He dropped a kiss on my temple. “Please tell me you’re not asleep again.”
I laughed and looked up at him. “No, of course not. Although, with the way you wore me out last night, it’s something of a miracle.”
He smirked, and heaven help me, it shouldn’t have been attractive. I usually hated men who were so arrogant, but with Clifton, I knew it wasn’t because he thought he was above me. He was just sure of himself, and given the way he could make me scream, I had to admit his confidence was well-earned.
“We’ve arrived, and if I’m not mistaken…” He pushed back the curtain and looked outside. It was midafternoon now. “Yes, my mother is standing on the steps, waiting.”
I caressed his cheek, missing the stubble that he had worn throughout our brief stay in Scotland. I would have to see about convincing him to let it grow from time to time.
I took a deep breath and straightened. It had been some time since I’d last seen Lady Clifton. If I wasn’t mistaken, that had been a full year before my mother’s death. Mama had hoped to visit her that summer, but then she’d had that carriage accident, and I’d gone to live with my aunt and Baron Tuttleford.
When we’d set out that morning, I’d made sure to wear the finest dress at my disposal. The fabric was a lavender color that complemented my skin tone. I would never be beautiful, but it still amazed me how much better I looked with the right dresses and with my hair allowed to curl around my face.
Although it had been something of a battle with my husband before he conceded that I could trim a few strands around my face. I pretended not to see him pocket one of those strands, but the sight had caused my heart to yearn even more for this man who would never love me.
Clifton smiled. “You look beautiful. Just stay with me so my mother doesn’t take me somewhere to give me a thrashing.”
I laughed. “As if she could.”
“She would certainly try,” he mumbled with a wry expression, and I tried to imagine Lady Clifton grabbing her son by the ear and leading him inside.
“You’re not nervous, I hope,” he said as the carriage slowed to a stop.
I shook my head. “I’m looking forward to seeing your mother again. She was always so nice to me.”
He frowned. “The Tuttlefords have much to answer for.”
I didn’t reply since I didn’t want thoughts of them to ruin today’s visit. A footman opened the carriage door, and Clifton helped me out.
His mother was indeed waiting by the front entrance, but when we started toward her, she hurried down the stairs to meet us at the bottom. She pulled me into a hug, and I sank into her embrace.
“I am so happy today.” She pulled back and smiled down at me. “Your mother and I used to talk about how wonderful it would be if our children chose to marry. I wish she could be here today to see that her dream came true.”
A wave of affection for this woman washed over me, but it was tinged now with sadness from the reminder of everything Mama would miss.
Clifton frowned at his mother. “Must it be necessary to make her cry the minute you see her again for the first time in years?”
I hadn’t realized I was crying. I dashed away the tears, shaking my head. “It is fine.” I smiled at his mother. “I am also very happy to be here, Lady Clifton.”
She made a tutting sound. “You must call me Helen. I would never presume to have you call me mother, and Lady Clifton is so formal.”
I considered it for a moment. “I’m not sure that I can.”
She laughed. “We’ll work on it.” Then she turned to Clifton. “You, on the other hand, I am most displeased with.”
He raised a brow. “How can you be pleased that I have married Diana but also angry with me for marrying her?”
“You know very well what I am referring to. I wanted to be at the wedding.”
He raised a brow. “You wanted to make the escape to Gretna Green by post chaise? Because I can assure you the Tuttlefords never would have given us their blessing.”
“He is correct, Lady—” I stopped and forced myself to continue. “I mean, Helen.”
Lady Clifton laughed. “Are you going to frown every time you say my name?”
“I might.” We laughed together then. “Your son is correct. The Tuttlefords were preparing for me and my aunt to return to the country, and I had already been told that I would not have a second season. I don’t think they wanted me to marry at all.”
“I dare say that’s true.”
