Page 78 of Wedding the Widow

Jemmy kissed the ring and drew it off her finger. “Now I believe we are done, until two days after tomorrow, when this ring will never leave your hand again.”

Chapter 29

By the time they arrived back at Worth House, Elizabeth’s feet were aching, and she had to stifle a yawn as Jemmy helped her out of the carriage. Shopping had never worn her out like this before. Perhaps the new life within her had begun making demands on her body’s strength already.

“Why don’t you nap until time for dinner, my dear,” Jemmy suggested as they mounted the steps to the house.

“That does sound like a lovely idea.” She was quite drooping with fatigue. A long nap would revive her for dinner and Jemmy’s introduction to the children. Lord knew what they’d say about him after the fiasco with Lord Robert. “I will see you at dinner, then, my love.”

He grazed her cheek with his lips, sending warmth all through her. “Rest well.”

Slowly, she made her way up to her room, undressed, and lay down, thankful for her bed. If she could just stop the ideas whirling about her head, she could sleep.

Elizabeth sat up, momentarily confused about where she was. Then the calm blue and white furnishings of her childhood room became familiar once more, and she lay back down, relishing the warmth of her nest.

Scratching at the door announced Weller, who strode in with Elizabeth’s gown in her hand. “Time to get up, Mrs. Easton.”

But she wanted to linger. If only Jemmy were here with her, she’d like nothing better than to stay hidden in this bed, not leaving it for days. A smile played over her lips at what they might do to occupy their time. Yes, they needed to arrange that as soon as they were wed. With a deep sigh, she pushed back the covers and sat up, her hair swirling around her shoulders.

“Goodness, ma’am. We’ll have to put your hair to rights. It’s come right down.” The older woman clucked and fussed over her as she stripped and dressed her, the rhythm of the movements lulling Elizabeth into a peaceful state.

Her toilette finished, with the addition of a strand of pearls and matching earrings, Elizabeth rose and donned a cream-colored silk shawl that complemented her deep salmon-colored gown. She was looking forward to the family’s traditional Christmas Eve celebration after dinner. There would be music and dancing, Papa’s special rum punch, and fruitcake. Tomorrow, with the children, they would have presents in the morning, the Punch-and-Judy Show in the afternoon—the children always loved seeing the silly puppets argue—and crackers and a snapdragon in the evening.

Her conscience suddenly smote her. She hadn’t seen the children in two days. With the wild antics of yesterday and Jemmy’s arrival, she’d simply not thought to visit the nursery. Well, she could take a few minutes now to pop upstairs and see them before the longer visit tomorrow. So she turned her steps toward the staircase that led to the third-floor nursery, running lightly up them, suddenly excited to see Colin and Kate and tell them of her change of plans.

Approaching the nursery door, she was startled to hear the high-pitched laughter and chatter of the children, punctuated by a deeper male voice. Had Papa come up to see Colin and Kate? She drew near the open door and popped her head through it just as Kate hit a high squeal of laughter.

Colin wielded a toy sword at his sister, who battled him valiantly with a whirligig as she rode on Jemmy’s back. Down on all fours, he made an admirable steed.

“Mama! Mama!” Dropping his sword, Colin rushed to her.

“Mama. Put me down, horse.” Kate commanded, swishing the whirligig over Jemmy’s head.

“Of course, my lady.” Jemmy held still as Kate clambered off his back and threw herself into Elizabeth’s arms. “Mama! I missed you.” She burrowed into Elizabeth’s chest.

“I see you did, my loves.” Elizabeth hugged them, all the while eyeing Jemmy’s transformation.

He rose from the floor, in shirtsleeves, cravat askew, curly hair sticking up all over his head, completely unruly. He could have been one of the children, with his face flushed bright pink, his eyes sparkling.

“We’ve made a new friend, Mama.” Colin pointed to Jemmy. “He said he knows you and he wanted to get to know us. Nanny Fields said it would be all right this once.”

“He’s ever such a good horse, Mama,” Kate said, nodding her approval as if she were royalty. “I didn’t fall off, not once. And I used my magic wand to slay the dragon.”

“And the dragon had a sword?” Elizabeth tried to keep her composure, but they all looked so pleased with themselves, she had to smile.

“We thought it only fair, my dear, as the dragon couldn’t breathe fire, that he have some way of defending himself.” Slapping his legs to shake the dust off, Jemmy grinned at her and slipped on his coat, which had been abandoned onto a chair.

“Ah, quite right.” Elizabeth sat down between the children, unmindful of her gown. “One must have a fair fight, mustn’t one?”

“Exactly.” Kate waved her whirligig wand over the dragon’s head. “You must stop being a dragon, now, Colin. I’m very tired.” A huge yawn split her face, and she stretched her arms up in the air.

“I believe it is past your bedtimes, loveys, and tomorrow will be a very busy day, don’t you remember?”

“Christmas Day!” they sang out together.

“Come on, Colin. Let’s go right to sleep so it will come ever so fast. Good night, Mama. Good night, Lord Brack.” She hugged Elizabeth, made a dainty little curtsy to Jemmy, and scampered toward her bed.

“Good night, Mama. Good night, Lord Brack.” Colin kissed her cheek and whispered, “Can he be our new Papa instead of the tall, stiff man? Please, Mama? He’s ever so much more fun.”