Page 51 of My Highland Rogue
She hugged him back and walked inside the cottage, sitting at the table with him. When he offered her one of the oatcakes, she shook her head. Happiness had taken away her appetite. It was enough for her to be here with him, close enough to reach out and touch his arm, to see him smile and make quick work of his small breakfast.
The oatcakes gone, Gordon folded the napkin and handed it back to her.
“Do we have to wait?” she asked. “I know the circumstances, but couldn’t we have a small wedding? Here, in the cottage, so that Sean could see?”
“I don’t want a hole-and-corner affair, Jennifer. When I marry you, I want it with all the villagers and every person who works at Adaire Hall to witness it.”
Warmth swept through her.
He leaned over and kissed her gently. She placed her hand on his cheek, feeling his early-morning whiskers. Just think, she would be able to see him whenever she woke. He would be part of each day. She would be able to tell him what had transpired, people she’d met, things she thought. He would be part of her life and she had missed that for five years.
Sean’s door opened and Sally came out, carrying a basin. Gordon stood and helped her with it, placing it on the counter.
“How is he?” Jennifer asked.
Sally shook her head. “Last night was bad. I hope he can get some sleep today.”
Was she selfish by wanting to wed now?
Gordon walked her to the door.
“I’ll stay with Sean for a little while.”
She understood. “I’ll send a note to our minister,” she said. “If you’re sure you haven’t changed your mind?”
He hugged her again. She really didn’t want to leave him, but she had other duties to attend to today, and he needed to be with Sean.
When she returned to the Hall, Ellen was eating her breakfast in the dining room.
Jennifer joined her, and for a while Ellen wanted to discuss the latest fashions she’d seen in London. Although Jennifer didn’t have any interest in fashion, her godmother had an amusing opinion on everything. In addition, she was a font of knowledge on almost any subject.
“You’re like a walking library,” Jennifer had told her once.
Ellen had laughed. “What a compliment, my dear Jennifer, and very prettily said. Thank you.”
Today was no different as Ellen recounted tales of her adventures in selecting a new wardrobe. After the maid took away Ellen’s dishes, her godmother sat back in the chair and smiled at her.
“Tell me all about Gordon,” Ellen said. “Does he really own the Mayfair Club?”
Jennifer nodded. “As well as two music halls.”
“How interesting. And he used to live here?”
“I’ve mentioned him before.”
“Yes, you have,” Ellen said, “but you left out agreat many details. For example, how handsome he was or that he was quite an overpowering personage.”
“Overpowering?”
“There are people you meet who give off a certain quality,” Ellen said. “I’m not entirely sure I can explain what it is. They are either more ambitious or talented, but whatever it is, it’s not that they’re better than the rest of us. It’s simply that they’re different.” She looked at Jennifer sharply. “I’ve never met anyone who’s less a gardener’s boy than Gordon McDonnell.”
“He’s always been his own person,” Jennifer said.
“Now that doesn’t surprise me,” Ellen said. “It’s quite daunting how he looks at you. I don’t believe I’ve ever had a man look at me that way. Not even my darling Colin.”
Jennifer didn’t know what to say.
“Oh, it’s not a bad thing,” Ellen continued. “But I do believe that anyone who tried to come between you and him would suffer a terrible fate.”
