Page 13 of For a Lady's Fiery Heart
Why had he left her alone that night? Was he not attracted to her after all? Perhaps she had been misreading the signs all this time, and he would turn out to have been playing a game with her during their courtship.
The last thing she wanted was to end up alone in this big house, a married maiden, in effect. She stood up and began to pace before the fire. She shook her head. There was no sense in letting her thoughts run rampant, jumping to conclusions as she was prone to do when under stress.
She stilled, resting a hand on the mantelpiece. "God, give me the strength to be the wife he deserves," she prayed. Some of the unease melted away, and Marche returned with a tea tray a moment later. She sat down once more while Marche poured her a cup of tea.
"Oh, Marche, you are an angel," Caroline said when she saw the little sandwiches waiting for her. "I did not eat very much this afternoon. Nerves, you know." She took one of the sandwiches and took a bite, her stomach growling in response.
"I assumed as much, my lady. I can send for something else from the kitchen, something a little hardier if you like?"
"Oh, no, this is perfect," Caroline said. She finished the sandwich, eating two more before she sat back against the lounge and enjoyed the last half of her cup of tea. The aroma of the flowery blend and milk calmed her, helping her body relax after the taxing afternoon.
"How was the ceremony, my lady?" Marche asked, standing watch at the end of the chaise lounge after she had finished tidying the room.
"It was beautiful," Caroline admitted.
She had been surprised at the detail and thought that had gone into decorating the church and Thorneby Place, for the wedding had been planned in only three weeks. She sighed, setting the empty China cup on the side table behind her. She nestled into the lounge, crossing her arms over her chest.
"I am quite content with this room," she said, looking around. "I am sure it will be even more beautiful when I can see it in daylight."
"It is indeed. The housekeeper told me that Viscount Hereford had the touches of blue added especially for you. He ordered the new curtains for the bedposts and windows shortly after you accepted his proposal, I am told."
Caroline sat up straighter. "Did he?" She smiled to herself. "So he was listening."
Marche smiled as well. "It seems so."
Touched, Caroline sat back again, wondering what manner of man she had married. It would seem that, even though the circumstances had been dire surrounding the haste of her nuptials, her marriage would turn out to be a blessing. She had married a man that was indeed kind and evidently very thoughtful. It was a simple gesture, to be sure, but one that she appreciated.
Caroline yawned, looking at Marche, still awaiting orders at the foot of the lounge should she need anything else. Caroline stood, padding barefoot over to the bed. She climbed between the sheets, and Marche followed, bringing a candle to the bedside table. "Is there anything else you need before I go, my lady?"
"No, thank you, Marche. You have been wonderful," Caroline said, sinking against the plush pillows. She was growing sleepy now, fading fast. Marche nodded without a sound and went to blow out the half-dozen candles that had been placed around the room. She took up the tea tray and exited, closing the door softly behind her.
Caroline drifted back into consciousness for only a moment when she heard the door click shut. She looked up at the ornately carved ceiling, spreading her arms over the coverlet to stretch her stiff muscles. Her new life was off to a good start.
Chapter 7
James awoke late the following day. At least, it was late compared to what he was used to. The clock on the mantel read half-past nine, and he slowly propped himself up in bed, the sheets falling away from his bare chest and settling around his middle. He stretched his arm up over his head, grunting low as his muscles loosened.
The birds chirped outside his window, and he felt his spirits lift with the promise of summer. He stood, padding over to the window and moved the curtains. Light instantly flooded the room, and he swung the curtains all the way to the side to let it all in.
The oak outside his window sported new bright green leaves, and a pair of sparrows built a nest in the higher branches. He watched them for a moment, flitting about as they retrieved twigs and straw and brought them back to build the new home where their eggs would soon lie.
James undid the brass latch on the window and pushed it outward, breathing deeply of the cool, fresh air. He was glad to be home, away from the stench and bustle of London. And he was looking forward to showing Caroline around his domain.Our domain, he amended. It had taken all his strength to turn and walk away from her the evening before.
She had looked so radiant. He had not wanted to be parted from her for a moment. However, he knew it would be best if they got to know each other a little better, as the three weeks they had spent together before the wedding had been largely filled with preparations for the ceremony and breakfast.
Now, he was looking forward to some peace and quiet, settling into the new life he and his wife would share.
James forced himself to turn away from the happy scene in front of him and dressed in a simple shirt and trousers, with his smoking jacket over the top. He did not think his father would mind his state of undress after the long day they had endured yesterday.
He headed downstairs to the dining room, knowing that he would likely not see Caroline until later that afternoon at luncheon. Even though his mother had passed when he was young, he had known she took her breakfast in bed, as most married ladies were in the habit of doing.
His father was already halfway through his breakfast when he entered the dining room. His father shifted his gaze from his newspaper, and a mischievous smile spread across his lips. "I am surprised to see you awake already. Had a late night, did we?" He danced his eyebrows insinuatingly.
James ignored him.
"It is a lovely morning, is it not? I thought for sure we would get rain last night from the look of the clouds. But it seems we are in for a bout of good weather," James deflected. He was not about to share intimate details about himself and his wife. It was none of his father's business what they chose to do–or not do–in their marriage.
"Yes, quite," his father said, shooting him a curious glance. He folded up the paper and set it beside his plate. "Well, what have you on the agenda today?" his father asked. He took a sip of his tea and eyed him closely. James went about as he usually would, spreading a linen napkin over his lap.
