“Either way, you’re going to tell me, aren’t you?”
“Of course.” She smiled. “Markham and I have agreed to stay until Miss Watson’s wedding, which gives you several weeks to convince Markham his sister is safe, happy, and—dare I say—loved. And you can start tonight.”
“How?”
“By going to Bromton Castle.”
He gazed out the window, uneasy. “What do you mean?”
“I understand you haven’t been there since you arrived home.” She gentled her voice. “Badly done. You can’t separate Julia from Katherine and Markham any more than you can cease being my brother…or Bromton’s friend.”
His expression hardened. “Bromton broke his promise to you.”
“And what has been the result? He’s happy. I’m happy. I wager you could be happy, too. If you can swallow a little of that pride.”
He cleared his throat. “I’ll give your opinion due consideration while I prepare your rooms.”
“Oh!” She shook her head. “I don’t intend to stay here!”
“You see? Evenyoucan’t bear this place.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m still on my honeymoon. I prefer not to be under my brother’s roof. And I should think you’d feel the same. I’m not staying at the Castle, either. Bromton has graciously lent us the gatehouse.”
“The gatehouse? There’s little more to the gatehouse than a meager kitchen and a bed.”
Clarissa raised her brows. “Are you afraid I can’t take care of my husband?”
“Rather the other way around.”
“You’re old-fashioned, Rayne. Do you think you are the only one who can make clever use of a pair of stockings?” She tapped her chin. “I wonder if the predilection runs in the family.”
“No.” He narrowed his eyes. “Simplyno.”
She shrugged. “I wasn’t about to discuss details, you know. A lady keeps her secrets.” She smoothed the lapels of his coat and then examined his jaw. “I don’t suppose you’ve filled the icehouse?”
Rayne just lifted his brow.
“Didn’t think so,” Clarissa replied.
“I didn’t mean to hurt Julia.”
“Didn’t you listen to her? You haven’t.Yet. Really, Rayne. Do you think anyone would go through all the trouble Julia went through if they hadn’t made up their mind? She’s chosen you. She wants to build a life with you here.”
Julia had repeatedly saidno regrets, and—You don’t confine me, you free me.
“But how?” he threw his arms wide. “How am I supposed to turn this ruin into anything remotely resembling Southford?”
Clarissa shrugged. “You aren’t, and you can’t. You are simply supposed to learn to love the Grange—and your wife—the best you can. And you have talent, an education, income, and good reason—your wife—to make this place your own. Why shouldn’t you succeed?” She glanced around. “Besides, it’s nothopeless, I daresay. Without father’s dreary presence and with some attention, the place could have some charm. Part playhouse, part medieval castle.”
He smiled slowly. “Do you remember taking refuge in the secret room?”
“That’s right!” Clarissa brightened. “The Grange does have a secret room. What did Markham say they were called? Priest holes. The fake one in Southford was a favorite of Julia’s—and I bet the one here is for real.” She glanced around the room and smiled. “You are going to change this place, aren’t you? I can almost hear the echo of children’s laughter…”
He closed one eye. “They’ve turned you, haven’t they?”
“Who?”
“The Stanley siblings.” He scowled. “They turn everyone. You’ve gone maudlin.”
