She laughed, but at the same time she heard a challenge in that statement. “Do you forget how adept I am at picking a lock? You can’t keep me secured in a tower.”
“Not a tower.” He shook his head. He slid his hand along the counterpane. “I was thinking of something a bit… softer.”
“You extend a difficult bargain, but I suppose I must accept.”
“Good.” He kissed her, and again, it was entirely too short. “Eat your breakfast and get dressed. I have a surprise for you.”
Her interest instantly piqued. “Do you? I can hardly wait.”
He left the room, and a short time later, a girl was sent claiming to be Nicole and that she would be her ladies’ maid.
Leah lifted a brow but said nothing in return. It would take some adjustment to allow someone else to help her dress when she had been more than capable, but she decided, by the time Nicole was finished with her hair, that perhaps a bit of pampering was not amiss after all.
“Has the master shown you to your rooms yet?” Nicole asked.
She had to fight the urge to blush, but she could feel her cheeks heating nevertheless. “No. We got in late last evening and he was kind enough to let me sleep in.”
“Of course.” Thankfully, that was all Nicole said as she led Leah through a set of double doors, past a large sitting room and beyond to another set of doors. When she threw them open, she stood aside for Leah to inspect her surroundings. It was just as magnificent as the rest of the house had been so far.
“Impressive,” Leah noted.
Nicole didn’t say anything as she walked over to a massive, walnut wardrobe and opened it to withdraw a cream-colored gown with elegant beadwork. When she laid it on the four-poster bed, Leah walked over and laid her hand gently on the silk. “It’s exquisite.” She shook her head. “But surely this is a mistake. I have never seen this dress before. It can’t be mine.”
Nicole only smiled. “I think it was a gift from your husband-to-be.” She held it up enticingly. “Would you care to try it on?”
“It’s a bit much for a house exploration, isn’t it?” Leah said with a light laugh.
“You can always change.” She shook the material and the elegant rustling made up Leah’s mind for her.
She obediently held out her arms.
Once Nicole had fitted her into the gown, Leah walked over to the full length, cheval mirror in the corner and inspected her reflection. She stared, because she hardly recognized the beautiful woman looking back at her.
“You look very elegant, miss. A perfect bride.”
Leah blinked, as the maid’s statement penetrated her brain. “What are you—?”
The girl had already walked over to the door and opened it to reveal four handsome men that she knew all too well—Matthew, Hugh, Lucas, and Benjamin. At this point they were more like family.
“Harlan is one lucky man,” Hugh grumbled as he walked over and took Leah’s hand, giving it a light kiss on the back.
“What are you talking about?” she said, but something told her she already knew what was going on here.
Lucas stepped forward, his eyes shining brightly behind his spectacles. “You should know that Harlan is one to make an impression. I swear this was the last secret we were honored to keep.”
Leah turned to Benjamin, who shrugged his shoulders helplessly. “I’m just here for the food.”
It was such an absurd remark that Leah had to burst out laughing.
Hugh extended his arm to her. “Are you ready to get married?”
She lifted her chin and accepted the offering. “Lead the way.”
She took Lucas’s arm and flanked by Benjamin and Matthew, the five of them headed downstairs to the main parlor in the front of the house. When they walked across the threshold, Leah gasped at the lavishly decorated room. Roses filled the air with their glorious scent, but it was the people in attendance that moved her heart more than the grand romantic gesture. These wonderful men had brought their wives and children to celebrate this special day.
Leah’s eyes filled with tears as she looked around at all the warm, friendly faces. It was the best gift that she might have ever received.
Until she glanced up.
