Page 21 of A Lady's Wager
“Oh, good, you have already dressed,” Melinda cried, still in a dressing gown and sleeping cap. She bounced over, smoothing down the white skirt of Corah’s chemise dress. “It’s perfect. You look so fine in this one.”
“What has got into your head?” Corah swatted her hands away. “Why do I need to be dressed?” She wasn’t usually dressed this early, but she hadn’t been able to sleep and thought she might as well ring for Jemima.
Melinda pressed her fists to her cheeks as though trying to contain the peel of giggles erupting from her. “He’s here.”
She could only mean one person with this much giddiness. “Who is here?”
“The lieutenant, of course.” She grabbed Corah by the arms and shook her. “And there is only one reason he could be here this early in the morning. He must have been absolutely mad last night after spending all day with you. Couldn’t sleep a wink.” She threw her arms around Corah, squeezing her so tightly that she couldn’t breathe. “And now he knows he cannot live another day without you, so he has come to ask Grandfather for your hand, and—”
“Melinda, you’ll smother me,” Corah squeaked. Though she might have been out of breath from the idea of Derrick speaking to her grandfather.
Her cousin released her to hop up and down on the rug. “Miss Whiting said if a man comes to your house before breakfast, it can only mean an offer of marriage. That is theonlything.”
Corah tried to bite down a smile, but the light in her chest would not be subdued. “That is not the only reason.” But Miss Whiting did have a point. It was very early for a simple social call.
Melinda grasped Corah’s hands. “Go. The footman was guiding him to the sitting room. If Grandfather hasn’t taken him back to the study, you might have a moment to hear the news from him first. Oh, hurry! Hurry!”
She did not need to be told twice. Corah rushed to the door, attempting to rein in her excitement, with Melinda on her heels.
“And just wait ’til you see him,” Melinda said. “He’s in his navy coat, gold buttons and all.”
Corah skidded to a halt, stomach plunging. She caught herself on the doorframe. His navy coat. They didn’t usually wear their uniforms while on leave. He’d never worn his while in Bristol, at least not to her knowledge. She tried to find an excusefor why he’d wear it this morning, one that did not fill her with dread. She couldn’t.
“If only all gentlemen wore navy coats,” Melinda said, as though she hadn’t realized they’d stopped. “The navy truly has the most handsome of men.”
“Melinda, would you see if your mother has risen yet?” Corah could barely form the words. “You shouldn’t be seen in this state.”
“Of course, you are right. I’ll fetch Mama and Jemima. Do not let him leave before I have time to congratulate you. Oh, Corie! Married at last.” She continued her babbling as she skipped down the corridor toward Aunt Mary’s room.
Corah turned and trudged to the stairs. Melinda could learn the sad truth later.
She hesitated at the entrance to the sitting room. Yesterday she’d feared his leaving, but now that it had arrived, she couldn’t fathom it. She wrapped her arms around her stomach, steeling herself for the real news.
Derrick stood swiftly when she entered and the gravity in his eyes was evidence enough.
“You’re leaving,” she said, stopping just inside.
He nodded once.
She pressed her arms tighter against her stomach as the ache exploded inside her. All the worry she’d learned to cope with in regard to Richard came surging back in full force. War, illness, accident, shipwreck—there were hundreds of ways for a sailor to not return to his family. Now she had to fear for the lives of two of them.
“Corah, I’m sorry.”
She shook her head, attempting to smile. “This is what you wanted. You needn’t worry about me. I’ll be safe at home.” Heaven only knew where he would be. “When do you leave?”
“Practically this moment, but I had to see you before I caught the mail coach.” He crossed the distance between them and gathered her in his arms. Her eyes burned as she laid her head against his white lapel. The gold buttons pressed against her ear, cold and unmoving. “I’ll never forget these months with you,” he whispered, voice taut.
She wound her arms around him in the warmth between his coat and waistcoat. They didn’t have long if he was to make it to Bristol for the coach to London, but she wanted to memorize each second they had left together. These memories would have to sustain her. “I’ll be here when you return.” He had to return.
His embrace tightened and he nuzzled her cheek. She could feel him swallow under the neat black stock around his neck. “No, Corah. You cannot do that.”
“Why not?” She nearly couldn’t hear her own words.
“I don’t want you to wait. It will be too long. There are too many uncertainties.” His hold on her loosened and he stepped back. His bloodshot eyes wouldn’t meet hers.
“I take no issue to waiting,” she said, catching hold of his waistcoat and not letting him get too far.
“But everyone else in your life does.” He smoothed her hair away from her face. “Including me.”
