Hugh walked closer. “I like you a great deal, and that is what matters.”
Adele smiled and put her hands on Hugh’s shoulders. “You love me.”
“I do. And I’m sorry about us staying in London longer than expected. I will try to resolve these issues as swiftly as possible.”
Adele hugged him close. He put his arms around her. “Can you do me a favor?”
“Anything, my love.”
“Give me something to do,” she said. “I have never enjoyed idle time. I need a task.”
Hugh raised an eyebrow. “I can think of something you could do right now.” He nudged her with his hips, making his intention clear.
She laughed. “I’m serious.”
“I know. You should sit down with Mother before she leaves, and she can show you what her daily household tasks are. You may choose to take on as many of those as you like. She likes to meet with the cook in the morning to plan the day’s meals and she oversees shopping and the household budget, among other things. Do those seem like suitable tasks?”
“Yes. I shall meet with your mother tomorrow to discuss.” She smiled. “I hate feeling… ornamental.”
“Ornamental?”
“Like my job here is just to look pretty. I can handle running a household. I did it for the Countess of Sweeney after all.”
“I have the utmost faith in you. And please do not hesitate to ask if you need anything. The management of Swynford House will be a much larger undertaking, but I have no doubt you will master it. One of the things I like most about you is how clever you are. I imagine you could run Windsor Castle if you put your mind to it.”
Adele grinned. “I appreciate your faith in me.”
Hugh kissed her forehead. “I do love you, Adele. I hope I give you no cause to doubt that.”
“I do not. I love you, too.”
“I would very much like to show you just how right now, but I must get back to my work. Hold that thought until tonight, will you?”
“I will.”
*
“How is marriedlife treating you?” Fletcher asked.
Hugh grinned as he settled into a chair at the club. “It’s very good.”
Lark sighed. “That’s because the dowager has declared the season over and gone to her country home. I gather from the look on your face that you and your new wife have spent most of your marriage in bed.”
Hugh shrugged.
“What brings you here?” asked Owen.
“Adele is having dinner with her father tonight before he, too, leaves for the country, so I found myself at loose ends. I suppose I could have joined them, but it seemed better to give them roomto talk. And besides, my wife and I cannot possibly spend every waking moment together.”
“Nice of you to remember us, then,” said Fletcher.
“I apologize for my absence, but you will understand when you get married.”
Fletcher smiled. “I was kidding. I don’t blame you at all.”
“How is everyone?” Hugh thought to catch up with his friends, since he’d spent the better part of the last two weeks either dealing with the land sale or in bed with Adele. His mother had, he suspected, begun to feel a bit extraneous, and though he did enjoy her company when she was not lecturing him on the history of the family, her departure had been something of a relief.
“Lady Louisa and I went to see that Swedish singer at the opera house again,” said Fletcher. “I know none of you cannot abide by opera, but this woman is extremely talented. Voice like a songbird. And if you stop to listen, you may learn that the opera house is good for more than just social intrigue and public assignations.”