“Excellent. That is precisely where I was headed.” Jonah hiccupped once more, then swung his free arm toward the open door. “Onward.”
They made halting progress, with Jonah staggering a little, but seconds later, Adam was instructing Jennifer to refasten the front door whilst leading Lord Jonah to a chair by the fire.
The chair he had not long since vacated.
Regret burned in his veins as he beheld Esme’s lovely face. The moment he had longed for had ended scarce before it began.
Esme folded her arms across her chest and shook her head, a dozen emotions chasing across her blue eyes.
“I am glad you have returned to us, Jonah,” she said at last.
Although his finely stitched tunic was crumpled and stained, Jonah did not at all cut a sorry figure in the tapestried chair. A smile played across his face as he spied the pitcher of wine.
“We need another goblet,” he declared. “If you please, Jennifer.”
“Have you not imbibed enough?” Esme asked with sisterly sharpness, crossing the floor to sit beside him. “Jonah, you are more into your cups that I have seen for many a year.”
“Ah.” He held up a restraining hand, smiling more widely now. “That is for good reason, sister. I shall tell all. Once we all have a drink.” He gestured wildly to Adam. “Come and join us.”
Adam looked from brother to sister, reassured when Esme caught his gaze and nodded firmly. “Come and join us,” she echoed.
Adam carried over a third chair as Jennifer brought in the wine. When he reached them, Esme leaned over and whispered in his ear.
“Do not think to leave me with him.”
Her eyes rolled and he felt an answering smile stretching over his face. He longed to know if Esme regretted the interruption to their embrace, as he did. Or if she regretted the embrace and was glad of the interruption.
But she wants me to stay.
That had to be enough,for now.
He had positioned his chair too close to the fire for comfort. He perched as far to one side as possible and rolled up the sleeves of his tunic.
A sensible man would decline more of the rich wine that had made his head spin.
But on this night, Adam’s sensibilities were being sorely tested. He accepted a full goblet and drank deeply.
Jonah brandished his goblet, spilling a little onto his breeches. “Cheers, friends.”
“I am your sister,” Esme pointed out.
“We are all friends,” Jonah declared grandiosely. “And we have much to celebrate.”
But Esme was still displeased. “Where have you been, Jonah? Pray, do not tell me you rode back here in this condition?”
Jonah looked perplexed by the question; his blue eyes roving over the fireplace as if he might find the answer in the finely wrought stonework.
“I have been in the alehouse.” He smacked his thigh, pleased with deductions.
“All day?” Esme’s voice was dry.
Jonah’s eyes became glazed. “For much of it, I would wager.”
His sister tutted. “How did you return?”
“By carriage.” Jonah snapped his fingers. “The good physician said I should leave my horse in his yard till the morrow.”
“Thank all that’s holy for the physician,” Esme muttered toward Adam.
