Page 44 of The New Earl’s Convenient Wife

She sighed. ‘Then you’ll be gone more often, attending sessions?’

‘Some afternoons and evenings. Parliament tends to begin late and end late, so we might have mornings together. But I hope we’ll have more time than we have since first arriving, when I’ve often been detained at the clubs or social events by running into friends from the army and university. I think by now I’ve caught up with everyone I wish to see; mere acquaintances who want to hang on the sleeve of a new earl, ones who paid me little attention when I was expected to remain simply “Mr Tynesley”, are not worth my breath. You are still reading The Iliad, I see. Are you enjoying it?’

‘Yes, though it is a very manly account. Women seem to feature only as sources of trouble—Helen, for all her beauty, inspires a kidnapping that causes a war. Cassandra’s only use is to predict disaster. Then there’s Achilles, who must choose between one of two rewards, either “glory” or “home”; if he stays to fight, he will die, but create a legend that will last for all time; if he returns home, he’ll have the joy of family and children, but his name will be lost to history. Is that hope of immortal fame what inspires men to join the army?’

Surprised by the direction of her thoughts, he considered the question. ‘Some dream of glory on the battlefield, I suppose. Many go to fulfill their duty to king and country, to defend England and their loved ones. Common soldiers may have different reasons. For the poor, life in England, whether working the fields or in factories, is often hard. Taking the king’s shilling gives those men a certain freedom, transporting them to new, exciting lands with the possibility of spoils.’

‘For all his ditherings, I like Achilles. It doesn’t hurt that his mother Thetis is a sea goddess.’

‘Naiads again?’ he said, laughing. ‘I should have known that would appeal to you. I’m glad I found you here, for I have something for you. I meant to obtain it much sooner—my only excuse for my tardiness is my being dragged to all those meetings, consultations, and long sojourns at the club.’

Lifting up the package he’d been holding behind his back, he handed it to her, excited to see her response.

‘How kind! I’ve received few enough gifts in my life, I shall appreciate it, whatever it may be.’ After placing the package on the desk, she carefully untied the string and unwrapped it, to reveal a large, leather-bound sketchbook.

‘It’s lovely!’ she said on a gasp, her eyes lighting as she fingered the thick drawing paper within. ‘It’s much finer than the one I bought years ago. Thank you!’

Delighted to have pleased her, Hart said, ‘I noted you’ve hardly done any sketching since we arrived in London, even with Bewick’s History of English Birds to inspire you. I figured you must have completely run out of space in your old book. Now, you have all the room you like to begin again. I obtained a fresh supply of pencils and charcoal, too.’

‘I shall have to begin again immediately! There isn’t much choice of wild animals in London to inspire, but there will always be birds in the garden.’

‘We might be able to do better than that. I thought, to repay your patience with my frequent absences, we could go to the British Museum this afternoon. I recall you telling me you’d found a number of examples there to inspire you on your last visit to London.’

‘Are you sure you can spare the time?’ When he nodded, she said excitedly, ‘I’d love it! Shall we go now?’

‘As soon as possible. I understand it closes by four, so we should leave at once.’

‘Just let me fetch my bonnet and spencer.’

He shook his head, looking at her fondly. ‘Any other female would protest she must change her morning gown for an afternoon or walking dress—and take an hour in the process.’

She frowned at him. ‘I’ll be wearing the spencer. What difference does it matter what sort of gown I’m wearing under it?’

‘Just my point. Go, go. I’ll be waiting.’

‘I shall be back in a trice.’

She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek as she passed him. Hearing her rapid footsteps mounting the stairs, he shook his head again.

His unique, ever-surprising wife. Another female would have taken him to task for abandoning her so often these first weeks, when she had few friends to occupy her. Claire and Hart had been solid supports, but Hart still shouldered the task of supervising estate business along with his Parliamentary duties, while Claire was occupied with a new baby, two other children and supervising the large ducal household.

Considering again how he’d found her alone in the library, Rafe frowned. As he’d predicted, Juliana had been well-received by Society, but having been so isolated in her youth, she had a natural reserve and didn’t make friends easily. She endured calls from those eager to meet the new countess, receiving guests politely but giving no encouragement for them to linger and become better acquainted. Used to being solitary and, frankly, not sharing many interests in common with most females, who filled the calls with discussions of fashion, household events and gossip, though she had attended all the evening events Claire had recommended, she had not yet found a larger circle of ladies with whom to spend time while he was occupied with his obligations.

He would have to pay her more attention himself. He didn’t want her to be lonely and unhappy.

By the time he reached that conclusion, Juliana was rushing back into the library, her cheeks flushed with excitement. ‘I’d been planning to go to the museum soon myself. But it will be so much more enjoyable to have you accompany me.’

‘I want to share the things that interest you. I bought you several sketchbooks, by the way; so don’t worry about running out of space. That is by way of apology for my neglect, in addition to which, I promise we shall ride together at least three mornings a week. Would that make you happy?’

She nodded, her cheeks pinking. ‘You’ve no need to apologize. I’d be delighted to spend more time with you, but I’m realistic. You are an earl who will soon take up your duties in Parliament. You also have a circle of friends from the army and university with whom you wish to spend time and conduct discussions not in female company. I would never wish to hamper you from doing any of that.’

‘I also appreciate my wife’s company. And I don’t wish you to spend so much time alone.’

‘I’m quite able to amuse myself; I have since childhood, as you know. I can’t pretend I don’t prefer my fields, woods and fells to London, but I mean to make the most of the opportunities here. Walk in the parks with Baxter to attend me, ride with a groom in the early morning. I do find the varied architecture interesting; in the absence of animals, I shall make use of the new sketchbook to record some of the buildings I find of interest. Westminster Abbey, for example, has marvelous animal carvings, from gargoyles to griffins. Our household is small, but it still requires some management. And I have my reading.’

Rafe felt another stab of remorse at hearing her detail how she spent her time alone or among servants. ‘I promise to do better.’

She smiled. ‘As long as we have our nights, I shall be content.’