Robert had attempted to frown, but today had found it impossible to wipe the grin from his face. “I plan to be the best of husbands and turn Longworth into something Papa would have been proud of.”
Laura’s eyes had grown teary as she’d kissed him. “I will miss you and everyone there. Please send my regards to Wagstaff and Mrs. Amery.”
“One day, I hope to attend your wedding, Laura. It might have been Edward. I hope you won’t come to regret your decision,” he’d said pointedly. Then, pleased with his parting shot, he’d left her to return to his bride, who’d been busily describing in some detail the improvements she had made at Longworth to a fascinated gathering.
A week later, Laura attended the last ball of the Season with her aunt before parliament closed and thetonescaped to their country estates.
Partnered for every dance, Laura sat wanting to rub her sore toes, while hoping Mr. Upjohn would not ask her to dance again. Her aunt had warmed to him, often mentioning his virtues, which Laura had to admit were considerable. She liked him but had little in common with him and feared she could never truly love him. While her aunt spoke sensibly of compromise, Laura thought more about how it would be when he kissed her, and when he took her to bed. He wasn’t Debnam. He lacked Debnam’s charm, his wicked humor and passion, inviting her to give in to her desires and be her true self. To laugh with him. But as her aunt had pointed out, marriage was not only about the bedchamber; there was much more to be enjoyed, especially raising children.
“Why didn’t you marry, Aunt?” Laura had asked her as they’d sat together in the evening watching Tibby and Beau playing together on the rug, having finally decided to be friends.
“You’re going to want me to say I fell in love and only wanted one man. And when I couldn’t have him, I chose never to marry,” she’d said, with a shrewd glance over the top of the periodical she’d read. “Because it would fit nicely with what you have decided for yourself.”
“Not at all, I…”
Aunt Gertrude had shaken her head. “Hush, child. You cannot fool a wily, old bird like me. As for myself, I did want one particular man, but he was married. I used him to measure the rest of them, which was a mistake. None interested me enough to spend the whole of my life with. And that was the biggest mistake of all. The years quickly passed, and I found myself alone.”
“Oh, Aunt.”
“Don’t cry for me, please, Laura! I have a very good life and many friends.”
“You do.” Laura had said, but her aunt’s words had had the desired effect to make her think.
She searched the milling crowd, as she always did for Debnam. But she hadn’t heard from him.And why would he write?Her common sense demanded. He had disappeared from her life since she’d left Beechley Park.
“I am surprised to see him here,” her aunt said after a moment.
“Who, Aunt?” Laura asked idly as she fiddled with the ivory struts on her fan.
“The Earl of Debnam. He appears to be wounded.”
“What?” Laura swung around in the direction her aunt was looking. “Debnam?”
“I must say, niece, I have never seen such a reaction from you before. What does this man mean to you? And how have you kept it from me?”
Laura’s heart was pounding. “He means simply everything, Aunt,” she said with a deep, indrawn breath.
She leaped to her feet without thinking. Debnam’s gaze met hers from across the room. With a distressed gasp, she saw a sling on his left arm. Hurrying to meet him, she immediately noticed the change in him, his smile and easy stride as he walked toward her. He looked different. She realized now what it was. He looked at peace with himself.
To her left, Mr. Upjohn emerged from the crush seeking the next dance.
When their paths threatened to converge, Debnam saw him and stopped.He mustn’t think…Laura couldn’t bear it. She almost ran, ignoring her aunt’s disapproval at her unseemly haste and causing Mr. Upjohn to halt and swing his gaze from her to Debnam.
Laura cast Mr. Upjohn a sympathetic glance for a moment, but there before her stood the love of her life, whom she yearned to touch. “You’ve been hurt.”
“Almost healed now.” He turned to look toward Mr. Upjohn, who retreated into the crowd. “You and that gentleman, Laura, are you…?”
“No.” Laura shook her head. “I waited… I hoped.” She had no pride where Debnam was concerned. The special look he had for her in his eyes thrilled her to her toes.
“My love.” He kissed her hand. “Come. You must introduce me to your aunt.”
They walked over to where her aunt sat watching them, having donned her glasses.
“Aunt Gertrude, may I introduce you to the Earl of Debnam.”
Her aunt scrutinized him and nodded.
He bowed. “Miss Peyton. I don’t believe we have met.” He raised her proffered hand to his lips.
