The Bachelor Earl - Darcy Burke Page 0,40

all the way to the entry hall and stopped short. The butler began to help the earl into his great coat while Titus’s stepmother and Nora pulled on their gloves. “You’re going anyway?” Titus asked.

The bitter taste of defeat rushed over his tongue. He’d planned today’s surprise for Nora so meticulously. The rain had tried to ruin things, but after several delays, it was finally going to happen—Nora’s fondest Christmas wish.

Only she wouldn’t be here to receive it.

Realizing this had moved past his ability to control, Titus surrendered. “How long will this excursion take?” Perhaps if they hurried, they would still arrive home in time.

Nora gave him a cool stare. “All day. Don’t let us disturb you.”

“I’ll go,” he said somewhat listlessly.

His stepmother pursed her lips at him. “We don’t want to force you.”

He didn’t say anything, just waited for a footman to fetch his greatcoat and hat.

A few minutes later he joined them outside where the barouche was already waiting. He blinked toward the bright sky. It was an especially fine day. Perfect for a surprise.

Ah well, it would still be a surprise, just not the way he’d conceived it.

He climbed into the barouche and sat beside his wife who refused to look his way.

This was not how he’d envisioned this day at all.

Nora slid a curious glance toward her husband. He looked incredibly disappointed. He really didn’t want to go out today. And here she was forcing this on him. How much fun were they going to have now?

She opened her mouth to tell him what they had planned when the sound of a coach drew her attention. The barouche slowed as the coach came toward them.

The other vehicle eased to a stop beside them in the drive. Nora’s heart stuttered. She recognized that coach.

The door flew open, and her beloved sister, Joanna, popped her head out as the footman rushed to put down the stairs.

“Nora!” Jo cried, her hazel eyes sparkling in the sunlight.

The tears Nora had kept at bay earlier welled in her eyes she stood up in the barouche. “Jo, you’re here.” She could hardly believe it.

The footman opened the door to the barouche and helped Nora down. As soon as her feet hit the earth, she rushed forward and wrapped her sister in a tight hug. Tears tracked down her cheeks, which were pulled taut with the smile that came from her very soul.

When they finally parted, Nora could see that Jo was crying too. “I was certain we wouldn’t be together.” Nora wiped her eyes.

“I was too, until your husband invited me to come.” Jo looked over Nora’s shoulder at Titus.

Nora turned her head and saw Titus watching them with a wide grin. “This is why you didn’t want to leave.” How she loved this man.

He nodded.

Lady Satterfield dashed her fingertips over her eyes. “Well, this is just the loveliest surprise.”

Yes, it was. Or was it? They still had one to go. Nora hugged her sister again and whispered, “Come in the barouche with us, I have a surprise for Titus as well.”

Jo’s eyes glinted with mischief. “You two are inspiring.” She sighed, and Nora detected a bit of envy. Belatedly, she looked toward the coach.

“Your husband isn’t with you?” Nora asked.

Jo shook her head. “No, he didn’t wish to leave the vicarage.” She didn’t sound disappointed in the slightest. There would be time to talk about that. Hopefully she’d be staying for a nice long visit.

“Come,” Nora said, turning.

The footman helped them both into the barouche and soon they were on their way again.

With the addition of Jo, Nora was pushed up against her husband, but there was nowhere she’d rather be. “Thank you,” she murmured. “I understand why you were being awful before.”

He chuckled softly. “I hated every moment of it.”

She beamed up at him. “I love you so very much.”

He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “And I adore you.”

She hoped he still did in a few minutes.

They left the drive and made their way toward the village before veering onto a track that led to one of Titus’s tenant’s houses. She tensed and held her breath as she watched for his reaction.

Dozens of people were clustered about, and their voices rose with cheer as the barouche approached.

“What is this?” Titus breathed.

“We’re going on a Yule log hunt,” Nora said, hoping he would be as happy as he’d made her.

His gaze was fixed on all of the tenants gathered together. His steward stood in the front, grinning. “My father used