The house was of pale brick with six tall columns across the front façade. Along with several footmen, the Hargroves, and their irrepressible daughter, Merry, waited beneath the portico.
“Kate!” Merry rushed forward and threw her arms around Kate’s neck, leaving her breathless and laughing.
She then hugged Robert who looked pleased. “You’ll soon be a married lady, Merry. Can’t go about hugging men.”
Merry grinned at him. “Pooh. You’re my cousin.”
Merry reminded Kate of herself some years ago. What had happened to her irrepressible spirit? She seemed to have lost it.
Hugh Foster greeted them with his natural reserve. Kate considered him perfect for Merry. He would keep her safe, but on a loose rein, never crushing her spirit.
“I am so pleased to meet you at last. I trust your trip was uneventful.” Mrs. Hargrove, a small bright-eyed lady, led them into the marble foyer. Merry resembled her closely. And Kate approved of her husband. He seemed a sensible man.
“We were very fortunate with the weather,” Kate said. “The rain held off and the roads remained passable.”
“Barton will see to any needs you might have,” Mrs. Hargrove nodded toward the dark-clad butler who had greeted them at the door. “Meanwhile, you’ll wish to remove the travel dust. William will show you to your chamber. Then please join us in the small salon for a glass of wine. Due to the morning wedding, we shall spend a quiet evening with whist or faro. Merry requested charades, but I have dissuaded her,” she said with a smile. “She has agreed to play for us, however. She’s quite proficient at the pianoforte.”
“How delightful. I look forward to it.”
“I do hope you’ll be comfortable, Lady St. Malin. We’ve put you and his lordship in the blue wing.”
William, a tall, fair footman, led them upstairs. He opened the chamber door and stepped aside with a bow. “Your luggage will be brought up as soon as it arrives, my lady. I shall bring hot water directly.” He bowed and left them.
Kate found herself alone with Robert in the airy bedchamber papered in robin-egg blue wallpaper, the bed and the windows dressed in pale gold damask, the furniture delicate French pieces.
They were to share a bed. Why hadn’t this occurred to her?
Her pulse beating hard, she wandered over to the four-poster bed. Would they mend this awful rift among these snowy linens? She peeked at Robert and found him standing close behind her.
He leaned over and prodded the bed. “Comfortable.”
She swallowed, not fooled by the casual comment. “It’s just a bed like any other.”
“Is it? Shall we try it out?” His eyes turned hot. He didn’t try to touch her, but the air crackled with expectation, robbing her of breath.
Her knees weakened. “We don’t have time, surely,” she said lamely. The prospect, however much it enticed her, seemed overwhelming. “They are expecting us in the salon.”
“Let them wait,” he said, his voice a gruff command. He stroked her cheek lightly with a finger, his eyes on her mouth. “What do you say, Kate?”
She wanted to desperately but would a frantic coupling change anything? Was it his intention to get her with child so that he might install her in one of his properties and forget her? That is what she feared most. It was what she’d been holding out against. Was she a fool to hope they would grow closer in time, so that he would never wish to leave her? And when they made love, it would be more than mere desire, but love and respect and a need for each other, the bond that held a couple together.
She gazed into his handsome face, and her heart filled with love while her defenses melted away. She wanted to take that chance. Wanted to get close to him anyway she could. “Robert…”
A knock came at the door.
Robert didn’t take his eyes from her. “Come.”
The footman and a maid brought in the hot fragrant water and towels. “Your valet has arrived, milord. He awaits you at your convenience in your dressing room next door. Shall I send up your maid, Lady St. Malin?”
“Yes, thank you,” Kate said with a stab of disappointment.
The hot expression faded from Robert’s eyes. “I shall leave you to dress, Kate.” He left the room.
Kate went to the window and stared at a distant summerhouse in the lush gardens, barely taking note of it. She wished she understood what drove Robert to make advances at such inconvenient times. He preferred their love making to be like a liaison, it seemed. He did not want to embrace the marriage bed or indeed, be married.
She shrugged and leaned on the sill. It was growing cooler, and the trees were turning their bright autumn colors. She and Robert had remained in London throughout the heat of summer. Perhaps now, he would want to repair to the country for the shooting, as parliament was in recess and London would soon be thin of company. She thought of Cornwall with a surge of wistfulness, was it almost a year since they’d been there?
Brigitte arrived to help her wash and change her gown.
