Page 3 of An Innocent Bride for the Duke

“I appreciate the hardships you undertake on my behalf,” returned Damien with equal pretended seriousness before he laughed again. “I know you enjoy playing with the children really, Benedict. You need not pretend. Nor will Lady Esher be such poor company as you expect.”

“In leaving her out of that statement, you rather imply that Lady Louisa might be,” observed Benedict.

“No, Lady Louisa is only shy, sweet, and sheltered for her age, although pretty enough. You might not find much common ground for conversation.”

“No, I expect not,” Benedict accepted. “Anyway, it is best for men like me to keep a certain distance from shy, sweet young ladies.”

“I’m sure Lady Esher would agree. If I foresaw any trouble in that quarter, I would not be asking you to escort them. Seraphine will write to her aunt today and make the necessary arrangements.”

Damien had risen to his feet now, readying himself to go and tell his wife the good news. Benedict took up his newspaper again as his friend departed but did not immediately focus on the headlines. Shy, sweet and pretty enough…

He rather hoped that Lady Louisa would not be good-looking, and certainly that she would be as dull as he had originally envisaged. A comely and engaging young woman companion on this journey might disturb his peace just as much as another Season in London…

Chapter Two

“Oh, look, Aunt Beatrice! There is Fanny waiting for us at the steps and little Ezra too - how they have both grown in the last few months!”

Lady Louisa lowered the window of Lady Esher’s carriage and waved enthusiastically at the two waiting children, flanked and steadied by nursemaids to prevent them from running out in front of the horses. Behind them stood the Duke and Duchess of Wexford, arm in arm and looking as much in love as ever, if rather tired.

“What a wonderful family,” Louisa sighed to her aunt as she gazed smiling upon the scene before the steps at the top of the drive. “How lucky Damien and Seraphine are to have found one another, don’t you think? They make a perfect pair, like in a story.”

The dark-haired, pale-skinned Duke and Duchess of Wexford did match one another so well, both in appearance and in the intimate looks and gestures they shared. Louisa felt that she had spent her life dreaming of finding a man who matched her so well as this. Well, if it was fated, it would surely come to pass one day. She felt it in her very soul…

Lady Esher chuckled and raised her own hand in salute to their little reception committee as the carriage pulled into the final stretch of the long drive.

“Yes, they are a lovely family. However, I dare say the Duke and Duchess of Wexford are still immensely pleased to see us. Much as they love their children, their honeymoon is long overdue. I am glad we are able to help them.”

As soon as the carriage came to a halt and a footman opened the door, Louisa jumped out without waiting for any assistance and waved again to the excited children. Then she turned back to the coach and offered her arm to her aunt.

“Thank you, my dear,” Aunt Beatrice said, descending more carefully than her niece, although still more sprightly than most women of her age. “Now run along and see those children. They’re straining at the bit over there.”

With a bright smile for her relative, Louisa turned and hurried over to the steps where first Fanny and then Ezra flung themselves into her arms.

“Louisa, Louisa, look at my new doll,” insisted Fanny. “She has hair just like yours. I have twelve dolls now.”

“Twelve! What a lot of dolls,” exclaimed Louisa with an appreciation that pleased Fanny greatly. “I must meet them all.”

“Lulululu,” trilled Ezra happily as the young woman picked him up and swung him around in the air, before kissing the top of his head.

“Seraphine, Damien, I’m so glad to see you all again,” Louisa said then, knowing them well enough to know that they would not have expected any formality in her greeting.

The Duke and Duchess of Wexford smiled happily to see the delight of their children on Louisa’s arrival and then offered their own brief welcome before turning to embrace Lady Esher.

“How was your journey, Aunt Beatrice?” enquired Seraphine. “I trust we are not taking you away from London too early. I should hate to interfere with your plans.”

“Not at all, my dear,” Lady Esher assured her. “We were preparing to head north again soon anyway, weren’t we, Louisa?”

“Yes, indeed,” confirmed the younger woman. “Now we shall have dear little Fanny and Ezra for company too and the journey will be far more fun.”

“You will be very good for Aunt Beatrice and Louisa, won’t you?” Damien asked his children with mock sternness. “They are very kind in agreeing to take you on this holiday with them to Rosemere Hall. You must eat all your supper tonight and go to bed early to be ready in the morning.”

Fanny jumped up and down with excitement, understanding already that Louisa was to look after them for a while. Ezra jumped too, although more in sympathy with his sister, than anticipation of the days ahead.

Lady Esher looked around with a slight frown on her face.

“But where is this young man who is to escort our little party? Is he not already here at Wexford Manor?”

“Ah, the Duke of Northwick went out for a ride,” Damien volunteered. “He did intend to be back in time to greet you, Aunt Beatrice, and I must give you his apologies. Doubtless he has only been delayed en route and will join us for luncheon shortly.”