Page 14 of For a Lady's Fiery Heart
"I did not have an agenda planned for the day. I thought it might be nice to take a bit of time for relaxation. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity."
James leaned back against his chair, sighing contentedly. The butler soon came over, poured him a cup of tea, and set a plate of piping hot breakfast in front of him. Buttered toast, eggs and apples were the fare that he enjoyed. After all the rich delicacies from the day before, he was glad to have a simple meal in front of him.
"Good idea. I figured you would do just that." His father took another sip of tea and laced his fingers together, leaning his forearms against the table. "I thought, perhaps, that you might want to take a trip to Devonshire within the next week or two, however. It would be good to look over our new acquisition."
James raised a brow. "I suppose," he said slowly. "I doubt that the place is in liveable condition, as it has been left vacant for nearly ten years. Caroline's father told me so himself."
"Ahh, yes, herdearPapa,"his father teased with an air of superiority. "I must say that I am glad they will be leaving us this afternoon. I have had about as much as I can stand of Lord Chesterfield's colourful manner."
James could not help but agree. He was looking forward to the house void of guests, including her side of the family. It was taxing having Lord Chesterfield always hanging about, voicing his loud opinions. However, he did not want to be unkind. Lord and Lady Humphries were family now, after all. "Well, I suppose it would not hurt to go have a look at the place. How much can we spare for repairs of the old place?"
His father bristled at this question. James took a sip of tea and grimaced. He added more sugar and stirred it in, his father scowling at him all the while. "We are not short of funds, unlike the Humphries. Take whatever you need, and if more is required once you have done your survey of the place, then by all means, it will be provided."
James's heart lifted at this. He was eager to see the old Pembroke Manor.
"Perhaps you should take your bride along?" His father gave another wry smile. "You can treat it as a little wedding trip."
James was unsure if his father's suggestion was a good idea. "Would that not be bad form? She might see it as a slight, something to rub her face in the fact that her family does not own the estate anymore?"
"Nonsense. She has married into this family, and the house belongs to her more than ever now since the deed is in your name." His father gave a genuine smile this time, and James could not hold back his shock. "Think of it as a wedding present."
James set down his cup and reached over the corner of the table to shake his father's hand. "You mean to give Pembroke to me?"
His father shook his hand heartily. "Of course. I cannot oversee both houses with any degree of efficiency. I shall need your help with Pembroke estate and get it running again. Afterwards, we can hire a steward to oversee things."
His father's generosity undid James. However, a pinprick of guilt again assailed him. How would Caroline take to this news? "I shall ask Caroline if she wants to come with me. Perhaps she will have valuable insight into the property and tenants. I am sure she grew up around the farming families and–"
His father held up his hand, cutting him short. "Allow me to give you some advice, son. A strong husband never asks his wife's opinion. I doubt very much she knows anything of value about the place except for sentimental drivel. If I am correct, she would have left the house when she was only a little girl."
James did not share his father's opinion about asking his wife's advice, but he wisely kept silent. "Well, I shall bring up the idea to her and see if she wants to accompany me." He stood, offering his father a smile. "Good morning to you, Father."
His father nodded and picked his paper back up. "Give my regards to the lady of the house," he said with a wink.
James walked out of the dining room and headed to the garden. It was indeed a beautiful morning, and the sunshine was calling his name. He wove through the maze of halls and corridors until he was at the back of the house. He went out a side door and headed down a set of limestone steps, letting out at the side of the house.
Taking a deep breath, he clasped his hands behind his back and began a leisurely stroll toward the back of the house where the central garden lay. He walked among the winding paths for several minutes, stopping here and there to inspect the blooms coming onto the rose bushes. Their delicate buds would soon open up to the world, spreading their brilliant colours and soft scents for all of them to enjoy.
He approached the garden's edge, a large green opening up before him. He should take a ride later, he mused. It had been a long while since he had been able to ride, and he was sure that his horse would appreciate some time away from the confines of the corral. It was high time he had a chance to stretch his legs.
For now, however, James was content to sit at a small marble bench, looking out over the greening landscape. Soon, summer would be upon them in full strength. He was looking forward to the heat and was glad that he would be able to spend the Season away from London for the most part, as he had no reason to linger there after having found a wife.
He placed his hands on the edge of the marble bench and leaned forward. Caroline was a mesmerising woman. She was kind and intelligent, and he had no doubt that she would soon have the house running in ship-shape order. His father had done his best to run the house in an efficient manner after his mother's death.
However, there were things that only a woman's touch could cure–like the monotonous meals and the details that came with planning house parties. The house would be alive with colour and music again. At least, he hoped it would. Thorneby Place had been a bachelor household for the last few years.
He turned, looking up at the windows of the second floor. He tried to spot which window belonged to Caroline and soon saw a glint of light blue fabric in the third window on the right. He hoped she appreciated the renovations he had ordered before her arrival.
She had told him that her favourite colour was soft blue, and he had been pleased with how the bedroom turned out. He only hoped he had done a good job in picking the colours and fabrics. He had known that he would not want to share her bed for at least the first few weeks of their marriage. Somehow, it did not seem right, as they barely knew each other.
He turned around and saw a shepherdess leading her flock of sheep over the gently rolling hills in the distance. Their tenants were mostly shepherds. They also had a few farms that produced vegetables of all kinds imaginable. They supplied the house with no end of fresh produce.
Leaning back, he propped himself up by locking his elbows and looked up at the sky. He was unsure how he had come to be so blessed. And he was sure that the life he built with Caroline would only improve with time.
Chapter 8
Caroline finally ventured out of her bedroom at a quarter past eleven. She had lazed about in her room, enjoying a leisurely breakfast and then a warm bath in the most luxurious tub she had ever seen. It was still difficult to believe that it was all hers now.
She opened the door to her bedroom and headed out into the hall. Everything was bright and cheery, with white-washed panelled walls, gilded mirrors, and vases of bright blooms resting on every table in intervals down the corridor. She strolled down the hall, taking her time at some of the oil paintings that graced the walls. She would have to learn who these people were, as they were no doubt ancestors of the Deveroux line.
