Part 31 (1/2)
Arabella poured cream into her cup. ”Thank you,” she murmured.
”I daresay this has something to do with your new husband?”
Arabella blushed. Grace beamed. ”He's treating you well, then.”
Arabella laid down her spoon. ”Aunt Grace, may I tell you something?”
”Of course, dear.”
”I'm happier than I've ever been in my whole life,” Arabella confided. It
was just as she'd written Mama. ”Happier than I ever dreamed I could be.”
Grace laughed delightedly. ”Can you believe it? Six weeks ago you were trying to convince me
you were not suited for marriage!”
”It isn't being married that's made the difference, but marriage to the right man.” The observation emerged unthinkingly.
”It pleases me to no end to hear you say that, too. I don't think I could bear it if you were unhappy.” Grace lightly squeezed her fingers. She took a sip of tea, then lowered her cup to the saucer. Arabella took note of her aunt's expression. She was looking very much like the cat who'd swallowed the cream.
”Aunt,” she said dryly, ”I can see you're dying to say something. What, pray, is it?”
”Oh, nothing much,” her aunt stated breezily. ”I was simply thinking perhaps I'd best begin plans for that christening now.”
Arabella gasped. ”Aunt Grace!”
Grace laughed delightedly. Her eyes were still twinkling when they made their way to the door a short time later. Arabella started to bid her good-bye, then stopped.
”I nearly forgot,” she exclaimed. ”Have there been any letters from Mama and Papa?”
Grace shook her head. ”I'm afraid not, dear.”
Arabella frowned. She was anxious to discover her parents' reaction to the news that she had wed, and her mother usually wrote at least weekly. Odd that there had been no word*
It was Aunt Grace who pointed out what should have been clear in the first place. ”Do not fret, dear. The post is not always reliable, particularly when coming all the way from Africa.”
Arabella relaxed. ”You're right,” she murmured. She put aside her disappointment and smiled.
”But that reminds me, dear. I should like for you and Justin to join us for dinner the Wednesday after next - a family dinner, just the four of us.”
Wednesday was nearly a week off. ”I shall have to check with Justin,” Arabella said automatically. ”But I'll send a note around if we cannot make it.”
As it happened, the drive home took her past the Larwood townhouse. Georgiana was just alighting from her own carriage, and waved madly when she saw her. She stopped, Georgiana invited her inside, and before she knew it, it was nearing eight o'clock*
Justin was just coming down the stairs when she arrived home. He stopped on the last step, the merest hint of censure in his expression. Perfectly arched black brows rose high as he glanced from her to the clock, which had just begun to chime the hour, and back again.
”Oh, no!” she exclaimed, handing her umbrella and reticule to one of the downstairs maids. He looked particularly das.h.i.+ng tonight, dressed in splendid evening clothes, his cravat very white against the bronze of his neck. As always, the sight of him made her pulse beat faster.
”Are we expected somewhere this evening?” She hurried toward him. ”Just give me a minute to change. I won't be long, I promise.”
One side of his mouth quirked up. ”I began to fear you'd forgotten the way home,” he said mildly. ”Tell me, my love, have I cause to be jealous?”
”Hardly.” Arabella laughed, hurrying toward him. ”I'm sorry I'm late, but Aunt Grace invited me to take tea with her, and then I chanced to see Georgiana on the way home.”
”Ah,” he said gravely. ”Now, if you said you were with Walter, it would be quite another matter.”
She blinked. ”Never say you are still jealous of Walter.”
”And if I said that I was?”
His possessiveness thrilled her to the bone. ”Then I shall simply have to see what I can do to remedy the situation.”
There was a decided gleam in his eye. ”Excellent idea,” he approved. ”Shall we begin now?” He extended a hand.
Breathlessly Arabella laid her fingers in his. She smiled up at him as he escorted her up the stairs to their room. He opened the door wide.
”After you, my dear.”
Arabella stepped inside, only to stop short, catching her breath in amazement. Ma.s.ses and ma.s.ses of brilliant red roses were everywhere. The room was lit only by dozens and dozens of candles. They were everywhere, upon the bureau, the mantel, the bedside tables. The effect was stunning. A small table before the fireplace had been spread with delicate crystal and china.
”Justin.” Wonderingly she spoke his name. ”How incredibly lovely!”
He closed the door and leaned against it, watching the play of expression across her features. ”I quite agree,” he said, but his eyes were on her lips, still parted in astonishment. He gestured to the table. ”Shall we dine while the food is still warm?”
”Certainly.” Arabella allowed him to take her hand and seat her. He served her himself, though precisely what it was they ate, she was never quite sure. She really didn't know or care. All she could think was how Justin had arranged this incredibly romantic setting, and it thrilled her to the bottom of her soul.
When they'd finished, she took a sip of wine. Their eyes met over the gold-filigreed rim. ”That was delicious.” Her gaze encompa.s.sed the room once again. ”But you've yet to tell me the reason for all this.”
He shrugged. ”I thought it would be nice to spend an enjoyable night alone with my wife in our room.”
The heat in his eyes made her quiver inside. ”Odd,” she heard herself say, ”but I thought we were alone practically every night.”
”What! Are you complaining already?”
”I have no cause to complain,” she responded. ”As of yet anyway.” There was an impish slant to her smile.
His eyes never leaving hers, he removed her wine gla.s.s from her hand and set it aside. Rising, he rounded the table and drew her up before him. ”That sounds like a challenge.”
”Does it?” Arabella was secretly startled at her daring. ”I rather thought of it as an invitation.”
His low, husky laugh turned her heart upside down. She liked making him laugh, for it wasn't often that he did so. When he did, she treasured it like nothing in this world. It struck her then, she'd never seen him quite so at ease as he was tonight.
All at once she remembered what he'd said their wedding night as she stood before him in her nightgown. Deliberately she slid two fingers under the lapel of his jacket. ”I do believe I think we can do without this*extraneous apparel.”
For one delicious instant, his eyes seemed to blaze. Arabella went hot all over.