Page 32 of To Claim the Long-Lost Lover
She shuddered. If her father and grandfather had decided to make her a widow, if she had been presented with Nate’s body, would she have been strong enough to stand out against them? In those early days, she had been sure he would return; certain that he loved her and that love would conquer everything.
She smiled at the thought. And now it seemed she had been right.
Nate did not look convinced. “What you and Elias went through... I should have been here to help you, Sarah. To support and love you.”
“You are here now. And I want to know all about you, Nate. Where have you been? What have you done? What made you decide to become a doctor?”
Conversation had been easy for them from the beginning, and today Sarah found that hadn’t changed. He answered those questions and asked his own, which led to more questions from them both, as the minutes flew by.
Nate drove them into the far reaches of Hyde Park, away from the fashionable carriage way. Two of her uncle’s guard kept pace at a distance, but didn’t disturb them. However, they were not entirely left alone. They were interrupted frequently by acquaintances wanting to greet Sarah and stare at Nate.
Still, they had each related the major elements of their separate journeys to this place and time when the sun touched the horizon and they woke up to the fact that the day was over and cold night was approaching.
Nate turned the horses for the gate nearest to Winshire House, and set them trotting, and the guard closed in to follow. “May I see you again tomorrow, my love?” Nate asked.
Long ago, Sarah had thrown her heart over the moon, and run off to marry Nate. For years, she’d mourned that decision, believing he’d played her false. But it wasn’t true. He had been trustworthy then; he was trustworthy now. It was time to take another leap in faith.
“If Uncle James is free tonight, do you think Lady Lechton would mind two more for dinner? I think we should discuss our plans to announce our marriage.”
The horses checked as Nate tightened his hands, turning to her with such joy and heat in his eyes that she nearly threw herself into his arms, and only refrained because she looked behind her at that moment and saw the guardsmen, and other riders, heading home in the gathering dusk. They were in a public place, but soon enough, they would be alone. Her centre melted at the thought.
“It is time, do you not think?” she asked.
“I promised to wait until you are ready,” he reminded her, setting the horses back into an easy pace towards the gate. His voice vibrated with delight as he added, “And if you are ready, my love, I can only thank God for it, for I cannot sleep or think for wanting you.”
* * *
The dinner went well, Sarah thought. Lord Lechton was beside himself with glee at the sudden expansion of his family, and in the mood to be expansively hospitable. The others at the table had to intervene several times to keep him from talking about the marriage and Elias in front of the servants.
When the last course was served, Nate stepped in, suggesting that they dismiss the servants for the time being, and Lechton leapt at the notion. “Yes! Yes indeed, my boy. Barker, that will be all. We shall serve ourselves. I will let you know when you can clear!”
The butler bowed and ushered the footmen from the room, shutting the door behind them, and the true business of the evening began.
“When shall we announce the marriage?” Lechton demanded. “Can I meet my grandson tomorrow? You shall move in with us, Lady Bentham. We have the room, do we not, Lady Lechton? My grandson shall like sharing a nursery with his aunts.”
Uncle James took the conversation in hand, before Nate could speak the hasty words Sarah could see on his tongue. “You will wish Elias to be accepted as your legitimate grandson with as little scandal as possible, Lechton, so we shall proceed with caution this week, sowing the seeds. We shall make the formal announcement at a ball I shall hold at Winshire House at the end of the week. I have already written to my sister and sister-in-law asking them to come to London to give the young couple their support.”
Lechton took a gulp of his wine as he thought about that. “Yes. Yes, of course, Your Grace. I see your point.”
Sarah tried the same calm, firm tone to address the other issue. “Nate and I have not yet discussed where we will live, Lord Lechton, but we will, of course, enjoy visiting family.”
Lechton dismissed her remark with an airy wave. “You are my son’s wife. You will live with me, of course.”
“No,” Nate said. Just that. Nothing more.
Lechton purpled. “Now look here, Bentham.”
Nate put up a hand in a stop gesture. “We will not require your support, if that is your concern. And our living arrangements are not up for discussion, my lord. Sarah and I will make our own decision.”
“I agree,” Uncle James said. “You have lost seven years together, and your families owe you their support to live your lives in the way you choose.”
Lechton subsided at that, and Uncle James moved smoothly to discussing what activities the Benthams, as he called Sarah and Nate, might engage in during the next few days.
By the time they left the dining table, Sarah and Nate had agreed that they would talk to Elias together the next day, and introduce him to Lord and Lady Lechton afterwards. They would attend the Opera in the Duke of Winshire’s box tomorrow night, and ride in Hyde Park each day for the rest of the week.
Further, at Sarah’s suggestion, she and Nate would visit the Tremaways to explain their history before the announcement at the ball. That should help to make peace between Tremaway and Lechton.
The ball at the end of the week would be a glittering finale to the year. Uncle James was certain they would get excellent attendance, and Sarah didn’t doubt it. Her mother and aunt, and her godmother, the Duchess of Haverford, would see to that.
