He doubted if that was true, but it allowed him to change the subject to something that might banish the dread from his bride’s eyes. Although it was hardly likely to make her smile either. “I know you found it hard to leave Cavell Court.”
His instincts had led him aright. Those fidgeting fingers paused and flattened on the sheet. “I’d feel better if I thought Felix will be a diligent master, but unless he’s changed, he’ll just use the estate to support the grand life he’s always considered his right. Priscilla won’t be any sort of moderating influence.”
“The new Lady Sefton is as silly as a duckling in a thunderstorm.”
This time the smile was a little more sincere. “Two ducklings.”
“I’d help if I could,” he said, meaning it.
At last she looked at him without flinching. “Thank you. You’re very kind.”
“I wish you’d stop saying that.” He grimaced. “It makes me feel about ninety.”
“But you are kind. You always have been. When you were a boy, you were always rescuing puppies and kittens from the local louts.”
“Yes, well, I’ve grown up since then.”
She watched him with an unreadable expression. “Have you?”
He frowned. “Don’t say you’re equating yourself with those scrawny, flea-bitten strays. God give me strength, I told you—you did me a favor marrying me.”
“Yes, you did tell me.” To his surprise, amusement brightened her face. “I’ll wager Beardsley Hall is full to the brim of rescued animals.”
He shifted uncomfortably. “No more than most places.”
That was true, although not many of the animals were able-bodied. He couldn’t resist a creature in distress. Which didn’t bloody well mean he’d married Jane because he felt sorry for her.
“There’s no need to be embarrassed about it. I always admired your readiness to face a beating to save a fellow creature.” She paused. “Although you grew so big so fast, most of the time, you just had to turn up to get your way.”
“Good Lord, I was the size of a house before I was sixteen. I used to tread all over your toes when I asked you to dance.”
“You just needed to learn how to manage your size. I’m sure you no longer trample your partners’ slippers.” To his relief, she lifted the wineglass to her lips. Revisiting childhood memories was helping to blunt the edge of her fear. He also hoped it reminded her that they were far from strangers. She mightn’t have thought of him as a lover, but their history together stretched back many years.
“You’ll find out for yourself. I’d like to hold a ball at Beardsley to introduce my wife to the neighbors.” He went on before she raised any objections. “I know you’re going to miss Cavell Court and your friends and neighbors. But we’ll make a new, full life in Derbyshire. The estate is prosperous, and we’re close enough to Derby for a bit of society. I’m also hoping you’ll make the house your own. It’s a fine old manor, but it hasn’t had a chatelaine since my mother died twelve years ago. It desperately needs a woman’s touch.”
With every word, Jane looked more cheerful. She was a vital, active woman. She’d enjoy taking the reins at his home.
“I remember.” She picked up a piece of bread and cheese. “Not that Beardsley was neglected, but that it was a lovely place. I used to enjoy going there when I was a girl. Do you remember our visits?”
He watched her demolish the humble meal he’d prepared and felt as proud as if he’d defeated Napoleon singlehanded. “I do. With pleasure.”
“I’m surprised. You must have thought I was a tiresome little girl.”
“You were never tiresome, Jane,” he said sincerely, although Susan, even then, had been a nuisance, especially when she was old enough to test her wiles on any males in the vicinity. “I recall you spent a lot of time reading.”
“That makes me sound so dull.” When she emptied her wineglass, he rose to fill it. She’d relaxed to a point where she didn’t cower when he loomed closer. He was damned pleased. He hated to see her afraid of him.
“Not at all. I thought you were frightfully clever.”
The disgusted face she made had him laughing. “That’s even worse than dull.”
“Not at all. I never liked empty-headed poppets.” He frowned suddenly. “Do you mind the age difference?”
She looked surprised. “Of course not. Six years to a girl in the schoolroom is a huge gap. But not now we’ve both grown up. You’re in the prime of life, Hugh.”
Garson wished to hell he felt like he was. Three dreary years had left him feeling old and jaded. Disappointment had a way of sucking the vitality out of a man.
“I’m glad you think so.” Inevitably his glance dropped to her sumptuous bosom. As she’d settled down, she’d stopped clutching the covers as if to fend off a vile seducer.