Page 61 of The Mistletoe Countess
He caught her staring, and his expression softened as he attempted to capture some of her blowing hair to tuck behind her ear. “I should have taken you with me to town, but I was so focused on meeting with the inspector and then securing your comfort that I didn’t consider the consequences. I allowed my concerns for what I thought you needed to outweigh the true needs of your heart, and I’m sorry.”
The wind tousled his dark locks over his crinkled forehead in a dashing sort of way. Oh, he looked handsomer when he was penitent than in any other posture—except maybe roguish.
“What youthoughtI needed?”
“The lavatory. The one for your room.” His gaze searched hers, and he ran a palm over his shaking head. “I didn’t tell you why I stayed in town so long, did I?”
“No.” She replayed his words, attempting to decipher them, a steady warmth branching all through her. “That’s why you were gone? For me?”
“You were used to better accommodations and privacy, something I couldn’t afford before you came, but I have the resources to change that now and rushed ahead to—”
“You weren’t annoyed by me? Embarrassed?”
He turned toward her, holding her shoulders. “Good night, Grace, is that what you thought?”
“I’ve read that some men see their wives as a regret, so they resort to escaping in their work or improvements or whatever. I just didn’t imagine it would happen so soon—”
“Nothing of the sort.” He framed her face with his gloved hands. “In fact, I was reminded all the more this morning how very grateful I am that you are my bride, and I wish to leave you with no doubt of my affection for you.”
“Your affection for me?” That sounded very close to love, didn’t it? Her smile trembled wider.
“I want you to be happy here with me. But my world is not a kind one, and you are so inexperienced—”
She touched her fingers softly to his lips, bringing his words to a halt. There was something so powerful in this man that it quivered through her with a mixture of awe and curiosity. His heart, his passions, and life-line were somehow intricately tied to this land—just as Mrs. Whitlock had said—and in the beautiful stone walls and vast countryside pulsed her future as much as Frederick’s, if she’d let it. But she would need to embrace it all and release her fear. “I’m stronger thanyouthink I am. I may be stronger thanIthink I am, but one thing I want you to know is that you and Havensbrooke are my home now too, and I mean to take care of what is mine.”
The faintest smile touched his mouth, his thumb tracing her chin, before he sealed her declaration by placing his lips on hers. Warm and strong, his kiss swirled pleasant heat up through her, dashing away the cold. She held to his jacket and her promise. Ready or not, shewasCountess of Astley, and God had chosen her for this task, so she would make it her own.
Gracelynn Percy presented the perfect portrait of his new beginning with her untamed hair flying around her face, his home as the backdrop. His past and future situated together. He pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear in a vain attempt to control the wind-frenzied locks, the intimate touch bringing him closer to those azure eyes.
He loved her.
The feeling, the realization filled every space in his chest with a desire to shout to the heavens.
“I see you found your Christmas tree,” he murmured against her cheek as she faced the view, snow dancing about them like some magic was at work.
“You saw my scarf then?”
“Indeed. A good choice for the Great Hall.”
She pressed in a little closer to him in gratitude, and he tightened his hold, their faces pointed toward the view. “I’m sorry I left you alone, Grace.”
“I hope you’ve learned your lesson,” The teasing in her voice peaked his grin.
“Yes, but I hope I’m a faster learner in the future.” He unwound his scarf and tucked it around her neck before placing another kiss to her lips. He looked back to the estate, a memory she’d particularly enjoy coming to mind. “Do you see that garden on the east side? The small one near the edge of the river?”
“The one with the tall evergreen growing out of it?”
“Yes, that one.” He closed his eyes, his cheek against her head. He’d never known such an unadulterated sense of rightness, such clarity in a choice. He almost chuckled out of sheer astonishment. He’d never have chosen Grace, but God knew what he’dneeded.What his heart, future, and even Havensbrooke needed.
Frederick would make up his fumblings to Grace. He would show her a pure, faithful heart, if God gave him time. “It was my grandparents’ garden. My grandfather built it for my grandmother upon their marriage as a little haven for them. Mr. Archer, our gardener for decades, said the two of them would disappear into the garden for hours together with only the sound of birdsong and laughter.”
She turned her face toward him, her eyes, her lips enticingly close. “I read a book about a lovers’ garden once.”
“Of course you did.”
“It was very romantic.”
He touched her chin and tipped her face up to his, dipping to take a longer kiss than he’d taken a few minutes before. She made a sweet, contented hum in her throat as he deepened the kiss, his body warming to the taste and feel of her.
