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“I was just thinking about you,” Rose said when she ran up, barefoot in the sand.No decent duchess would do such a thing.Matthew was heartily glad his duchess did.She wrapped her arm in his.“How was your morning?Did you miss us?”she asked.
“Yes.Most especially when I was saddled with six shrieking children.Really, they were no problem at all,” he added.
“Did you make progress on your work?”
“I finished a few letters.Had tea and scones.They took care of me as if I were in my own home.”
“Good.I knew Rachel would take special care of you.”
“Am I making a good impression?”
“As much as acitpossibly could.”
“You wound me.”He laughed with her, because after yesterday’s disturbing revelation and her obvious sorrow and embarrassment, today she looked genuinely happy.
He proceeded carefully with people for whom he cared.Fairness was paramount.Justice was a close second.However, honesty was flexible and love certainly shouldn’t impair logic, even though he knew it often did.
Ah, then there were the times when one had to choose between what was fair and what was honest.It was fair, even just, that men like Sandhurst and Welliver should have to pay for their wickedness.Was it honest how Matthew was going to accomplish those goals?No, and it didn’t matter to him.
Deceit wasn’t the only method he used to succeed.To him, it was more about convenience.
“Come into the water with me,” Rose said.
“It looks frightfully cold.”The surf broke hard offshore but appeared relatively tame where it washed against the sand.
“I’m only wading up to my ankles.You should be able to do the same.”
“Let’s eat first.My appetite is ferocious right now,” he said.Have mercy!When she looked at him like that, he didn’t think his real appetites could be controlled by sitting down for a picnic with all the family near.In fact, wouldn’t it be nice if all of them had stayed home, and the two newlyweds could frolic on the beach as they desired.
She smiled devilishly.“Don’t worry.I have a plan.We’ll insist on a long walk before we leave and request they leave us two horses.We are newly married.No one will care that we are sneaking off to be together.Rachel and Lewis certainly won’t say anything.”
“No jealous leers?”
“Only if we were sneaking off in Hyde Park.”
“Let me write that one down,” he said.“I can make arrangements.”
Rose took one of the ale jugs and they found a spot on their corner of the picnic blanket.Containers were opened.Plates and silver dispersed.Quite a bit of yelling and laughter ensued.The chicken cutlets were popular and were grabbed with sandy fingers.The apples tumbled over the blanket.Cheese and bread were set out in a basket, the towel lifted.Ham and sliced beef were piled on the bread.Pickles, both sweet and dill, were eaten as if they were delicious, chewy caramels.
Matthew stretched out; Rose handed him food, sharing what she took.Food and drink with Rose Elliston Hardy could certainly be called ambrosia.How did two such foolish brothers waste their opportunity with her?How many others could she have had, or married, or loved that would have never seen the potential for themselves, let alone how it would affect their future and that of their children, heirs and estates?
He must never make such an error.
He must protect that treasure he had.
After the food disappeared, the children one by one went to the water, dresses hiked and trousers rolled were they frolicked in the water and found seashells and smoothed rocks.Matthew listened to the family stories.
“Matthew’s mother is the Countess of Albourne,” Rose offered.
“Is that so?”Lewis said.“Albourne is my second cousin on my mother’s side.Yes, I vaguely remember hearing about his recent marriage.”
“It was three years ago,” Matthew said, but didn’t offer any other information.Fortunately, his mother knew Matthew did not want his personal business discussed at every party they attended.She was also well-past the age when she thought being Welliver’s mistress was some badge of honor.With every bastard child Matthew had discovered, well, she quit mentioning him.
“We are leaving for Dover to visit them while we are in Kent,” Rose added.
“My mother has been pining for grandchildren, so Ava and Elaina will be a godsend for her,” Matthew added.
Lewis was quiet, his brows drawn.Matthew wasn’t prepared for Rose to know everything about him just yet.He didn’t need Mother’s marriage with Lewis’ cousin to reveal what should remain hidden.
“Speaking of visits, when you and Lewis next come to London, we’ll visit the Grand Gala Bazaar.The children will love the interesting things—”
“Oh, that’s it!That’s what’s been troubling me.My uncle mentioned the bazaar the last time we saw them.Two years ago, was it?Yes, we were talking about Jezebel’s son.That’s when she mentioned the bazaar.”
“Yes,” Rachel said.
Rose then took over the conversation and spent fifteen minutes describing gewgaws and foolery he had no idea was for sale inside the massive warehouse complex.
They weren’t at Sturry Park to discuss Matthew Hardy, and Matthew wasn’t at Tankerton Bay to swim, but damned if that isn’t what he forced himself to do.Who would have imagined he would be more exposed at the peaceful seaside than in chaotic London?
