“Nothing to feud about,” Raithby said.
Bear felt Rosa was owed more for a lifetime of estrangement and two years of persecution than to have the past swept under the mat. “I will ask my wife if she is willing to accept your apologies, Sir Gerard. Perhaps you and Lady Threxton might call tomorrow afternoon?”
Threxton’s nostrils flared, but he glanced again at Raithby and then nodded. “That is fair. What might have happened to Mrs Gavenor if you had not come…” He shuddered. “I was never more shocked than when Pelman’s brothers-in-law laid their case before me so I could order the scoundrel’s arrest. Miss Pelman, too. My wife is horrified she put her trust in such a woman.”
Jeffreys had heard about the dramatic arrest and passed the news on to Bear during his morning ablutions. The Throckwhistle brothers and their men had carried both Pelmans off to Glasgow, where they would certainly need to face the wronged Mrs Pelman and might have to answer to charges of theft and fraud.
Threxton spun his hat one more time, then clamped it onto his head. “Tomorrow, then. Good day, Gavenor, Raithby. Raithby, I dare say… That is, my wife asked me to invite you to dinner.”
Raithby inclined his head slightly. “Please thank Lady Threxton for me, but tell her that I am beginning my journey home almost immediately, as soon as I have taken my leave of Mrs Gavenor.”
With that, Threxton had to be content.
As they walked to Rose Cottage, Bear wondered out loud how long the cease fire would last, once Raithby was gone.
Raithby smiled, his eyes full of mischief. “Longer than you might think. I made it clear that Aunt Belle was a treasured member of our family and that so, by extension, was her niece. Oh, and I may have hinted that your wife and I were correspondents. The younger Lady Threxton is quite awed to think she is cousin by marriage to a lady who exchanges letters with a marquess. I figured the blasted title might as well be of some use.”
The marquess had one more surprise for them, saying as he prepared to leave, “Rosa, Aunt Belle’s house belonged to her free and clear, and my mother had no right to dispossess her, as I have made clear to my solicitors and my servants.”
“I think she did not care, Raithby,” Rosa assured him. “She took it as an excuse to come home, and I am glad she did.”
“Beyond a doubt. But now the house is yours. It belongs to you as her nearest relative, and I will send you the deeds.”
“Set it up as a dower property, Raithby,” Bear advised. “I have my lawyers doing so with Rose Cottage, to give my Rosa security should anything happen to me.”
Raithby nodded approval. “A good idea. And Rosa, if ever this mountain you have chosen treats you poorly, come to me and I will look after you.”
That was almost the final word except for goodbyes and good wishes. Raithby’s traveling carriage and his servants waited at the gate, and soon Rosa and Bear stood on the doorstep watching the marquess and his entourage out of sight down the lane.
“Good,” Bear said. “He is gone.”
“I thought he was nice,” Rosa objected.
“I thought him too damned familiar with my wife.”
“Are you jealous, Hugh?” Rosa sounded delighted.
“Yes, dammit. I am jealous, though you never give me cause.” Bear lifted his wife to bring her head closer to his own, his hands supporting her delightful behind. “I am jealous of every person you smile at, everything that captures your attention. I find that love makes me selfish, my dearest—an old bear guarding its honey. Do you mind?”
Rosa put a hand on either side of his face and carefully examined him. “Love, Hugh?”
“Love,” Bear affirmed. “I love you, Rosa. I didn’t bargain for that, but I hope you will learn to love me, too.”
Rosa brushed her lips over his. “I do, Hugh. I fell in love with you long ago, the first time you went out in the rain for the sake of an impudent intruder and rose thief. I love you more and more with every passing day.”
Bear shifted his head back so he could see her eyes. “How very convenient our marriage is turning out to be,” he observed, then settled his mouth over hers, and they lost themselves in a kiss that ended only when Maggie whipped open the front door, saw them, and slammed it shut again.
“We are scandalizing the servants, Hugh,” Rosa said. “Perhaps we should find somewhere more private?”
Bear hoisted her more securely in his arms, and nudged open the door so he could carry her up to bed. A wife he loved, one willing to enjoy bed sport in the day time. He had not had either of those on his list when he went shopping for a bride. “Very convenient,” he repeated.
THE END
