Page 29 of Miss Barton's Mysterious Husband
Janet Barton was an attractive woman who bore a marked resemblance to her lovely niece, especially when they were both blushing as they were now.
Janet linked her hands at her waist the way that Charmian did when she fretted. He found it harder and harder to maintain his anger. This woman had set out to do him ruinous harm, but she hadn’t succeeded. He suspected that her conscience wouldprovide adequate punishment without him reviling her. Nor could he forget her utter devastation this morning.
Janet remained standing. “I wanted to thank you both for helping today. I don’t know how we’d have managed without you. Especially when…”
Charmian made a dismissive gesture. “I wasn’t going to leave you flat. We’re still family, whatever else has happened.”
The generous response eased the tightness around Janet’s eyes and mouth. “That’s…that’s more than I deserve.” She directed a glance at Roland. “Sir Roland, I’m far too aware that I misjudged you. I apologise.”
He bowed his head. “Thank you.”
An awkward silence descended, before Janet crossed to sit on the settle near the inglenook. “You said this morning that you’re going back to Northamptonshire as soon as you can. Are you moving on tonight?”
Charmian took Roland’s hand. She didn’t have to say anything. He already knew what she wanted.
“It’s late and we’re both tired,” he said. “If you’ll permit us to stay, I’d be very grateful.”
Janet almost managed a smile. “I’d be delighted if you’d stay. I kept back a few choice morsels with the hope of having a small celebration of the season, now that the crisis is over. Milly can look after our remaining guests. John’s gone home to his family. It would be just us. Or you can eat in a private parlor, if you’d prefer your own company.”
Charmian’s expression said that she found the answer in his face. He wanted to start as he meant to go on. That wasn’t with setting up barriers between Charmian and her family.
She turned to Janet. “That sounds lovely, Aunt. It would be nice to do something to mark Christmas Day. We’d love to have dinner with you. Then we’ll leave tomorrow morning bright and early.”
The last of Janet’s wary stiffness drained away. The gaze she leveled on them was misty. She stood and brushed down her dark blue skirts with trembling hands. “I’m so glad. Thank you. I’ll go and get things sorted out in the kitchen.”
“I’ll help,” Charmian said, but her aunt shook her head with something approaching fond indulgence.
“No, I can manage, and you’ve both been my drudges for long enough today. You deserve some time to yourselves.”
They did. Roland was desperate to hold his wife close and bask in the fact that they were together again. “Thank you, Miss Barton.”
“Please call me Aunt Janet. As Charmian said, we’re family.”
He wasn’t completely convinced of his welcome, even now, but for the sake of future harmony, he said, “Aunt Janet.”
And was rewarded with an approving smile from his wife.
“It’s nearly five now,” Janet said. “Shall we say eight for our dinner?”
“It’s going to take me that long to wash the day’s dirt away,” Charmian said, which brought a smile to her aunt’s face. An almost natural smile.
“I asked John to bring your things down to the front chamber on the first floor. Your bedroom in the attics isn’t big enough for two.”
Charmian’s blush had ebbed as the discussion proceeded. Now it blossomed into pink again, which made Roland want to kiss her.
But then, he always wanted to kiss her.
“That’s very thoughtful of you,” he said.
“It’s the least I can do. I’ll see you both in the south parlor in a couple of hours.”
As she left, Janet looked happier than she had when she arrived. Roland found his wife regarding him as if he’d set the stars alight in the night sky. “What?”
“I love you, Roland Destry.”
He frowned in puzzlement. While he appreciated her feelings, she spoke the words with a particular emphasis that left him confused. “And I love you.”
She smiled. “Even if I hadn’t loved you before, I’d love you now.”
