AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I love it. Thank you,” she said. She touched his sleeve, and tingles travelled up his arm.
“You are most welcome.”
Chapter 17
Ellen did not know what to say for several seconds as she looked down at the beautiful heart-shaped locket. She glanced at Simon as he opened a gift from his father, surprised and touched by his gift to her. She had not been expecting anything from him, given the rocky start to their marriage.
She would not have blamed him if he had not given her a thing. But his gift was at once generous and personal. Her cheeks warmed once more as she remembered his suggestion that she place silhouettes of their children inside it someday.
She shook her head gently, trying to calm the wild racing of her heart. Simon met her gaze, and he reached over to take her hand, no doubt sensing the upheaval of her emotions. He always seemed to know what comfort she needed.
Ellen had sorely misjudged him before their wedding. She hung her head, looking down at the locket again. He constantly surprised her, and she did not know what to do with her feelings.
“Are you well?” Simon whispered, gently squeezing her hand.
She sniffed back tears and pasted a smile on her face. “Of course. I do not know what is wrong with me,” she whispered.
He nodded but said nothing else. She was glad that he did not draw even more attention to her. Golda had been right. Ellen had been unfair and wholly unkind toward her husband. Despite her earlier thoughts about Simon, he was thoughtful and kind, a true gentleman. She was indeed lucky to have him as her life partner.
“Well, I suppose we should be going. Your family will be waiting, will they not?” he asked after all the gifts had been exchanged. He stood and offered her his hand.
“Yes, they will,” she agreed.
Simon’s parents stood and thanked her again for their gifts. His mother stepped toward her and wrapped her in a hug. “Thank you so much for the embroidery. You are very talented,” she whispered before kissing her on the cheek. Ellen warmed to her.
“And thank you for the diamond pin. It was most generous,” she said.
His mother smiled at her. “Every Lady in the Grant family has worn it for three generations. It is your turn to carry on the tradition,” she said with a wink. “You are good for my son.”
Ellen was surprised by the sentiment, as she did not feel she had been much of a wife to Simon. However, there was no time to respond, for Lord Grant approached her and gave her a hug as well. “Thank you for the pipe. I shall treasure it always.”
“You are most welcome, Father,” she said.
Simon placed a hand on the small of her back, and she said goodbye to his parents. They walked out of the drawing room and donned their coats and hats at the door.
“It was kind of you to think of my parents this morning. You did not have to get them presents, but I know they appreciated it,” Simon said as he put on his kid-skin gloves.
Ellen blushed slightly. She had been trying to think of ways to improve things between Simon and herself. But not only that, she wanted good relations between her and her parents-in-law. “I wanted to,” she said. “They are my parents now, too, after all.”
This seemed to please Simon, and for that, she was glad. Once they were bundled up, he motioned to the door, and she walked out into the brisk sunlight, entering the carriage for the short ride to her parents’ home. The sky had stopped spitting snow almost as soon as it had started earlier that morning.
The sun had melted the last traces of the powdery white while they had been in the drawing room, and for that, she was glad. The roads could be hazardous when covered in snow and ice, and she did not want anything to get in the way of seeing her family that afternoon.
“Your father is very sweet,” Ellen said. “Do you think he really liked the pipe? I just confess I am terrible at purchasing gifts.”
“It did not seem so to me. I could tell that he liked it very much. Indeed, I am sure he has settled down with it next to the fire and is testing it out as we speak,” Simon replied. “And my mother’s gift—how long did that take you? It was exquisite.”
Ellen grew embarrassed under his praise. “Thank you. I wanted to do something more personal for her. She has been very kind to me since I came to live at the manor.”
“Well, you are my wife. Of course, she is thrilled to have you living with us now.” Something akin to admiration filled his eyes as he looked at her. Once again, her heart raced. Perhaps this was a start of a closer relationship between them.
They arrived at her family home, and Simon climbed out of the carriage first, helping her down. He did not let go of her hand as they walked to the door. His fingers were warm against hers, and she was sorry when he let go when she reached the stoop.
“I shall just help them retrieve the gifts,” he said and headed back to the carriage. He took up the presents in his arms, and the coachmen helped him bring them all inside, for her family was much bigger than their small gathering with his parents.
Ellen headed in from out of the cold, and her mother greeted her at the door. “Ahh, there you are. Good, now the real celebrations can begin. How are Lord and Lady Grant?” her mother asked, kissing her cheek. “Oh, you are frozen. Come inside and warm yourself. Your sisters are itching to open gifts. Oh, and the viscount and his brother, are here.”
“The viscount?” Ellen asked. “Viscount Tilbury and his brother you mean?”
