Page 111 of Rescued from Betrayal
The blush she’d been fighting all day made another appearance.
Eddie grinned. “I will take that as a yes.”
Thankfully, Nathaniel swooped in to save her from her meddling brother. They said their goodbyes to her uncle and his new wife, then made their way to their own waiting conveyance.
“I did not see Lord or Lady Kendall,” Nathaniel said by way of conversation.
“Nor Osborne,” Melior added, casting a glance at Eddie as he trailed along beside them.
“Yes, well it seems they were needed at one of Uncle Percy’s northern estates and will perhaps be there for quite some time.”
Algenon chuckled. “Which means you will have Kendall House to yourself for a time. You do not seem at all disappointed.”
Eddie put a hand over his heart, a smile tugging at his lips. “Oh, Iamheartbroken…but on the inside.”
They all chuckled.
The ride to Havencrest was not nearly as long as Melior remembered it being; of course that might have been because the weather was warmer and the company far better.
As usual Javenia and Algenon teased and cajoled each other, but when Nathaniel inquired if they were ready to return to their bevy of sisters, they both sighed.
It seemed they could agree on one thing: an excess of sisters was a trial they both loved and hated.
After depositing Algenon and Javenia at their respective estates, Nathaniel reached into his pocket and removed a drawstring bag.
“What is that?” Melior asked, her interest piqued.
“A belated wedding gift.”
He moved to sit next to her, setting the bag lightly in her lap.
She picked it up and pulled at the strings. With one finger she probed the contents within, then her eyes widened.
Carefully she allowed the spectacles to slide from the bag and into her hand.
“My lenses,” she said in awe.
“I had them replaced. I would rather you not wonder if it is me at our bedside.”
She giggled.
“Put them on.”
Slowly she slipped the spectacles onto her nose, watching as the shape of Nathaniel’s face sharpened.
He leaned in so she could see those beautiful specks in his eyes. “Do you like them?”
“I love them.”
Putting her hands to the sides of his face, she made sure he was well and properly thanked.
When the kiss ended, he draped an arm loosely around her.
“So Lady Stanford, what shall we do when we return to Havencrest?”
Melior snuggled close. “First, we must check on your mother.”
Nathaniel grew quiet, his arm tightening around her shoulders.
