“Do you have many tenants?” she asked.
“Eight. In a few weeks I will introduce you to the families that tend my land and livestock.”
“Would it be impolite if I asked what dowry you received from my father?”
“Your father offered me a parcel of land neighboring Colworth Abbey. It will be a good addition to my estate and comes with three additional tenant families.”
“Yes, I know it well. The Andersons, Baileys, and Waters are the families that live on the land.”
“You are familiar with them?”
“Yes. I often went with my father when he made the rounds of his holdings.”
“Then I will be sure to take you with me when I visit them.”
“I would like that.”
She smiled and James experienced a gentle pull towards her. But he easily resisted it.
“Is there a village nearby your estate? One large enough to have shops and a bookstore?”
“Are you a reader, Petronella?”
“Yes. I’m afraid I enjoy reading as much as almost anything.”
“Then you will be pleased to know there’s an excellent bookstore in Siding Cross. We’ll visit there soon.”
“Oh, you’ll not have to accompany me, my lord. I’m sure I’ll be able to find my way.”
“James. Please, call me James.”
She lowered her gaze as if she was surprised he’d invited her to call him by his first name so soon after they were married.
“Then you must call me Nella. It’s what my family and friends call me.”
“Very well, Nella.”
James was grateful for her easy ways, though they were laced with more than a bit of underlying nervousness. What she had to be nervous about escaped him. She was withdrawing to the country, a wish she’d expressed more than once. It was he who would be braving the world and its unpleasant opinion of him. She, on the other hand, had absolutely nothing to fear.
For miles he worked to stow his resentment in a place where it wouldn’t be a constant reminder of his former life. He concentrated on what this turn of events might mean to him not just as husband, but as earl. From this day forward he would face the world not as a wealthy bachelor, but as the settled lord of an enviable estate.
And that was a stunning thought.
Perhaps that was the blessing in all this. He would no longer be the free and easy unattached fellow with all its obligations to marriage-minded mamas. Now he could allow himself to lead with his more serious side. If that became true, he would welcome it.
James looked out the window and smiled. “We’re here.”
“Oh,” she said, turning to follow his gaze. She released a sigh. “Your manor house is beautiful.”
The carriage slowed, then stopped, and James jumped to the ground. “Allow me,” he said, holding out his hand for her to take.
She took it and he helped her alight. He was surprised. She wasn’t at all delicate, but even with her ample weight, she was graceful.
They walked to the front door that his butler, Covey, held open for them. James introduced his new wife to Covey, then to Mrs. Pendleton, the housekeeper, the upstairs maid Blackstone, the downstairs maid Elffing, then to Cook. They all bobbed prettily when they met the woman he’d married, but James couldn’t help but notice the looks of surprise on their faces.
He told himself he needed to get used to that expression. It would happen often until everyone in the village and neighborhood had met her.
Everyone would wear a similar expression of shock and surprise when they met the woman he’d married. She wasn’t what any of them expected. But, he told himself, in time the surprise would evaporate.
“Mrs. Pendleton, would you please show Lady Danvers to her rooms?”
“Yes, my lord. This way, my lady.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Pendleton,” she said, then turned to him. “Would you mind if I had a tray sent up, then retired early, my lord?”
James couldn’t help but be surprised at her request. “No, my lady. Not if that’s what you’d prefer.”
“It is,” she answered, then followed Mrs. Pendleton up the stairs.
When she was out of sight, James went to his study and closed the door behind him. He stopped at the sideboard and poured himself a tumbler of brandy, then took the brandy decanter with him when he sat behind his desk. He took a swallow, then set his glass on the desk and leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
“Bloody hell,” he hissed through closed teeth. His earlier acceptance of his situation suddenly abandoned him. How had he landed himself in this mess? How was he to survive the rest of his life?
James thought of the multitude of beautiful women who’d thrown themselves at his feet. Why couldn’t it have been one of those who’d drugged him? Why couldn’t he have compromised one of them?
He thought of how his life would change now that he’d married the woman he had. His wife had made it plain that she would not be going to London in their lifetime. She would not be a part of the nobility that attended the most fashionable balls and social events, but he was allowed to go without her.
Bloody hell, was he really going to be that person?
How long would it be before his friends and acquaintances would wonder why his wife was never with him? They would, of course believe he was ashamed of her appearance and did not want to be seen with her.
Was that true? Would that be the reason he wouldn’t insist she came to Town with him? Could he be that vain and shallow?
On the other hand, had she insisted upon remaining in the country to give him an excuse? To let him believe it was her choice that he conduct his London business without her so he didn’t have to blame himself for abandoning her?
He leaned forward and took a long swallow of his brandy. He wasn’t proud of himself, but he couldn’t deny that a part of him was glad she insisted that she remain in the country when he went to Town. He wasn’t used to having any female other than one of the most beautiful women on his arm. It deflected attention from himself, and he actually liked that.
He finished his glass of brandy and refilled it, then walked to the window and stared out into the waning sunlight. Little by little the brightness faded and the darkness wrapped around him like the fleece of a warm blanket.
Tonight was his wedding night. And he was terrified. As terrified as he was sure his wife was. How on earth would he ever survive it?
He refilled his brandy, then sank into a wing chair and drank it. Then drank another. And another. And….
Finally, he climbed the stairs and knocked on his wife’s door.
~■~
Nella heard the knock on the door and pulled the covers up beneath her chin. This was her wedding night and she knew that her husband would come to her. She only thought it would have been long before now. It had to be well past midnight.
“May I come in?” he asked from the doorway.
“Of course, my lord.”
Nella had never been so nervous in her life. She’d never been more frightened than she was now. She held her breath, seeking to sink beneath the bedclothes.
“I brought wine. I thought you might like a glass before we…uh…go to bed.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Nella sat up in the bed and watched the man of her dreams pour her a glass of wine.