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“I must admit, I do love this little home,” Mrs Matthews commented as she stepped onto the grass. “The garden, the view, the quiet… it’s like it’s come out of a painting by John Constable.”
“I won’t argue with that.” Derrick turned and looked at the cottage. “I’m hoping Regina and Dorothea like it.”
“My lord, they are going to love it. You have beautiful homes on the estate. Even if they don’t like it, they can easily choose another.”
She did have a point. Although Derrick didn’t want the girls to be close to his mother’s cottage on the other side of the estate. While he was sure Regina and Dorothea could charm the dowager countess, he didn’t want to put them in close proximity to find out; that would be asking for trouble.
The sound of horses trotting along and wheels churning on the dirt track had Derrick turning towards the road, barely visible behind the hedge that lined it. He could see the top of a carriage wobbling into view.
“It looks like they’re here,” he commented.
“I’ll go and find Lady Northampton.” Mrs Matthews headed into the house. “I’m sure she will want to greet her sisters.”
She disappeared, and Derrick made his way around to the front and onto the path. The carriage door was opening, and Regina was climbing out first. She looked a little tired, but her eyes were bright, and she seemed excited. Dorothea followed close behind, jumping down with more gumption than her sister.
Derrick approached them as they hovered by the gate, staring at the cottage.
“Regina, Dorothea. I hope your journey wasn’t too bad.”
“It was a little… bumpy,” Regina said in awe, “but uneventful. Is this our new home?”
“It is. One of the many cottages on my estate, and it’s only a few minutes’ walk from the main house.” Derrick pointed at the trees further down the track. “You can see the house just beyond them. Would you like to come and have a look?”
“Please.” Regina pushed through the gate, her mouth falling open as she looked up at the little house. “This is just gorgeous. Beautifully cosy.”
“And the garden!” Dorothea gasped, rushing past her sister and onto the grass. “Look at this! It’s stunning!”
Derrick laughed as the youngest sister started dancing around the garden. Regina groaned and rolled her eyes.
“Forgive my sister, North. She keeps forgetting that she’s not a little girl anymore.”
“It’s fine. I’m glad she likes something about her new home.”
“Well, I certainly like it.” Regina looked around her. “I feel like I’m on the cover of those fancy chocolate boxes Father gets for Christmas. Except there’s no snow.”
“There will be plenty of snow around here when winter comes along.”
“Really?”
“Really. It’s pretty, but you have to be careful because it can get rather deep and you will get snowed in when that happens, so we have to stock up.” Derrick held up his hands. “But that is something we can discuss nearer the time. No need to talk about snow in the middle of summer.”
“I don’t know about that.”
Ellie’s voice behind him made Derrick turn around, seeing her coming out of the front door.
“Talking about snow on a warm day always cools me down.”
Regina giggled and stepped around Derrick, wrapping her sister in a warm embrace.
“It’s so good to see you,” she said as she pulled back. “I know it’s only been a day, but when we’re together all the time, it feels like a lifetime.”
“I know what you mean.”
Ellie was laughing, her cheeks flushed and her gown a little dusty, but she didn’t seem to care. Derrick couldn’t take his eyes off her. She did look so beautiful like this, so relaxed and happy. Not for the first time, he was glad that he had offered her marriage.
He would be a fool not to admit that he did care for her a great deal. There was something about her that made everyone feel warm and happy. Randall had commented on it in private, and Derrick could see his point. Ellie was a remarkable woman, even if she didn’t believe it herself.
And she makes me want more in bed. That, and waking up next to her feels like I’ve reached the top level of heaven.
