Page 72 of Midnight with the Marquess (The St. Clairs 2)

“Not enough to complete his moat. I will return tomorrow and we’ll finish it.” His eyes gleamed. “And perhaps we might ride in the park, as well, my lady.”

“We haven’t ridden since we’ve returned to London,” Jeremy said. “Why don’t the four of us go to Rotten Row?”

“I would enjoy that, Your Grace,” Merrifield said. “Lady Rachel?” He looked at her hopefully.

She pushed away Merrick and locked him in a far recess of her mind.

“Yes, Lord Merrifield. That would be most enjoyable.”

*

Merrifield arrived thenext day at the same time as he had the day before. Rachel played cards with Jeremy, Catherine, and Cor. When Barton announced the earl, she was glad to feel a small tingle of anticipation as he entered. As he greeted everyone, Catherine sent for the children. She’d allowed the partially-constructed castle and moat to remain on the drawing room floor.

Once the children arrived with Sara, Timothy broke away and ran to Merrifield.

“Moat today?” he asked eagerly.

“Definitely a moat. Today,” Merrifield confirmed. He held up a large sack and then placed it on the ground. “Pull out all our blocks, Lord Timothy. I’ll wager we’ll use every one of them.”

The boy dragged the sack to the construction area and meticulously began placing blocks on the ground.

Merrifield then handed Jenny and Delia two slim packages wrapped in brown paper. After Catherine prompting them all to say thank you, the girls ripped into their packages. Each had received a book of her own. While Jenny curled up in a chair with hers, Delia placed hers on a table and wandered to Merrifield.

“I’ll help,” she announced and took his hand, leading him to where Timothy now had all the blocks out of the bag. “Jenny, you help, too,” Delia ordered.

Jenny put her book aside and joined the three on the floor. Rachel was able to study Merrifield more closely today. His hair looked freshly barbered. His clothing was impeccable as always. He laughed easily and frequently. Once again, he did more directing and allowed the children to build the moat themselves. It wasn’t as neat as if he’d taken more of a hand in it but the three little ones beamed with their effort once the castle and moat reached completion.

In that moment, Rachel determined she would wed Merrifield at Season’s end.

She had no reason not to do so. He was handsome and titled. He kissed extremely well. He was friendly and amusing and very good with children. She believed he would make an excellent husband and father. Of course, she wouldn’t tell him of her decision now. She would take part in the Season. Add the names of various gentlemen to her prospective husband list. In the long run, though, she doubted anyone would please her more than Merrifield.

Especially if she refused to include Merrick on her list.

“Papa!” cried Timothy. “See my moat?”

“Our moat,” corrected Delia. “I helped. Jenny helped,” she said stubbornly.

Jeremy went and sat cross-legged on the floor. He admired the structure and he and Merrifield talked at length about what a moat was for and why it was so important.

“Tell a story, Papa,” Jenny begged.

“I’m not a storyteller. That’s for your aunt.”

Rachel came to where they gathered and eased down on the floor. She made up a tale of a kidnapped princess and the army her prince brought to save her. When the princess was rescued from the castle, the prince crossing the moat in order to save her, Delia clapped her hands gleefully and announced she liked the story very much.

“Time for your naps,” Catherine told her children.

Rachel saw Sara hovered in the doorway. With little complaining, the three St. Clair children said goodbye to Merrifield and went with their nursery governess. Jeremy and Merrifield helped her to her feet and she and Catherine went to change into their riding habits. By the time they appeared downstairs again, Jeremy had their horses saddled and brought around and the four set out for Hyde Park.

Once they reached Rotten Row, she and Merrifield split off from Jeremy and Catherine, who followed at a discreet distance in order to still be seen as chaperoning them while giving them a bit of privacy. They rode for half an hour and then slowed their horses to a leisurely walk.

“Thank you for the gifts you brought my nephew and nieces,” Rachel said.

“I was happy to do so,” Merrifield responded. “Perhaps next time I will bear a gift for you.”

“That isn’t necessary.”

“Will you be at the Parkers’ ball tomorrow night? It opens the Season.”

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