Page 76 of An Arranged Marriage with a Cruel Earl
“There was a slight delay,” Neville said with a smile as he came to the table.
“Your coachman definitely didn’t do that on purpose,” Andrew teased.
Neville shot him a mock-angry look, his dark eyes bright with warmth. “Perhaps,” he replied.
Neville’s parents were seated on the left of the long table, and Amelia’s family on the right. Emmeline and Andrew were at the head and foot of the long table, the traditional places for the lord and lady of the manor. Emmeline beamed at Amelia, who sat at Andrew’s right hand. She was glowing and Emmeline’s heart filled with love for her.
“A toast!” Andrew called out as they all took their seats. “To the happy couple.”
Everyone echoed his words, lifting glasses that Mr Pearson had already amply filled. Emmeline grinned at Amelia and her cousin grinned wildly back. Emmeline was sure she had never seen her so happy.
“Congratulations,” Neville’s parents echoed, and Emmeline beamed to see the loving way they already looked at Amelia. Neville was gazing at her too, with an adoration that made Emmeline’s heart soar. She could not have been happier.
The first course appeared, served by two footmen who had recently joined the staff. It was a delicious soup of mushrooms—the early autumnal weather made it a good time for mushroom picking. Emmeline sipped at her soup, savouring the rich, earthy, salty taste. She could hearthe laughter of the people around her and she smiled warmly to herself. It was a joy beyond measure to have such a happy gathering in their new home.
Course followed course, and by the time a rich chocolate mousse was being served, Emmeline stifled a yawn. She was profoundly sleepy. She gazed across the table and saw Andrew smiling at her. His gaze was warm and loving and a blush flooded her cheeks.
“I suggest a walk in the gardens after dinner,” Andrew suggested. “Or, for those who prefer, you are welcome to retire to your chambers to rest.”
Emmeline smiled at the suggestion. The west wing had been restored, and there were three or four guest chambers there, two with their own boudoirs. Their recent wealth allowed them to do even more restoration than they had planned, as well as allowing them to expand the staff and hire some of the local townsfolk.
“A terrific idea,” Neville said, sounding drowsy. They all smiled.
The dishes were cleared away and the guests slowly made their way into the grounds. The gardeners had the afternoon off—the whole manor was celebrating along with Neville and Amelia—but they had until recently been digging a new portion in the rose harbour. Bringing life back to the gardens was one of the slower parts of the renovation, since they had to accommodate work on the manor which affected some parts of the garden close to it.
“The reconstruction near the ballroom...is it still underway?” Neville asked Andrew as they strolled across the lawn. The flowerbeds near the house were a riot of chrysanthemums and other autumn-flowering plants. The sound of bees was just audible as they walked, providing a pleasant melody as a background to the conversation.
“It is,” Andrew agreed.
“But the ballroom is surely completely reconstructed now?” he hazarded.
“Yes,” Andrew agreed.
“It’s very grand,” Neville noted and Amelia, beside him, smiled.
“I’ll never forget the ballroom,” she said with a grin at Emmeline. “That’s the first time I saw Neville, you know.”
Emmeline grinned. “Yes, it was. Well—you must have seen each other before then,” she demurred.
“At your wedding. Not really,” Amelia commented. “He was a few pews behind me, and I didn’t see him properly.”
“I did see you,” Neville said, eyes sparkling. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you. When Andrew mentioned, quite casually, that you would be invited to the ball, I couldn’t sleep the night before.”
“No!” Emmeline giggled. She had heard the story once before, but that part was new.
“I do not jest,” Neville said primly.
They all laughed.
Amelia grinned at Neville warmly. “I recall when I first saw you. I couldn’t take my eyes off you. I thought you were so handsome.”
Neville went slightly pink. “I was staring at you so much that I almost tripped up.”
They all laughed.
Emmeline glanced at Andrew, smiling. The story of their best friends’ meeting was one that always made them happy.
They walked slowly down the path and reached the water garden. Emmeline walked lightly through the archway and the others followed. She went down a paved pathway towards the central pond. Neville and Amelia went down another path, chatting happily with each other. Andrew came and joined her. They walked to the bench by the pond slowly, each lost in thought.
