Page 32 of Suddenly a Bride
“Aye, my lord. ’Tis undisturbed. Blackwell doesn’t realize its value.”
“You had better pray that no one saw you.”
His eyes went round. “Nay, my lord, I swear it!”
“Did you meet with my agent at Castle Wintering?”
“Aye, my lord, though it was difficult. But no one saw us. The person is as yet undiscovered and assures you that all is going as planned.”
Langston nodded slowly, allowing his eyelids to drift half closed as he mused on his successes. For a soldier, Blackwell was easily duped.
“Go back to Durham, Irwin. I shall send for you when I need you again.”
The man’s eyes widened. “Perhaps my report to you could come by messenger next time.”
Allowing his eyes to blaze, Langston surged to his feet.
Irwin gasped and jumped back, giving a quick bow. “I’ll do whatever you need, my lord,” he called as he fled out the door.
Langston allowed his satisfied smile to return. Then he sent for a maidservant to scrub Irwin’s dirt off the floor. Now, if only Gwyneth were pregnant with a girl child, then even the marriage contract would be against Blackwell.
~oOo~
At dawn on the eighth day of their marriage—rent-collecting day—Gwyneth packed a basket with all the baked goods she had prepared the previous afternoon. Each small cake or tart was wrapped individually in a small cloth and tied with string. She wanted to have something to offer Edmund’s tenants when she was introduced.
And she vowed to meet them this day, although she hadn’t informed her husband yet. She’d decided that surprise was the best course of action—in front of witnesses too.
To that end, she ate in the kitchen while he broke his fast in the winter parlor. When he went outside, she lingered in the doorway and watched him limp across the courtyard, admiring the way his doublet stretched tight across his back and his breeches clung to his thighs. He was a fine figure of a man.
When he reached the stables and greeted the grooms and soldiers gathered nearby, Gwyneth lifted her basket in both hands and walked awkwardly to join them. The sun was already blazing low on the horizon, and not a cloud marred the lovely blue of the sky. She wore a new gown she had made with Mrs. Haskell’s help. All in all, she felt confident.
As she approached Edmund, whose back was turned, she watched the soldiers straighten and smile. Alerted, Edmund glanced over his shoulder and saw her. She gave him her brightest smile and adjusted the heavy basket in her grip.
“My lord, if you don’t mind, I would like to come with you on your errands today.”
As he began to frown, she rushed on. “I’ve baked some gifts that I would like to hand out.” Let him try to turn her down now.
He didn’t. The frown intensified, but she had plotted well, and he was neatly caught. In his eyes was the knowledge that she had done this with deliberation. She smiled more sweetly.
“ ’Tis too long a day to walk, my lady,” he said as he approached her. “We shall have to ride.”
Her smile faltered as her gaze shot to the stall where his large warhorse waited, pawing at the ground and eyeing her. “Could we not ride in a cart?”
There was laughter all around her, and Edmund shook his head, a look of triumph rising in his eyes.
“ ’Tis too steep a course through the dale.”
He was already turning away to his horse, dismissing her. He lifted a huge saddle onto the animal’s back, and she thought for certain there were few men who could have done it without standing on a stool. Everything about that horse frightened her—but she couldn’t let fear stop her. She took a few deep breaths, already feeling light-headed.
When he had the girth cinched, she stepped forward. “I’m ready.” She forced herself to smile.
He glanced at her, and those clear blue eyes were dazzling as they swept over her. “You still mean to go?”
“If it’s all right with your horse,” she said doubtfully, eyeing the beast.
Laughter broke out again, and she thought even Edmund’s frown showed signs of cracking.
He sighed. “Then pick a horse and I shall saddle it, my lady.”
