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Ellie swallowed. She wasn’t sure what to believe. She was aware that past flings were not something that could vanish so easily. And she had seen the way Lady Catherine looked at Derrick. It might have been done on his side, but what about hers?
“I promise you, Ellie,” Derrick cupped her head in his hands. “I have no intention of starting anything with her again.”
“But you said you loved her once. And we didn’t marry for love, did we?”
“That doesn’t mean I would disrespect you as my wife.” Derrick kissed her forehead. “I will not look at another woman because I have you. And I’m not saying that because we spent the night together. I’m saying that because you’re my wife, and I don’t intend to turn my back on you.”
He sounded so sincere that Ellie’s doubts began to seep away. Now she was feeling silly for bringing this up.
“I… I apologise for doubting you,” she whispered.
“Oh, Ellie.” Derrick kissed her softly. “If the roles were reversed, I would be feeling the same thing. It’s perfectly natural. But trust me when I say that Catherine Saxton means nothing to me anymore. And it’s not happening again.”
Ellie couldn’t say a word. She just nodded. Kissing her quickly again, Derrick slid off the bed.
“We’d better get a move on. Maurice likes to put a spread on, even if there is just the two of us. And I want to make sure the cottage is ready for your sisters when they arrive.”
“Thank you for doing this for them.”
Derrick winked at her. Then he left the room, closing the door behind him. Ellie lay back and stared at the ceiling for a moment, letting everything sink in. She was feeling a little sore, but it was a satisfying feeling rather than a painful one. She certainly felt like she had been thoroughly loved.
Love. That didn’t mean she was in love with Derrick. Making love to him didn’t mean they were in love. There was an attraction, and it worked well between them. Ellie wanted to explore it, especially if they were going to have many years together; it would help pass the time.
It also helped that he was a handsome man. Extremely handsome. Plus, he was kind and considerate, listened to her, and made her feel like a princess. Ellie didn’t know if anyone else could come close to doing that for her, aside from her father.
He was certainly someone she could fall in love with. Maybe she already was.
No. Ellie shook herself. She shouldn’t be so silly. It wasn’t love. Maybe a little bit of lust. But if she allowed herself, maybe she could fall for him.
She had plenty of time to think about it. There was no time limit anymore.
Chapter 15
“There!” Mrs Matthews came into the kitchen, dusting her hands on her apron. “That’s the drawing room finished, my lord. If Miss Regina and Miss Dorothea find a speck of dust, I’m claiming ignorance.”
Derrick burst out laughing. “You don’t need to worry about that. My wife’s sisters don’t really care about that at all.”
“You never know.”
“Really, they’re rather fun. Dorothea’s only eighteen, so dust isn’t really on her mind.” Derrick gestured at the kitchen. “This is done, and Ellie is finishing off upstairs. I think this is suitable.”
“I must say, when you said you wanted to come and help tidy up the cottage yourself, I was surprised.” Mrs Matthews regarded him curiously. “I wasn’t expecting you to help us at all. It’s not something I thought you would do.”
“Well, my wife was going to come with you, anyway. And I want to be hospitable to my sisters-in-law.”
After all, Derrick had given them the offer of living on the estate and being financially provided for. The least he could do was make sure their new home was comfortable for them.
Regina and Dorothea could live on the estate without being in the same house as them so they could have their own space and freedom. Of course, Derrick and Ellie would keep an eye on them, but having their own home would sweeten the deal. Regina had certainly liked the idea of having a cottage of her own.
While he hadn’t had proper contact with the earl, his three daughters had said that he was grateful for Derrick’s help, and that he could rest easy knowing that they weren’t causing havoc. From the way Regina had giggled when she said that, Derrick wondered if their father had found out about their antics in making Ellie into a spinster. Lady Diane hadn’t stopped talking about it, grumbling away throughout the wedding breakfast.
Derrick had simply found it amusing, especially as he had come to find Ellie more attractive even with the horrible disguise she had put on. She was even lovelier underneath.
That he knew for certain.
Clearing his throat and ignoring the erotic images of Ellie he had in his head, Derrick headed out into the garden, Mrs Matthews following him. The garden itself was small, but it could be easily maintained.
Dorothea had mentioned enjoying her time with flowers, and there were quite a few. Derrick had no idea what they were, but they were certainly pretty. If Dorothea didn’t want to do any gardening, he could always get his under-gardener to help out.
