I grinned. “Not until after the wedding. But it is probably a good thing Coco loves you so, for she has already claimed the bed in the master’s suite. I hope you do not mind a dog to warm your feet.”
“For you, I’ll put up with anything.”
Chapter 29
Mrs. Overton requested a breakfast tray in her room so I checked on her that morning, concerned for her after the eventful night before. She was no worse, only tired, and said as I was leaving that she would allow me to tell Daniel of her illness.
I hovered at the end of her bed. I planned on sending him up to speak with her after my guests departed, but I could not remove the worry from my heart. If she was willing to tell Daniel, then it was probable her time was coming—an eventuality I was not prepared to face.
“Fix that long face, dear,” she said with kindness. “It is not as bad as you are assuming.”
“Then why have you changed your mind about telling Daniel?”
She glanced to the window before responding. “Lady Melbourne’s return forced me to reconsider. If Daniel is refraining from any connection to her because of me, I want him to know that I am fine with it before I go. Besides, he deserves to know.”
I nodded. “I don’t understand why Lord and Lady Melbourne want him to come to them anyway. Daniel said himself that the present earl could live another ten years.”
“Yes,” she agreed, adjusting herself on her pillows. I hastened to help her, sitting myself on the edge of her bed. “But Lord Melbourne has spent his life building up his home and lands and political seat. It is only natural for him to wish to pass on his knowledge and customs to the heir.”
I hadn’t considered that perspective before. Had Daniel?
“Do not fret,” Mrs. Overton said sleepily. “It shall all work itself out in the end.”
I leaned forward to kiss the woman’s forehead before letting myself from the room and leaning against the door. Her words stuck with me and I could not help but think of the importance of posterity. I did not blame Lord Melbourne for having the desire to pass something on to future generations.
Carrying myself downstairs, I sat at the breakfast table, surrounded by my two closest friends, their husbands, and my Daniel. But I could not remove the conversation with Mrs. Overton from my mind.
“You will let us know the moment you set the date, yes?” Rosalynn asked, pulling me from my musings. “I must be here.”
“I will let you know,” I agreed.
Elsie simply watched me, a continuous smile on her face. It was unnerving, but I imagined my mother having much the same reaction.
“We will have to wait at least a month,” I told them. “I am having a guest come to stay soon, and she will remain a few weeks at least.”
“You have not told me this,” Daniel said.
“Have I not? Mrs. Wheeler asked if we could have her sister, Miss Clarke, come to Corden Hall while she attends a house party. I told her I would be delighted.” An image came to my mind of the scene at the assembly hall. “Unless, of course, she’s changed her mind.”
“She stood up last night,” Daniel reminded me, referring to the waltz at the assemblies. It was true. Mrs. Wheeler was one of the select few who chose to support me in the face of adversity.
“Perhaps we shall have everyone to stay at our castle for Christmas,” Rosalynn announced. “Wouldn’t that be splendid fun?”
“Capital, darling,” Lord McGregor said indulgently.
Lord Cameron sighed. “It is settled then. We will all freeze to death in the McGregor castle for the holidays.”
“It is not so drafty when you grow used to it,” Rosalynn defended.
“Of course not,” Elsie said, grinning. She turned to Daniel. “We shall have a splendid time. Just do not forget to bring extra warm cloaks.”
* * *
Their carriages were packed and filled with small boys—sans frogs, of course—and we gathered in the drive to say our farewells. I was proud of myself for keeping a dry eye as I waved to the disappearing carriages. I had cried enough within the last month to fill my quota for the year.
“Shall we?” Daniel asked, offering me his arm.
I clung to him, walking toward the house. “I am glad you get along with them. They mean a great deal to me.” Elsie and Rosalynn were the family I could rely on.
“They admire my horses. What more is there to like?”
“Yes,” I said with a laugh. “What more, indeed?”
He led me into the foyer and I pulled back on his arm. “Mrs. Overton would like a word with you in her chamber.”
Confusion marred his brow. “What is it about?”
I drew in a breath. “You will have to speak with her.”
He turned to go but I spoke, forcing him to turn back. “Will you regret the opportunity you have now to learn from Lord Melbourne?”
He stilled. “Learn what, precisely?”
“He has been the earl for years. He probably has a lot of knowledge and customs he would like to pass on to the next one. Do you know much about running an earldom?” Mrs. Overton wouldn’t mind my borrowing her words. It was she who caused me to consider these things in the first place.
Daniel ran a hand over his face. “I was not planning on worrying about any of this until after our wedding, at least.”
Nodding, I stepped closer and picked up his hand in both of mine. “Then we needn’t worry about it. I merely wondered if it was something to consider.” I sighed. “I have not wanted to admit as much, but I have not been comfortable with the way I left things with my father when I saw him last. I have been telling myself it was the right thing to do, and that I should be glad he’s gone from my life, but the truth is, he did try to write me for a full year before he gave up. With a complete lack of response, how can I blame him?”
“You’re hurt.”
“Pain is not a valid excuse anymore. My father’s abrupt arrival at a ball with no prior warning was not exactly ideal, but that is not just cause for cutting him out of my life entirely. Elsie told me once that holding onto this anger and pain would only hurt me. I can see now what she meant by that, for I pretend not to care, but I do.”
He leaned forward and tucked a stray curl behind my ear. “What do you plan to do about it?”
Warmth grew in my heart at his touch. I would not let anything ruin the beginning of our relationship. “I am going to write to my father,” I said. “I will tell him I forgive him.”
Daniel nodded, his arm coming around me to pull me close. “Do you?”
“Yes,” I said quietly. With his arms holding me tightly, I felt I would never want for anything.
“Then I suppose I ought to follow your noble lead.”
“You shall write to my father, too?” I asked.
His chuckle vibrated his chest and sent shivers down my arms. “No,” he clarified. “I shall wait until after we wed, but I will write to Lord Melbourne and accept his offer.”
My breath turned shallow as realization dawned that I did not know exactly what Lord and Lady Melbourne had asked for. “What was his offer?”
“For me to move into the Abbey and learn the workings of the estate and lands.”
“Forever?”
He leaned back to look me in the eyes. “No. I shall not plan to live there forever. Only long enough to get a lay for the land and then we can return here.”
“We?”
His dimple appeared with his smile. “Of course, we. I will make it very clear that I shall only come with my wife. I have confidence they will not refuse me.”
“Who could refuse you?” I said, sliding my hands up to grasp his lapels.
“You tried to,” he reminded me.
Laughing, I shook my head. “But it did not last long.”
“No, it did not. And for that I am eternally grateful.” He leaned in to kiss me and I felt the world fall from beneath me, Daniel’s arms holding me steady and secure in his embrace.
I had the distinc
t impression I would always feel this way in his arms, and it was an enticing prospect, indeed.
Next in the Women of Worth Series
Love at the House Party
Eleanor Wheeler married into misery. Now widowed, marrying again is the only way to save her sister and herself from their brother's drunken temper. Mr. Bancroft offers her such an escape if she can gain his mother's approval at the family's house party.
Eleanor quickly discovers that obtaining Mrs. Bancroft's blessing is near impossible. A matter only complicated further when she stumbles across a fellow guest in the middle of the night. Despite fear of scandal, Eleanor cannot resist the Marquess' easy manner, which appeals to her heart in a way Mr. Bancroft never could.
However, losing Mr. Bancroft would be disastrous to her sister's future. When her past begins to catch up with her, Eleanor desperately holds the Marquess at arm's length in an attempt to preserve her plans. As the house party draws to a close, she must choose between a safe bet or following her heart.
Also by Kasey Stockton
Women of Worth Series
Love in the Bargain, Book One
Love for the Spinster, Book Two
Love at the House Party, Book Three
Love in the Wager, Book Four
Stand Alone Romances
To Be Loved By the Earl
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About the Author
Kasey Stockton was drawn to the Regency period at a young age when gifted a copy of Sense and Sensibility by her grandmother. A staunch lover of all things romantic, Kasey doesn't discriminate between genres and enjoys a wide variety of happily ever afters. A native of northern California, she now resides in Utah with her own prince charming and their three children. When not reading, writing, or binge-watching sappy chick flicks, she enjoys running, cutting hair, and anything chocolate.
Love For The Spinster (Women 0f Worth Book 2) Page 20
