Bernadette grinned. She’d noticed a particularly delicious gateau in the window. She nodded. “Yes, please. A slice of thehazelnut cake.”
Nicholas, smiling back, placed the order, taking three slices of cake—one for Judy, as well. Judy, still apparently fascinated by the newspaper, appeared not to have heard anything they said.
They chatted as they waited for the tea and cake to arrive. Nicholas mentioned that his mother and Lord Aldford were considering taking a trip to Bath. Bernadette smiled.
“How nice. I imagine it is very beautiful there.”
“It must be,” Nicholas agreed, tilting his head. “You know...I feel sure we have a residence not too far from there. A small one, little more than a cottage for hunting. But I am certain we do. I’ll have to ask Grandfather about it, when he decides he’s in a state to talk with me.”
Bernadette raised a brow, but even the talk of Lord Lockwood could not dampen the spark of excitement she felt. Could he mean what she thought?
They chatted a little longer over tea. Bernadette sampled the cake, shutting her eyes at the delicious, sugary sweetness; the hazelnut and cream a sweet, delicate flavor to enjoy.
“Shall we walk to the park after tea?” Nicholas inquired as he stirred his tea. Bernadette nodded at once.
“Yes, please,” she agreed.
Nicholas settled the payment for the tea, then they walkedslowly out of the tea-house and down into the street. It was sunny and warm outside, and Bernadette smiled, feeling the warmth on her skin and smelling the sweet floral scents of springtime flowers drifting over from the park. It was a beautiful day and she walked beside Nicholas, her arm through his, enjoying every second of it.
“You know,” Nicholas murmured as they walked down the long, expansive pathways in Hyde Park. “I have a nice plan for the coming week. I hope you’ll like my idea.”
“I’m sure I will,” Bernadette said softly in reply.
Judy, behind them, looked away in rapt interest as they reached a bench and sat down. If she was listening to anything, she had a wonderful talent at keeping a straight face, because she showed no expression at all as they talked. Bernadette smiled and laughed, her soul soaring.
They both agreed it was a wonderful idea.
Epilogue
Bernadette looked up from her copy of theGazettewhere it rested on the low wooden table near the bench. She smiled up at Nicholas, who leaned back, eyes closing contentedly in the warm late spring sunshine.
“You know, I find it makes no difference,” Bernadette said slowly. It was a revelation, but one she found to be absolutely true.
“I am of exactly that opinion,” Nicholas agreed warmly. “I couldn’t care less what they think, and I am sure you don’t, now, either. Not that I think you ever did,” he added with a smile.
Bernadette tilted her head on one side, thoughtfully. “You know, I’m not sure of that,” she answered rather slowly. “I think I did care, before. But now that I know you, I couldn’t care less for what anyone else thinks of us.”
Nicholas chuckled. “I agree with you entirely.”
Bernadette felt her heart race as he enfolded her hand in his. She smiled, cheeks blazing with delicious warmth. She knew that she should have become used to his close contact by now, but, strangely, her tingles of longing and excitement had only intensified in the weeks since they were wed. She could barelylook into his eyes without her body flooding with warmth.
“I always admired that in you,” Nicholas said slowly as they sat there. “Your ability to look away from them, to turn your back on society and hold your head high. I noticed that from when we met, you know.”
“You did?” Bernadette blinked at him in surprise.
“Yes. You were never like everyone else. You didn’t judge me, ever. Even when all those around you did. You are not one for following popular opinion.”
“You too,” Bernadette teased him gently.
“Yes. I suppose,” Nicholas agreed slowly. He tilted his head. “Though I think I always cared what people thought. Their judgement of my looks always hurt.”
“You are a beautiful man,” Bernadette said firmly, delighting in her chance to tell him. She’d longed to tell him from shortly after they met, but the first time she’d said it she’d almost died of shame. Now, she looked into his eyes and felt her heart lift anew with the joy of being able to say those words aloud.
“You are a dear woman,” Nicholas said warmly, reaching up and resting a hand on her soft brown hair. “A dear and beautiful one, if I may say so. Most lovely and beautiful.” He pulled her close, his lips finding hers. Bernadette felt her body flood with heat, cheeks blazing with desire and shy joy in the magic of his kiss.
She leaned back as he moved back too, her breath gasping inher throat.
“Did they mention the coach too?” Nicholas asked as she folded the newspaper where it lay beside her on the chair. She frowned.
