He’d brought her to one of his favourite places on the entire estate. From the top of this hill, it afforded a grand view of the house nestled in the belly of the valley. The river could be seen glinting in the sunlight. It snaked through the grounds, then met the back of the estate’s gardens before shooting off towards the village nearby.
“You look at this place with a different expression, though,” Callie whispered, sidling closer to him. “It is special to you.”
“Perceptive, as ever,” he murmured. “I think I have come up here to escape things whenever the house feels too bad to bear. I came up here when my father died, and I found out about his debts.” He grimaced, remembering the pain but unafraid to share the truth with Callie now. “I came up here too after my mother died. I was just a child then. I came running through the grounds, desperate for an escape, to be alone. I sat down at the top of this hill and just let the rain come down.”
Callie’s hand found the top of his knee. Her fingers, squeezing him softly were both a comfort and a temptation. How he wished that David and Alaina weren’t here.
“What was she like?” she whispered.
“Loving,” he answered swiftly. “Kind and wonderfully warm.” He nodded at her. “I miss her, as we all miss our mothers.”
Callie’s expression suddenly saddened.
“I’m sorry,” he said at once, dropping one of the sandwiches and picking up her hand. “I didn’t mean to recall sad memories.”
“No, no, it’s not that. It’s just … I envy you,” she said suddenly, her hand taking his much firmer than before. The grip was firm, full of need.
“Envy?” he murmured in shock. “What do you envy?”
“I don’t remember my mother,” she said hurriedly under her breath. “I don’t have a single memory of her.” She shook her head. “I wish I did.”
He raised her hand and placed it to his lips, kissing the back and holding the kiss far longer than he should have done for public eyes.
“This is one of the reasons you long for a family, is it?” he whispered gently, remembering what she had said the first night they had kissed.
“To know that love. To have a family you’re so devoted to,” she said with sudden earnestness and nodding. “Absolutely.”
Marcus cleared his throat. There was something he wished to say to her, but he was nervous. What would she make of his declaration?
“I’d be thrilled to be the man to give you that family.”
She smiled so fully that his chest lightened. He lifted her hand again and pressed it to his lips. She blinked away what appeared to be happy tears.
“My Lady?” The maid was suddenly with them.
Marcus lowered Callie’s hand to his lap as she spun around where she sat to face the maid. Alaina’s expression was unreadable to Marcus, though it certainly didn’t look happy, and he could not figure out what it meant. Alaina passed more food to her mistress, avoiding looking her in the eye, and then she stalked back off to the blanket, where she sat down with David.
“Is she well?” Marcus whispered to Callie.
“I do not know.” She shook her head, leaning towards him a little more, any sign of tears now gone.
“Is there anything else you’d like to show me on the estate?” Callie asked, earning Marcus’ attention again. “Today, I’m in no hurry to go back to the house.”
“Absolutely. There are many places I can show you. Maybe we’ll be able to lose our chaperones at some point, too,” he whispered mischievously. Callie laughed and nodded, clearly as eager for it as he was.
There had been a nervousness lingering in his stomach that morning when he had woken, remembering what he and Callie had done the night before. He feared that Callie would regret it, fearing scandal, yet she hadn’t. That morning at breakfast, she had practically run to his side.
Maybe this marriage is what I have always been waiting for.
Chapter 15
Alaina was still laughing at something Marcus had said as they stepped into the house. She caught sight of Caroline watching her as she and David headed towards the staff entrance, but Alaina couldn’t worry about that now. She was too busy basking in the glow of their beautiful day exploring the estate.
Hand in hand, they stepped into the house when suddenly, the butler standing before them pulled them up short.
“Ah, Lambton,” Marcus said, clearing his throat. To Alaina’s relief, he didn’t jump back from her or release her hand. “Is everything well?”
“Yes, Your Grace.” Lambton was smiling as he glanced between them. “It’s just …” He faltered, that smile hesitating with it. “A letter has arrived for you.” He passed it over to Marcus.
