Summer's Distant Heart - Laura Landon Page 0,39
men have their port. I will return again when you are to join them.”
“Thank you, Hobson,” Lia said, then watched the butler leave. She breathed in a heavy sigh, then turned to her brother. “Would you go through to the study and make sure Frannie has George ready, Miles?”
Miles nodded, then went to the next room where Frannie had been caring for George.
Hunter rose from his chair and walked to the far side of the well-appointed room. He moved past her aunt’s priceless collection of clocks, seemingly unaware of their ominous ticking. From the rigid set of his shoulders and his clenched hands that hung stiffly at his sides, it was obvious that he was as nervous as she was about this evening.
But he shouldn’t be. In the intervening days she had watched him carefully, listened to the beat of his words, experienced the strength of his touch. Each look from him had drawn her closer. Each touch had lifted her further out of fear and into reassurance.
Lia rose from her chair and went softly across the room. When she reached Hunter, he draped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to him. She rested her head on his shoulder.
“I love you, Hunt,” she whispered as she looked up at him.
He cast his eyes downward, then lowered his head and kissed her. “And, I love you.” He kissed her again and she returned his kiss. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”
“Yes, you did, but as I told you the first time, flattery will get you…,” she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, “…anything you want.”
His smile proved to her that hearts could actually melt. Her heart shifted in her breast as he gave a lazy wink. It wrenched from her a silent prayer that this night would go well. For his sake as well as the babe’s. Their futures depended on it.
“And have I told you how very special you are?”
“Yes, but I never tire of hearing it. There’s nothing I want more than to be someone you know you can trust and rely on.”
“Stay by my side, Lia. Tonight and always.”
Lia looked him fully in the face, and found his sincerity untangling a knot that had bound up her heart for years.
He leaned down and kissed her again, then they broke apart when another knock sounded at the door.
“Lady Collinson is ready for you to join them in the drawing room.”
“Thank you, Hobson.”
As if he’d heard the butler, Miles brought Frannie and the babe to join them. Little George was asleep in Frannie’s arms.
Hunter held out his arm for Lia to take and together they walked down the short hallway. Miles and Frannie followed.
When they reached the drawing room, Hobson stepped inside and announced them.
“Lord Hunter Montclaire and Miss Amelia Halloway.”
There were several small gasps, then everyone turned to look at them. Aunt Mildred stepped over to them. “I’m not sure you know everyone,” she said to them, “so let me introduce you.”
Aunt Mildred did the honors and introduced Hunt and Lia to everyone in the room. Even the Marquess of Trentridge. His eyebrows shot upward when Lia was introduced to him. His face reddened at mention of the Halloway name and his lips clamped tight.
“I have formed this gathering tonight for the express purpose of introducing you to my niece, Amelia. She is the daughter of my oldest brother, Charles.”
Everyone was too polite to show anything but kindness or deference to Lady Collinson, and hence to Lia.
“And of course you all know Lord Hunter Montclaire, Earl of Atherton and son of the Marquess of Trentridge.”
Everyone uttered their assent. Yes, they all knew Lord Trentridge’s son.
“Lord Montclaire has something he would like to tell everyone here. Or would you like to do the honors, Amelia?”
“No, Aunt Mildred. This is Lord Montclaire’s news to share.”
“Very well, then. Hunter?” Aunt Mildred gave Hunter the floor.
“Thank you, Lady Collinson.” Hunter took a step forward. “And thank all of you for allowing us to interrupt your gathering. Please sit, if you care to.”
Anyone who had been standing and wanted to sit did so while two footmen walked about the room refilling glasses. As they finished, Hunter began to speak.
Lia watched Hunter face the gathering, squaring his shoulders and lifting his chin—not in superiority, but in determination. Pride welled in Lia from a place that had seemed so bruised of late, and it was so very welcome. This good man had been sorely abused by his father. But