Indeed, those who could least afford the cost of admission were likely to appreciate his exhibits the most.
“There, Your Grace.” Saunders nodded in approval as he tied the perfect knot in his cravat.
Ambrose was just sticking a pin in his cravat when he heard the click of an opening lock, and then Adela knocked on the door between their two rooms. He crossed his large chamber in two, long strides and opened it wide to allow her in.
Big eyes and a bright smile met his gaze.
“Come in, love,” he said.
Her hair was damp since she had just washed it. She now had it drawn back in a loose ribbon in order for her curls to dry while they were downstairs eating their breakfast. He must have been hungrier than he realized because Adela looked delicious and he wanted to devour her.
She wore a travel gown in a striking, dark blue hue, one of those exquisitely vivid Venetian colors. He approved of this elegant gown, no doubt a very practical addition to the finer silk ones Eloise and Phoebe had ordered for Adela from their talented modiste.
“You look beautiful.” He leaned in to kiss her on the lips.
She blushed.
Saunders grinned.
Adela’s maid giggled.
“You look quite dashing yourself,” Adela said, “but you always do.”
He took her hand in his, not caring what anyone thought of this show of affection. But neither Saunders nor Adela’s maid seemed to mind. He supposed they found it romantic. It was certainly out of character for him.
But so was their brief courtship.
Their hasty marriage.
Certainly their odd honeymoon destination.
They walked downstairs and were about to enter the dining room when his brothers arrived with Syd, Gory, and Marigold in tow. Also with them were Viscount Ardley and his wife, Viola, who now rushed toward Adela to give her a hug. “I hope you don’t mind. Alexander and I will be returning to Ardley later today and we wanted to see you off first.”
“How could I mind? None of my good fortune would have happened if not for meeting the two of you. I am eternally grateful for all you’ve done for me.” Adela then greeted the others effusively and peered toward the front door. “Is that everyone?”
Gory nodded. “Yes, just us. Your parents were too tired to join us.”
“All the excitement was too much for them,” Marigold said kindly, no doubt noting the disappointment on Adela’s face. “I know how they must feel, for London quite overwhelms me. I’m glad I’ve made good friends among you. I feel I am such a burden to my family, otherwise.”
“You a burden?” Julius remarked with a laugh. “You are the sweetest thing. I’m sure your family delights in having you around just as we do.”
Marigold tossed him a beaming smile. “Thank you.”
Adela appreciated the girl’s attempts to excuse her parents. She ought to have expected their decision to sleep in rather than join their newly married daughter. After all, they had been ignoring her for years, treating her as a visitor rather than one of the family. A welcome visitor, to be sure. But never a beloved daughter. It still hurt after all these years. Was there nothing she could ever do to shine in their eyes?
She forced a smile and tried to shrug off their absence, for she had Ambrose now and things would be different. “I’ll see my parents in Devonshire soon.”
Ambrose took her hand. “We’ll make it a point to visit them several times before returning to London. We’ll have plenty of time to discuss this on our journey. Come, the salvers have been set out on the buffet. Let’s eat before everything gets cold.”
“You don’t have to ask me twice,” Julius muttered and held out an arm for Gory and the other for Marigold.
Octavian sighed and held out his for Syd. “Do you think you can stop glowering at me long enough to allow me to escort you into the dining room?”
She tipped her chin in the air and marched on ahead of him.
Ambrose stared at his brother. “What is that about?”
“I don’t know. I suppose she is still angry that I thwarted her family’s plans to take her away the night before your wedding. And yet, she was so relieved. Did you see how happy she was yesterday? Smiling at everyone and glad to be in attendance? She even smiled at me. I ought to have been suspicious and realize she was merely trying to throw me off my guard.”
