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Benedict laughed again. He dropped a kiss on my head. “I think we ought to return now.”
“Yes, we need to share our news with everyone.”
But Benedict did not find this as urgent as he’d made me believe, for he kissed me once more, soundly, before leading me to the door. I unbolted it and peeked through a crack before ensuring that the corridor was empty and stepping from the room.
“Come,” he said, taking my hand, and with it, my heart. “We have an announcement to make.”
Chapter34
BENEDICT
“My mother would likely appreciate it if the wedding took place in Bakewell,” I said, my fingers absently running over the corded tassel on the pillow beside me.
“Well, of course the weddingmusttake place in Bakewell.” Thea paced from the window in the drawing room to the fireplace and back, her violet gown billowing around her ankles as she walked. “When Felicity took me to the dressmaker, we ordered a pale pink gown that I now believe will be absolutely perfect for a bride. It is meant to be delivered in the next few days, which only leaves the wedding breakfast to be planned and the banns to be read.”
I nestled further into the sofa cushion, watching her pace back and forth with amusement. “Have you already written out a menu for the breakfast, or are you considering allowing my mother any freedom there?”
“She can have complete freedom. Though”—Thea paused before the window and grinned at me—“I was hoping we could at least serve marzipan.”
My heart warmed, and I nodded. “I am certain that would be acceptable.”
Thea crossed to the writing table and sat down. “I will write to Lady Edith straight away.” She turned on the seat and faced me, an adorable line marring her forehead. “Or would you rather share the news with her? I do wonder how she will take it.”
“She will be overjoyed.” I stood, crossing toward her, and she leaned her head back to hold my gaze. “She has wanted nothing more than to see me happily settled, and she has spoken of nothing but your Season, where she can find you happily settled, for the last few years. I do think she will be much relieved by our union.”
“I hope that is the case.”
Felicity and James had granted us many freedoms since our engagement, opting not to force us to remain in their sight at all times, but I kept my room on St. James Street anyway. My fingers trailed down Thea’s arm, and she grew still in a way I had only noticed her doing when I touched her, as though I alone had the power to focus Thea’s effervescent energy into calmness.
I took her hand and pulled her to her feet, and she came willingly. My stomach knotted, reminding me of the one thing I had yet to tell her. I was certain Thea would not be angry, exactly, but I did not know if she would be pleased, either. “There is something I wanted to discuss with you. I know there is much to decide about our future, but in regard to where we will live—”
“Oh, yes!” Her eyes brightened, and she took my other hand. “I hoped you would be amenable to spending some time in Bath? I do not have any great desire to live at the Royal Crescent or be fashionable, so I think we can find a place to let that is reasonably priced. When I left school and lived on my own, I learned to be very economic.”
“Bath?” My stomach sank further. “To live?”
“I realize that it is more the place to go for those who are aging or facing difficult health, but Society appeared diverse when we attended the musicale. It seemed to me that many people go to Bath occasionally, even if they do not live there, so we would see a great deal of your friends and never want for invitations.”
How was I to tell her now that I could not leave my estate in the state it was currently in? “You wish to live in Bath because you loved the town, or because of Archie?”
“Well, both, to be honest.”
I nodded, looking to the window to best consider how to tell her my news. Her small hands slid around my waist, and she stepped into my arms, resting her head against my chest. My burdens lifted immediately. It mattered not if she wanted to live in Bath. I would go wherever she wanted to go. It would only take a bit of finagling to find a buyer for the estate, but perhaps if I made some of the repairs, I could sell the house or let it and redeem a portion of my inheritance.
Thea leaned her head back to look at me. “You look displeased. Did you hate Bath? I vow you will love Archie.”
“I am certain I will. He seemed a good lad.”
“Then it is Bath you dislike?”
“I liked Bath, and I only want to be where you are.”
“Then tell me what is bothering you. Friends tell one another the things that bother them.”
“Oh?” I chuckled. “Do friends also plan their weddings together and decide where they will live?”
“These friends do,” she whispered, reaching up and pulling my head down for a kiss. I would never tire of Thea kissing me. Never.
I straightened, holding her to me. “When we were apart for those few weeks, I was interviewing land agents and stewards and even a butler, actually.”
