Autumn's Wild Heart (Seasons #4) - Laura Landon Page 0,30

and kissed her on the cheek.

Her heart wanted to leap for joy when he showed her just that little display of affection. It was everything she’d wished for.

“Join our guests, James. I’ll be there in a moment.”

“Very well.”

And he left.

Nella drank her tea and ate a bite of dry toast. By the time everyone was ready to leave, she felt much better.

She wasn’t sure what she’d eaten the night before to upset her stomach so, but she vowed never to eat it again.

~■~

James watched Nella as they rode in the open carriage. Her two friends were with her while he, Candleton, and Pomeroy rode their horses.

“What is that?” she asked from the carriage.

James rode closer. “What is what?” he asked.

“That stone wall over there.” Nella pointed to the only remaining wall of a crumbling structure.

“It’s part of the old stone quarry. They cut squares for the original part of Colworth Abbey here and hauled them to the manor house.”

“And what is that?” she asked, pointing to a small cottage.

“That’s where the overseer of the quarry lived. It’s been vacant for years now, though.”

“Might we go inside?” Lady Patricia asked.

“If you wish. But no one’s been there for years so I can’t guarantee what it looks like inside.”

“That’s all right,” she said, prompting James to order the driver to take them to the cottage.

“Oh, look,” Nella said when they entered the small cottage. “Are you sure no one’s been here for a long time?”

“I didn’t think so, but perhaps someone has. Or at least they’ve been here to tidy up.”

“Yes, I think you’re right,” Nella said. “What a sweet getaway this would make. I think I could even paint here!”

James lifted her hand and kissed it. “Then paint away, my dearest. Paint to your heart’s content.”

Laughter bubbled up as a welcome tingle traveled up her arm.

My dearest. He’d called her his dearest. A kiss on the hand and sweet words. The moment seemed as near to paradise as Nella had ever been.

“Come along, you two lovebirds,” Rosamonde sang as she swept out the door. “I want to see that glass factory!”

After leaving the small house they toured the rest of Colworth Abbey and spent a fascinating hour at the factory. There was so much to see they barely made it home in time for luncheon.

“Oh, Nella,” Rosamonde gushed when they returned to the manor house. “Those hills were beautiful. I can tell you’ve already found a dozen more scenes to paint.”

Nella looked at her husband and smiled. “More than I’ll have time to paint in this lifetime. This has to be the most beautiful area in all of England. And just imagine how it will transform in the spring and summer. I’ll never have enough paints to complete the scenes I want to put on canvas.”

“Are you short on paint, Nella?” James asked.

They’d gone into the drawing room and were enjoying a few quiet moments before luncheon was served.

“Don’t you know,” she teased, “artists are always short on paint. Like readers are always short on books and embroiderers never have the right color of thread.”

Everyone laughed. James was reminded again that his wife had a wonderful sense of humor and he loved anticipating what bit of whimsy might come from her next.

“Then I have an idea. If you’d like.”

“What?” she asked, the excitement evident on her face.

“What if we took a short walk after lunch and went into the village. You can stock up on paints, then you and your friends can visit the bookshop while the men and I go to the Tobacco Shoppe. I’m running low on pipe tobacco.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Nella said when she looked at the excited expressions on her friends’ faces.

That is just what they did. After lunch, they all walked to the village.

James was glad that he’d had the foresight to have the carriage follow them to Siding Cross. Not to transport the females, who he thought might need a ride back, but to carry all the items they’d purchased.

He looped his wife’s arm through his and walked with her as they returned home.

“Thank you,” she said when they were on their way.

“For what?”

“For…everything. For making this day possible. For buying me a necklace I didn’t need but love nonetheless. For making my friends feel so welcome. For…”

She lifted her gaze and James suffered from the most exhilarating effect when she smiled at him. It was as if a rush of molten warmth wrapped around his heart. As if he was consumed by a joy