The Gift of Love (The Book of Love #8) - Meara Platt Page 0,93
“Congratulations to both of you. I heard the army and navy budgets passed unscathed. I have something for you, Ronan.”
He held out some papers and several sets of keys. “The house is yours. Lady Wellbrook has moved out and is on her way to Bath as we speak. Her furniture is loaded in wagons and will eventually reach her new home, although it will be rough going in this weather. Will you see the house today or wait until tomorrow?”
Dahlia’s eyes widened in delight. “What do you think, Ronan? It isn’t very far from here.”
He chuckled. “Since I doubt I can hold you back, sure. Why not?”
Joshua nodded. “My coachman will have the carriage readied again.”
“That is very kind of you,” Dahlia said. “Would you like to join us in touring the house? And you, Finn? We cannot thank you enough for taking care of this matter.”
“I’ll pass,” Finn said. “Belle will expect me home soon. We’ll stop by one day next week. I’m sure you’ll be there every day to oversee its decoration.”
Holly and Joshua also declined as well. “You should walk through it just the two of you. Besides, Heather will be back soon. She went to Lady Dayne’s tea with Aunt Sophie. It should be ending about now, and I would rather not have her return to an empty house. Besides, she’ll be excited to hear how the Parliament vote went.”
He and Dahlia left shortly afterward.
Climbing into the carriage proved easier than it had this morning. Although he’d already been on his feet far longer than Dr. Farthingale had recommended, there was something uplifting about this day that gave him renewed strength. He might feel the aches tomorrow, but he wouldn’t care then.
In truth, the wonder in Dahlia’s eyes was worth any amount of discomfort. She was so obviously happy, it made his own heart soar. “We’ll just explore these main rooms,” she said, her brow furrowed in concern about his climbing the stairs. “No need to inspect the bedchambers yet. We can do that tomorrow at our leisure.”
She’d brought along her pencils and a sketchbook, and immediately began to make rough drawings of each room. The guest salon, the family parlor, the dining room, the study, the library. But once done with the library sketch, she closed her pad. “We’ve done enough for one day.”
He did not object.
Standing around was far more tiring than walking, and he’d probably done too much of both.
Holly had supper ready for all of them by the time they returned. Heather was back, and he was not surprised to find Robbie seated in the parlor, drink in hand, as he and Joshua discussed the successes of the day.
It was to be just the six of them for supper this evening. Holly’s cook had prepared a hearty stew that the women seemed to peck at, and the men devoured like jungle beasts. Dahlia laughed when he glanced at her questioningly. “If I ate like you, my stomach would explode,” she said with a grin. “I am amazed at the amount of food you are able to shovel inside of you.”
He realized then how different setting up a household with one’s wife would be from living with brothers and a drill sergeant for a mother. A loving mother, of course. But he did not think Dahlia would be smacking him on the head whenever he did something foolish. She would either hold it in or she would spill quiet tears that would rip his heart worse than any smack to the head.
He was still thinking of this a short while later as they retired to their bedchamber. He’d only been thinking of claiming her, not how to go about it. But as she stood by the fire’s glow, removing her pelisse and then sitting on a chair to take off her shoes and stockings, he knelt by her side. “Let me do that for you, Queen Pea.”
She watched, wide-eyed and blushing, as he knelt before her and took off her shoes, setting each one aside.
She eeped as he slipped his hands beneath her gown and slowly slid one stocking off and then the other, also setting each one aside.
“I’ll help you out of your gown,” he said, his voice aching and raw as he lifted to his feet and drew her up along with him. She was still blushing, but he knew she was curious and excited. Her breaths were coming faster now, noticeable by the slight heave of her breasts.