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Macklin came to stand beside him. “I find I need to go out of town,” he said. “There was a letter waiting here that didn’t get sent on to Frithgerd.”
“Ah.” Daniel set aside his concern that this might disrupt their plans. “Nothing too bad I hope.”
“Just a matter that requires my attention.”
“We’ll go when you do.”
“Nonsense. You will stay, as we agreed. Please treat my house as your own.”
“That’s very kind.” It was also a relief. Daniel didn’t want to return to the worries they’d left behind.
A footman appeared in the doorway. “Mrs. Thorpe has arrived, my lord,” he said to Macklin.
Daniel wondered who Mrs. Thorpe might be. Then he turned and saw Penelope looking at him and forgot all else.
The earl nodded. “Offer her refreshment, and tell her I’ll be there directly. Is Tom ready?”
“Yes, my lord.”
Macklin turned back to Daniel. “I’ll send word to Clayton to follow me as soon as you have no more need for him.”
“I believe he’s done his part. You shouldn’t be deprived of your valet any longer. You’ve been more than kind.”
Acknowledging this with old-fashioned courtesy, Macklin took his leave.
* * *
This place was beautiful, Penelope thought as she walked through the suite of rooms the Earl of Macklin had allotted to them. They were far from his own quarters, had he remained at home, and the combination of luxury and privacy was perfect. Their London host was a kind man after all. She’d felt no hint of the disapproval she expected from thehaut ton. She hoped the problem that had called him away with such an intent expression was easily solved.
Movement in the corner of her eye made Penelope turn. A large mirror hung on the wall, reflecting her from head to toe. She’d been married in one of her everyday gowns, a pale-blue muslin, and a favorite straw bonnet with blue flowers, currently sitting on the dressing table. No wardrobe of new bride clothes for her or flurry of excited friends. Gazing into the glass, she saw a solemn young woman with pale hair and wide blue eyes, utterly familiar and yet somehow new. She was married, to the husband she’d longed for, like a wish come true in a fairy tale. The figure in the mirror grinned at her. “Pleased with yourself?” asked Penelope.
The scent of roses drifted through the open window from the garden at the back of the house. Penelope went over and looked at the banks of flowers in the golden light of afternoon. A tray on a table beneath the sill held a bottle of champagne and a bowl of strawberries. The earl’s staff had thought of everything.
The door opened and Whitfield—Daniel—came in. As easily as if they both occupied these rooms, together. Which they did. The thought sent a thrill through her. He held up her cashmere shawl. “Found it,” he said. “It had slipped down behind the drawing room sofa.”
“I could have gone myself.”
“But isn’t a husband meant to fetch and carry?” he answered with a smile.
“Really? I hadn’t heard that.” He really was her husband. She’d actually done it.
“Ah. Now I’ve dropped myself in the soup.”
“Indeed. I’ll expect all sort of services.”
One corner of his mouth quirked up as he met her eyes. A wave of heat moved from Penelope’s cheeks down her whole body.
He put aside the shawl and went to the window. “Champagne. Splendid.” He twisted out the cork and filled two stemmed glasses. “We must have a toast,” he added, handing her one. “It’s traditional.”
As most things about their wedding weren’t, Penelope thought.
“To a long and—”
Penelope moved. She set down her glass with a click and stepped close to him. In fairy tales, it was dangerous to predict happiness, or to ask for too much. Practically a guarantee of disaster. They mustn’t press their luck. She took his glass, reached to put it by her own, and set her hands on his shoulders. He was still looking down at her with surprise when she kissed him.
Daniel was briefly startled. Then the touch of her lips, the feel of her leaning into him, set his body alight. He pulled her closer and sank into the kiss. Through a haze of desire, he thought that there was no one else like her in the world, and she was his for all his life.
They were both breathless when he picked her up and carried her to bed.
