“Since my mother’s death”—she blew out a breath—“almost anything can set him off. He has become irritable and morose. He will give my brother something to do, then complain that he did it. I no longer know what to expect from him and neither does poor Gavin.”
Geoffrey placed one gloved hand on hers. “In that case, we shall hope he does not visit too often. If he insulted you in any way, I should be forced to tell him what I thought.”
Other than her brother, she had never had anyone who would take her side without a reason. “Would you truly?”
“Of course. I’m your husband.” His fingers tightened around hers. “Or I soon shall be.”
His loyalty to her was a surprise. She had not expected it, but perhaps she should have. Tears of joy pricked her eyes and she blinked them away.
Turning her hand, she clasped his larger one. “As I shall be your wife.”
A few moments later, he pulled the horses to a stop in front of his family’s town house. As he had before, he lifted her down, but this time it was a slow slide along his body. Memories from the night before came rushing back. What would it be like to be in their apartments where no one would interrupt them? Would he show her what being his was like?
“I shall not need my carriage again until after tea,” Geoffrey said to the butler. He led her down the corridor on the left to a small dining room. The table was set for two. “Is my grandmother joining us?” he asked the footman.
“No, my lord. Her ladyship and Miss Covenington are out and do not intend to return until late this afternoon.”
That was good news. Even though Elizabeth liked the dowager and her companion, she was glad to have Geoffrey to herself.
The room had three long windows onto a side garden. The table had one place setting at the end and the other next to it on the side. He pulled out the chair next to the head of the table for her.
Once he had taken his place, and bowls of white soup had been served, she asked, “What did you do this morning?”
He grinned. “I went to the Archbishop’s office and obtained our special license.”
“I would love to see it.” She was really going to marry him.
Well, that was a silly thought. She wouldn’t be here eating luncheon alone with Geoffrey if they were not going to wed. Having the license merely made it more certain to her.
Elizabeth had heard of special licenses, of course. Her three closest friends had been married by them, yet she had never had reason to look at one, and she wanted to see hers.
“It’s in my room. I’ll show it to you when we go up to our apartment.”
Immediately an image of the bed invaded her mind, and her body started to tingle. “Perfect.”
Bread, cold meats, cheeses, and a green salad followed. He told her of the arrangements he had put in place for their travel to Harwich and then on to Ostend. “We can reach Harwich in one hard day, if you do not mind spending that much time in the coach.”
“Not at all. I enjoy traveling.” The two days she and Gavin had spent making the journey to Town had been wonderful. She’d loved every part of the trip. The inns, watching the mail coaches, even the sometimes bad roads.
“Excellent.” Geoffrey spread mustard onto a piece of ham. “I shall instruct my valet to arrange for luncheon to be served in Chelmsford. That is our halfway point.”
“If I may”—with both his mother and grandmother in residence, Elizabeth did not wish to overstep—“I shall ask your cook to pack a basket for us. I imagine we shall have to leave quite early.”
“You may order things as you wish for our journey, our rooms, and for the houses in which we will reside.” He finished the ham, glanced at her plate.
A sense of freedom infused her soul. Even though she was responsible for all her father’s estate houses, and the tenants, she had never been given carte blanche as Geoffrey was offering.
Glancing at him, she caught him looking at her. She didn’t know if he was done eating, or if he was simply interested in her repast. “Are you ready to go to our rooms?”
“Not unless you are. Would you like a piece of beef? It’s excellent. In fact I shall have some more myself.”
At first, she had felt nervous eating alone with him, but now it all seemed so normal. As if it was the most commonplace thing in the world. “Yes, I would love a slice.” She tucked into the meat, and for a few moments they ate in silence. They had not spoken about their journey to Holland and Elizabeth wanted to know more about his plans. “Have you already booked our passage on a ship or will we have to wait?”
“I found a ship that arrived in England from the Caribbean not long ago. It is privately owned, and has, thus far, managed not to be conscripted to transport troops and equipment.” Geoffrey flushed as if pleased with himself then grimaced. “She is on her way to Harwich with instructions to wait out of sight of the port for us to arrive.”
She was glad that he had misgivings about holding a ship for their sole use. “I think that was very well done of you. After all, we can always take others along with us if necessary. And you do need to get to Sir Charles.”
Geoffrey blew out a breath. “We do.”
