They ambled slowly down Rotten Row among the other riders and the occasional carriage, the pedestrians walking to their left on the footpath.
“Have you been here before?” he asked.
“Oh yes, when I worked for the Dowtons in London, I used to bring my charges here for walks in the afternoons. But I have never visited London while in the duke’s employ.”
“You will see some changes then in six years.”
“Yes, no doubt.”
“Ah, there’s the dowager with Lady Ava and Ravenshaw,” he said, waving. They brought their mounts to a halt and Avaexclaimed, “Oh what a pretty mare, Annis. I am green with envy!”
Annis smiled at her erstwhile pupil, a little flush of pleasure at the compliment. Jerome DeVere, the Marquess of Ravenshaw, bowed at the waist and gave Annis one of his devilish smiles which had her visibly flustered. The dowager asked her how she did, and under cover of her response, Ravenshaw murmured, “An unexpected start, Emrys. The governess?”
Emrys stiffened, bridling at the implied criticism of Annis. “And why not? You’re hardly in a position to preach propriety, Ravenshaw!”
Ravenshaw raised his eyebrows and smirked slightly. “Like that, is it? Congratulations, I hope you’re happy.”
“I am,” said Emrys, somewhat mollified.
Ravenshaw lost his smirk and nodded. “I’m glad,” he said simply.
The sincerity in his tone smoothed the last of Emrys’s ruffled feathers. Just then Ava claimed Ravenshaw’s attention with a touch on his arm and Emrys was struck by the picture they made. Two of the best-looking people in London, a petite, pretty blonde and a handsome, dark-haired Corinthian. Ravenshaw was too old for her, of course, even if he were the marrying sort, which he wasn’t. And in any case, Rob would have his guts for garters if he so much as looked at Ava that way. But they did make a picture.
He and Annis took their leave of the other party and ambled on, turning at the end of the Row and ambling back.
“I think I shall call her Charis,” announced Annis. “It meansgracein Greek you know. Thank you so much, Emrys. She is lovely,” she said, smiling at him with such warmth his chest filled up to bursting.
“Don’t keep thanking me. I’m your husband—it’s my duty to see you properly mounted.” His wicked sense of humor asserted itself, and he added, “Although that’s something I’ll be doing more in private!”
“What?” Eyes widening in comprehension, she flushed. “Emrys! Not here!”
“Exactly!” he said, smirking. “In private.”
Later that night, in the privacy of their bedchamber, he looked up at her straddling him as he drove upward into her, and her delicious breasts swung before his face. “I trust you feel well mounted my lady?” He grinned at his joke even as he panted, gripping her hips and thrusting hard enough to jolt her whole body.
She moaned softly, “Emrys!”
“Yes, love,” he panted. “Come for me, sweetheart.” He groaned. “God, Annis, I’m not going to be able to hold off much longer.” He moved his hand to rub her furiously and she arched her body, flinging back her long neck and thrusting forward her magnificent breasts. He reached up and captured a nipple in his mouth and dropped back against the pillows as he lost the battle and came hard. Pleasure spiking and flooding his senses, her body milking his to completion as she flopped forward on his chest with a replete moan, panting in his ear.
Who would be without a wife?he thought muzzily, stroking her damp back and pulling up the sheets to keep her warm.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Sarah called forAnnis on Friday morning and whisked her off to Bond St. for a marathon shopping expedition. Annis, unaccustomed to being able to afford lace and ribbons, let alone a whole wardrobe of sumptuous gowns, was a bit overwhelmed. But Emrys had impressed upon her over breakfast that she could spend what she liked.
“You won’t bankrupt me for a few gowns, my dear. I can assure you, my estates are in good heart. Caro used to buy something new every week, if I recall. Just tell them to send the bills to me. I will organize you an allowance in future, and you can manage for yourself, as I’m sure you’d prefer, but for this once just get what you need, and be guided by Sarah.”
Seeing Annis’s discomfort in the first shop, Sarah said quietly, “I know how you feel. I was reluctant at first when I inherited my great-aunt’s fortune. But Daphne—you remember Lady Holbrook?—she convinced me it was an investment in my future, and it did pay off. In your case it’s different, of course. But you must dress as befits your station, as I do now. We need to ensure we don’t become sources of gossip or put our families to the blush, my dear, not over trifles like clothes. That doesn’t mean I countenance squandering money unnecessarily; I would much prefer it went to charity. But with the title comes certain responsibilities, you understand?”
Annis nodded. It made perfect sense, and she did want to make Emrys pleased with her appearance. To see the warmth in his eyes when he looked at her was worth more than gold.
She was glad to make the acquaintance of Sarah’s sister, Miss Deborah Watson, again. She was an exceedingly pretty young woman with dark hair and blue eyes, a stunning combination. Despite her looks, Miss Watson wasn’t in the slightest bit affected in her manner. She seemed oblivious to her appearance and entered into the process of acquiring a wardrobe with similar trepidation to Annis. Despite the seven years between them, Annis felt a certain kinship of spirit with the younger woman.
The modiste, Madame Therese, had both of them up on pedestals while fabrics were draped and pinned on them, and patterns and styles were discussed with Sarah. Once this part of the proceedings was completed, they tried on several made-up dresses, which were adjusted to fit with pins and promised for delivery later that day or tomorrow. The gowns to be made bespoke would take a couple of weeks to arrive.
Since both of them required everything from corsets, chemise, and petticoats, to shoes, bonnets, gloves, and shawls, it was a very long day traipsing from shop to shop. They stopped for luncheon, and Sarah allowed them a respite at Hatchard’s bookshop for a blissful hour where they all three poured over the new catalogue of novels and chose some volumes for their respective libraries.
By the time Sarah dropped her at home, Annis was exhausted. She went up to her dressing room with the intention of putting away all her new purchases, the footmen trailing her, carrying up all her packages, and was confronted by the sight of a young woman in an apron and mob cap waiting for her.
