Autumn's Wild Heart (Seasons #4) - Laura Landon Page 0,28
friends and mine to form friendships they weren’t expecting to form.”
“That was purely accidental, you know. I am not responsible for their friendships. We both are. You because you had the good taste to consort with such agreeable fellows. And me, because my two best friends are the most wonderful people on earth and thankfully your friends are wise enough to realize it.”
Her husband tipped his head back and laughed heartily enough that the two couples in front of them turned to see what was so funny.
“You are quite remarkable, Nella.”
She hugged his arm closer. “There is nothing remarkable about me. Don’t ever think there is.”
“And why not.”
“Because whenever you fool yourself into believing there is, something will happen to force you into defending me.”
He stopped walking and this time Nella was forced to stop, too.
“Don’t,” he said in a tone that was closer to an order than a request.
Nella regretted what she’d said. It made her appear self-loathing and that wasn’t what she wanted him to think. She didn’t pity herself. She was used to being the wallflower. She was used to sitting quietly on the sidelines while all the females were asked to dance, or take a turn around the room. No, she didn’t pity herself. Quite the opposite. He was the one she pitied. And he deserved all her pity and more.
“Have I told you what I have planned for tomorrow?” she said in an effort to change the subject.
He went along with her change of topics. “No, what are your plans for tomorrow?”
“You and the other men will have to rest well tonight, for tomorrow afternoon I have arranged for all of us to go sailing.”
“Sailing?”
“Yes. Covey has found three boats he has assured me we can use to sail about the lake. Should the wind not cooperate, you and your friends will do the rowing. Meanwhile, I and my friends will hold parasols over our pretty heads and recline against a hundred pillows while you show off your muscular prowess.”
“Delightful,” he said on a laugh. “You are truly delightful.”
Nella looked at him and smiled. No one had ever told her before that she was remotely delightful.
Just as no one had ever laughed with her instead of at her.
Chapter 9
One day turned into two, then two into four and before he knew it, one whole week had gone by. James could scarcely believe it, nor could he remember a time when he’d felt so relaxed, so filled with good cheer, so…cared for. Nella had something special planned for each and every day, and in her subtle way, she always managed to make it look as if he had orchestrated their adventures. He wouldn’t be surprised if she suggested he even orchestrated the marvelous weather.
One day, however, they’d had to cut their outdoor activities short when a raincloud interrupted their croquet match, which was a good thing, considering Nella and her friends were trouncing James and his friends.
But that hardly mattered. The men gathered around the billiard table, showing off for the women and challenging each other in several entertaining games while they drank James’s most smoldering brandy.
That evening, Nella entertained them again at the piano, and the talented Lady Rosamonde serenaded them with her rather saucy mezzosoprano. She had a lovely voice and Lady Patricia was even coaxed into singing a popular duet while Nella accompanied them.
It was engaging, and a far cry from the rather raucous entertainment in which his gentleman friends usually engaged—in this very same room. Tonight, James felt certain he had never heard anything quite so pretty yet laced with so much humor.
When the entertainment was finished, James stood. “There’s a full moon tonight, my friends. Who will join me in the garden for a look at it?”
Without the slightest hesitation, the other five paired easily and followed him onto the terrace. He noted how casually Nella tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow, and he suddenly loved the ease and rightness of it. He drew his other hand across to gather her tucked hand with his fingers.
“So what’s on the agenda for tomorrow, wife?” he asked as they were walking down the pebbled path.
“If the weather is agreeable, I thought we’d go for a carriage ride in the afternoon. The girls want to see the shop at that wonderful glass manufactory just beyond the village. Then, in the evening, we’ll put a fire in the library and play whist. How does that sound?”
“Perfect. Candleton and Pomeroy just mentioned today