Page 41 of A Marriage of Convenience with a Rake
A chilly breeze ruffled the leaves of the late-flowering creeper that bloomed on the terrace wall. Eleanor shivered and stood up.
“I’ll return in a moment,” she said, and hurried indoors. She went down to Sebastian’s bedchamber, where she had her shawl, and, more importantly, where she had noticed a small, fluffy rug of the sort one could use to warm one’s knees in a coach. She lifted it off the back of the chair where it reposed and carried it outside with her.
“Here,” she said to the Marquess, throwing it over his knees and settling it to cover his legs. “It’s too cold outside.”
“Oh, you are a dear,” the Marquess said with a chuckle.“Sebastian! This young lady needs something to be a mother to. She’ll turn me into an enormous baby if we give her a chance. She needs some children of her own.”
Eleanor looked at her hands, her cheeks flaming with awkwardness. She knew it was natural for him to assume that she and Sebastian had...had...but still, after the night they had spent sleeping side-by-side, it was a little too uncomfortable.
She risked a glance upwards, and Sebastian’s grin lit her heart. He was smiling at his father, nodding with evident amusement.
“Yes, Papa. I agree. She does.”
Eleanor swallowed hard. She had thought Sebastian might be angered by his father’s inappropriate comment, and she glowed. He wanted that too! Or, even had he not said it directly, he certainly had not gainsaid it.
She reached for her teacup, desperate for a distraction.
Beside her, Sebastian reached for a pastry, his hand moving close to hers.
“Would you like to go for a walk about the grounds after breakfast?” he asked her softly. His gaze was warm, and her heart raced. “I would like to see how the garden has progressed.”
“I would be pleased to have a walk later,” she murmured softly.
“Good.”
Eleanor blushed as he gazed at her. He was sitting very close, his hand resting beside hers on the table. She recalled his closeness at night, the warmth of him under the covers. She glowed with a delicious feeling of naughtiness, and she heard a chuckle.
“My son, dear Miss Eleanor,” the Marquess addressed them smilingly. “I have breakfasted well. I think I will retire to my chamber for a moment. I wish you a pleasant turn about the grounds.”
“Papa...” Sebastian murmured, but the Marquess was already standing up.
“I’ll see you two before luncheon,” he replied, walking slowly and carefully to the door. “I might take a turn about the grounds as well. I want to see this garden for myself.”
“Good,” Sebastian said with a smile.
“We will see you soon,” Eleanor added.
The Marquess grinned and walked slowly out.
At the door, he turned. “You know,” he said, looking at both of them. “I had a thought. It’s high time we had a celebration here at Ramsgate. It has been far too long since merriment was heard in these halls. And besides, you young ones haven’t had a ball here yet. Something must be done to introduce you both to all the local families. No, we shall simply have to have a ball. And it’s up to you, young lady, to organise it.” He beamed at Eleanor.
“Me...?” Eleanor flushed. She did know it was the lady of the house who would organize any such celebrations, but she had never had to organize a ball before. Despite Papa’s wealth, Woodford was not a large house with an expansive ballroom, and, even had it been, her parents were reluctant to hold balls and parties, not being themselves of the nobility.
“I would help you,” Sebastian said instantly.
Eleanor beamed at him. “That’s very kind,” she said softly. She flushed as his gaze held hers. Ever since the night she had slept beside him, she had found it hard to look at him without her heart racing or her body flushing with heat. Sharing the intimacy of dinners and luncheons together was one thing, but they had entered a new sphere of intimacy by sleeping in the same room and she felt awkward and filled with a delicious shyness each time she looked at him. He smiled back, his eyes warming, and she swallowed hard. She could not tear her gaze away.
“So,” The Marquess commented from the doorway. “That’ssettled. We must celebrate your union. Now that it is arealunion, so to speak. We must celebrate.”
“Papa...” Sebastian reddened, his face flushing with indignation. Lord Ramsgate beamed.
“I will see you at luncheon, young fellows.”
Eleanor went bright red. Had he been speaking to the servants? They were the only people in the household who would know that she had not slept in the chamber she was using in the guest-quarters that night. How else did he possibly know? She glanced at Sebastian, but he was laughing.
“My father,” he sighed. His eyes sparkled. “But he does have a point.”
“Sebastian!” Eleanor shrieked, laughing with shy delight. “Well...I suppose. But I will be very tired over the next few days. I have a ball to plan, you know. And that’s a great deal of hard work!”
