She raised up on her toes and touched her lips to his. “I would love to be your wife. All you have to do is agree to lease this house during the Seasons and spend Christmas with the children.”
His breath tickled her ear as he trailed his tongue over the outer edge. “I agree.”
“Then, yes, I will marry you.”
“I have waited years for this. I wish we had not lost so much time.” He pressed soft kisses over her cheek until he reached her mouth. “Pae, I love you. You won’t be sorry. I’ll make sure of it.”
She had waited years as well. Yet if he had approached her when the girls were younger, and before Matt had wed, she would have had to continue to refuse him. “I know you will. Let us simply be happy we are together now.”
Richard did not know what had happened after Worthington had left him in the parlor, but he would have agreed to almost anything to keep Pae with him. “How soon can we wed?”
Her eyes widened. “I had not thought of that. When would you like to marry?”
“Tomorrow.” He grinned as she gasped. “But I realize that is too soon. What do you say to next week?”
She smiled, and he almost changed his mind. “Perfect. There are three young girls who would be terribly disappointed not to be able to plan a wedding.”
“And we mustn’t disappoint the children.” He lowered his head, pressing his lips against hers. On a sigh, she allowed him in. If only they had somewhere they could go to be alone. “When shall we tell everyone?”
“Matt has taken them to the Park. We shall make our announcement when they return.”
He pulled her down on his lap as he sat on the sofa. “Do you think we’ll be left alone until then?”
“Richard! You cannot possibly be thinking—”
He kissed her again, cutting off her protest. “I have, but I realize this is neither the time nor the place. On the other hand, a little kissing would not be amiss.”
“Not amiss at all.”
* * *
The following week was filled with modeste appointments as well as the general mayhem that seemed to abound in Stanwood House.
Patience’s second wedding would not be the grand affair her first one had been, but it would most likely be a more joyful one.
Richard was at the house so often he began taking the younger children to the Park with Matt. The twins and Madeline had insisted on not only helping design their dresses, but designing Patience’s gown as well. Fortunately, Madam Lisette explained rather forcefully that their mother did not need to look like a wedding cake. However, the mention of cake reminded the girls that they needed to speak with Jacque, Grace’s cook.
Shortly after the children had descended to the kitchens, Jacque had ascended to Grace’s study. “Milady, I cannot haveles jeunes fillesinma cuisine.C’est dangereux.”
Grace had listened patiently before responding, “I understand. Please tell them they are to return to the schoolroom.”
The next day, the trio was gathered in the morning room with Patience and Grace.
“I don’t understand why we are not allowed in the kitchen anymore,” Alice said, pouting.
Nodding, Eleanor agreed, “All we wanted to do was give Jacque some ideas. How are we to be great hostesses when no one will let us help them?”
“Well”—Madeline crossed her arms over her chest—“I do not think it is fair.” A moment later she smiled. “The flowers! We can help with them.”
The three girls piled out of the morning room toward the garden, and Patience rubbed her brow. “How much damage can they do?”
“Oh, not much.” Grace motioned toward the window. “I have already warned our head gardener, and anyone else who might be the victims of their largesse. I have decided they may assist with decorating the ballroom.”
“I hope that will satisfy them.”
“A few well-supervised trips up a ladder and having to follow Penny’s instructions to the letter should quell their attempts to help.”
Mrs. Pennymore had been the Carpenters’ town housekeeper for years, and ran the house with a kind but firm hand. “That will definitely do it.”
