Her shoulders drooped. “How do you know that?”
“Because everyone loves you. You even won over my parents, and that is no easy feat.”
Honora’s chin lifted. “That is true. And I won your heart, which is also no small feat.”
“See?” He ran his fingers along the exposed skin on her arm. “You have nothing to worry about.”
She gave her lip one final chew before taking another step back and twirling in a circle. “How do I look? Presentable?”
Leonard’s eyes washed over her deep blue evening dress. Slowly.
“Leonard,” she said. “If you keep looking at me like that, we will never make it to Andrew and Sophie’s on time.”
“We can be late.” He took a step closer to her, lifting a curl from her neck and placing his lips against her throat.
She paused, a small sigh escaping before she pushed him back. “No. We must go.”
He stumbled back with a huff. “Fine, but you cannot blame a man for trying.”
She glared at him, then turned toward the mirror and fiddled with her hair again.
Part of Leonard wished she wouldn’t worry so much, but he understood. How could he blame her when this world was still so new to her? All he could do was love her the best he could through it all. And appreciate everything she had done for him and his family. Now, they were closer than they had ever been. Close being a relative word. Honora had convinced them with her smiles and charms that Samuel would thrive with more outings. And amazingly, over time, they had listened.
And Leonard had listened as well. While he still did not agree with everything his parents did or the way they went about it, he was no longer so bitter and angry inside. If Honora could learn and grow from her past—of which Leonard now knew so much more—then how could he not rise above his circumstances as well?
“All right,” Honora said, nodding. “I think I am ready.”
“Let us go.” Leonard put his hand to her back, leading her to the door.
When they made it downstairs, Samuel was entering through the front door, a circle of pink on each of his cheeks and his light brown hair mussed. They had caught him just after his daily walk. “I appear to have made it back in time to see you off,” he said, coming over and giving Honora and then Leonard a quick embrace.”
Leonard pulled back and took in his brother’s frame, now stronger and sturdier than it had been eight months ago. The progress was minimal and slow, but Leonard was grateful for every day he grew stronger.
“Why don’t you come with us,” Honora suggested, clasping Samuel’s arm. She had taken up the role of sister like it was the most natural thing in the world for her. Though sometimes she seemed to forget Samuel was theolderbrother. But he always took it in stride.
Samuel shook his head. “No. You two go. I’ve tagged along enough.”
“Never enough.” Honora grinned. “But I will allow it this time.”
Leonard again pushed her toward the door, knowing she would need a bit of encouragement to get on their way. He threw a smile at his brother over his shoulder, then Evans handed them their things—Leonard’s hat and gloves and a shawl for Honora. Evans loaded their trunk on the back.
Honora tucked herself against his side once in the carriage, pulling a blanket across their laps. “Are you excited to see the estate and school all finished?” she asked, breaking the quiet.
“I am,” Leonard said with a nod. “Andrew and Sophie have put so much work into it, and I’m glad we can celebrate the finished product with them.”
Honora didn’t reply, staring mutely out the window instead. But something was working in that mind of hers. Instead of pressing her about it, he wrapped his arm about her and held her close, content to just be with her in the quiet.
Thirty minutes later, they were crunching their way over the drive toward the estate. When they came to a stop, Leonard descended first, then offered a hand to his wife. He was pleased to see the trepidation was missing from her features and in its place, a gleam of intrigue.
Leonard handed the doorman his card and was immediately escorted inside.
They were shown down the hall to a private, comfortable, drawing room. As his eyes swept over the room, he noticed several of his friends and their wives were already seated—Ambrose and Susanna, Andrew and Sophie, and Charles and Marie. And while the room that encompassed them was by no means opulent, it had a certain charm that made one feel welcomed.
“Leonard,” Andrew said, springing to his feet.
Before Andrew could utter anything else, Charles stood. “You’ve had your chance to heckle him. I, however, have not.” He turned to look at Leonard with a smile that greatly reminded him of Tristan. They were twins after all.
Leonard and Honora walked further into the room, and Leonard clasped her hand in his, giving it a small squeeze.
