Page 67 of A Naughty Proposal for His Winter Countess
“A little of both,” Daniel replied, trading the cup she handed to him with the letter. “I've rewritten it a dozen times and this is the best version to date.”
Harriet took the papers and read over them. He saw her brows dart up at a section, and her fleeting grimace at another. When Harriet finished, she quietly made her tea.
“You've written it well but your hurt and anger jump off the page,” Harriet said. “It's understandable, and she should know that. At the end, I'd add a plea for her to help you forgive her by explaining it all. Then sign your name. You have no attachment to her, so any platitudes you could place would ring empty and hypocritical.”
She was right; there was no connection between him and his mother and any attempt to fabricate one would be laughable. “I assumed the same.”
Biting into a savory sandwich, Daniel kept his admiration to himself, but he was sure Harriet saw it on his face. “How is your sister in all this?”
“I'd say, happy,” Harriet replied. “She knows I'm going to be provided for and that I'll be content, but I think she still believes me to be unable to run a home. After Father left, t'was her and Emma that took care of it, giving me freedom to be educated and not worry about household duties. Despite their control, I still learned a few things.”
“About that,” Daniel said. “I never thought that I'd need a bigger home, as the one I have now is suited to a bachelor. I can find us a more suitable home, perhaps as grand as Carrington; enough for your privacy and mine.”
Placing her cup down, Harriet shifted to rest her hands on his thigh, “That's very generous of you, but you don't have to go out of your way for me. I'm perfectly fine with your home. If, over time, certain circumstances demand that we find a large home, we will.”
Curious, Daniel covered her hand, “And what circumstances would those be?”
A warm, rosy flush took her cheek, “Erm, children, I suppose.”
“You've thought of children?” Daniel said.
Her slim shoulders lifted, “It's inevitable, isn't it. Marriage leads to children.”
“If that is the case, where is your gaggle of nieces or nephews?” Daniel teased.
“God hasn't fashioned them perfectly enough yet,” Harriet tossed her head. “It's only the best for us, naturally.”
“Naturally,” Daniel smiled. Plucking her hand off his thigh, he kissed her palm. “Just as artlessly wonderful as you are.”
She shifted her hand to brush over his cheeks, “Finally, you flatter me.”
Daring, Daniel leaned a little closer and touched his lips to her neck, just below the line of her jaw. When he pulled away, a patch of gooseflesh rose on her skin.
Close enough, Harriet brushed her nose over his cheek, and whispered, “You dare seduce me in my home,” she whispered while slipping a hand up his thigh, “what a fearless rogue you are.”
Daniel husked, “Not completely fearless, Minx. I am glad that we didn’t get caught last night. I, for one, will not be tempting fate.”
Pulling away, with a laugh, Harriet reached for her cooling cup of tea. “Prudent decision.”
“Harriet? Harriet Dear?” Miss Johnson's voice preceded her before the older woman shuffled into the room. By that time, a decent three feet of space was between him and Harriet.
“There you are, Dear,” Miss Johnson said and dipped her head to him, “Good day, Lord Barkley; so very pleased to see you. Harriet, Martha is ready to see about your dress.”
Surprise widened Harriet's eyes, “That's today? It slipped my mind!” Snapping her head to Daniel, his expression was rife with regret. “I'm sorry, I never remembered.”
Shaking his head, Daniel stood, “I'm not offended. Please, go with your aunt and sister. It's probably best for me to go back to London as well.”
Relief shown on Harriet's face, “Are you coming with Martha and I, Aunt?”
“That's why I'm here, Dear,” Aunt Barbara replied. “I'll be in the front room, waiting.”
After sharing an embrace, the matron left, leaving Harriet and Daniel alone. Taking her hand, the one adorned with a ring he had once meant to use as a trick, he rested it over his heart. He felt pleased that the ring was going to be permanent on her hand.
“Wear the necklace as well,” he said.
She gave him a sassy look, “Oh, I see what it is. You want to parade me in your things, mark me even.”
“My marks, Sweetheart, wouldn't be just on your hand, or around your neck,” Daniel replied mildly. “Just wait until I get you in my bed.”
