“No. But it will always be forus.” He hugged her close to his chest and wondered exactly when it wasthat he had fallen in love with her.
TWENTY- SIX
“Happy Birthday.”
Alexandra looked up from her tea andtoast in surprise. The knife holding the apple butter hovered above herplate. She had forgotten about her birthday, forgotten about everythingexcept her newfound happiness with Sutton. Gray Covington was only aday’s ride from London, but the estate felt a lifetime away. The monthsince her wedding to Sutton had been the happiest of Alexandra’s life.Marriage suited her, and she wondered why she’d once resisted it sofiercely. At least being married to Sutton suited her. Herloss of independence was a small price to pay to belong to the gorgeous man whosat across from her making his way through a plate of eggs and bacon. Sheawoke everyday in a state of bliss.
“Thank you.” She smiled back athim, noting with pleasure the wave of inky black hair that brushed hisshoulders. The earring hid in the shining locks, but she could see thetiny figure in her mind’s eye. She would never tire of looking atSutton. It was like having a beautiful painting by Rembrandt or Titiancome to life. Albeit one that teased her, argued with her and made loveto her with such startling intensity, Alexandra often thought she would diefrom sheer lust.
“You are most welcome, wife.”
“A bit smug aren’t you? How did you findout?” She tried to sound nonchalant, but her heart thudded with fear. Hadhe written to Mr. Meechum, the Dunforth solicitor without her knowledge?Had Mr. Meechum told Sutton the Dowager purchased Helmsby Abbey, and Alexandraheld the deed? She watched her husband carefully, but his expressionremained playful.
“I have my ways, Badger.”
“Definitely very smug for aPeacock.” She teased him back as a flood of relief mixed with guiltflooded through her. Alexandra did not yet have the courage to tell himthat the Dowager gifted her with Helmsby Abbey upon their marriage.Sutton advanced her funds to take care of the servants there, find them newemployment or bring them to Gray Covington. Alexandra assured him shetook care of everything. It wasn’t completely a lie. She would havemarried Sutton with or without the added enticement of her estate in Hampshire,but she felt sure her husband would not see it that way. She needed totell him. Soon. Would he believe her? Believe that she lovedhim for himself? Sutton never spoke of love to her. Wanting, butnot love.
“Pardon, my lord.” Zander arrivedcarrying a large packet. “The papers, my lord, from London. Thereis also a note from Miss Miranda.” He bowed again to Sutton, then toAlexandra before marching through the doorway.
Sutton pushed the newspapers aside andtore open his sister’s letter. He scanned the fine vellum, his lipstwitching, before he broke into an amused chuckle. He tossed the letterto Alexandra.
“What is it?” She glanced at thenote.
“It seems that without the protection ofher brother, the notorious Satan Reynolds, Miranda is besieged with fortunehunters and other dubious beau. The Dowager is beside herself and took acane to one forward baron who tried to steal a kiss from my sister whilegrandmother wasn’t looking. And, the man smells of castor oil, whichgrandmother finds particularly offensive. Miranda claims the castor oil,and not the attempt at stealing a kiss, is what truly incensed Grandmother.At any rate, Miranda begs us to return as soon as we are able in order to guardher virtue.”
Alexandra scanned Miranda’s neathandwriting. She could clearly imagine the Dowager threatening the youngbaron with a cane. She missed Miranda. Her eyes dropped to the nextparagraph. “It seems that the only man in all of London your sisterwishes to pursue her is the only one who has not called on her in yourabsence.”
Sutton scoffed. “Tasterly.What does she see in that man?”
“You should make an effort to know himbetter. He fears you, and your sister is quite taken with him.”
“I do not care for the man. I am sure hehas affection for Miranda, likely magnified by the size of her dowry. Heis a fortune hunter. Tasterly needs to make an excellent match as he hasfrittered away a large part of his inheritance.”
“Your sister is an intelligentwoman. If Lord Tasterly is only after her money, Miranda will figure thatout on her own.”
“It is my duty to protect her.” Theangelic face took on a stubborn tilt. Sutton was a bit overprotective ofhis sisters, and with good reason. But Miranda chafed under Sutton’srestrictions. She would assist her friend when she and Sutton returned toLondon.
London. She had no desire to everreturn. Country living suited her much better. The fear of seeingher uncle or Mr. Runyon paralyzed her, even though Sutton assured her he tookprecautions. She also did not want to face society yet.
While the talk of the ruination ofAlexandra Dunforth, and the circumstances surrounding it died down, it had notdisappeared. Sutton and Alexandra had yet to make an appearance inLondon. This set the tongues wagging in theton. Some saidthey doubted any marriage took place. Then of course, there was the issueof Helmsby Abbey.
Sutton deftly sliced open anotherenvelope.
Alexandra noticed the spidery hand of theDowager. She watched his eyes deepen to a dark green, narrowing as heread.
“My stepmother has been busy.Gossiping and gambling, with Herbert Reynolds on her arm. She plays themartyr well, telling everyone who will listen about her reduced circumstances.”Sutton folded the letter but kept it firmly in his grip.
Reduced circumstances? Sutton hadbeen far more generous to Jeanette than even Alexandra felt necessary.Sutton purchased his stepmother a smaller, fashionable town home, staffed toher specifications, and had given her a generous allowance.
“Herbert is covering her debts it seems.”
“Perhaps she cares for him.”
The green gaze swung to her. “Shecares for no one but Archie. She never has. Jeanette possesses notone redeeming quality.”
Alexandra did not contradict her husband.One night, after a particularly delightful dinner, Alexandra made the mistakeof asking Sutton about his childhood. She simply wanted tounderstand. Sutton refused to meet her eyes, as he described the depth ofJeanette’s emotional manipulation while he was a child. How theabuse intensified as she failed to produce a male heir. Of his father’swrenching guilt when Robert Reynolds realized what was happening. Thankgoodness the Dowager returned to London at the birth of Miranda, or Suttonwould likely hate women altogether.
“What could Jeanette possibly gain frommarrying Herbert? You’ve told me that your distant relation is a wealthylandowner who rarely comes to London. He is a country squire.Whatever would Jeanette want with him?”
