“I did that.” Her voice lowered. “I’m scared.”
Risking his headache doubling, he pulled her cheek to his. “Choose to be the wife of Daniel Thackery, the new Lady Ashbrook, Hope’s new mother. I know you lost a child, Jemina. Nothing can fix that loss, but I’m offering you a chance to raise mine. Join our family. Make Finchely a better home.”
“Hope’s mother is a nice title.”
“You like that one the best? Well, she is the cuter Thackery. And she is already calling you her mother. Don’t make my girl a spreader of falsehoods.”
Jemina brushed at a tear dripping her cheek. “I don’t want to hurt you or her.”
“Too late for that. You’ve whacked me with a candlestick.”
“Candelabra.”
“Technicality. I don’t want you to suffer for what you’ve done for me. Women always fair badly in scandal. You’ve seen it with the Widow’s Grace. Let me protect you as you have me.”
So many shadows filled her eyes. How could he draw her back to where things were safe and warm?
He put his hand into her glorious tresses that hung to her waist and smelled of strawberries. If he said he loved her, she wouldn’t believe him. She’d think he said it just to tip the scales.
Daniel could read a jury and how Jemina’s emotions shifted from indecision to no. He’d win this trial only by admitting to what she could accept and think true. “Love will come for us, Jemina. I know it will. I will treasure you.”
Nodding, she didn’t say a word but burrowed deeper into his chest.
He took that as yes.
Jemina’s tears wet through the lawn fabric of his shirt down to his shoulder.
This wasn’t a sign of happiness but a sort of resolve. Perhaps it was goodbye, goodbye to everything in the past that could hurt Jemina and unwittingly Hope. Daniel had his future Lady Ashbrook in his arms. He purposed to turn all her sadness into morning joy.
CHAPTER 38
JEMINA—WEDDINGJITTERS
My wedding day arrived at Sandlin Court.
Daniel and Hope had visited almost every day, these past three. My skeptical heart had become convinced of the rightness of this union. I was now desperate to see the earl’s half smile and Hope’s full one. She seemed to miss me so much, more each time.
A knock to my bedchamber made my heart jump and spin in my chest.
“Come in.”
Patience did, with a big box in her arms. “Mr. Gerard has your package back from the jeweler and your intended is here, and he’s asked me to bring you this.”
That means my present for Daniel had arrived.
“I don’t need another gift. He’s sending me ransoms and lignum vitae flowers every morn.”
Patience smiled wide, herI know bestsmile, and pushed the box into my hands. “He insisted. He said you’d understand.”
Now I was intrigued. My fingers slipped along the big red bow of the white package. The satin ribbon slid off with an easy tug.
I wondered what his dry humor had erected. A peek from the corner said the gift was wonderful, but I promised myself I’d not weep anymore.
The dress was silver with lace up the neckline and crystals along the hem. They caught the light when I lifted the skirts from the crinkling tissue paper. The beauty stole my breath.
A note lay in the bottom.
To my bride, my future,
