She was kind to his servants, as well, but still held to her position as their mistress. She addressed small problems and kept ahead of anything that could become one. Her role seemed to settle on her shoulders without trouble.
He could feel her reading the room when she was alone for a moment, seeking out anyone who was shuttled off against the wall or looking uncomfortable. She always brought those people in, helping them find the perfect company to join with. It was truly a revelation to observe and drew his attention away from those he spoke to more than once.
She turned toward him and for a moment her gaze rolled over him from head to toe. She swallowed hard and he found himself doing the same. He shifted with the desire that filled him, stronger now that he’d been watching her, seeing her in this new light. His wife. Someone whose partnership would make him all the stronger. He hoped he could do the same for her.
“Ah, look at the besotted groom.”
Roderick shook his head and turned toward his in-laws as Mr. and Mrs. Lockhart approached him. He’d only spoken to them briefly during the gathering thus far and had managed to avoid them otherwise. But now they stood grinning like ghouls.
“It seems we made a very good match for you both after all,” Mrs. Lockhart said.
Roderick set his jaw and thought of what Clarissa had said earlier about her parents fearing he would change his mind if he spent timewith her. It had clearly hurt her and it was patently untrue. This little time together today had given him a bit more acceptance of the circumstances.
“Anyone who matched with your daughter would have been the luckiest of men,” Roderick said, lifting his chin and leaning into the protectiveness that filled every pore of his body.
“Very good,” Mr. Lockhart said, and barely glanced in his daughter’s direction. “It doesn’t matter anyway, you cannot give her back now, even if you wished to do so.”
Mrs. Lockhart laughed like that was a good joke.
“I do not wish to do so, sir,” Roderick said quietly. “I vowed to take care of her and I shall. Fromanyonewho ever threatens her peace, physical or otherwise.”
“And her family, one hopes, eh?” Lockhart kept smiling, but there was a mercenary light to his gaze.
Roderick arched a brow. “The provisions we agreed to will be fulfilled. Is this truly what you wish to talk about on your daughter’s wedding day? You do not wish to celebrate her? Or discuss your hopes for her happiness?”
Mrs. Lockhart blinked like he’d spoken another language, but then nodded. “Of course, of course. I’m sure you will make her very happy. Look at this house! How could anyone be anything but happy here?”
Roderick shook his head. He knew full well a person could be here and be very unhappy. Grief or broken heartedness didn’t spare someone based on the fineness of their walls. But he was beginning to see, more plainly than ever, that his wife’s parents had only ever truly cared about their own comfort first.
Something that made his stomach turn.
“It seems the party is beginning to break up,” he said, and motioned toward the guests who were milling around the ballroom exit. “I must collect Clarissa for our goodbyes.”
He inclined his head and moved toward her, watching her catch a little breath as he reached her and smiled. “Will you join me in the first farewells?”
She nodded and slid her hand through his arm. Her fingers squeezed his bicep and a thrill of sensation followed in their wake. Soon enough she would touch him and there would be no barriers between them. An intoxicating thought that made him want to clear the room with as much haste as possible.
Still, he managed to rein himself in and continue the task of host. There was plenty of time for everything else soon enough. And he was very much looking forward to it.
CHAPTER 13
Clarissa smiled as she watched her husband help Lady Nance, one of Society’s oldest ladies, into her carriage. He was so gentle in the way he did so, so kind in how he spoke to her and bade her farewell. He could be, and often was, so entirely gentlemanly. Not just because it was expected, but because it was who he actually was. She had misjudged him before and she was glad of it.
At last that carriage departed, though, and he turned back to her. They were alone now. All the guests gone with their well wishes still ringing in the rooms around them. He’d even managed to get her parents off with little trouble.
“You were wonderful, my lady,” he said softly. “Your first act as countess can be called nothing but a great success. I was told I am the luckiest of men by at least a dozen partygoers.”
“Oh. That’s very kind.” She bent her head. He didn’t truly believe he was the luckiest of men. She knew what he’d wanted from life. What he’d lost by being forced to be married to her.
“Are you tired?” he asked.
“I am.” She glanced up at him.
“There will be time to…to rest before supper. It will be late tonight.”
“Rest,” she repeated. “Are you also going to rest?”
He nodded. “I’m going to go upstairs. I can take you.”
