A few dayslater, Cassie stood in Ravenswood’s drive a few yards away from where her husband and Adrian were having a good natured argument while overseeing the packing of her carriage. Asquith and Neville had left the day before.
With hushed voices, she and her sisters bid farewell. The familiar, five-person hug had grown larger by one—Adrian’s sister Emily.
“I’ll miss you all,” she said.
“In a few more weeks we’ll be together again in London,” Eliza reminded.
“I’m glad you came,” Millie said.
“Millie didn’t like Harbury,” Nettie whispered.
“Nettie,” Emily scolded under her breath, “you never tell a lady anyone dislikes her husband.”
“Notdislikes,” Millie replied. “Disliked. Past tense.”
“He has been different these past few days,” Emily agreed. “I’ve known him all my life, and I hardly recognize him.”
Lenora sighed. “Because Cassie has softened his edges.”
“I do believe I have.” Cassie stepped back and settled her gaze on her husband. “Marriage does that.”
Millie rolled her eyes. “Don’t you start talking aboutmarriage of minds.We’ve heard enough of that drivel from Lady Asquith.”
“Perhaps it is only true if one is married to the right person,” Nettie offered. “Mother never changed Mr. Wainwright.”
“Must we mention Mr. Wainwright?” quipped Millie.
Cassie sent Millie a sympathetic glance. The pain in her tone suggested she had not yet come to peace with their parents’ memories.
“Well, Harbury is the right person,” she said to Lenora. “The right person, at least, for me.”
She smiled as she watched him croon to the dog, who, by leaping back into his arms from the carriage seat, had just made clear hewould notbe riding inside the carriage.
“Weather’s fine,” the coachman said to her husband. “I can take him up here with me.”
Harbury handed up first the basket and then the dog. The coachman settled the basket between his legs and Mercy propped his feet up on the footboard and yelped excitedly.
Harbury turned and caught her gaze. He smiled wide, and her already full heart expanded.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yes,” she replied, taking his hand and stepping up into the carriage.
Harbury raised his brow. “A little room, please?”
“I thought you would ride alongside the carriage.”
“I’m leaving my horse here. Adrian will bring him down on his way to London.”
“Is Moses injured?” she asked.
“No.” He winked. “I just want to serve as your pillow.”
He made an excellent pillow, too. And, since they hadn’t hadmuch sleep the prior night, she spent most of the journey in a contented, dreamless slumber.
All her dreams, after all, had already come true.
Many hours and several stops later, she yawned and stretched as the carriage passed through the toll gate that led to Harbury lands. In the distance, she could see the gables of Rose Cottage. There were workmen on the roof.
