Rescued by Love
Page 20
“What are you thinking?” Sarita asked at the mischievous glint in his eyes.
“About something you told me that night in the woods. What were you doing that night?” He shifted his weight to get a better look at her features.
“Perhaps I should ask you the same,” she quipped, and then shook her head as he tried to answer. “How did you spend those three days I avoided you like the pox?” she asked, her mood changing.
“Arranging this,” he said, waving his hand. “All the testimony I had to give was done. All the reports written. I made certain no one and nothing could disturb us for the next month. And I arranged for the special license so that once I convinced you of my love we could be wed without delay.”
A blush stole over Sarita’s cheeks as passion flickered in his eyes. It called forth a like response. “What are you thinking?” she asked softly.
“It concerned Mother—How you once said you would not envy Deborah for marrying Lord Enoch and having his mother as a mother-in-law,” he reminded her, his eyes twinkling.
Sarita grabbed the pillow at her side and smashed it to her husband’s head with all her might.
Laughing, he pulled it from her.
“Your mother was right. You are an incorrigible mischief maker,” she retorted.
“What? An alliance against me already?” He leaned back against the coach seat, a hand across his brow. “What shall become of me? I must call the dowagers to rescue me.”
“They know a hoax when they hear it—or see it,” Sarita retorted, hard put to keep a straight face.
“But this is no sham,” he said softly, drawing her towards him. “None at all,” he breathed as his lips claimed hers.
* * * *
“This is the most excitement I have had since Lord Kennard proposed to me years ago,” Lady Henrietta chattered animatedly as the dowagers walked down the rectory steps with Reverend and Mrs. Durham.
“You must be relieved to have us finally leave,” Lady Brienne said, offering her hand.
“‘Tis a sad day to see such pleasant guests depart,” the rector smiled sadly.
“There is much work to keep you from ever knowing we have gone. Your flock has returned.” The baroness glanced to the group of people repairing the church roof.
“There is also the purchaser of Lord Pergrine’s lands to consider. The new owner will need guidance on how to correct all the injustices of the past few years.” She grinned widely.
“My nephew said they would be spending some months each year at the house. Of course we shall have to visit them—and you.”
“There shall always be a warm welcome awaiting you,” Mrs. Durham’s said quietly as she took her husband’s hand. “Thank you so much for the many conversations, the encouragement, and guidance you have given. I had not realized the depth of my retreat from reality. I do believe all will be well now,” she said, looking from the baroness to her husband with a newfound strength.
“I believe so, too,” Lady Brienne nodded, “for everyone.”
Lady Imogene stuck her head out of the coach’s window. “Aren’t you coming, Brienne?”
“Come along.” Lady Phillippa waved a hand excitedly. “Who knows what lies before us.”
“Bruises, with this coach,” Lady Henrietta pronounced, thumping the horsehair squabs as the baroness joined them.
“Enough. We are not even off, and yon are already complaining.” Lady Brienne glared as she settled into the coach. Tapping the roof with her cane, she turned and waved farewell as Mr. Caine urged the teams forward. Her sternness faded as she looked at the three, each gazing questioningly from one to the other at her suddenly brusque manner. “I wouldn’t want you to think I had changed too much, now would I?” she quipped.
Laughter burst from the three as she chuckled. As their laughter died away, a verse they had sung long ago burst from Lady Phillippa and was quickly taken up by the others.
Our minds to us kingdoms are,
Such present joys therein we find,
That it excels all other bliss
That earth affords or grows by kind:
Though much we want which most would have,
Yet still our minds forbid the crave.
Content to live, this is our stay;
We seek no more than may suffice;
We press to bear no haughty sway;
Look, what we lack our minds supply;
Lo, thus we triumph like queens,
Content with what our minds doth bring.*
*From My Mind to Me a Kingdom Is by Sir Edward Dyer (1550-1607).
Lady Brienne looked at her sisters as the song ended, a comfortable happiness easing her past cares. Yes, she thought, we have our tomorrows. A chuckle escaped.
And what tomorrows they shall be!
To Jennifer, Will, Kathryn
and
“The Matchmaking Dowagers”
Copyright © 1981 by Joan C. Wesolowsky
Originally published by Dell Candlelight Georgian (0440174333)
Electronically published in 2005 by Belgrave House/Regency Reads
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No portion of this book may be reprinted in whole or in part, by printing, faxing, E-mail, copying electronically or by any other means without permission of the publisher. For more information, contact Belgrave House, 190 Belgrave Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94117-4228
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This is a work of fiction. All names in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to any person living or dead is coincidental.