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She halted with a frown. ‘Though I suppose you now control any lease written in my name?’
‘Under the law, probably. But I assured you from the beginning you were to have a free hand with the school and any of your properties you wish to control, as well as the funds set aside for you.’ He grinned. ‘Only now, you can spend my funds, too.’
‘Careful what you offer,’ she warned, her expression teasing. ‘I might decide the school needs a stable for Jemmie to train in, or a forge for the boys to learn blacksmithing.’
Dom groaned. ‘Which would doubtless prove more expensive than jewellery or gowns. I knew a wife was going to cost me, one way or another.’
‘This one will try to cost you as little as possible,’ she said, suddenly serious.
He tipped up her chin to give her a kiss. ‘This one is worth whatever she costs.’
‘I hope you’ll always think so,’ she said, her voice gruff.
‘I will,’ he assured her. ‘Once we pick up some things at Thornfield, you will join me at Bildenstone tonight, I hope? If you absolutely insist, we can stay at Thornfield, but I’d much prefer to carry my bride across the threshold of her room in the house that will be her home for the rest of her life.’
She nodded. ‘I did plan on that, though I think I’ll let Charles stay at Thornfield with Constancia for a few days. All his things are there, and it will be less disrupting for him to take the move in stages.’
‘He won’t stay there long when he realises his pony is in the stables at Bildenstone.’
‘You’re probably right,’ Theo said with a smile. ‘I also thought you might like us to have our first few nights in your home to ourselves.’
He gave her a quick kiss. ‘I definitely like the sound of that!’
* * *
They stopped briefly at Thornfield. While a maid ran up to collect some of her things, Theo spoke with the butler and the housekeeper, who passed along their congratulations and the staff’s—with rather anxious looks, Dom thought, until Theo assured them their positions were secure for the duration of the lease. Expressing their relief at that, and their disappointment that they’d no longer be able to personally serve so kind and understanding a mistress, they sent the bridal couple off with their good wishes.
* * *
A short time later, the coach finally reached their destination. As Dom gave Theo his arm up the steps, she halted, looking wide-eyed at the ivy-covered brick front. ‘I know I’ve been here before, but it’s different, somehow— coming here as if I belong.’
‘You do belong now. Here, and with me. Always,’ he assured her.
Then Wilton opened the door, his worn face breaking into a rare smile as he ushered them in. ‘Welcome back, Mr Ransleigh—and Mrs Ransleigh. Congratulations, sir, on acquiring so lovely and accomplished a bride!’
Mrs Greenlow rushed up then, making Dom suspect the household had been lying in wait for them. ‘Welcome back, master and mistress! Mr Blake sent one of the farm boys to let us know you’d returned. I took the liberty of arranging a small feast in honour of your homecoming. And, Mistress, if it pleases you, I’d like to suggest that Nancy, our senior housemaid, act as your lady’s maid.’
‘With the new wardrobe you commissioned soon to arrive, you’ll be needing a maid to keep it in order,’ Dom said, eyeing Theo, who made a face at him behind the housekeeper’s back.
‘Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Mrs Greenlow,’ she said to the housekeeper. ‘I’m sure Nancy will be exemplary.’
‘Shall you proceed to the small dining room?’ Wilton asked. ‘I believe Cook had the meal ready to serve whenever you returned.’
Dom exchanged a look with Theo. Though he would rather show his wife up to her new rooms and make her at home in the most intimate way possible, he knew they couldn’t disappoint their excited retainers.
‘A feast?’ Theo whispered to him as she took his arm.
‘Eat quickly,’ he replied with a rueful look.
And so they did, trying to do justice to the multiple courses Cook presented, complete to wine and wedding cake.
* * *
At last they finished, thanked the staff and bid them goodnight, and Dom was able to escort Theo upstairs.
‘The wedding celebration they prepared for us was thoughtful, but we’ll want to host a larger gathering for all the staff—and the neighbourhood,’ he told her as they climbed the stairs.
Theo groaned. ‘I hadn’t thought of that, but I suppose you’re right. At least I’ll be able to employ the talents of the Thornfield staff in the preparations. We can make it a large enough affair that the children from the school can attend, too.’
‘You can introduce them to Lady Wentworth,’ Dom said with a chuckle. ‘Now, that’s an event I’ll look forward to!’
A moment later, they reached his chamber. Dom paused outside his door. ‘This will be a little more awkward than it would have been a year ago, but if you wrap your arms around my neck, I think we can manage.’
Smiling tremulously, she obligingly reached up and clasped her hands behind him. Going up on tiptoe to kiss him, she said, ‘You’ve guaranteed my respectability by making me the wife of the most important man in the county, secured the future of my son, and protected my orphans. I’d do anything for you.’
Let yourself love me, then, Dom thought.
Inside the door, he carried her to the bed. Undressing her tenderly, he kissed each bit of flesh revealed, making that erotic journey more slowly than he had the first time, wanting her to feel to the marrow of her bones how much she was cherished.
In the aftermath of loving, he clasped her to his side, both of them panting and spent. His whole heart expanding with peace and joy, he couldn’t imagine life without her; couldn’t imagine any other woman in her place.
He ached to say the words, but he knew, when he reached the point of confessing his love, she needed to be nearly there, too, or he’d frighten her off, like trying to loop a halter over a colt not yet ready to be led.
Not yet. But soon.
Easing her against the pillows, he said, ‘I shall have to rustle out Mother’s jewels from whatever vault they were put in after my parents’ death. There’s a ring that’s always given to Ransleigh brides, and then there are the Ransleigh rubies. A magnificent set, Mama always wore them for special occasions.’
Theo shook her head. ‘Coming to Bildenstone, a wedding feast, carrying me over the threshold, now your mama’s ring and jewels... Somehow, being married seems more real and permanent here.’
‘It is real and permanent,’ he said with a grin. ‘No trial period, remember? We’re yoked in harness for life now.’
‘I hope you’ll never regret it. I know I’ll never stop being grateful.’
Dom tried not to wince. He wanted so much more than gratitude from Theo. ‘I won’t regret it.’
‘Would you like to come with me when I call on Farmer Jamison tomorrow?’
‘I would. His holding is known to be so prosperous and it’s one of the few farms I haven’t yet visited.’
Yawning, she sank back against the pillows. He followed her down to give her a kiss. ‘Don’t think you’re going to sleep just yet.’
‘Oh, Dom! It was a very long carriage ride today.’
‘I’m thinking of another ride.’ He moved his fingers to caress one breast, then the other, while she stirred and murmured under his hand. ‘This one’s just beginning.’
And it was...the seduction would continue, until he won his heart’s desire—all of her heart.
* * *
The next morning, Dom sat at ease in the saddle outside the stables at Bildenstone, waiting for Theo to join him. A feeling of joy and well-being suffused him, a contentment that went far beyond the peace of last night’s lovemaking. He had a fine home, a lovely wife, good land that, with the projects for improvement he’d read about at Holkham, he looked forward to making better. And an exciting new endeavour to begin, as soon as he completed the sale of his hunters.
For a man who, a few short months ago, wasn’t sure he was going to survive, he was surrounded with blessings.
Theo exited the stable and rode up. ‘Thank you for having Firefly brought over.’
‘I thought you’d prefer your own mount to anything left in my stables—which is not much, now.’
‘I see Charles’s pony arrived safely, too.’ She chuckled. ‘You’re right, once Charles learns the pony is here, he’ll have Constancia hustled out of Thornfield’s nursery and on the road to Bildenstone in a flash.’
‘Mrs Greenlow already has their rooms prepared.’
‘Will you visit any other farms after we meet with Mr Jamison?’
‘Just him today. I’m looking forward to meeting with the tenants, seeing if I can persuade them to implement some of the techniques I saw and read about at Holkham. I’ll also ask around to see who’s best suited to take over Winniston’s duties as steward. Though if I can’t find anyone, Thomas Coke said he knew of several young men he could recommend. I’ll probably consult my cousin Alastair, too. He has a fine estate in Devonshire. I’ll have to take you there; it’s a beautiful part of England.’
