Page 46 of Truly, Madly, Daring

“I wouldn’t ask it of you,” he assured her. “Now, then. Could we get Emmeline indoors before she freezes to death? She’s had quite the ordeal these past days.”

“I can imagine. Rex is a horrid travelling companion,” she said frankly, slipping her arm through Emmeline’s. “But first you must meet the staff, then I shall show you to your room to freshen up before dinner. Aunt Lucy will be in fits, for she’s so excited to meet you, but she must wait. Come along, I’ll introduce you to Mrs Tweedy, she’s a marvellous housekeeper, and of course you must meet Bunting. Such a dear fellow. He’s butler here and has lived here, man and boy. If you want to know anything about the family history, ask Bunting, he’s a mine of information. After that there’s….”

Emmeline let Delia carry her along, doing her best to remember names and faces but feeling thoroughly overwhelmed. By the time Delia had shown her to her room, which was astonishingly lavish in shades of deep wine-red and gold, her head was spinning.

With Janet’s help, Emmeline washed and changed and was just having the last adjustment made to her coiffure when there was a knock at the connecting door.

It opened to reveal Wrexham, looking splendid, having shaved and had time to spend over his appearance. Emmeline’s heart did its usual little skip in her chest, and she sighed. Perhaps they had not married for love, but there was no doubting that this man held her heart in his hands now. She hoped he’d treat it carefully, for she was in a bad way.

“My lord,” she said, getting to her feet. “How handsome you look.”

“Thank you, pet,” he said, and she counted it a victory that he refrained from making any scathing, self-deprecating comments. “Though I’ve no doubt you put me to shame. What are you wearing?”

Emmeline hesitated, unused to having to describe herself and relieved that her mother had sent her belongings as she’d asked. “Well, the gown is one I’ve looked forward to wearing, for it is especially lovely. It is a light green silk, striped with emerald green velvet. Here….” She moved towards him and took his hand, stroking it over the fabric of her skirts so he could feel the slick silk and the soft nap of the velvet. “There is white satin underdress, and the sleeves are rows and rows of Honiton lace, which gives it a lot of movement. The effect is beautiful.”

“Beautiful,” he repeated, his voice low as his hand moved to her waist, drawing her closer.

The moment stretched out, with Emmeline’s nerves leaping, his hand burning through the fabric of her gown and sending heat radiating outwards as everything feminine in her quivered with anticipation.

“My lord, your aunt is waiting for us,” she said, remembering that his Aunt Lucy must be getting impatient by now. Emmeline felt rather winded.

He didn’t move for a long moment, his expression considering. “So she is,” he said softly, and released her, holding out his arm. “Shall we?”

“I should be glad to,” she replied with a smile.

“Now, then,” Wrexham said, reaching out his right hand to touch the chest of drawers beside him. He moved past it, trailing his hand over the surface and then walking unerringly to the door. Emmeline watched, deeply impressed, as he found the door handle and opened it. “I’m afraid you must guide me to the top of the stairs. I can do it from my room, but I am not used to exiting through her ladyship’s apartments.”

“You’ve memorised the house,” she said in awe, wondering if she could be prouder of him.

He laughed at that and shook his head. “Lord, no. The place is immense, but sections of it, yes. My rooms, and from them to and inside the main saloon, the small parlour, the dining room, my study. That’s all.”

“That’s all!” she exclaimed, staring at him. “That’s astonishing, and you can move within those spaces with confidence?”

He pulled a face. “It’s not foolproof. It relies on the staff keeping everything in exactly the same place. Here they are well trained and do their best, but mistakes happen, both theirs and mine. But I am reasonably safe to move about here.”

“But not at Buxton Hall,” she guessed.

Wrexham let out a harsh breath. “No. My father ensured the staff moved two or three crucial pieces of furniture in each room every day. Not all of them, just enough to completely disorientate me.”

“Why, the despicable pig!”

“Now, now, Miss Milly,” he said, giving a bark of laughter. “I never can get used to how fierce you are. Such language!”

She glowered. “I shall say it to his face if he dares set foot in this house, you see if I don’t.”

Wrexham drew her to a halt and reached out a hand, as if seeking her face. Emmeline took it and pressed it to her cheek, her breath catching as he lowered his head and brushed a soft kiss to her lips.

“Thank you,” he whispered. “But I would never ask that of you.”

“You don’t need to ask,” she retorted, cross and flustered all at once. “And I should like to see you try to stop me.”

He grinned at her, apparently pleased, and allowed her to guide him down the stairs.

Chapter 13

My Lord,

I don’t doubt you are regretting the concession you offered me, and yes, I sat down and wrote this barely an hour after you left me. I apologise if it disturbs you, but then you will likely throw it directly on the fire, or better yet, have a servant do it for you, but I am writing all the same. There is nothing else for me to do. I gave you my word I would not follow you, no matter how badly I want to.