She gave me a curious look as she rounded the table, back to her original spot in the middle of all the food. “Yes?”
I placed my hands on the table and leaned in, voice low. “If you happen to have it on hand ... I thought perhaps my husband might appreciate a small bowl of—”
“Goat cheese?” She lifted a little plate from the side.
“You absolute saint.”
Her eyes lit up with approval. “I wondered if marrying him would change your tricks. I am glad to see you are still the same girl inside.”
“Anna?” Graham called from the top of the stairs. “Are you down there?”
“Coming!” I called back, then turned to Cook. “I cannot thank you enough for remembering. You always knew just what to do to make those dinners a little more exciting.”
She winked again, then nodded to the stairs, and I rushedtoward Graham. I found him at the top, arms folded with a quirk to his brow and a half smile on his lips.
“We’re gathering in the drawing room. Your father sent me to find you. What, pray tell, were you doing down there?”
“Not a thing, my love.” I kissed his cheek as I walked past. “Hungry?”
He grasped my wrist to stop me, closing the door behind him. “Famished,” he said with a wicked look in his eyes. He pulled my hand to his chest, then laced his arms around my waist. A few steps had me backed against the wall, enveloped by his strength. “You’ve been gone all afternoon.”
I laughed and smoothed my hands up his chest to the high folds on his collar. “I’ve been gone only an hour to dress.”
“Too long,” he mumbled as he lowered his lips to mine.
Where once we’d hesitated, learning each other and savoring, now Graham kissed me hard and steady like a man making a promise. He pulled me close, and I thought of our honeymoon—of a fortnight spent a little cottage within an apple orchard not far from Brighton, of lavender pressed between sheets, and sunlight spilling through thin curtains well into the afternoon. I remembered meals around a small round table, just the two of us talking about everything and nothing at all until the candles burned low. It had been nearly a year, and yet, it felt like only yesterday that we’d made promises to never part.
How I loved him.
“Ahem.”
Graham jerked back, and I wiped my mouth with a sleeve. “Papa.”
His eyes were serious, lips downturned, though his voiceheld a sweeter tone. “We’re waiting for you in the drawing room, darling.” Then, more solemn and firm. “Everett.”
“Forgive me, Mr. Lane. I’d gone to fetch her and—”
“Yes. I see you’ve found her.”
I stepped around Graham and touched my hair, ensuring every curl was in place. “I should apologize to Ms. Peale for keeping her waiting. Shall we?”
Graham followed a step behind, so I reached out my hand until he grasped it. I pulled him beside me, and we walked around the grand staircase to the drawing room.
Petite, elegant, with hints of youth still in her countenance, Ms. Peale sat with delicate, gloved hands in her lap and a growing smile as we entered.
“What a happy sight,” she said, standing. “The three of you together.”
“The four of us, now,” Papa said, moving to her side and kissing her temple. “Tomorrow we shall make that permanent.”
It still felt strange, seeing the shift in him. The love in his gaze for his intended. But it felt right, too. Like she was the missing piece. Not Mama by any means, but someone special to add to what we’d already known.
When we’d each found our places at the dining table, Papa turned his attention to Graham. “How’s my house looking, Everett?”
He’d chosen first among our plots of land in Brighton, and within six months, the rest had sold. Graham and I had celebrated by taking Tabs and Ginny and Mrs. Everett out for prawns and a day spent on our favorite spot at the beach. We’d all left drenched with seawater from playing all afternoon.
“Very well. I believe they are finishing the interior this afternoon. Should be ready for the furniture next week. Right on schedule for your visit after you return from France.” Where Papa and Ms. Peale would honeymoon after the wedding.
“Wonderful.” Papa winked at Ms. Peale, who struggled to contain her full excitement, her happy grin.
