Chapter Twenty-One
The following evening, Letitia and Harriet worked up an appetite with their walk through the forest to FitzArden Hall.
It was growing colder by the minute and both women were bundled in cloaks, mufflers and thickly lined bonnets, not to mention sturdy boots. Harriet had insisted on carrying the small bag containing Letitia’s belongings; the pink nightgown having been chosen as just perfect for this particular event, along with a hairbrush which both felt would be necessary the next morning.
She would return after sunrise.
“Well if it were any colder, we would have to postpone this entire thing,” complained Letitia. “It would take James all night to get me out of my winter clothes.” Her breath made clouds of vapour in the bitter air.
“I wonder if it will snow,” said Harriet, looking up at the sky.
“I couldn’t say. It’s very clear right now, so perhaps not…” Letitia chuckled. “Here we are, talking about the weather, on a night that promises to be quite important.”
“You might also say life-changing,” added Harriet.
Letitia paced onward as she considered that statement. “I suppose that may well be true. But then again, I’ve never quite understood the attitude toward virginity as a prize to be guarded and awarded only on the marriage bed.”
“It does seem silly, doesn’t it? But—to present the other side of the argument—it’s something that once given can never be reclaimed.”
“Rosaline said much the same thing, and it is true—unless you’re a skilled courtesan. I did learn that they could fool their customers into believing they were virgins, many times over. It was in one of John Wilmot’s books, I think, but not something I’d care to try.”
Harriet choked. “Letitia, you have read far too much appallingly intimate material. You’ll probably end up telling Sir James what to do.”
That notion sent Letitia into a fit of the giggles that set off Harriet, and thus it was with obvious good spirits that both women arrived on James’s doorstep.
He answered it himself. “Ladies, you are most welcome. Do come in and warm yourselves. It’s looking like winter is now upon us.”
“Indeed it is. And how lovely it is in here.” Letitia smiled at James as she walked into the hall, where a fire blazed in the majestic hearth. “Goodness, you’re going to be able to have a massive Yule log there, aren’t you?” She stared at the marble mantelpiece. “It’s quite beautiful.”
“Salvaged from another mansion,” said Paul, walking down the staircase in time to overhear Letitia’s remark. “Good evening, Letitia. Miss Harry.” He bowed.
“Well, you look as fine as fivepence.” Letitia surveyed him. “We’re honoured.”
James rolled his eyes as Paul snorted out a laugh.
“I think we’d better dine,” muttered James, as a maid helped the ladies with their cloaks. “Just leave the bag beneath them, please, Mary. We’ll tend to that later.”
Letitia gave the girl a warm smile and a nod of thanks as she turned away and followed James into the small dining room. Paul and Harriet brought up the rear.
“How charming, James.” Letitia looked around. “You have done so much in such a short time, it seems.”
Proud of his home, James felt a glow of satisfaction at Letitia’s enthusiasm. “I think you reach a point when the small things, like wallpaper and carpeting, make a huge difference. You’ve been in here before, several times, but now it has lights and draperies.”
“They are beautiful,” said Harriet, looking up at the chandeliers. “Quite different.”
“They’re Italian,” announced Paul. “I met the man who makes them some time ago on the Continent. I actually worked for him for a couple of months. So when James here declared he wanted something unusual for this room, I thought of Signor Montefiore. He was eager to get some of his work on display in England, so he was happy to work with us on it.”
Letitia looked up at the intricately formed vines of flowers; cleverly painted iron leaves and buds, interspersed with sparkling glass tiger lilies that glowed in the light of the candles scattered throughout the piece. “I do love lilies.”
“I know,” said James.
“Dinner, sir.” A footman appeared in the doorway. “Should we serve now?”
“Yes, please. I think we’re all quite ready to dine.”
There were only four places set at the small table, realized Letitia. But it was delightful to be able to converse without shouting, and to have everyone discuss topics of conversation at the same time. There was room enough to expand the table, and James probably used it as a breakfast room as well. He really was quite brilliant in so many ways…
She found herself watching him during the meal, a little shudder of excitement tightening things low in her body as she noticed his long fingers, his tongue as he licked his lips, and the way his eyes smiled when they met hers.
