“Aaargh.”
Harriet strolled up to them. “Is Paul annoying you again, Letitia?”
James shook his head. “How can you tell?”
“Oh…it could be the flames coming from her eyes, or the muted scream I just heard.”
Letitia gave up and laughed. “If you’ve come to tell me that you have some very important matters going on, but you can’t say what, then you may turn around and go away again.”
Harriet smiled. “No important matters, I’m afraid. But I do need to talk with you, and perhaps others, about how I should proceed from now on.”
Letitia caught the undercurrent of worry in her voice. “You’ll stay here, of course, where it’s safe.”
Harriet opened her mouth to respond, but was forestalled by the arrival of Kitty and Richard into their corner of the kitchen.
“No congregating in little groups, my darlings.” Kitty embraced them all with her warm smile. “If you’ve stirred the pudding, you’re excused. And there’s a good fire in the parlour, along with tea and brandy, I’m told.”
James raised an eyebrow. “Brandy? I think you might also find some ale.”
Richard went on point, spinning on his heel and looking at James. “Would that beChillendaleale?”
“Is there any other?”
“Good show, James. Good show.” Richard beamed. “You have permission to marry my sister.”
“You are too kind, Richard,” said Letitia dryly. “However, we’ve been through all that with Edmund.”
“Always glad to have your endorsement, Richard, my lad.” James clapped him on the shoulder. “I think we should try a tankard or two and make sure it’s up to its customary high standards this year.”
Apparently most of the family had completed their stirring and wish-making duties, since a small procession began to wind its way toward the parlour.
James held Letitia back for a quick kiss. “Soon, love. Will you mind living at FitzArden instead of here?” He looked around. “You’re coming to understand what family means. The shadows of the past are lifting, I think.”
She nodded. “They are. And ’tis wonderful to see it.” She turned to him. “But I’m looking forward to making our own family, James. I won’t ever leave this one; they’ll always be in my heart. But you and I? Well, it’s all new. Exciting.” She leaned against his chest. “I can’t wait.”
“Me neither.” He held her tight.
“I’ll be the best wife I can be, you know.” She glanced up with an impish grin. “Word of a lady.”
*~~*~~*
Harriet noticed them sharing a moment together, and smiled as she left the room.
At last Letitia had found what she was looking for. Would there be more shocking books? For her part she rather hoped so, since that might be the only chance she ever had to read about such matters.
Walking toward the parlour, she noticed Paul, tall and dark, smiling with that wicked piratical look of his.
Their kisses had been everything she could have hoped for and more. But it had been a momentary lapse brought on by a little too much brandy and a romantically beautiful instant in the first snow of the season.
It could be nothing more.
She would have to leave Ridlington, and soon. The shooting, Pewsey’s disappearance…those events were hanging over her head like the Sword of Damocles. After everything the Ridlingtons had done for her, there was no way she would even consider bringing such trouble to the Chase. And if she stayed, it was possible that danger might continue to stalk not only her but everyone in her vicinity.
No, she had to leave.
The one question was…where to go?
She hadn’t noticed that Paul was waiting for her while she turned all those thoughts over in her mind.
