by Beers, Laura
Roswell leaned forward in his chair and leaned his arms on the desk. “I assume that Lord Worthington will appeal.”
“Most likely, but Mr. Clawson is already preparing his arguments as to why that shouldn’t be allowed.”
“That pleases me to hear.”
“With any luck, Lady Bideford and Lady Worthington will receive their inheritance in a few months.”
“I know Lady Worthington is rather eager for her jointure.”
“Why is that?”
“She intends to move out and acquire her own household,” Roswell shared. “But I do hope she won’t move too far, for Ellie’s sake.”
“You must be relieved, since most men would rather not live with their mother-in-law,” Mr. Manley remarked, chuckling.
Roswell smiled. “I do not mind Lady Worthington living under our roof,” he said. “Besides, it makes my wife happy, and that is all that matters.”
“Spoken like a man in love.”
“I am not ashamed of that.”
“Nor should you be,” Mr. Manley said, rising. “It is very becoming of you.”
Roswell watched his solicitor depart from the room before seeking out his wife. As he walked towards the drawing room, Ellie’s laughter drifted into the hall, and he knew that was a sound he would never tire of.
Roswell stepped into the room and saw Ellie conversing with her mother. He leaned his shoulder against the door and took a moment to admire her. She looked lovely in her pink gown, her hair loosely coiffed.
Ellie glanced over at him and smiled. “I see that you have finally emerged from your study.”
He straightened from the door. “I’m afraid I have many more hours ahead of me to make up for all the time I was gone.”
“I wish there was some way I could help.”
Sitting next to her, he replied, “Just knowing that you are waiting for me at the end of the day is all the incentive I need.”
Ellie leaned in and gave him a brief kiss. “What a sweet thing to say, dear husband.”
“It is merely the truth,” Roswell responded before turning his attention towards his mother-in-law. “How are you faring, Alice?”
She smiled. “I am well.”
“I am surprised that Mother and Emma aren’t in here, as well,” he commented.
“They went shopping,” Alice replied.
“Of course they did,” he said, smiling. “I do have some good news.”
Ellie shifted in her seat to face him. “You do?”
He nodded. “I just met with my solicitor, and he informed me that the judge ruled in your favor.”
Alice clasped her hands together. “That is wonderful news!”
“Is it truly over?” Ellie asked.
He gave her a reassuring smile. “I have no doubt that Lord Worthington will try to exhaust the court with his appeals, but I am confident that Mr. Clawson will remain one step ahead of him.”
“I do hope so. I can’t believe he tried to have me arrested for shooting him in the foot,” Ellie said.
Roswell chuckled. “I believe the magistrate even praised you for your accuracy.”
Ellie smiled. “It was no less than he deserved.”
“No one disputed that,” Roswell responded.
Rising, Alice said, “If you will excuse me, I believe I shall rest before dinner.”
Roswell rose and waited until she departed before he sat back down. “How are you faring, my dear?” he asked.
“I am well,” Ellie said, “but I must admit that I am missing the privacy we enjoyed at our Scottish estate.”
“We could always go back,” he suggested.
“Can we?” she asked eagerly.
He reached forward and tucked a lock of his wife’s errant brown hair behind her ear. “We may have to wait until after the Season concludes, since I am needed in the House of Lords.”
“You are right, of course,” she said with a slight pout on her lips.
Roswell leaned closer and pressed his lips against hers. He leaned back only slightly to say, “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Their lips had only met again briefly when the sound of dog whimpering met his ears. He broke the kiss and saw a brown puppy staring up at them, its tail wagging rapidly.
Ellie gasped. “What is this?”
Roswell leaned down and picked up the puppy. “This was supposed to be your surprise after dinner,” he said. “Do you like it?”
“I love it!” his wife exclaimed, reaching for the puppy.
Mary entered the room with a repentant look. “I do apologize, but the puppy escaped from the servant’s quarters.”
“No harm done,” Roswell said. “I think her ladyship likes the surprise, regardless.”
“I do,” Ellie responded as she kissed the puppy on top of the head. “This has been my favorite gift from you so far.”
Roswell shook his head, feigning outrage. “I should be offended. That coral necklace around your neck was quite expensive.”
Ellie leaned closer to him. “But you are still my favorite thing in this whole world,” she murmured.
“That pleases me to hear.”
As Roswell pressed his lips to hers, he knew this woman held the best part of him. And he would have it no other way.
The End
About the Author
Laura Beers is an award-winning author. She attended Brigham Young University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management. She can't sing, doesn't dance and loves naps.
Besides being a full-time homemaker to her three kids, she loves waterskiing, hiking, and drinking Dr. Pepper. She was born and raised in Southern California, but she now resides in South Carolina.
