“An otter? Oh yes, I should like that,” William said, grinning.
“If Miss Wagstaff will please bring you to the yellow salon at four o’clock, we shall have tea and a lovely long chat,” Jenny said. “I must speak to your father.”
“Will you come and visit the kittens, Jenny?” Barbara asked. “They’ve missed you.”
“Have they, poppet? I am sorry. Shall we go to the stables after tea and you can meet Horace?” She hoped the dog would not upset the kittens.
“You and the duke must not meet, Jenny,” Bella said as they were shown to their bedchambers. “It’s bad luck when the wedding is tomorrow.”
Jenny laughed. “I don’t hold with superstition, Bella.”
“Oh? Then why did you sew a blue ribbon onto your best petticoat and borrow my pearl hair comb?”
“Oh, very well.” Jenny laughed and tucked her hand into her sister’s arm. “I don’t see how we can avoid Andrew at dinner. Must we eat in the kitchen?”
“I hadn’t considered that,” Bella said.
“And I need to discuss the wedding guests with him. He must accompany me when I meet the staff.”
“But haven’t you met them?” Beth asked in surprise.
“Not as their new mistress.” The prospect unnerved her. She needed Andrew at her side before she faced them. Where was he?
The question was answered as she was directing Susan with the unpacking of her trunk. Andrew knocked and strode in. One gesture sent the maid scurrying from the room. “Jenny, I didn’t expect you for another hour.”
“You can thank your coachman, fine horses and postilions for a swift journey,” she said with an impish smile. She gazed up into his beloved face. “Bella will disapprove, I am not supposed to see you until tomorrow.”
“Did she? Then we shan’t tell her.” He drew her into his embrace and nuzzled her neck. “My best man, John Strathairn, and Lady Sibella arrive today, as does my cousin, Raymond, and his mother, my Aunt Augusta who wishes to meet Lady Naughton. With your pretty sisters, we shall enjoy a lively pre-wedding dinner party.”
“Beth is only thirteen,” she said sternly. “And Bella is not yet out.”
He planted small kisses across her cheek and took her mouth in a passionate kiss, leaving her breathless. “We have no such rules at Castlebridge,” he murmured huskily.
She laughed and drew away from him while attempting to ignore her desire to draw him close. “You are in my bedchamber, sir. I believe it shall be required of me to set a few rules.”
A smile tugged his lips. “And here I am thinking I’m marrying an angel, when it appears I’ll get a strict schoolmarm instead.”
She placed her hands on his waistcoat and gazed up into his smiling eyes. “We shall see, Your Grace.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Will we? I find I can hardly wait.” He cast a brief glimpse at the bed. “A few steps and we might find out now.”
“Andrew!” She grinned and pushed at his chest.
He sighed heavily. “Very well. I am a patient man. Or will have to be at any rate.”
“Yes. Especially with my Aunt Leonora in the next room.”
He held up a hand. “I am leaving. But first tell me, have you seen the children?”
“Yes.” She sighed. “It might take William a while to forgive me.”
He smiled. “An hour or two, perhaps.”
“I do hope so. He was beginning to thaw a little,” she admitted. “And I like what I’ve seen of the new governess.”
“Yes, she isn’t you, but the next best thing, perhaps. And William’s tutor begins in a few days.”
“And Nurse Green?”
