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“Well, yes I’m frustrated—I cannot find the books!”
“Oh, I’m sure they’ll turn up, Marianne. Probably sooner than you think. These things have a way of working out.” He waved a hand in dismissal.
She observed him carefully. He looked very smug and rather devious. “Did you want…something, Darius? You know, when you came in here?”
“I s’pose a kiss would be nice, but that’s not why I came to find you. Actually I am in need of your opinion on something. Will you come and let me show you?” He held out his hand, a definite leer of mischievousness above that firm jaw.
She took his offered hand and let him lead her down the corridor and into the south wing of the house. He stopped them at a door near the end of the hall.
“What I want you to see is in here.” He smiled knowingly. “Now close your eyes.”
“Another surprise? Don’t you get tired of surprising me, Darius?” She eyed him warily.
“Never! Now be a good girl and close your eyes,” he growled.
She obeyed because it was what she did when he gave her an order. She closed her eyes and heard him open the door. He brought her into the room.
“You may open your eyes now, Marianne.”
She looked around the elegant room and fell in love. It faced south and had a picture window with a view of the sea framed in one wall. A lady’s desk was arranged afore the window, for light. There were upholstered chairs in a turquoise silk and a large chaise set before the fireplace. The earthy colors of blue, green, and the dark brown woods appealed to her. The thick carpet was warm and luxurious. This was an absolutely flawless room.
“What is this place?”
He didn’t answer as she walked over to the desk. She put her hands on the English oak and splayed out her fingers. What a magnificent working desk, she thought. You could sit at this desk and view the sea anytime you wished. How pleasant it would be to relax in a room such as this.
“Sit down, Marianne.”
She pulled out the chair and sat. She looked out the window. The day was gusty, the choppy whitecaps bobbing for miles. A lone merchant vessel sailed by
“Open the middle drawer.”
The drawer contained engraved stationary for correspondence. Lifting a sheet of the heavy linen paper, she read the engraving, Mrs. Marianne Rourke, Stonewell Court, Kilve, Somerset. A breathy laugh escaped and she brought her other hand up to her mouth to muffle the sound. She could feel Darius had moved. He was directly behind her.
“Now open the bottom, right drawer.”
The sound of wood sliding against wood squeaked harshly in the quiet between them. The account books. Her housekeeping books were stacked neatly and ordered just as they should be in the drawer.
“Oh…Darius…”
“Do you like your new study, Marianne?”
She leapt up and spun around. He was right there before her, smiling broadly.
“Like it? No! ‘Like’ is an unsuitable word for how I feel about this room. Darius, I love this room!”
She leaned up to kiss him on the lips. She put a hand to his cheek and asked, “Why?”
He shrugged. “I know how much you like the views and thought you deserved a nice place for your work. A beautiful place for a beautiful woman.” He turned his lips to kiss her palm still resting on his cheek.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Deserved. There was that word again. He said she deserved this room, but really she didn’t. Would he still think her deserving if he knew? Still, she wouldn’t hurt his feelings. She’d accept his lovely gift and show Darius her appreciation as a dutiful wife should.
“You might even be able to sketch up here, the light is good. Anyway, I’m glad you’re happy with it.”
“I am, Darius. Very much so.” She embraced him and felt his strong arms wrap around her.
The knock at the door alerted them that the tea had arrived. Both pulled out of their embrace at the same time. Sitting side by side on the chaise they watched quietly as the maid set out the tea for them. Marianne looked at Darius, so dignified and handsome as he waited for the maid to finish and leave them alone again.
