“The landlady makes our meals. Teddy may be back, and he sets breakfast up in the sitting room. Here, I’ll let you have a moment of privacy while I fetch warm water.”
He rose from the bed, looked down, and shook his head over the piles of clothes and shoes there. With an amused glance in her direction, he said, “It was a good night.”
“Very good,” she echoed.
He made his way to the wardrobe and took out a dressing gown. Picking up the pitcher from the washstand, he left the room.
Dara sat, and realized that Michael’s warning about needing to heal was a good one. She experienced uncomfortable tugs in muscles that she’d never known she had.
But she wouldn’t have traded one moment of last night. Even the pain. Because what she had liked best was the knowledge that he’dwantedtomarry her. This was a miracle that defied her belief. Except, she was beginning to allow herself to believe.
Her stomach protested again. She got up and started to see to her toilette.
Michael returned with hot water. He took some clothes from the wardrobe and told her she could have the room to herself.
“I will make space for you in the wardrobe,” he said.
“You already have. I only have two dresses. Gwendolyn took my muslin one with her yesterday to see if it can be salvaged.”
“Then we need to change that,” Michael answered. “You should go shopping.”
Dara considered that for a moment. “I am fine. My sisters and I are very good with a needle.”
“You should go shopping,” he repeated.
“You need to see to your mother and your brother,” she answered, more direct this time. “You are being cut off. And while the Earl of Holsworthy can’t stop you from receiving his title, he doesn’t have to share his money.”
Michael’s expression turned so grim, Dara immediately wished to call the words back. “I didn’t mean it as an insult. I’m accustomed to economy.”
His grimness vanished into a smile. “I have money, Dara. Go shopping.”
She nodded dutifully, uncertain if she would.
He shook his head. “I have the only wife in thecity who argues when I tell her to purchase a few dresses.” With that, he left.
A half hour later, she made her way to the sitting room, having bathed and dressed for the day. She had loosely braided her hair and wrapped it around her head. She was wearing her sprigged day dress. He was right. She did need more dresses.
Michael was already enjoying his breakfast at the room’s table. He had several papers and offered her one. He was shaved and ready for the day.
She took a seat across from him while Teddy asked if she would like cider, tea, or “perhaps something else?”
“Tea is perfect and just some toast.”
“The announcement of our marriage is inThe Morning Post,” Michael said. “My secretary, Elliot, managed to change the betrothal notice.”
“It is official then,” Dara murmured.
Michael understood her dry comment. He grinned. “Ah, so the announcement is what makes the marriage official, right?”
She thought of the night before and her face burst into flames. Oh, yes, she was truly married. He laughed with delight.
“While I have you here, ma’am,” Teddy said, “we should discuss growing our household. These rooms are barely large enough for you and Mr. Brogan. I don’t know what will happen when there are at least two, maybe three added?”
“Two or three?” Dara repeated.
“We need room for Lady Eleanor and Gwendolyn,” Michael said—and that is when Dara fell in love.
She’d been leaning in that direction. She’d always been attracted to him. She’d certainlywantedhim. Butlove? She’d read novels where people who loved made declarations, very stilted ones to her way of thinking.
