“You’ve talked to the servants about this?”
“They think it’s a fine idea. We’ll eat ambrosia and drink nectar, and the children can each retell their favorite myth…it would be such a treat for them, don’t you think? And reinforce what they learned, so they’ll be even more eager for the next—”
“It sounds brilliant.”
“It won’t cost much—”
“Kendra.” He set down his glass. “Have your party with my blessings.”
“Really?”
The Duke of Lechmere would never have allowed it. Neither would he have allowed her a hand in the finances, which Trick had accepted with an easy grace. Hang her brothers’ method of pushing them together, but she had to admit that, other than the physical mismatch, she and Trick did suit.
If only he hadn’t refused to tell her why he’d gone to London and declined to take her along. Well, not refused precisely, but dodged the question as skillfully as he did many of her others. Then again, she supposed she could hardly expect him to tell her the truth, since she’d decided he must be hiding a mistress in London.
A man has needs, she’d heard her brothers say, and she knew full well she wasn’t fulfilling Trick’s. So it was best all around if he filled those needs elsewhere, even if the thought did rankle. This way, she could have Amberley and her orphanage and Trick’s companionship, without worrying about the other.
Marriage was better all around than she’d anticipated. She couldn’t imagine why she’d fought it so long.
Life was nearly perfect.
Nineteen
AWEEK LATER,Kendra waved to the children gathered on the steps of Caldwell Manor. “Good-bye! Take care, Mrs. Jackson!”
“Good-bye, Mrs. Kendra!” they called. “Good-bye, Mr. Caldwell!”
Yawning, Kendra wheeled Pandora around to join Trick, who was mounted on his favorite horse, Chaucer. “They’re excited about the party,” Trick said as they started down the lane.
“Two days. I can hardly wait. But there’s still much to arrange.”
“You’re very organized. With everything else you find to do, I cannot believe you threw this together so quickly.”
She shrugged. Planning the party had been the easiest part of her week. It had been much harder to resist her husband.
His offhand touches and occasional fleeting kisses never failed to weaken her knees, igniting her curiosity and desire for more. Yet she knew that more would only lead to disaster again, since they simply didn’t fit properly.
She presumed he understood that too, as he never touched her in bed. Though he insisted on sharing, he left her alone, which, in its own way, she found every bit as frustrating. He was still sleeping naked, and though she refused to so much as take a peek, she was as aware of his body beside hers as she’d been from the first.
She hadn’t found much sleep since he’d been home.
“I think we should check on the barn,” he said. “See how the roof is coming along.”
She yawned again, then shook herself awake. “I’ll race you.”
He was off without another word.
She kicked Pandora into a gallop after him. His tawny gelding had a head start, but she slowly gained on him until they were neck and neck. She took gulps of the rushing air, feeling it revive her, enjoying the pace, the wind in her hair, the thrill of competition. When Pandora passed the barn first, ahead of Chaucer by a nose, she laughed triumphantly.
“Good girl, Pandora,” she cooed, patting the mare’s deep-brown neck.
“You won,” Trick conceded with a grin. He slid off his horse, coming close. “Why did you name her Pandora?”
“Simple.” Craftily Kendra dismounted on the far side. “Like the Greek goddess opening her box of problems, she leads me into trouble.”
She started toward the barn, but he rounded Pandora and easily caught up to her. “Leads you into trouble, does she?”
“All the time. She led me to you, didn’t she?” With his hand on her arm, Kendra had little choice but to stop. She turned to meet his eyes. “Trouble.”
