Page 58 of Midnight with the Marquess (The St. Clairs 2)

Chapter Eighteen

Rachel looked upas their butler entered the drawing room. Before he could speak, Leah leaped from her seat.

“He’s here!” she cried as she ran across the room and out the door.

Cor grunted. “Young love. I’ll wait here and ring for tea.”

Catherine looked at Rachel as they both stood. “Shall we take our time going to greet Lord Alford in order for the lovebirds to have a proper reunion?”

She laughed. “My advice is to walk slowly but not give them too much time, Catherine. You know whether we go out in two minutes or twenty-two minutes, they’ll still be kissing.”

The duchess chuckled. “I’m pleased my sister has found her soulmate. Both Jeremy and I like Alford quite a bit. They will be good for each other.”

“I know they’ll have angelic-looking children.”

The two made their way from the drawing room and went outside. The October day was cool and overcast. Just as Rachel predicted, Alford had enfolded Leah in his arms and the two passionately kissed. A multitude of feelings ran through her. Rachel had kissed Merrick that same way during their midnight hours together. Seeing this happy couple made her sad. A bit envious. Most of all, hurt. She still loved Merrick and hadn’t made peace with the fact that he only desired her without feeling any love for her. A tiny part of her almost wished she had let Jeremy force them into marriage. At least then they would have had a satisfying physical relationship. Merrick could also have given her children to love, which would have made up for the lack of his affection toward her.

Yet deep inside, Rachel knew his unhappiness at becoming her husband would have ultimately done them in. She doubted she could have lived with his growing bitterness, being tied to a woman he didn’t care for.

Catherine gently cleared her throat and Alford broke the kiss, looking up in astonishment as if he hadn’t realized other people existed beyond him and Leah. He released his fiancée and came toward them.

“Your Grace. Lady Rachel.”

Catherine clucked her tongue. “We are to be family in two days’ time. Don’t you think it’s about time you called us Catherine and Rachel?”

Alford looked hesitant but said, “Then I am Alex.”

“Is something wrong?” Rachel asked, having a good idea what bothered the earl.

“It’s just... well, when I think... I mean, perhaps I could practice calling you Catherine and Rachel in private first. I’m not certain how Everton... that is, His Grace, might feel about it.”

Catherine laughed. “Oh, Jeremy is a pussycat, Alex. He only glares like a duke should when in public.”

Alex nodded. “That’s it. It’s the glare. When His Grace looks at me, it’s as if I’m... stealing something valuable from him.”

Leah slipped her hand through Alex’s arm. “Just think, Rachel. I’m only his sister-in-law. Think how he’ll glare when a man wishes to wed his own sister.”

Rachel laughed with the others but her smile fell as she turned away and went back into the house. Catherine directed them to the drawing room and the earl greeted Cor.

“Where is His Grace?” Alex asked.

“My brothers are out doing manly things,” Rachel said. “They went to examine a horse that’s gone lame. Look at a fencepost that might need repair. I also think they were going to ride out to look at a cottage roof that possibly should be replaced.”

“So Mayfield has already arrived?” Alex asked.

“Yes, Luke came only last night,” she informed him.

He looked to Leah. “The rest of our guests will show up sometime tomorrow?”

“Yes. Then the wedding is the day after. Oh, I can’t wait.”

The tea cart arrived and Catherine poured for everyone. Cor suggested Alex try Cook’s blueberry scones, claiming them to be the best she’d ever eaten.

“I do know my way around a scone. I’ve had decades of consuming them.”

“You are ageless, Cor,” Alex complimented. “If I hadn’t fallen in love with Leah, I might have decided to woo you instead.”

Her grandmother’s lips twitched in amusement and Rachel knew Cor, too, was pleased with the match between the couple.

---