He almost hated to take her away to the wedding breakfast, but he’d made a promise. “Ava,” he called softly.
“Oh, you’ve come at last,” Ava cried. She handed her papers to a nearby maid and then rushed to his side. “Where is Mrs. Warner?”
“Waiting downstairs for us both,” he promised.
Ava waved to the children left behind and pulled him along toward the staircase.
“What were you doing back there?”
“Teaching everyone to dance. Mrs. Warner has been giving us lessons each day but she couldn’t today because of the wedding.”
He laughed. “Mrs. Warner gave you a chore?”
“I asked for something for us to do.”
Adam chuckled. If, or rather when, he married Rebecca, Ava would definitely pick up more and more of her managing habits.
He brought Ava to her chair and sat down beside her just as the first course was served. Unfortunately, Rebecca had seated herself far from him and Ava. His daughter waved to her, and so did Adam without really thinking about it.
Rebecca blushed bright red and waved back with a very small hand gesture.
The food was spectacular, the array of dishes served sublime. If this was what being managed by Rebecca could be like, Adam was keen to secure such a future. He laughed through the speeches, mostly because Whitfield seemed extremely uncomfortable.
When the newly married couple finally slipped away from the guests hours later, Adam discovered he was envious. Not of Whitfield marrying Lady Jessica but the fact that his friend had someone to love openly.
Adam shouldn’t complain. He’d won the interest of the lady of his choice, but he was uncertain of what the future might bring. Rebecca could say no to his proposal when he made it. She had not exactly embraced the idea that they could continue after the house party.
After Ava had returned to the nursery, Adam kept an eye on Rebecca, but he’d not found another opportunity to catch her alone to discuss their future. And he wanted to have such a discussion with her. More than anything, he felt an urge to ensure their relationship continued well beyond the next few days of the house party.
He suddenly saw his chance when a female servant beckoned to Rebecca, and she moved into the hall. He followed via an indirect route but came to a standstill when he reached the hall. Adam didn’t see her at first because she had walked farther on. But he heard her voice, issuing instructions to wake her early tomorrow.
Adam reached her just as she dismissed the maid. “I have never enjoyed an evening more, Mrs. Warner.”
“I’m glad.” She glanced around. “It feels like a weight has lifted from my shoulders.”
“And now the burden of spoiling your sister will fall on poor Whitfield’s shoulders.”
“I’m confident he’ll manage,” she assured him. “And probably won’t complain.”
“New husbands rarely do,” Adam promised.
“Yes, I remember that. Men save their petulant displays for later.”
Adam caught her tone of disapproval and peered at her. “You did not enjoy being married, did you?”
“I never said that,” she said quietly.
Adam was learning to read between the lines to hear what she did not say. He could understand—she’d been betrayed and humiliated. It might take some doing to earn her trust and agreement to marry. Adam was optimistic that he could prove himself worthy eventually.
“I liked it,” he confessed. “It was comforting to know that at the end of the day, I would have someone to crawl into bed with.”
“I prefer sleeping alone.”
“All evidence to the contrary. You hog the covers, madam,” he complained with a soft laugh. They did well together in bed. Outside of it required perhaps a little more time for her to become accustomed to the idea of him always being around. He nuzzled her neck. “I adore the scent on your skin. It is so unusual. What is it?
“Jasmine and coal tar,” she whispered.
“Coal tar?”