He offered her his arm. Shetransferred her bouquet to her left hand and tucked her hand intothe crook of his elbow. He patted her hand a trace of sadness inhis eyes. “You look very lovely, indeed, Erina.”
Chapter Nineteen
Jack stood in the Rowntree’s noisydrawing room where the guests had congregated to chat afterreturning from the church. The rich aromas of coffee and chocolateblended with the scents of flowers decorating every niche. Jackraised his coffee cup to Harry as they stood together. “Here’s to anursery filled with red-headed offspring.”
“Heaven help me!” Harryexclaimed in a shocked voice, but he proudly gazed in Erina’sdirection.
Jack grinned. “Erina makes a beautifulbride. I suspect she will prove a stimulating partner inlife.”
“She’ll shake up a dull olddog like me.” Harry said. “Be careful Jack, love is in the air. Itmay prove contagious. How is the lovely, Lady Ashley?”
“She has returned to herhome in the Cotswold’s.” Jack couldn’t have put his feelings intowords if he’d tried. But he doubted he’d ever find Ashley’s equalagain. “You’ll be the first to know, should I ever decide tomarry.”
“Somehow, that has a nastyfinal ring to it.”
A hollow sensation settled in Jack’schest. He wouldn’t allow himself to hope for something that seemedas elusive as a rainbow. “Life isn’t always so simple. And marriageisn’t for everyone, Harry.”
“No. But I sense it wouldbe good for you.” Harry shook his head. “I don’t intend to force myopinions on you, however. I shall wait patiently until the parson’smousetrap snaps you up.”
“Where are you to spendyour honeymoon?” Jack asked, wishing for a change oftopic.
“Father has a tidy placehere in Kent. Only twenty miles as the crow flies. We are to makeit our country house. I grew up there, you know. It was after mymother died that father just upped sticks and moved to themausoleum he resides in now. Erina and I will spend a week thereand then return to London and on to Paris.”
It would be a mansion, more likely,Jack thought. Sir Ambrose Feather’s wealth was legendary. “Soundslike the perfect place. Good country for hunting andfishing.”
Harry raised an eyebrow.
“Grant, Miles, and Tim,asked me to convey their congratulations. They are eager to giveyou a belated bachelor dinner when you return toLondon.”
“Good grief.” Harry huffedout a laugh. “I hope they forget.”
“I doubt it. They have longmemories for such things. And time to prepare somethingspecial.”
“Now you’re frighteningme.”
“I’ll make sure they don’tget too carried away. We can’t have them sending you back to yourbride in a poor state.”
Harry leveled a glance at him. “Butwill you be there, Jack?”
“I hope to be, but youshall deal very nicely on your own, I suspect.” Jack chuckled.“Erina described how efficiently you dealt with a fellow calledGormley in Ireland.”
“Nasty fellow had itcoming. Good thing he’s in prison.” Harry raised his eyebrows. “Theroad still tugs at you? I rather thought that certain lady mightkeep you here.”
“I admit that Lady Ashleyis in my thoughts. And that’s where she must remain for severalreasons, the first being she’s grieving the loss of her father. Iwas referring more to this concern with Caindale. But I shallendeavor to be there for your bachelor dinner. After that, I havebusinesses in the north which will take me away for atime.”
“And then?”
Jack shrugged. “Bit unclear at themoment, Harry. Wish I could say otherwise.”
“As long as it isn’t youwho ruins the chance of a happy life, Jack.”
“You believe Iwould?”
“I don’t know. I hope not,but I fear you might. You always did have an overdeveloped sense ofhonor.”
“I suppose I overcompensatefor my birth.”
“And you may bewrong.”
