Page 50 of My Highland Rogue
How had he made that judgment?
“Lauren will know. You need to see her, too. Pretend you’re married, Harrison, just for a few minutes. Surely you can do that.”
His eyes narrowed. “Has being a spinster turned you into a harpy, Jennifer?”
“Is it being a harpy to remind you of your duty?”
“Who the hell are you to tell me what to do?”
Jennifer didn’t bother answering him. He’d evidently been drinking steadily ever since he’d arrived. Harrison, inebriated, was even more irksome than Harrison, sober.
She was turning to leave when he spoke again. “I got rid of him. The gardener’s boy. I told him to get out.”
“Yes, I know. Or did you think someone wouldn’t tell me? I know most of what happens at Adaire Hall. Unlike you. You had no right to ask Gordon to leave. He was a guest.”
“You’ve always been a fool about him, Jennifer. He knows that. He takes advantage of it.”
“How exactly has he taken advantage of it, Harrison? I invited him to stay at the Hall. He didn’t ask. Nor did he expect it.”
Harrison only waved his hand in the air. “This is my home and I won’t have him here.”
“It’s only your home when you remember. It’s my home, too, Harrison. Who do you think manages Adaire Hall while you’re off in London?”
She left before he could respond. The less she saw of her brother, the better.
Chapter Nineteen
It was nearly dawn by the time Jennifer got to sleep. She woke only four hours later, her thoughts on Gordon. She realized she was smiling, the sensation so unusual that she pressed her fingers against her lips. How long had it been since she was this happy? Five years. Five long years.
She sat up, then swung her legs over the side of the mattress. The hours just after dawn were the most productive for her. She liked to get a start before most of the inhabitants of the Hall were up and about. She had time to plan her day before any of the normal complications arose.
Now, however, all she could think about was Gordon. They were going to be married.
She dressed while still smiling. She even laughed at herself in the mirror. Happiness made her pretty. Her cheeks were pink. Her eyes sparkled.
She knew exactly what she had to do today, all of it written out on a list she had made the month before. Her habit of making lists, keeping a calendar, and scheduling every task was how she managed everything to be done at Adaire Hall.
Today, however, it didn’t matter how much she had to do. She didn’t care. She would do every single item on her list with a smile on her face and with a warm swelling joy in her heart. She hadn’t felt like this in years—as if happiness was making her buoyant.
The only drawback to her happiness was Sean’s health. She wished she could somehow pray enough that he’d be magically healed, but God made those decisions, not her.
She couldn’t wait to marry Gordon. She didn’t want a large wedding. Nor did she want a ceremony that would take ages to plan. All she wanted was to be Gordon’s wife, to start their lives together.
Instead of eating breakfast, she grabbed some oatcakes and wrapped them in a napkin. At the cottage she tapped lightly on the door.
Gordon opened the door. Although it was obvious that neither of them had gotten much sleep the night before, the sight of him made her heart expand.
She offered him the oatcakes. “You haven’t had time to come to the house for breakfast.”
“I doubt if I would have been welcomed,” he said, taking the napkin from her.
“If Harrison behaves as he always has, he won’t wake until noon.”
“Thank you. I think Sally will have her hands full caring for Sean today.”
“I’m so sorry.” Sean’s illness took a little luster from her happiness.
Gordon reached out and enfolded her in a one-armed hug. “I know you are. No one could have done more to help him. I thank you for that, Jennifer.”
