Chapter Twenty-three
“Och, now, what is this? Sitting there grinning at yerself, are ye?”
Roslynn turned the hand-held mirror slightly and caught Nettie’s image reflected behind her. Her grin widened, and her eyes, already sparkling, tried for a look of innocence as she swung around on the stool.
“Was I grinning? I can’t imagine why.”
Nettie snorted, but her lips were twitching at the corners too. “Pleased wi’ yerself, ain’t ye?”
Roslynn gave up the pretense. “Yes! Oh, Nettie, I never thought I could be this happy!”
“Aye, it’s nae wonder. That’s a bonny-looking mon ye caught. But did ye have tae be keeping him such a secret?”
“There was no secret. He wasn’t really under consideration, Nettie. His asking to marry me was as much a surprise to me as to anyone.”
“Well, now, as long as yer happy wi’ him, that’s all I could be asking, and sae much more than I was expecting, wi’ all the haste. It doesna even matter that this house is sae Spartan and the servants boorish snobs.”
Roslynn chuckled. “You’ve met Dobson, I take it?”
“Aye, that lout. What a cold one. But it’s nae wonder he’s sae snooty, him being in charge of all the servants here. There’s nae housekeeper, nae other women servants a-tall, just two maids who come in several times a week tae clean. Even the cook’s a mon, and there’s another uppity one fer ye.”
“I see you have a few complaints, Nettie. But don’t take it so to heart. You’re forgetting this was a bachelor residence until now. I’m sure Anthony won’t object if we make some changes. There’s new furnishings to buy.” At this she glanced about her new bedroom, envisioning putting her touch to it. “New servants to hire. We’ll be busy in the next few weeks, you can be sure.”
“Now dinna be going off on a spending spree on my account. And remember ye’ve a husband now tae be asking afore ye go spending his money. The creatures are particular about such things as that.”
“Don’t be such a worrier, Nettie. I’m not going to usehismoney when I’ve so much of my own.”
“Ye better talk that over wi’ him first, lassie. A mon’s funny about wanting tae pay his wife’s bills, ye know? Yer trouble is, ye’ve been doing fer yerself too long, even afore Duncan, bless him, passed on. But yer married now. Ye’ve got tae make allowances and do things a might differently if ye want tae be keeping the peace atween ye.” A knock sounded on the door just then, and Nettie explained. “That’ll be yer bath water. Are ye in a hurry tae be joining yer mon fer lunch, or have ye time—”
“There’s plenty of time, Nettie. Anthony went out, I believe.” Roslynn blushed here. “I was still half asleep when he told me. But he mentioned something about his daily ride and attending to a few things. I don’t expect him back before dinner, however, so I can spend the day acquainting myself with the house and servants. And I really must send a note off to Frances to let her know what’s happened.” After getting so little sleep last night, Roslynn thought those were enough priorities for one day.
An hour later, wearing a cool muslin dress of yellow-and-rose spring flowers on a beige background, Roslynn left Anthony’s room,theirroom now, and started down the short hallway. She had seen next to nothing of his home the last time she was here, nor last night either, but that would soon be corrected. She would need Dobson’s help, though. Since there were other Malorys in residence, she couldn’t just open doors indiscriminately.
She spared a moment’s thought for the other two occupants of the house, Anthony’s brother and son. She wondered if her husband would now admit that Jeremy Malory was his son. There was no reason for him to still deny it, at least not to her. He was a handsome lad, a boy to be proud of, and the image of his father. Actually, it was ludicrous for Anthony to deny patrimony when anyone merely had to look at Jeremy to know who sired him.
She would need to make friends with the lad, but she could foresee no difficulty there. James Malory was another matter. There was no reason to get too friendly with him, and every reason not to. Should she tell Anthony about James having kissed her once? Or maybe he already knew. Hehadsaid he had been jealous of his brother.
She smiled, remembering their crazy conversation last night. She didn’t know how he had done it, but she had let him convince her he was going to make a wonderful husband. All of her long-standing, preconceived notions about rakes were put to rest. He was going to be faithful. She felt it, believed it now wholeheartedly, and was ecstatic about it. What more could she have asked for than to have Anthony Malory all to herself? His love, she reminded herself. But that would come. It would. It had to.
“Hell’s bells, what areyoudoing here?”
Roslynn paused at the top of the stairs. Jeremy Malory, on his way up, stopped dead in his tracks too, his mouth left open in an O of wonder after he had got his question out. The imp in Roslynn decided to be mischievous, since it was obvious he hadn’t heard of the marriage yet.
“I spent the night, don’t you know.”
“Spent the night?” he repeated.
“Yes, and I’m thinking of moving in.”
“But—but there’s only bachelors here!”
“But there’s lots of room, don’t you think? And this house could use a woman’s touch.”
“It could?” he said in bemusement, only to shake his head. “But it wouldn’t be proper, would it? I mean, you’re a lady—I mean, well, you know what I mean. It just wouldn’t be proper.”
“No?” Roslynn grinned. “Then I’ll have to speak with your father. He’s the one insisting I stay.”
“Hedid?” Jeremy nearly choked. “Hell’s bells, he’s gone and done it now! Uncle Tony’s going to fly through the roof. He had his eye on you himself. Hell’s bells, he’ll probably throw us out now.”
