Page 69 of Sleepless in Saunton
They turned to watch Jane and Tatiana walking up the steps hand in hand to enter the manor, while the stone sentinels on the roof peered down to guard their progress.
“Perhaps I should have attempted to marry. So you might have had brothers and sisters,” Aurora said in a wistful tone.
“Mother, you have done more for me than most in your position. I regret nothing about our lives. As wonderful as it is to unite with the Balfours and the Davises, the Thompsons are a strong family in our own right.”
Aurora took his arm and squeezed it gently to express her approval. Then they followed his betrothed and his daughter into the manor.
After parting ways to freshen up after their travels, Jane and Barclay reconvened in the library where Richard was playing his afternoon game of chess with Ethan, while Tatiana observed their play. The duke was sipping a cup of coffee while contemplating the park bathed in late afternoon light and shadows.
Barclay looked back to the door when Aurora entered, her face lit with joy. He shot her a quizzical look as the duchess and the countess arrived behind her. As theirs was a family gathering to discuss the details of the approaching nuptials, the countess shut the door to the hall so that other houseguests would not wander in to interrupt them.
“Oh, Barclay! I have the most tremendous news.” His mother paused, tears springing into her eyes and her voice thick with emotion. Holding a hand over her mouth, she gestured to the duchess to speak on her behalf.
“I was telling your mother that the duke and I are involved in charitable endeavors in Halmesbury. A close friend of ours manages a foundling home, The Halmesbury Home for Beloved Children, for which His Grace is the primary patron. We provide a home and schooling. For older children, we facilitate vocational training with honest local businesses to help them explore their options. His Grace and I had discussed creating a similar home in London, and your mother has volunteered to direct it. As an architect, I am sure you possess valuable insight about where we might establish a safe haven.”
Aurora was ready to speak. “The Thompson Home for Beloved Children, in honor of your grandmother.”
Barclay’s hand rose to rest over his heart, which chimed with sheer happiness. He had never thought to assist his mother in creating her own society, rather than suffer the continual rejection of judgmental biddies. It was perfect. His mother would realize her own dream on behalf of the parent who had stood by her side when she had erred. “I will help in any way I can. I know Tsar will be delighted to assist.”
Sophia spoke up from the seat she had taken near Richard, addressing the duchess. “Annabel, you and the duke are being so formal. I think it is time to relax the formalities.”
The duchess chuckled. “It is a force of habit, I am afraid. Please, call me by my Christian name,” she said to Barclay.
Halmesbury addressed Aurora from where he stood at the window. “Your agreement to direct the new home is very good news. It was imperative to find a woman with the right character to lead the home. Lady Lewis has a heart of gold, and the skills to manage a household, which is why the home is a success. These days, she has a director to assist her, but she still oversees the home. Miss Tho—” Sophia shot him a look, and the duke corrected himself. “—Aurora, you have the sensitivity to understand the children’s needs, which is precisely what we were searching for.”
Barclay was very pleased. His mother would fulfill her dreams to make a meaningful contribution. Aurora assisted charitable causes in London but had never acquired sufficient status to be entrusted with the type of role she had yearned for.
With the patronage of the duchess, along with the Thompsons’ collective knowledge, the home was sure to flourish. Aurora had been taking care of Tatiana these past two years, but now his daughter would rejoin him on his travels, which would leave his mother with little to do other than manage the Thompson household. A project of this magnitude was an excellent opportunity for her to pursue her passion.
He felt a light touch on his arm, looking down to find that Jane had joined him. “I will help, too, Aurora. Whenever we are in London.” Barclay smiled down at her, lifting his other hand to rest it on hers.
Blazes! He needed to spend some time alone with his betrothed. His loins were demanding it in response to the whiff of strawberries tantalizing his senses.
* * *
Jane had seenBarclay’s passionate glance in the library. And later, when they sat together at dinner, she had observed it again. It caused a quiver in her belly and her blood to heat in response.
Which was why she was not surprised to hear a knock on her bedroom door around midnight. She raced across the room, her feet bare on the rug and wooden flooring, to let him in.
Barclay was exquisite in the low light, framed by the door. He had allowed her to trim his hair before they had left for Rose Ash, and his black waves were now tamed to reveal his tan skin and accentuate his lively brown eyes. He had removed his tailcoat and vest, his linen shirt hanging loose over his breeches and the column of his throat exposed. His feet were bare like hers.
Jane looked back up to find the corners of his eyes creased as he smiled down at her.
She considered herself fortunate to have fallen in love with a man who was several inches taller than her—she liked it because it highlighted their differences. He was tall and hard, while she was willowy and soft against his body.
Jane reached out her hand, which he took, his fingers roughened by work. Pulling him into the room, she shut the door before settling against his chest to laugh up at him while his arms snaked around her to hold her in a firm embrace. “I thought you would never come.”
He chuckled. “I could no longer stay away. Unless you wish to wait?”
Jane shook her head. “We are days from being married, and when we do, the house will be filled with relations under foot. I want my first time with you to be … quieter. More special. I would suggest we go to the grotto, but I do not think it would be very comfortable.”
Barclay pulled a face. “For more than one reason, I am afraid. I prefer this. It has been difficult to steer my thoughts away from when I would finally have you to myself. Waiting for your father’s acceptance and then sleeping alone in your family home while you were mere steps away …”
She blushed, leaning her forehead against his chest, which emanated heat through the thin white cotton. “I … have thought of you, too,” she admitted hoarsely.
Taking her face between his rough palms, he tilted her head back and leaned down for a gentle kiss. Melting warmth spread over her to leave her breathless, her eyelids heavy as they slowly shut so she might revel in his closeness … in his masculinity. Her head bobbed as if she were weary, but it was the opposite. Her body was afire with ambient desire, and she moaned against his mouth. To her delight, he accepted this invitation to slide his tongue between her parted lips and explore her mouth slowly, as if to savor the taste of her.
Tea and mint blended together to awaken her appetite as she kissed him back, matching him move for move until he abruptly pulled away to lean his forehead against hers. Observing he was breathing hard, Jane grinned victoriously. Her man wanted her.
