When Nicholas raised a mild objection, the duke appraised him. “When you mentioned a heated argument about a poem, I had great hopes.” He smiled at Carrie. “I’ve never known Nicholas so stirred up about poetry.”
Nicholas laughed. “Keats is a clever fellow.”
“Then you agree it is a fine poem?” Carrie asked, her eyes alight.
Nicholas slipped an arm around her waist. “I wouldn’t dare say otherwise, sweetheart.”
***
Carrie felt as if she was walking on air. Nicholas loved her. She’d known it deep down for weeks. She’d tried to fight for him and thought she’d failed. And because she was so cast down, she’d almost settled for second best. She stood, her hand tucked into his arm as friends surrounded them. Amusing comments were bandied about as to Nicholas’s determination to remain single and become a hermit and how friends had almost given up on him. But it was all said in good part and made her laugh. In a quiet moment of reflection, she thought of her father.If you’re looking down on us, Papa, I know you’re happy in heaven.
Chapter Twenty-Six
In the final hours of the ball, as the news of their engagement quickly spread, many guests came to offer their best wishes. It was Nicholas’s hope that his flamboyant and unconventional behavior would diminish any gossip stirred up by the likes of Miss Carswell. Thetonwas usually forgiving of a love match.
It was almost dawn when he said a lingering and loving goodbye to Carrie and retired to his bed at Pennington Court. But he found sleep elusive, his mind filled with thoughts of their future together.
It was late in the morning when he went down to breakfast. Bella and Jeremy sat at the table, looking expectant of another outing. He wanted to tell them, but he and Carrie decided to do it together.
“Can I see Carrie today?” Bella asked.
“Your sister will be here after luncheon.”
Observing Jeremy, Nicholas picked up his coffee cup and took a reviving sip. “Jeremy, I fear you are about to throw questions at my head,” he said. “Allow me to speak before you do. You and I will leave tomorrow for Great Witcombe to visit the ruins of a Roman villa.” He smiled at Jeremy’s big grin. “I received an answer to my letter from Sir William Hicks. He has agreed to our viewing the site.”
“Is it a long way, Nicholas?”
“A lengthy coach journey, but well worth it, I suspect. They uncovered the ruins earlier this year when the gardeners dug up the roots of an ash tree from Sir William’s field. He describes in his letter an exceptional mosaic depicting many exotic sea creatures has been found.”
After breakfast, Nicholas sat at his desk to open the mail Warren put before him. “I shall need you to write invitations to our wedding, Michael. Carrie accepted my proposal of marriage at the ball last night.”
Warren grinned. “Congratulations, milord. That is excellent news. Please convey my best wishes to Miss Leeming.”
“You can do so yourself. She will be here this afternoon and will furnish you with the guest list. Say nothing to Bella and Jeremy, though. We want to surprise them.”
Warren placed a letter before him. “This arrived from the magistrate, Sir Henry Markham.”
Nicholas picked it up and perused it.
An inquest will not be held,Sir Henry wrote. After Bettencourt attacked Leeming in his cell and almost beat him to death, they transferred the men to Newgate Prison to await trial.
Apparently, Sir Henry’s opinion was unchanged. Both would face the hangman’s noose.
Nicholas put the letter aside, debating whether to tell Carrie. He decided against it. Nothing was going to spoil their happiness on this day.
After he and Jeremy returned from Hyde Park, Nicholas changed before driving to his sister- and brother-in-law’s townhouse.
Carrie came to greet him in the entry hall, wearing a fetching bonnet lined with pink silk and decorated with cherries.
“I like you in that color,” he said, kissing her cheek while aware of the interested eye of a footman.
“Gray?” she asked as he helped her into her pelisse.
“Your pink bonnet.”
“It is rose pink,” she amended with a smile.
“Ah. I must remember that. Where are Gwen and Winston?”
