“Until there’s a more interesting development.” The valet clapped Drew on the shoulder. “Have a lovely evening. Talk around the servants’ hall is that my lady’s gown is quite stunning.”
“I’ll bear that in mind and will give compliments as needed.” Apparently, during their week apart when he couldn’t climb out of the dark hole he’d been thrust into, Sarah had wasted no time in having a new wardrobe ordered. From what he’d seen of it thus far, she was already making herself into an elegant countess.
And he couldn’t be prouder at her initiative.
Then he exited his suite and strode down the corridor to Sarah’s. As he lifted a hand to knock, nerves assailed him, different than the crushing worry he usually experienced. This was the first time they would appear in public at a society event as a married couple.
Am I ready for this? Am I strong enough?
Before he could rap on the door, the panel swung inward. Sarah’s eyes lit when she saw him. “I had thought to come for you, but here you are.”
“Yes, I’m here.” God, he sounded like a bacon-brained idiot. And for good reason.
For the first time he was struck dumb and not from crippling anxiety or other emotions as he swept his gaze up and down her person. “Bloody hell, Sarah, you’re beautiful tonight.”
How the devil had he ever considered her plain?
The gold silk gown she’d chosen shimmered with a sheer white overskirt of some sort shot with gold thread and clear glass beads. The bodice was low enough to show the tops of her creamy breasts, and it took every bit of effort he had not to ogle that portion of her anatomy. Her glorious hair, upswept into a topknot, allowed a few long curls to tumble from the crown to bounce about her shoulders like coils of spun gold. No, he couldn’t stop staring, and as he finally met her gaze that danced with amusement behind her spectacles, he blew out a breath.
His chest tightened, but not from anxiety. He couldn’t believe she was his. At least a little bit. “You’re beautiful.”
“You already said that.” A tinkling laugh escaped her, and he stared all the more.
“Right.” He stood there gawking like a green boy just out of university. It had been a long time since he’d been knocked on his proverbial arse merely by seeing a woman. Say something intelligent, you nodcock!
A faint stain of pink sneaked into her cheeks. “I’m glad you like the dress. It’s one I had ordered and only arrived this morning.” She returned to her sitting room. “Let me find my gloves and wrap.”
Her happy chattering snapped him from the spell he’d fallen into. “The dress is lovely, of course, but it’s truly you who has made the impression tonight.” Drew followed her inside. “On that note, I have a gift for you.” Belatedly, he remembered the leather case he held.
“Another one?” A finely feathered eyebrow lifted in question. “You’ve given me so much already. This suite, all the clothes, the engagement ring—”
“Not gifts,” he rushed to assure her. “Things that befit your station as my wife. Things I wanted you to have—you should have had all along. Well, except the ring. That’s a gift, but it definitely belongs to you. My grandmother would have liked your spirit.”
Her serene smile sent awareness sailing over his skin. “I hope you’ll tell me about her someday.”
“I will.” He should have done so already, but now there was no time. “Perhaps tomorrow over dinner or on our customary walk? I don’t have a preference…”
“Are you babbling, Lord Hadleigh?” She continued to smile as she donned the white elbow-length gloves. “I’ve never seen you at sixes and sevens before.”
A week ago, her use of the title, even in that teasing tone, would have sent him into the boughs. Now, it only brought him back to the task at hand. “I suppose I am.” His grin felt decidedly lopsided. After tucking his gloves inside his jacket, he opened the worn leather box he’d retrieved from his safe not two hours prior. Emeralds glittered in the candlelight while the smaller diamonds winked like dew in the sun. “These pieces are also part of my grandmother’s bridal jewelry. The ring came from this set.” Drew forced a swallow to encourage moisture into his suddenly dry throat. “I should have given them to you on our wedding night.”
Sarah peered into the box and gasped. Her spectacles slid down her nose. “Merciful heavens. They’re beautiful.” The awe in her whispered voice held him captive.
Round emeralds encircled with tiny diamonds and set in gold made up the necklace, each stone slightly larger in size until the middle stone, which stood at nearly six carats. The stones in the bracelets were the same size as the one in her ring.
She glanced at him and pushed her spectacles into place. “It’s too much.”
“I suspect it’s not enough,” he forced out in a barely there voice. “What you’ve given me, done for me… It can never be repaid.”
“I don’t want payment.” Her eyes were limpid and so warmly inviting he wanted to lose himself in those brown depths.
“Think what you will about these, for it’s a shame to leave that elegant neck unadorned this evening.”
“Oh.” Her eyes widened. “I didn’t want to wear the locket, for it wasn’t suited to the occasion.”
“Shh.” He plucked the pieces from the velvet-lined box, dropped the case on a table, then moved behind her. When he slipped the heavy necklace around the slender column of her neck and fastened the catch, his fingers shook. This was much more than giving her a piece of jewelry. Tonight, he’d unbent enough to extend trust to her, put a piece of his heart into her more than capable hands and hope she wouldn’t hurt it. “Gorgeous.” He didn’t know if he meant her or the necklace. Letting his touch linger upon her warm skin a second longer than needed, he inhaled her clover and violet scent. As he came around to look at the effect, Sarah touched a finger to the central stone.
“Andrew?” She peered at him with vulnerable confusion on her face.