brother and other sisters have felt it keenly that they’ve not been able to see Georgina for almost three years now. Longer, I believe, for our sisters, who live rather far from central England.”

“You have a brother and other sisters?” Elizabeth perked up. “Georgie didn’t tell me. I shall have to scold her for that.” She snuggled beneath the carriage blanket, looking at him with rapt attention. “Instead of dreading the meeting with your father, I can be your captive audience while you regale me with stories about your family. Georgie spoke only of her brief time with Isaac.” Elizabeth glanced down to the rough, chilly floor of the carriage. “I must confess I sympathized with her decision to do so. However, I would dearly love to hear more about your family.”

“One that you are soon to become a part of, my dear.” He could scarcely believe it, though he spoke the words. “Yes, Emma, Countess of Ainnes, is the elder of the twins by approximately five minutes. She’s that much older than Mary, Marchioness of Daverscombe, whose precedence now puts her several places higher than Emma, for which Emma has never forgiven her.” He couldn’t help chuckling. “They have ever been in competition.”

“My children are much the same,” Elizabeth sighed. “Both Colin and Kate have always wanted to win, no matter what the prize. An extra treat at dinner time or an outing to the park, each must be the one to win.” She eyed him inquisitively. “I wonder if all twins are the same in that respect.”

“Perhaps we will know in good time.” He cast a glance at her stomach, well-hidden by her coat and her plaid carriage shawl once more. Even though he could see nothing—nothing to see at this stage of the game—he wanted that assurance nonetheless. He’d be more than thrilled to have two babies in the household. With Elizabeth’s other two children, it would be quite the ready family. They must give some serious thought to where they would live.

“Since our family will be expanding quickly, would you rather live in Town this winter and remove to one of my father’s country estates after the baby is born or leave immediately after the wedding?” Best they get this settled so they weren’t at sixes and sevens when the time loomed large.

“There are merits to both schemes, my dear.” She patted his arm, and hot desire shot through his veins at that merest touch. This short ride might be interminable. “In Town, my mother would be near when my confinement begins. That was a comfort when the twins were born.”

The charming, perplexed look on her beautiful face made him ache to take her in his arms and smooth away her frowns. She should never feel distress at anything if he could find a way to remedy the problem. “As we have at least two weeks before the wedding, while the banns are read, why don’t we consult your mother as well before we come to a decision? I will leave it totally in your hands, my love.”

“Thank you.” Frown disappearing, she relaxed against him.

He must find a way to prevent her worrying a jot, lest it harm the child. “For now, let us concentrate on this audience with Father.”