Page 68 of Sleepless in Saunton
Exhaling in relief, Barclay decided he needed to be more his customary assertive self. This had been a hell of a week at Saunton Park, but now it was time to revert to his usual state of decisiveness, which had made him the success he was. “Then you find it acceptable if I offer for her? We have discussed it, and we wish to wed.”
Richard stood up to extend his hand to Barclay, which he clasped. With that, his brother hauled him to his feet to embrace him hard. “I would be delighted for Jane to make such a magnificent match. Congratulations, brother!”
While the countess rose to her feet to join them, the duke also stood, leaning over to shake him by his hand. “Congratulations, Barclay. We shall help make arrangements right away.”
Sophia came over to clasp him by the upper arms. Reaching up on tiptoe, she pressed a kiss to each of his cheeks. “I am so happy for our Jane. You are a good man, Barclay.”
It was at that moment that Barclay realized what he had not yet accepted. His family had grown these past few weeks. It was not the four Thompsons versus the world any longer. He had gained brothers and cousins and in-laws. Adversity would present itself in the future, but he and Jane would have many warm relations to stand by their side as they began their new life together. If Natalya had lived to this day, she would have been overjoyed on his and Tatiana’s behalf.
Now all that remained was to meet Jane’s parents and ask her father for permission to wed. Barclay swallowed hard, tension forming in his gut at the realization that he still had one more obstacle to overcome.
How were her parents going to feel about Jane marrying a by-blow? Who worked for a living?
Bloody hell, he hoped Mr. Davis was not too close to him in age.
CHAPTER19
Two afternoons later, Barclay’s carriage drew to a halt in front of Saunton Park. Aurora and Jane stretched their limbs across from him, to prepare for disembarking. They had left for Rose Ash Manor the morning after Jane had accepted his offer. There they had spent the day and evening with Jane’s rambunctious family.
To be fair, it was her younger twin brothers who were the rambunctious ones. Her parents were convivial, and her youngest brother, Thaddeus, was a studious boy. And little Maddie was a sweet delight who had run through the gardens playing with Tatiana, excited to have a girl visiting who was close to her in age.
Beside him, Tatiana opened her sleepy eyes, having fallen asleep against his shoulder. “Are we back at Saunton Park?”
“Yes, little one. We should find something for you to eat.”
She rubbed her flat stomach, which gurgled in response. “I am hungry.”
Barclay smiled down at his daughter. It had been some time since she had been so happy and relaxed as she was during their visit to Rose Ash.
Mr. Davis had graciously given his approval for the match, and Mrs. Davis had helped Jane to pack up her things in trunks, which were now tied to the carriage. There had been tears of joy, nostalgia over the passage of time, and much laughter as her family had celebrated their impending union. Jane had played lively Irish arias on the pianoforte while her family sang and danced with the Thompsons.
Soon the Davises would arrive at Saunton Park for their second wedding this month. He had sent Tsar an invitation to join them while the duke and the earl had been conspiring to arrange a marriage license during the departure to Rose Ash the day before.
“I am glad Maddie is coming to the wedding. I want to show her the grotto,” announced Tatiana.
“With an adult, Tatiana. Do not go down there on your own,” warned Barclay.
“Because of thevodorosli?”
“Yes, little one. The algae is slippery, and the pond looks deep.”
“Will you teach me to swim, Papa? Maddie says she swims at Rose Ash with her brothers, and it embarrassed me to admit I did not know how.”
Barclay grinned down at her, chucking her chin as the footman opened the carriage door and lowered the steps. “You have been cooped up in Town for too long if I have not yet taught you to swim. Perhaps we should ask the earl about a suitable swimming hole while we wait for the house party to end and for all our wedding guests to arrive.”
Tatiana’s eyes shone brightly in the shadows of their vehicle at this news. “Truly?”
“If we are to be discreet, I will join you,” Jane interjected.
Barclay smiled across at his betrothed, still in awe of her beauty. He was having trouble with his sleep, not because he was in mourning any longer, but because his dreams were plagued with desire. The desire to take Jane to his bed and lick every lingering trace of strawberry from her creamy skin.
He shook his head and stood to descend the steps before he could allow his imaginings to run wild. Turning around at the foot of the steps, he assisted Tatiana down, then Jane. His mother disembarked last, an expression of contentment relaxing her face.
“Mother?” He held out his hand.
She smiled as she took hold of his hand to climb down. “You have done well, Barclay. I am pleased to welcome the Davises into our lives. Mrs. Davis is a generous woman, to have taken Ethan and his mother in when they were all alone. They weathered scandal for a boy who was not their own. I can think of no better match, and Tatiana will have aunts and uncles and cousins to support her long after we are gone.”
“We have certainly extended the size of our family considerably. I am delighted that Tatiana now has relations of her own age.”
