Page 30 of Marrying the Wrong Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 2)

“I had planned to stay with Eugenia when her time came, but I think with all the recent changes it might be a better idea to go now.”

“And why is that?”

Mother placed her serviette alongside her teacup and laid her hands in her lap. “You have had no time at all to get to know Arabella, and neither has she had time to learn about you. Your marriage was a hurried affair, and she became ill immediately. I believe giving the two of you time alone would go a long way toward helping you both.”

She sighed deeply and pulled a piece of paper from her day gown pocket. “Also, just this morning a note arrived from Lady Melrose indicating she planned to take up residence here.”

Nash swallowed the wrong way with this news and began to cough. Mother signaled the footman to pour a glass of water for her son. Nash took several sips and pushed his partially filled plate away from him. “Take up residence here already?”

Mother nodded. “Yes. I am led to believe she feels as though she will be asked to depart from her home momentarily, and wants to avoid any unpleasantness when the new earl arrives.”

“He is not due to arrive for a month or more.”

She shrugged and passed him the note. “Although she addressed the letter to me, I think you should certainly offer it to Arabella. Why Lady Melrose chose me to notify of her plans is baffling, unless she had reason to believe you and Arabella would be taking a wedding trip.”

“Frankly, I don’t know what to make of this. Of course, I won’t have my wife’s mother on the street. But one wonders what the hurry is.” He opened the note and studied it. “It appears she has been notified that the new earl will be arriving much sooner than planned.”

“In any event, I have decided to visit Eugenia and stay until the child arrives.”

He looked up at her, frowning. “That won’t be for many months.”

“Yes. But her country home is much larger than this townhouse. You do not need your mother about, looking over your wife’s shoulder. Arabella needs to find her own way to run the household and should not have to feel as though she needs my permission to change things. It is her house now, and she needs to feel comfortable.”

“So instead you will plague Eugenia,” he said with a smirk.

His mother stood and kissed the top of his head. “But of course. I am her mother. That is my privilege.”

“Much like Lady Melrose has the privilege to plague my wife.” Nash pushed his chair back and stood.

She smiled brightly. “I always knew you were a bright young man.”

“How soon will you leave?”

“I expect to be ready to depart in about two hours. I would like to speak with Arabella first. I don’t want her to think she is chasing me away.” She tapped her chin with her fingertip and studied him. “Despite how things started off, I do believe Arabella will be a good wife for you, Nash. She is older, and you won’t feel the need to guide her every step.”

“I agree. Though the lively visit from her menagerie this morning before I had time to even open my eyes is an issue that needs to be dealt with.”

“Ah, yes. I remember growling and shouting coming from your bedchamber earlier. Cook said someone from Melrose Townhouse delivered the animals this morning.” His mother tried her best to stifle her laughter but did not succeed. “I am sure you will get it all worked out. As I’ve already noted, you are a bright young man.”

…

Arabella entered the kitchen on her way to the breakfast room. “Does anyone know where my dogs are?”

Cook dropped the spoon she was using to stir something over the fire. “My lady! What are you doing in the kitchen?”

“Looking for my dogs?”

“It isn’t proper for you to be here, my lady. You can always send a footman with a note. However, I believe his lordship ordered Macon, one of our footmen, to take them on a morning walk.”

“Thank you.” She left the very flustered cook to resume her duties and continued on to the breakfast room. It appeared her new home was much more formal than the one in which she’d been raised. Although, it did seem Nash employed more servants than her mother had. She had begun to wonder about the depletion of help at their home over the past year or so, but had never questioned it.

Nash sat at the table, his head buried in the newspaper. He glanced up and stood. “Good morning, again.”

Memories of the night before flooded her, giving rise to what she was sure was a very red blush to her cheeks. How could Nash sit there like it was any other morning after the things they’d done? Then she realized, as a man, what they’d done the night before was nothing special to him, since he no doubt had bedded many other women. Her spirits drooped at that realization, hoping he hadn’t found her wanting, compared to others. Shaking off her despondent mood, she moved to the table loaded to groaning with an array of breakfast foods. “Everything looks delicious.”

“I had no idea what you preferred for breakfast, so I had Cook prepare several items. If there is anything else you enjoy, I will have Cook add it to the breakfast list.”

“No, this is fine. Truly, wonderful.” She filled her plate with eggs, toast, an orange, and bacon. Once Nash pulled out her chair for her and she sat, he waved at the footman. “Bring some hot tea for her ladyship.”