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Chapter Fifteen
“Papa day!” Isabella declared, bobbing up and down.
Just as Beatrice had done any time one of her children expressed excitement about William’s impending arrival, she smiled warmly and ruffled the child’s hair. They had missed their father so, and she was pleased for their sake they would be reunited today.
Even with two months to prepare, seeing William would be difficult for Bea. Oh, she wouldn’t make a scene, and she promised herself she would not allow the children to witness anything untoward. Above all, she would protect her children’s sense of family and their love and respect for both their parents.
But she also had herself to protect. To that end, she had stocked an armory of weapons. Not for attacking her husband, no—but to deploy against any traitorous feelings that seeing him would unleash within her. It was working. Any time she found herself missing her husband, she turned to the mental box of memories she kept at the ready…
All the times she had questioned whether something was wrong with her for wanting William to hold her instead of leaving after he finished in her chamber. The night she had thrown herself at him wearing that scrap of a nightgown, then cried herself to sleep alone.
Discovering he had hired a prostitute and let the woman touch him. In public.
As much pain as the recollections brought, she was gratefulfor the lessons.As a girl, it had only taken a single burn to learn not to touch the fireplace screen. William’s allure had been greater than the fire’s, so she had allowed him to burn her repeatedly over the years.
No more, she reminded herself as she plastered a smile on her face and watched his crest-emblazoned carriage pull to a stop in front of Candleton Hall. The servants and the children alike had been on watch since late afternoon, knowing from his letters which day he would arrive.
“Oh, how beautiful the early evening light is!” Miriam said, clasping her hands over her heart. “Like God himself is guiding Papa back to us!”
Bea’s smile slipped, but she pulled her beloved daughter close.Let her believe. William’s fatherly devotions were true, at least. Miriam’s literary and imaginative inclinations made her who she was, and Bea refused to stamp them out, even in this moment, when her daughter’s heartfelt observation caused Bea pain.
Despite having practiced with the governess and nursemaid this afternoon, upon Bea’s request, only Miriam stood properly in place as the footman approached the carriage door to open it. The governess had to place a reminding hand upon Edmund’s and Isabella’s shoulders so they didn’t rush to the vehicle, risking not only impropriety but injury. Ben wriggled in his nursemaid’s arms, eager to be let loose.
When the carriage door opened, all four children squealed as a large flash of white and buff flew from the carriage and landed on the ground.
“Uncle Augustus!”
“Uncle!”
With an exclamation of surprise and delight of her own, Bea welcomed William’s brother, who had leapt from the vehicle in lieu of using the stairs. Not only was his presence unexpected that day, in all her time in the Dalfour family, this was the first time Augustus had visited Candleton Hall instead of their London residence.
“Lady Candleton,” he said gallantly, bowing.
“Captain Dalfour.” She laughed as the three oldest children leapt at him as soon as he straightened. “As you can see, we are delighted to welcome you!”
He wrapped his arms around the children even as he spoke to Bea. “Most generous of you to take in a stray. Apologies for not having sent word beforehand. I always enjoy our visits, but this one to Candleton Hall”—he studiously avoided looking at the mansion—“has occurred on a bit of a whim.”
She would have reassured him, but the children all spoke over each other in an effort to gain their uncle’s attention. They lionized the man.
Even so, they—and Bea—took notice of the gleaming boots emerging from the carriage.
Oh, those thighs…
She forced her gaze away from the sight of William’s powerful legs.It’s called temptation for a reason, she reminded herself breathlessly.But you’re stronger than the lure.So is the pain.
As soon as William’s boots sounded on the stones, the children mobbed him, and he unabashedly gathered them close. Bea had wondered, guiltily, whether Ben would remember his father, but as the boy cried out his happiness and grabbed William’s nose, she saw plainly he had not forgotten. William, in turn, nearly buckled as he clutched his son, passed to him from the nursemaid, and murmured near his ear. His other arm was wrapped around Miriam. Meanwhile, Edmund and Isabella each climbed his legs.
In between kissing each of the children and speaking with them, William’s gaze strayed to Bea. Thanks to her countermeasures, she remained not only composed, but resistant to the emotion blazing in his eyes.
“I’ve missed you so,” he said to the children, his voice raw. “But I have missed your mother, too, and it’s time for me to greet her properly.”
Aware of how many were watching—all the servants lined the stairs in light of their Marquess’s arrival—Bea smiled through her consternation. Most of all, she sensed her children’s expectation, especially those of Miriam, who now held her baby brother, and whose watchful eyes shone with love.
William held Bea’s arms at the same time as he held her gaze.
This is the man who humiliated you! Rejected you!
“Welcome back to Candleton Hall, my lord,” she said pleasantly.
