She lifted on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. “Do that again,” she whispered near his ear.
“Do what again?”
“Call me your wife,” she demanded devilishly.
With an arm around her waist, he pulled her close, so she was flush against his chest. “Wife,” he growled.
With a squeal, she squirmed in his arms.
Her father cleared his throat. “Well, it appears that you two newlyweds are ready to be alone.”
“Papa!” Whitney exclaimed.
He held his hands up in defense. “It is not a bad thing, dearest daughter. I am thrilled beyond measure to see you happy. And I have confidence that whatever may cross your path, you both will handle it well and come out victorious. Now, come here.” He opened his arms and she went to him for a hug that only a father could give his daughter.
Perhaps it was something Christopher could look forward to with his own daughter. “Congratulations.” Adam kissed the top of Whitney’s head. “Your mother and I are very happy for you.”
Lady Watkins stepped in to hug Whitney, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.
Sir Watkins approached him. “Thank you for treating my daughter with respect. Your face glows whenever you lay eyes upon her. That’s all I ever wanted for Whitney. For someone to look at her the same way I look at her mother.”
Christopher bowed. “Thank ye, sir.”
“Your carriage awaits,” Sir Watkins announced.
As they walked to the door, he quickly pulled Christopher aside, slipping an envelope into his hands. “The first three months of allowance that was promised in the contract. It should be more than enough to get you both settled and to enjoy your honeymoon.”
He slipped the envelope in his jacket pocket. “Thank ye.”
Joining Whitney, who was already seated in the carriage, he kissed her hand.
“What was that about? With my father?”
“Och, ’twas naught. He was just giving me some fatherly advice,” Christopher lied. Not wanting to dampen the mood. “Now, wife. Let us get home.”
She smiled happily. “I look forward to that very much.”
Chapter Eighteen
Colthrop Hall wasnot what Whitney was expecting. She wasn’t sure exactly what she had expected, but Colthrop Hall was so much more. It was a huge estate in one of the best parts of the city.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered as hand in hand, Christopher led her through the front door. Marble floors shone bright, with a gorgeous art piece front and center of the room. From her knowledge it looked to be Italian. It was displayed on a large velvet covered table. The design intricate. It must have taken hours upon hours to make. “Did you choose this?”
“Nay. I am sad to admit that design is no’ my forte. I believe ’tis a piece my father had commissioned some years before he passed.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” It was in that moment that she realized exactly just how little they knew about each other. Like that his father had passed for instance. “Is your mother still here?”
He shook his head. “Nay, she died when I was verra young. I doona remember her.”
Her heart sank. She couldn’t imagine not having both of her parents still in her life.
“Would ye like a drink? I fear today has been a whirlwind. A drink to relax would be nice.”
“That would be lovely.”
“Actually, before we do that. I should show ye the estate. After all, you will be running it now that ye are the lady of the house.”
She gasped. She, quite naively, hadn’t even thought about that. She should have asked her mother for advice on running a household. The basics, she knew, of course, but anything further. She was at a loss. “I don’t plan to take away any tasks from anyone.”
