“Carrying my bride across the threshold, of course.” He kissed her, then set her back on her feet. “Tomorrow we’ll finalize the staff.”
“We? You mean both of us?”
“Yes, Atkins, my man of business, has prepared a list of suitable applicants and he’s arranged for them to call here in the morning. Of course, if you don’t want to help me choose...”
“I want to. Only...” She bit her lip.
“You’re thinking of the list, and having to sort through character references.”
She nodded.
“I’ll be there, but in any case, the first staff member we’ll decide on is your confidential secretary.”
“A confidential secretary? For me?” It sounded rather intimidating. On the other hand, she couldn’t go running to Emm and Rose for everything.
“Yes, I’ve arranged for her to come first thing in the morning.”
“Her?You mean afemalesecretary?” She’d never heard of such a thing. Every secretary she knew of was male.
He nodded. “I thought you’d be more comfortable with a female. I learned of a lady—the widow of a soldier I knew—who has two little boys and a mother to support. She wouldn’t live in, of course. Her mother would care for the children while she’s at work.” He looked down at Lily. “But if you don’t like her, we’ll find someone else.”
“I’m sure she’ll be perfect. It’s a wonderful idea, Edward, thank you.” Lily flung her arms around him and kissed him, moved by his thoughtfulness and sensitivity. It was the perfect solution to her problem, and it was just like Edward to present it in such a matter-of-fact way.
“Now, let’s have a look at this house.” He glanced around. “It looks—”
Lily put a hand over his mouth. “Don’t say anything. Not until you’ve seen it all.”
His mouth quirked with amusement, but he kept it shut. She led him through room after room, explaining all the changes she’d made. “Now that gas has been fitted throughout, you’ll find it much lighter and more pleasant at night than when you were a child. Aren’t the light fittings elegant? No, don’t say anything.”
She showed him the reception rooms and the library, the only room that was almost entirely unchanged. “I had all the books taken down and dusted, the shelves polished, the furniture repaired where necessary and the walls painted. Nothing else. Except for the gas lighting.” She eyed him anxiously. Galbraith men loved their libraries.
He made a slow tour of the library, then turned to her with a smile. “It’s perfect.”
They went upstairs. “This is my bedroom.” She threw open the door and stepped back. Edward admired the new cream silk wallpaper, the new curtains and the elegant new furniture—not nearly as heavy and oppressive as what had been there before. “I’ve replaced most of the furniture in the house,” she admitted.
“I noticed all that ghastly Egyptian stuff has gone. It frightened me to death as a child. This is all very nice.” He strolled toward the connecting door. “I suppose this is my room.”
“Mmm.”
He opened the door. Lily waited with bated breath as he examined every item in the room: the wardrobe, the tall chest of drawers, the cheval glass, the comfortable leather armchair, the elegant small table where he could write his endless letters...
He didn’t say a thing, just nodded thoughtfully and with apparent approval.
She gave a surreptitious sigh of relief. He hadn’t noticed. “And now I want to show you the upstairs.” She took his arm and tugged him toward the door.
He didn’t move. “There’s something missing.”
“Really?” she exclaimed in surprise. Hoping she wasn’t overdoing it.
“Yes, really. A small matter of a missing bed.”
Lily widened her eyes. “Good heavens, you’re right. I didn’t notice. The men must have forgotten. Or maybe it wasn’t finished. Yes, that will be it. Your bed isn’t yet finished.”
He looked down at her, his eyes dancing with amusement. “I suppose until it arrives, I’ll have to share your bed.”
“Oh, dear.” She tried to look concerned. “You won’t mind, will you?”
He laughed. “You, Madam Wife, are a minx. I expect that missing bed of mine will turn up eventually.”
