Carefully, he opened the door to Lilly’s room and peered inside with Marina. His daughter was fast asleep in her bed, her facerelaxed instead of frowning. His heart swelled in his chest from the sight of her peacefully sleeping.
Marina reached out and laced her fingers through his own. He squeezed her hand tightly in response.
Lilly started to stir, disturbed by the dim light in the hallway. Evan closed the door to keep from waking her up. He turned to his wife and pulled her into a hug. Marina sighed happily and buried her face in his chest. “This is incredible,” she said. “If this keeps up, all of us will be able to rest easier.”
He nodded, unable to say anything past the lump in his throat.
But his wife didn’t seem to mind. After a moment, she got on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek. “Get some sleep,” she said as she yawned. “For once, all is well.”
Evan went back to his room, and he tried to get some sleep, but he couldn’t. Instead, he thought about how he could thank Marina. A simple thank you would not be enough. Not only had she brought so much joy into his life, but also into Lilly’s. She had even helped take away Lilly’s nightmares, which was something he had been beginning to lose hope about.
He wanted to give Marina the world. But he had no idea how to go about such a task.
At breakfast time, he summoned Carlson to his chambers. “Eat breakfast with me,” he said. “There’s something I need to discuss with you.”
Carlson nodded. “Certainly.”
When they were settled at the breakfast table in Evan’s room, he began. “I want to do something for Marina. As a way to thank her for everything she has done for me and Lilly.”
The butler smiled. “That’s a wonderful idea. I am sure Her Grace will appreciate it, too.”
Evan grimaced. “The problem is, I have no idea what to do. I want her to feel seen and appreciated. But everything I can think of feels woefully inadequate.” He thought about purchasing a new book for her or a box of her favorite tea. But they felt like paltry gifts compared to what she had given him.
Carlson thought for a moment. “Perhaps some jewelry,” he said. “Or a new gown. After all, Her Grace is a duchess, but she has been so busy taking care of Lilly that she has not bothered to take advantage of her allowance to indulge herself.”
Evan realized he was right. Despite being a Duchess instead of merely the least favorite daughter of a Viscount, Marina only dressed in practical day dresses that she had brought with her from Shirley Manor. But he frowned. “Wouldn’t that be insulting? She might think that I’m telling her that her wardrobe is ugly.”
Carlson smirked. “In my experience, most ladies do not get insulted by gowns and jewels, Your Grace. However, you could always surprise her by taking her out. Perhaps you could take her to a ball.”
An image of himself dancing with Marina flashed through his mind and filled him with longing. Balls were usually unpleasant affairs that he avoided. But the thought of dancing with his wife was irresistible. However… “A surprise? No one likes surprises.”
Carlson chuckled. “With all due respect, Your Grace,youdon’t like surprises. You are not everyone.”
Evan smiled wryly. “Perhaps.”
“Do any of these ideas sound appealing?”
He nodded, already thinking of the logistics. “Yes.”
“Which one, Your Grace?”
“All of them,” Evan said decisively. “She deserves all of them, and that’s what she will get.”
For the next week, everything was great, as far as Marina was concerned. Lilly’s nightmares were growing weaker every night, until one night she just slept peacefully until morning. That morning, she announced that she had never felt better. Marinaand Evan had a picnic with her and Prince William by the river to celebrate. And of course, the picnic ended with some more catch-and-release fishing.
The morning after the picnic trip, Marina was busy writing to her sisters, telling them everything that had transpired. As she did so, there was a knock on the door. “Come in,” she called without looking up.
The door opened, and her maid came in. “Good morning, Your Grace,” she said. “I have a present from His Grace for you.”
Marina looked up, intrigued. “Really? It’s not my birthday.” She could not even imagine what it would be.Perhaps he got me a box of my favorite tea. I did mention it to him in conversation a couple of weeks ago, and he seems to remember such things.She smiled. “That is so sweet of him.”
The maid smiled, carrying a small box to Marina’s vanity table. As Marina stood up from her writing desk, the maid opened it up to reveal a diamond necklace and matching earrings. They sparkled in the morning light and took her breath away. Marina gasped softly at the sight of them. Gently, she reached out to touch them. “These are beautiful,” she murmured.
“They belonged to his grandmother,” the maid said. “He wanted you to have them. He has more jewelry that he has sent to be cleaned, but he wanted you to have these right away.”
“These are beautiful, and I’m honored he trusts me with such precious heirlooms, but I do not see how they are necessary,”Marina said. “I have nowhere to wear them.”I suppose I could wear them to Shirley House. Amelia and Bethany would at least delight in seeing them.
The maid’s smile grew with excitement. “I beg your pardon, Your Grace, but I think His Grace has something planned. He’s arranged for a carriage this afternoon, and there is a new gown coming as well.”
