Griff put his arm around Susan’s waist, glad her best friend’s congratulations were genuine. He wasn’t sure how it had come about that the members of this family accepted him, rakish reputation notwithstanding.
“Is it true?” Patsy asked as she trailed in after the others, Wellington squirming in her arms. “I had to go after this naughty dog. He was chasing squirrels again. What did I miss?”
“Your aunt and I are engaged to be married,” Griff explained.
The next thing he knew, Patsy had thrust the poodle into her stepfather’s arms and rushed to hug Susan. “I’m very, very happy.”
Then it was his turn. Beaming a broad smile, the child bobbed a curtsey and asked, “Will that make you my uncle, Lord Pendlebury?”
“Yes, I suppose it will,” he replied with a chuckle, liking the sound of Uncle Griffith.
“I’d suggest Jenkinson bring coffee,” Rebecca declared, “but I think the occasion calls for something stronger.”
The butler had withdrawn to await his instructions by the door “May I bring sherry for a toast?” he asked.
“Ugh, sherry,” Patsy exclaimed, her sweet face contorted into a grimace of disgust.
Much laughter, hugging, handshaking and convivial conversation ensued. Tentative plans were made to formally announce the betrothal at the Farnworths’ ball. Griff privately agreed with Patsy about the taste of sherry, but he dutifully drained his crystal glass of the stuff, all the while exchanging heated glances with Susan.
The realization he’d been welcomed into a loving family warmed him as much as the fortified Spanish wine.
*
Susan could hardlythink when Princess and her yapping brood arrived in the drawing room, having apparently followed Wellington from the main house.
Gabriel came to the rescue. “Please get those infernal poodles out of here, Patsy,” he pleaded.
She scooped up Wellington and called his family to follow her outside.
Everyone breathed an audible sigh of relief when silence reigned once more.
Rebecca spoke first, stunning everyone when she suggested, “Why don’t you come to stay at the dower house, Lord Pendlebury. I believe I’m a suitable chaperone and I’m sure you and Susan would like to spend time together planning your nuptials.”
Susan risked a glance at Emma. Though they never spoke of it, she had a strong suspicion Gabriel and Emma had been intimate before their marriage. That didn’t mean they would agree to the improper suggestion.
Griff looked to her, a question in his eyes, but she wasn’t sure how to respond any more than he was.
And what would Patsy think of such a situation?
“I’ll probably be going back and forth to Clifton Heights,” Griff eventually replied. “I want to make sure all is in readiness for when Susan and I take up residence.”
“Still,” Emma said, “when you are here, it would make sense to stay in the dower house. We’ll be busy preparing all the guest chambers at Thicketford Manor for people coming from a goodly distance.”
To Susan’s amazement, Gabriel nodded his agreement.
St. John’s
“Ifind ithard to believe Gabriel and Emma agreed to this,” Griff told Susan as they stood in the foyer of the dower house and watched Frederick trundle his master’s valise up the stairs to the guest chamber, Jenkinson leading the way. He squeezed her hand and wiggled his eyebrows. “Especially given my reputation.”
“They know I trust you,” she replied, leaning into him.
“Keep pressing those lovely globes against my arm and I might turn out not to be so trustworthy.”
As they strolled to the drawing room, she avoided his teasing gaze but her blush aggravated the turmoil in his nether regions.
“I can’t explain how it is I’ve lived so long with no interest in sexual matters,” she said shyly, “and, now, I crave the sensations.”
Griff cautioned himself not to express surprise at Susan’s tendency to openly discuss matters ladies were supposed to know nothing about. He also resisted the urge to strut like a proud peacock. “Ah, but you’d yet to meet the roguish Earl of Pendlebury,” he countered, kissing her forehead. “However, much as the aforesaid rake would love to whisk you upstairs and have his way with you, I think we should wait until no one else is about. This evening, shall we say?”