Page 79 of Unmasked By a Captivating Lady
She gazed up at the house in wonder. It was a bluestone residence, three storeys high, with rose brambles twisting through the stones. The front door opened, and a butler emerged, followed by the staff, in single file.
She turned back to him. “This…is really our home? We are not just staying here the night?”
He nodded, seemingly delighting in her shock. “It is all ours, my love. I signed the final deeds to the property yesterday.” He gazed at her lovingly. “Do you like it?”
Ara stared back at the house. It was beautiful, and stately, but it wasn’t ostentatious in the slightest. A real country manor home, where they could ride, and hunt, all day if they so desired. A country home that she had always dreamt of. A home where she could keep a hundred horses, if she so desired.
Her eyes filled with tears. He had kept this as a surprise for her, on their wedding day. He had known how much she had longed to stay in Dorset, and secretly planned to buy this house without her knowledge.
She took a deep breath. “It isperfect,” she breathed. “Simply perfect…”
She itched, now, to get inside and explore. Hand in hand, they would run from room to room, delighting in each one. She didn’t care if they weren’t all wonderful. Everything in this house wastheirs.
Her heart leapt as her mind raced ahead. And then they could explore the gardens, and the stables. She could plan everything, exactly how she wanted it. The thought was so exciting that she jumped a little in the carriage seat, clapping her hands together in delight.
Miles laughed. She turned fierce eyes on him, throwing her arms around him, hugging him tightly.
“Thank you, my love,” she whispered fiercely. “Thank you…”
He tilted her chin up, staring into her eyes. “I know that you would never have felt at home anywhere but Dorset,” he said slowly. “And this property is perfect, for both of us. We have at least twenty acres where we can ride, and hunt. Apparently, there is great game in the woods just beyond…”
She blinked back the tears. “Does it have a name?”
He smiled slowly. “It does indeed,” he replied. “You are now the mistress of Wallington House, wife. How do you like it, Lady Comerford?”
“Wallington House,” she repeated slowly, rolling the words around on her tongue. “I like it. I like it very much indeed, Lord Comerford.”
He laughed, taking her hand. “Well, then. Let us cross the threshold and explore our brand new home.” He lowered his voice to a growl. “But that will come later. The first place I am taking you is our new bedroom, wife. We have a bed to christen, after all…”
A shiver swept through her, at his words. They gazed at each other, their eyes burning.
They stepped down from the carriage. The staff were all assembled, and the butler stepped forward, greeting them.
“Lord and Lady Comerford,” he said, bowing. “Welcome to Wallington House. All the rooms are prepared…”
Ara nodded delightedly. Her own house. Her own staff. It was simply too much to take in.
Suddenly, Miles swept her off her feet, into his arms. He stared down at her.
“Ready?” he whispered, his dark eyes luminous.
“Ready,” she whispered back.
And then, they walked past the staff, towards the front door. Ara thought her heart would surely burst with happiness as they stepped through the threshold, into their own home, for the very first time.
She gazed at her new husband. No, he was not the Duke of Lancaster. He was better, by far. And she had never aimed to bag a duke, after all.
Epilogue
Miles stepped out, into the garden, breathing deeply. This was his favourite part of the day, when he could get out here, walking the grounds.
He gazed around, at the hollyhocks and lavender, blooming with abandon. It was a slightly wild cottage garden that extended for half a mile, rambling in random directions. Ara’s mother had entreated him to tame it, but so far he had managed to resist it. He knew that Ara loved it just the way it was, too.
He took a deep breath. It wastheirgarden. Often, they would meander for hours within it, smelling the flowers, hand in hand. He smiled. It was like their six month old marriage was one long honeymoon, still.
His smile widened. Often, they would stay longer in bed of a morning than they were supposed to, as well, exploring each other’s bodies, for just a little bit longer. Then they would emerge, flushed and tousled, to begin the day, under the knowing eyes of the staff.
He turned around at the sound of the back door opening. Ara emerged, straightening her hair, refusing to meet his eye. This morning he had left her in bed, in such a stunned languor that she had insisted she could not walk for at least half an hour.
