Page 51 of Lady Fiona's Tall, Dark Folly
"I will, thank you." Rory strode to the window and looked out upon the lawn. "A lovely house. How long have you lived here?"
"My grandfather bought the land when parcels were first offered and houses constructed. My mother and I live here and not on the main estate while the family solicitor searches for the rightful heir. He is a distant cousin and according to his mother, lives in the state of Massachusetts in the United States. But no one has yet found him."
Rory glanced around at the furnishings and paintings. "A lovely room."
"Much of the furnishings and art I can take from the house. It's ours, free of the entail. I thought I'd leave most of it to the new earl because I had no home of any size to use it, but now..."
"Bring what you wish, Fee. Anything!"
"Won't your mother and your sister wish to keep their home as it is?"
"You will be countess there, my love."
She shook her head. "I would not change your home, Rory."
"You've the right."
"Ah, but not the need to create family tensions."
"I admire your discretion, darling." He snapped his fingers. "But I tell you, I've got a good idea. I inherited land in Brighton along the shore. I like the sea. It clears my mind of things I'd prefer to forget. We'll build a summer house there and you will fill it as you wish. With your treasures or new ones. What do you think?"
She walked into his embrace and sighed against his chest. "The finest treasure I seek to fill it with is you."
He gave a laugh. "I'd say you are easy to please."
She pulled back in his arms and grinned. It was the first sign of pleasure he'd seen since he'd made love to her two nights ago.
"I will do anything to have you smile at me like that every day of my life."
She kissed him then, a passionate press of her lips to his.
He left an hour later, eager to go and even more eager to return and make her his.
