“I do hope to persuade Aunt Dora to leave her beloved London.”
The furrow in his forehead deepened. “Please urge her to on my behalf.” Nathaniel picked up the pen on his desk. “Now, my love, if you’ll excuse me, I must get this work done before I ride into the village.”
The next morning, Laura rose and breakfasted alone. She’d been pleased when Nathaniel talked frankly, expressing his concerns about the smugglers. None of the house staff were involved he assured her, not wishing her to be nervous in thehouse.
But they still didn’t know who visited Amanda’s bedchamber. Laura suspected Rudge, but Nathaniel was caught up working closely with the constable. The head of the smuggling ring who’d orchestrated it all from London had been arrested, and the police were confident they would round up the rest of thegang.
Nathaniel had driven to the police station in Penzance that morning. Not long after he returned, he and Hugh had left to ride over the estate. Laura stiffened with shock when she’d overheard two maids gossiping on the stairs. The carriage had suffered another rock attack on the wayhome.
As soon as Nathaniel returned, she hurried out to speak tohim.
“Just a pebble,” he said. “Children most likely.” A muscle quivered at his jaw. “Please don’t fuss, Laura.”
Frustrated, she returned to her work readying two guest chambers for the dinner party, in case the weather turnedbad.
She paused from sorting a pile of linen. Why would anyone suspect Nathaniel of these nefarious deeds? It made nosense.
Because he wished her to stay close to the house, Laura occupied herself with the birthday dinner. It proved the perfect distraction from what was going on around her. Mrs. Madge, eager to take her mind off the loss of her son, threw herself into the matter at hand. She proposed several dishes for the menu, determined to try her hand at something new and exotic. She confessed to having discussed the menu with Rudge, but if he contributed anything, it didn’t reach Laura’s ears. Laura sensed his outrage because she’d chosen the wines. She’d begun to feel it was foolish of her to alienate him by usurping his position and went to broach the matter with him. She found him in the butler’s pantry polishing thesilver.
“A moment of your time, please, Rudge.”
“Of course, my lady.”
Rudge followed her to the morning room. He stood before her desk wearing his usual severeexpression.
“I would appreciate your opinion of my wine selection.” She handed him her list. “I chose my father’s favorite wines, but tastes may differ in a warmer climate.” She smiled. “And you would be more familiar with the tastes of those here than I.”
Rudge scanned the list in his formal manner. “A Rhine wine might be added, my lady.”
“Oh, yes, I hadn’t thought of it. Excellent suggestion.”
Rudge bowed hishead.
“If there’s anything else you’d like to add, please do.”
“I will, my lady. I shall return to the silver, if that is all?”
“Yes, that is all, thank you, Rudge.”
Must the man be so obstinate? Nothing had improved between them. Shrugging, she left the house in search of the gardener. It would be a challenge to find suitable floral arrangements for the table decoration now that autumn was upon them. Perhaps some hot house blooms would be inflower.
On the morning of the dinner party, Nathaniel entered Laura’s bedchamber as she held up her gown before the mirror. She had hoped to surprise him, but he’d surprised her instead. “Do you approve of my choice?” She turned for him to view the silver-blue satin and chiffon eveninggown.
“I like the gown, but it is more suited to our Paris sojourn, perhaps.” Nathaniel leaned back against the bedpost. “Something a little simpler for this occasion?”
Pleased to have his interest, Laura laid the gown on the bed and with a smile, sashayed closer to her husband. She placed her hands on his chest. “Do you remember we were to visit Paris this autumn?”
His eyes clouded. “I know. I’m disappointed too, sweetheart. As soon as this business is at an end, we will, I promise.”
She gazed up at him. “What if this business isneversettled?”
He pushed back a lock of her hair and kissed that tender spot below her ear, sending a delightful frisson through her. “It will be,” he murmured. “Then I’ll come for you. You do understand that your presence distracts me?”
She raised an eyebrow. “I distract you, do I?”
He grinned and chucked her under the chin. “I can’t be worried about your safety on top of…everything else.”
“Who is watching your back?”
