Page 27 of Lady Beast's Bridegroom
“Viscount Ransome of Three Oaks Manor in Suffolk is honored to announce his marriage to Lady Arial Bledisloe daughter of the Earl of Stancroft (deceased). The private wedding was held in London and attended by close family and invited guests.”
Somehow the public notice made it all the more real. What would people think? What would Josiah say? She smiled at Peter. None of that mattered. They were married, and it was wonderful.
“Your bath is ready, my lady,” Nancy announced. “So is yours, my lord.”
Regardless of the watching maid and footmen, Peter leaned over the little table to give Arial a kiss. “Then I shall leave you to it, Lady Ransome, and see you at breakfast.”
*
In his bath,Peter contemplated his own disappointment that he’d been exiled to another bedroom. He should be grateful that, after their first joining, she had removed the mask in the dark and gone to sleep in his arms. She had trusted him that much, and when she woke in the night and reached for him, he had had the joy of kissing her without any obstruction in the way. Which had led to round two.
In the morning, he woke to hear her behind the dressing screen, and when she returned to bed, the half mask was back in place. He expected too much, too soon. She had trusted him enough to give him her body. It would take time before she could bear to be naked with him.
The small bit of distance was to his benefit, too. This marriage was a civil arrangement. He did not intend to spoil it by becoming besotted with his bride.
He was already serving his breakfast when Arial arrived in the dining room. He had not been joking about his hunger. Despite the crumpets, he was ravenous.
And not just for food, he decided, when she entered the room and his male organ stood to instant attention. It seemed he could not get enough of his wife. It was probably just that he hadn’t been with a woman for a long time, though that thought seemed so disloyal that he quelched it immediately.
Whatever the reason for his sudden surfeit of lust, he had to content himself with a peck on the cheek and a cheeky comment whispered in her ear so the attending footman could not hear it.
Her blush would have to be satisfaction enough for the moment, especially as Miss Tulloch took that moment to join them.
The girls had already eaten but came hurrying down from the schoolroom when they heard the newlyweds were up and dressed. They were delighted with the day’s plans but took exception to Arial’s plain mask.
“But the one you made for my wedding will not go with this gown,” she protested. It was some tailored confection in a dark maroon, almost the color of a good port. Peter had signed for payment of enough dressmaker bills for his stepmother and stepsisters to know that daytime costumes could fit into categories of day dress, walking dress, and afternoon dress, but which this was he had no idea. It was charming, anyway.
Rose agreed. “Not at all, but we can do something quickly with pastels. I think some of the ones that old artist gave me are the right colors. Come on, Viv.” The girls hurried out, but Peter signaled Miss Pettigrew to stay.
“What old artist, Miss Pettigrew? And how did he come to be giving gifts to my sister?” When he used that tone with his men, they had known to be fast and honest in their reply, for Captain Ransome had sensed danger, and would not tolerate prevarication.
Miss Pettigrew eyes opened wide in alarm, and she gulped. “It was innocent, my lord, truly. He said she reminded him of his granddaughter, and she was never out of my sight, only her skills are beyond mine.”
Peter had been too abrupt. Beside him, Arial put a hand on his arm. “Lord Ransome is not blaming you for anything, Miss Pettigrew. I take it she met an artist who was painting in the vicinity, and he was kind enough to give her lessons?”
“He came to paint Lady Ransome, my lady,” Miss Pettigrew explained. “Last year, this was. He gave Miss Rosalind one lesson, but then Lady Ransome found out and forbade any more. When he left, he gave me a box of pastels for her. Just stubs and broken pieces, but he said she had great talent, and must continue with her art. And he gave me a list of exercises for her to do.”
“That was a great kindness,” Arial said. “We will need to see about an art tutor, and you must tell us if either of the young ladies need special tuition in anything else, mustn’t she, my lord? I wish to assure you, on behalf of myself and the viscount, that you have the position of governess for as long as you wish to retain it.”
Miss Pettigrew’s position was one of the matters they had discussed this morning, lying in one another’s arms. Called into the conversation, he managed to reassure Miss Pettigrew of hisrespect for her and his gratitude for her care of both girls. “I will always be in your debt for rescuing Rose and bringing both girls to me here in London.” He slid a sly sideways look at Arial and brought color to her cheeks by saying, “I daresay that, by the time my sisters leave the schoolroom, we will have begun filling it again.”
The governess, pink and flustered at her employers’ compliments, stammered thanks then excused herself to see to her charges.
Miss Tulloch was attempting to look delighted, but her eyes showed anxiety. Best let her know what they had decided about her, too. “Miss Tulloch, Lady Ransome and I have discussed your future with us also, now that Lady Ransome no longer requires a companion to give her respectability.”
“Of course, my lord,” the lady replied with an outward appearance of calm. “I had expected you would ask me to leave.”
Arial put her hand on Miss Tulloch’s arm. “That is not at all what we are asking, Clara, though if it is what you wish, we can assure you of a pension in thanks for all your years of service. I do not speak of your friendship, which has been beyond price to me, and for which I can only give my love.”
Miss Tulloch’s eyes filled. “I love you, too, Arial. Lady Ransome, I mean. I wish you and the viscount very happy, and I do not wish to leave you. But you have a governess and have just promised her a permanent role.”
“My wife and I need a secretary,” Peter told her. “Someone who knows the ins and outs of Society and who can track of our correspondence and our activities. Arial says you would be perfect for the position. Is there any chance you would consider it?”
Arial took up the plea. “I know it is unusual for a woman to be secretary to a man, but we do not think we need one each, and you know how I hate having new people close to me.” Shechuckled and smiled at her new husband. “Except you, Peter. And your sisters. And Miss Pettigrew.”
Miss Tulloch was nodding. “I could do that. Are you sure? Am I dreaming? Oh, Arial, ever since you told me your plan, I have been trying not to worry about having to find a new position. Of course, I will stay, Lord Ransome.”
Peter was pleased. Another matter settled to the satisfaction of all. “Will you do me the honor of calling me Peter? And allowing me to call you Clara? You have above all been Arial’s friend, and I hope you will be mine, also.”
