“You are right, Miss Temple.” He placed his hand over hers and gave it a light squeeze. “We shall have a Langford family Christmas this year. They are safe from my wrath…for now.”
She nodded her approval. “I’m glad it is all settled. I had better return home. Today and tomorrow are my busiest days.”
“I’ll see you safely back to the vicarage,” Jonas said.
“It isn’t necessary. However, I would appreciate the use of your carriage rather than walking.”
“Walking? In the cold and ice? Perish the thought. The ducal coach it shall be for you. I’ll see you later tonight for the decorating.”
Her eyes widened. “That would be wonderful. We’re starting at seven o’clock. I did not think you would join us.”
Because he was a surly arse and had never shown up in all the years before this, Jonas knew. But things had changed and he was going to make the effort for Ailis. “I’ll see you then,” he confirmed.
Besides, having given her kisses number six and seven, he owed her the bank drafts for each.
He owed her so much more, of course. She had given him all of her heart, and asked for nothing in return.
This was why she was like no other.
Even a scarred duke was a catch, but he knew Ailis would never consider him one in anytonsense of the word. She was not looking to check off a list of attributes that included wealth or title, power or its misuse, to further her goals. Her list led with the requirement of love.
Marriage to Ailis would mean sharing one’s bed. Sharing one’s heart. Holding true to one’s vows for all of one’s life.
While others might lie to him and claim not to care about his scars in order to gain his favor, Ailis never would.
She had told him that she did not care about them, and he believed her. She would not see them because she looked at him through the eyes of love.
He saw her safely into his carriage and stood at the entryway until the conveyance was out of sight. Edward and his mother were still lingering in the hall when he walked back in, and both were staring at him. “What?”
Despite having held back his temper and making nice with one and all while Ailis was present, he was not in good humor now that she was gone. She had a way of bringing sunshine intohis home. He felt the loss of her warming light immediately upon her departure.
“What?” he repeated, when his mother and brother just gaped at him. If either of them dared make a snide comment about Ailis, he would kick them out into the cold.
“That girl is…” his mother said. “That girl is…heaven sent.”
“She won my heart when she showed up at your dinner party in that chicken hat,” Edward added with a grin.
Jonas eased.
Yes, Ailis was the best thing ever to happen to Broadmoor. She was the best thing for him, as well.
All these years, he had been in too much of a fog to see what was before his very eyes.
“What are you going to do about decorating Langford Hall?” his brother asked.
“Grimes and Mrs. Fitch will take care of it while you’ll be hosting the supper party I supposedly reserved at the Marble House Inn, and I will be at the vicarage helping Ailis and her uncle prepare for tomorrow’s big event.”
“I could join you at the vicarage,” Edward offered. “Mother can play host at the inn.”
Jonas laughed. “Oh, no. I’m not letting you off that easy. You are to join her and suffer through that meal.”
The hours didnot pass quickly enough for Jonas. It felt like an eternity before he finally made his way to the vicarage.
At the same time, the others left for the inn and their supper.
He hoped these unwanted guests would disappear in a snowstorm, save for his mother and brother, of course. Blood was blood, even when said kin were as irritating as nettles.
But it did feel right to have them here with him. Perhaps next year he would invite his sisters and their brood, too. He couldnot recall a time when the laughter of children rang in these halls.
