Page 47 of Her Unsuitable Match

“Did you?”

“Yes.”

“Hm.” Winston cracked one eye open to look at Myles. “What did she make of the family last night? I was curious, given how early she retired for the evening. I hope we didn’t make her uncomfortable. Mary does have the tendency to say whatever is on her mind—”

“She was only tired. She was asleep before I even entered the room.” Myles had to smile at that. His wife had pretended to be asleep when he came in the night before. “I think she enjoyed meeting everyone. Philippa’s family isn’t like ours, though. They are…distant to one another. I think she only gets along with one of her brothers.”

“The one opening up that hospital?” Winston asked, and when Myles raised his eyebrows, his older brother grinned. “Mother read your letter out loud to everyone when it came.”

“Of course she did. Yes. The brother opening the hospital.” Myles led the conversation in that direction for a time. It was easier to speak about the Gillensford hospital than his wife, or his marriage. And Winston showed genuine interest in the endeavor. He’d been an essential part of Myles’s early recovery from war. And he’d counseled many returned soldiers as a vicar.

Before too long, Myles felt comfortable again. At his childhood home, listening to one of his nieces and two nephews playing, and speaking with his brother, he could forget about himself. It was easier to enjoy the present moment.

“Here they are,” a new voice sang through the trees. “I knew we’d find them out of doors.” Mary and Winston’s wife, Laurel, had arrived. A small gaggle of children came with them. And behind the mothers and children, walking arm in arm, was Myles’s father and Philippa.

Myles rose to his feet the moment he laid eyes upon her. She looked beautiful, wearing a simple ivory gown with her dark hair piled loosely atop her head. Ringlets of curls framed her lovely face, and her rose-colored lips pulled back in a joyful smile.

Winston slowly came to his feet, too. He must’ve read the admiration Myles held for his wife quite clearly, given the amused warning that followed. “Steady there, Myles. Remember. There are children present.” He chuckled, then stepped forward to intercept Laurel. “We haven’t been missing long, surely.”

“Long enough that the breakfast table is laid and waiting.” Laurel stepped into her husband’s embrace, and their two youngest children immediately ran to petition for their own turns on the swings.

Myles’s father was speaking quietly to Philippa, teasing a laugh from her. And Myles wished very much he could perform such a trick. Maybe he could try.

Philippa’s gaze landed upon him, and somehow her expression brightened still more.

His father spoke first. “Myles, your wife is a delight. Thank you for bringing her to us.” He patted her hand where it rested on his arm. “I’ve just found out that the two of you have never danced together. I told Pippa we would be certain to remedy that while you visit.”

“Did you?” Myles raised his eyebrows at his wife. “Though we have never been partners, we have stood up for the same dance. And we even joined hands a time or two.”

“That isn’t the same thing,” his father insisted. “Perhaps we can hold an informal party for the two of you. A congratulatory evening, of sorts, with entertainment and dancing. What say you, Pippa? Are you game?”

“It is a very kind suggestion, Father Cobbett.” Her smile softened as she turned it to Myles. “But I think the two of us are hoping for more quiet after the gaiety of London Society. The last ball we attended left both of us exhausted.”

“Yes, but our Ambleside parties are not so large affairs as those in London. Only our nearest neighbors need come.” His father appeared thoughtful a moment. “Perhaps five and twenty couples. Enough to make our rooms feel crowded while still leaving room to dance.”

“Good heavens.” Philippa laughed and shook her head, setting her curls to bouncing. “That is far too many people for me to meet all at once. Especially in one evening. You know, I think I would much prefer something out of doors. London is terribly crowded, and I have missed the country air.”

Like a bolt from heaven, the realization struck Myles that his wife was attempting to steer his father into an avenue of entertainment that would be less likely to make Myles uncomfortable. A lack of crowds. Fresh air. Less stiff formality.

His heart crossed the last threshold from admiration into love. In that very moment. Without Myles thinking on it. With him unable to do more than stare at her in awe and adoration.

Somehow, in a slow and quiet way, he had fallen in love with his wife.

His father had already responded to her, and they were both now looking at Myles. Waiting for him to say something. His father with eyebrows raised and a crooked smile. Philippa with a curious narrowing of her eyes.

Despite his sudden realization, he had to act as unaffected as possible. “I beg your pardon. What did you ask me?”

Philippa released his father’s arm to come to Myles’s side, her eyes searching his. “Your father asked if we might like a celebratory picnic held in our honor, this Sunday after church.” Then her fingertips touched his wrist. His palm. And he threaded his fingers with hers. “Though I am concerned about the number of people I must then be expected to identify as friends.” She had given him a way to escape yet again.

Myles squeezed her hand gently. “I think a picnic would be perfect. I will be there with you.” He could handle a picnic. Especially with Pippa by his side. His lovely, kind-hearted wife, who had left London to see to his comfort rather than her own. Then pretended to have a difficult time with crowds when the reality was that she thrived in the midst of them.

Guilt stung his heart. She had left London for his sake. He knew it now. The gossips were an excuse. For some reason, Pippa had decided to look after him. When he felt it ought always to be the other way around.

The baron clapped his hands together, startling Myles out of his admiration of his wife. “That’s settled then. Let’s all go to breakfast and plan things out properly with your mother.” He winked at Pippa. “She has hoped for a reason to show you off to the neighborhood, my dear.”

Pippa laughed, and another piece of Myles’s heart belonged to her.

Without warning, their marriage of convenience had turned into something much more precious to him.