Page 8 of The Dream of Love
Keep your hands off the delectable girl.
Well, perhaps angry archangels and lightning bolts were a slight exaggeration. But his heart had been numb for so long, these suddenly strong feelings came as a surprise.
He followed Nathaniel down the hall toward the clatter of teacups and feminine laughter, immediately recognizing Remi’s gentle laugh.
His breath caught at the sight of her. She was wearing what had to be a gown borrowed from Poppy, although the pale green silk fit her to perfection, accentuating the soft curves of her body. Her hair was loosely braided and pinned in an intricate twist at the nape of her slender neck.
She was exquisite.
“Adam, how nice to see you.” Aunt Lavinia smiled up at him from her perch on the divan beside Remi.
Poppy greeted him warmly as well. “Do come join us. We’re just having our tea. What a horrid afternoon. I hope the storm blows over quickly. Will you stay for supper?”
“Your husband asked, but I dare not. Perhaps another time.” He turned to Remi. “How are you, Lady Remington?”
She cast him an impertinent grin. “Enjoying myself tremendously and feeling absolutely no guilt for imposing on my friends.”
He could see by her expression that she was thinking of their conversation when he’d brought her to Sherbourne Manor, the one about how parents ought to behave toward their children, and husbands and wives ought to behave toward each other. Nathaniel and Poppy were the perfect example of a couple in love.
He thought it might make her wistful not to have this in her life. But quite the opposite seemed true. She glowed with happiness when Nathaniel bent down to kiss his wife’s cheek. Whatever loveaurawas floating in the air, Remi was absorbing it and tucking it into her heart.
He sat in a chair opposite the divan and studied her. “How is your ankle?”
“Much better. The swelling has gone down. I no longer have a problem putting pressure on it. I’ll be fit enough to dance a jig by tomorrow.”
“Good.” He cleared his throat, not wanting to broach the topic of her father while in company, but they were not going to be alone anytime soon, and the Sherbournes knew all that was going on anyway. “Is there any message you wish me to convey to your father? I plan on paying him a call tomorrow.”
Her smile faded. “You mean any message other than those Lord Welles has sent around and my father has seen fit to ignore? No, I have nothing to say to him.” She folded her hands on her lap and stared down at her toes. “It feels different this time, doesn’t it?”
Adam did not want to lie to her. “Yes, it does.”
She glanced up at Nathaniel. “Lord Welles, I may have to impose on your kindness a little while longer. Not only to remain here but to seek your assistance in claiming whatever is rightfully mine. My father is not going to take me back this time. I feel it in my bones. I already know my mother doesn’t want me. Even if she felt any pity toward me, in this she will do as my father commands. He’ll threaten to cut off her allowance if she dares to defy him.”
She sighed raggedly, and her eyes began to tear. “I should not be feeling so awful. I’ve been living with this all my life. But even being shuttled back and forth between them feels better than being completely on my own.”
Adam reached over and covered her hands with one of his. “You will not be alone. I’ve told you already, come to me whenever you need help.” He glanced at Poppy, Lavinia, and Nathaniel, who all looked quite grim on her behalf.
Nathaniel nodded. “Vicar Carstairs will see your father tomorrow, as he said. We’ll decide what to do after they meet. Remi, it is as the vicar says. You are not alone in Wellesford. You, Poppy, Olivia, and Penelope have been friends since childhood. Olivia is now married to the Duke of Hartford. You’ll have an earl, a duke, and a vicar to bring pressure on your father to do what’s right.” He cast her a gentle smile. “And if all else fails, you have Poppy, Olivia, and Penelope to take up arms against your father. He doesn’t stand a chance against them.”
A roll of thunder sounded in the distance.
Adam slapped his hands on his thighs and rose. “I had better return to the vicarage before the skies open up.”
Remi jumped up with him. “I’ll see you out. That is…if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind. You can tell me what I should convey to your father while you walk me to the door.”
“I doubt you’ll be willing to repeat what I’d like to tell him. It isn’t at all ladylike.”
He laughed. “I’ll phrase it as politely as I can.”
Remi took his arm as they walked out of the summer parlor. He noticed she had no trouble walking, just as she had assured. He was glad the ankle sprain had healed nicely. However, he was surprised Lord Welles had not followed them out. Perhaps Poppy had warned him to stay put and allow them a few minutes alone.
He ignored the ache brought on by having to part from this girl. “I’ll see you tomorrow, assuming the storm lets up early enough in the day. I’ll come by as soon as I’ve met with your father.”
“Thank you for all you are doing for me.” She was staring down at her toes again. “I’m sorry I am such a nuisance.”
“You’re not a nuisance. This is what I do, Remi. I’m supposed to heal hurt souls.” He cupped a finger under her chin and tipped her gaze up to meet his. Then, without thinking, he leaned forward to plant a soft kiss on her cheek.
