by Meara Platt
“You are being very secretive,” she whispered to him. “What is this all about?”
The door opened before Ronan could reply. “Captain Brayden,” the frail, elderly butler said with a nod and stepped aside to allow them in. “Lady Wellbrook will be down in a moment. She asked me to show you into the winter parlor.”
Dahlia’s eyes widened as she took in the beautiful detailing in the entry hall. The cornices, the niches, the high ceiling, and grand staircase. She was so busy looking everywhere, but where she was going, she bumped into a wall.
“Give me your hand, Queen Pea.” Chuckling, Ronan tucked it securely under his arm and then placed his hand over hers so that he could draw her closer to him each time she was about to walk into something.
She turned to him, giddy with excitement. “I am in love with this house.”
“Good. I hoped you would be. I bought it yesterday.”
She inhaled sharply. “What?”
“Well, it isn’t mine yet. But I put in my offer. Lady Wellbrook has accepted. Now our solicitors are handling the transfer.”
Dahlia’s heart beat faster. “Do you plan to make any changes to the house? The detail work is exquisite, but much of it is lost among the clash of colors. Will you paint the rooms? Oh, forgive me. It isn’t even yours yet. I know it isn’t polite to ask. But this place is quite splendid. How did you come across it? I had no idea you were even looking.”
“I don’t mind your questions. I’m glad you like the house. It’s quite grand, isn’t it?” He shook his head and laughed. “I can see you hold some strong opinions about it.”
“I do,” she blurted.
There was a glint in his eye as he laughed again. “Queen Pea, you look as though you’re about to burst. Do you have any suggestions? I wouldn’t mind hearing them.”
“You wouldn’t?” Her heart was now soaring. “I do, in fact. Would you...that is...could I..., you can tell me to mind my own business...”
He arched an eyebrow. “Are you asking if you can help me decorate this place once it is mine?”
“Would you consider it, Ronan?” She held her breath while awaiting his response. “It would be a dream come true for me.”
“Well, who am I to dash your dreams? The answer to your question is yes. I would greatly appreciate your advice.”
Had they not been in company, she would have thrown her arms around him and possibly kissed him. “Thank you,” she said with a depth of feeling that surprised even herself. But this was exactly what she needed to move beyond Gerald and reclaim a part of herself.
Her hand was still tucked in his arm and covered with his own. “You’d think I had just given you diamonds,” he said with amused affection.
She held him back a moment, feeling happier than she’d been in a long while. “You have.”
“I’m glad then, Queen Pea.”
“This is the best gift anyone’s ever given me.” To allow her to help. Indeed, to value her judgment enough to want her help was a tremendous honor worth far more than any diamonds.
“You are the one helping me out. If anyone has received a gift, it’s me.”
She shook her head in disagreement. “Oh, no. I’m the one who’s been given the gift.”
Heather giggled. “By the way, since you are both feeling quite generous at the moment, I would like to mention that I am quite partial to gifts. Feel free to bestow as many as you wish on me.”
Ronan chuckled heartily. “Duly noted, Heather.”
Lady Wellbrook was a lovely dowager who charmed them all. She was thin and frail, but quite sharp and up on all the gossip. When she mentioned Lady Melinda, Ronan stiffened. “No, I was with Lady Melinda’s father at the House of Lords, not at the theater with her. The account is in error.”
He glanced at Dahlia, as though to tell her, see, this is why I need you.
Then he turned back to Lady Wellbrook. “When not engaged with members of Parliament or attending meetings at the Admiralty, I have been spending my time with Miss Farthingale.”
Dahlia blushed, knowing the others would believe it was her coy response to his statement. In truth, she was flustered. Their ruse was now officially underway, and she hoped no one would notice it was all a fraud.
Holly and Heather eyed them curiously.
Holly cleared her throat. “More tea, anyone?” She’d taken over responsibility for pouring since Lady Wellbrook’s hands shook too badly to manage it.
After their tea and cakes, Lady Wellbrook took them on a tour of the main rooms of the house. Despite leaping out of her skin with excitement to see all of it, Dahlia understood that the upstairs bedchambers were private, and she would simply have to wait until the house was Ronan’s before exploring it from attic to cellar.
She hung upon the dowager’s every word as she led them through the parlor, the dining room, her late husband’s study, his library, a music room that obviously served as a ballroom for their grander functions, a smaller dining room covered in a floral wallpaper that resembled a summer garden, a small sitting room, and large pantry.
She smiled inwardly, loving the size of the pantry but wondering if Ronan would ever fully stock it. Yes, he would. He was a wildebeest, big and strong. He ate like a lion, not like a little bird. The pantry and larder would be kept generously stocked.
But it was a shame he would be living alone. The house was quite large for merely one person. Most of these beautiful rooms would go to waste. No wonder Lady Wellbrook had found it too much for her to maintain. However, this had been a happy home, quite joyful when her children were younger, and her husband was alive.
She could feel the warmth of this house seeping through her bones.
Since ladies did not go into the kitchen, and Lady Wellbrook was quite the traditional lady, she did not show them that part of the house.
Still, Dahlia had seen enough for now and could not wait to offer her suggestions at the proper time.
The moment they climbed into Ronan’s carriage for the return ride home, she let him know how much she liked the house. However, she stopped herself from throwing her arms around him and gushing about it.
After all, it was not yet his to do with as he wished.
She couldn’t bear to think the purchase might not go through.
“Holly, did you like it?” Ronan asked.
Her sister nodded. “I did. Very much. And now I have a question for both of you. Would you mind explaining what is going on?”
Dahlia cast Ronan a nervous glance. “What do you mean?”
“Do not give me that innocent look. I am your sister. I know you too well. Is this true? Ronan, are you really courting my sister?”
Heather squealed. “I knew there was something going on between the two of you. Admit it, you weren’t merely reading. You were caught up in the magic of The Book of Love. It has drawn you together in love, hasn’t it?”
Dahlia glanced once more at Ronan, preferring he take the lead in this discussion since she was not comfortable with their arrangement and certainly did not like the prospect of lying to her sisters.
“Obviously, it is quite new to us,” Ronan said. “We don’t know what might develop, but as for me, my intentions are serious.”
“Why did you not say anything before this?” Heather asked, her smile as bright as the beacon of a lighthouse.
“I am a gentleman, Heather. Your sister and Wainscott...well, now that he is out of the way, I wanted to make my feelings known to her before others came along.”
Holly appeared a little harder to convince. “Then there is nothing to the rumors about you and Lady Melinda?”
“No, as I’ve told you all before. It is a ploy on her part to bring her marquess to heel and make an offer of marriage.”
Holly was still wary. “Because if you hurt my sister,” she said, glancing at Dahlia, “I will never forgive you.”
“I give you my oath, it will not happen.”
He’d spoken the last with a confidence that tr
oubled Dahlia. They were not going to last as a couple, and she did not like that the lie had tripped so easily off his tongue. Also, Lady Melinda’s name kept coming up...and Ronan had not denied there had been something between them not so very long ago.
Was it possible she was being duped again?
No.
If she could not trust Ronan, then there was not another man in the world she could. He had been honest with her in every detail, stating exactly what was to happen, and why it needed to be done. He’d promised not to embarrass her, even promised to marry her if she so wished it.
Holly was still staring at her. “You look ashen.”
She nodded. “I won’t deny that Gerald hurt me very badly. It isn’t easy for me to jump straight into another courtship so soon. It scares me.”
She turned to Ronan, saw the tension in his eyes, and realized she had to go along with the charade for now. “But I want this. At least, I want to try and see where it might lead. We’ll take our time. But my feelings for Ronan are much as his feelings are for me.”
There, she’d given the impression they were courting. But she hadn’t actually confirmed anything. It was a deception...but not quite a lie.
Her sister’s expression softened as she reached forward and patted Dahlia’s hand. “I’m very happy for the two of you. Having found unimaginable happiness with Joshua, I can only wish the same for both of you.”
She nodded, unable to actually utter a thank you since it still felt wrong.
Her heart remained troubled after they dropped Holly off at her home and returned to Chipping Way. Dahlia switched seats to sit beside Heather, who was squealing and bouncing beside her like an overexcited child. In truth, Heather had felt Gerald’s betrayal as strongly as she had. Her relief at this new romance was boundless.
Ronan said nothing, merely gave a slight quirk of his eyebrow.
When they stopped in front of Violet’s house, Dahlia turned to him. “It has been a wonderful afternoon. Thank you for showing us Lady Wellbrook’s house. Perhaps we ought to part company now. Violet is feeling a little under the weather, and I would not like to impose on her more than we already have.”
Heather, obviously swept away by romantic fantasies, would not hear of it. “She merely complained of a mild queasiness. I’m sure she’s fine now. She looked perfectly fit last night. Let’s ask her before you send Ronan on his way.”
Dahlia forced a smile. “Very well.”
She tried not to appear reluctant because Ronan was already regarding her with some concern, no doubt afraid she was going to ruin their courtship before it had ever started. She took a deep breath and smiled up at him, allowing all the affection she felt for him to show.
“There’s my Queen Pea,” he murmured, placing her arm in his as they walked to Violet’s door.
Heather once again beamed at their exchange.
Violet happened to be the one to fling open the door, likely shouldering aside her butler before the poor man had a chance to greet them. She caught the look they exchanged, and her eyes lit up. “I was hoping you’d stop in.”
“How are you feeling?” Dahlia asked, glad that her cousin had gotten over her earlier stomach upset. In truth, she looked radiant.
“I’m in the pink. Do come in. I’d love the company.” She began to rattle off questions. “Where did you go today?”
They quickly related all they had done.
She clapped her hands and gave Ronan a quick hug. “Congratulations! I had no idea you were searching for a home of your own.”
“It was time, Violet. I’m the last of the wildebeests to remain a bachelor. With Romulus, Finn, and Joshua marrying within a few months of each other, I thought I had better start planning ahead.”
Violet cleared her throat. “They all married Farthingales.”
He laughed and glanced at Dahlia. “It has not escaped my notice.”
Oh, goodness. She could actually hear the excited flutter of Violet’s heart. Well, not quite hear it so much as feel it. But this is how they were as a family, each one wanting happiness for those they loved.
Violet tipped her head up. “I’m sure you have much to discuss with Dahlia. The library is all yours. Heather can tell me the rest of what happened while you get back to reading the book.”
They were herded into the library, but thankfully the door was left open. Her cousin had retained some common sense while in her matchmaking fervor.
Once alone with Ronan, Dahlia sank onto the settee with an oof. “That was difficult.”
He settled in a chair across from her. “I’m sorry you thought so. It doesn’t have to be a pretense.”
“How can it be anything else?”
“Why are you so closed off to the possibility that there could be something between us?” He shook his head and groaned. “No, that was not fair of me. Your wound is still too raw. I have no right to push you in a direction you are not yet ready to go.”
She nodded. “But I’m happy for your new purchase. It’s a beautiful house.”
“Will you help me? I would love your input, no matter what happens over the course of these next two weeks.”
“Yes,” she said with a laugh, “I think you would have to wrestle me to the ground and pry the fabric swatches out of my hands before I’d ever give them up.”
“Once the house is mine, I shall give you a key so that you may come and go as you please. You’ll need one since I don’t think I’ll be hiring any staff until most of the work is done. But you mustn’t ever go there alone. After what happened to Holly, not that either of us has a lunatic after us, but it’s still best to be cautious.”
“You needn’t worry about me ever being alone there. I think there will be a daily party at the house. Between your mother, your sisters-in-law, my sisters and cousins, and additional assorted relatives who just happen to be passing by and decide to pop in, there ought to be a good twenty or thirty ladies in your parlor on any given day.”
He eased back in his chair and smiled. “Good. I want you to feel safe whenever you are there. The Lord Admiral allowed me time off this afternoon because of the Lady Melinda situation, but with the budget vote drawing near, I dare not take much more time away from my work. However, I will make it a point to escort you to the next few ton affairs. We need to be seen together as much as possible.”
“I know.”
“There’s a musicale at Lady Broadhurst’s home tomorrow evening and a dinner party at Lord Fielding’s home the evening after that. Lady Melinda will be at Lord Fielding’s for certain. I don’t know about the musicale. I hope she is. The sooner we address the damage she’s causing, the better.”
He reached over and took her hand. “We left off last night with me about to tell you what I like about you. Are you willing to hear it now?”
She pinched her lips, uncertain of what he intended to tell her. “I suppose you must since this is the point of our meeting like this.”
“But you’re still skittish about it.” He had a way of looking at her that made her tingle. It was those green eyes of his, so deep and thoughtful. There was also something a little bit naughty about them, a slightly hooded look that hinted of pleasures one might read about in scandalous novels.
“I’ll start with the sense of sight first since this is where you started with me.” He paused a moment and laughed softly. “I’m not very good at romantic conversation. I’m used to speaking plainly, barking orders, and having them immediately obeyed. I don’t think this will work with you, will it?”
“I’m afraid not.” She smiled. “We Farthingales are terrible at obeying. We like to know the reason why before we do anything. But I like that you are straightforward. I don’t think I’d have the patience to listen to a flowery speech.”
“Good, because I’m really not good at this.” He took a deep breath. “Here goes. You are like a rose amid a field of weeds.”
She burst out laughing.
“Don’t mock me, Queen Pea. I am trying
my best.”
“I know. It just feels odd. I’m sorry. Do go on. I really am enjoying this.”
He shook his head and continued. “You simply stand out, even though you are little in size.”
She grinned. “I am of average height. It’s you, Braydens, who are big.”
“Yes, perhaps. Stop interrupting me.” He cast her a mock angry look, then ruined the effect by smiling. “I like that your hair is not one bland color. It’s rich and silky to the touch. Well, I jumped a little ahead of myself. I’m still on the look of you, not touch. I like that your eyes are the vivid blues and greens of the ocean.”
“They are?”
He nodded. “There is a depth to them, no mere surface shimmer. I like the way your face lights up when you smile. When I look at you, I see beauty and intelligence. I see a young woman with talents and strengths she has yet to discover.”
He pressed on before she could comment. “This is how you appear to me, Queen Pea. And that is another thing. I like that you are the one who found the pea in the Twelfth Night cake.”
She rolled her eyes. “That was days ago and quite by chance.”
“It doesn’t matter. You will always be my Queen Pea.”
Would Gerald ever in his life have said this nice thing to her?
“Now for the sound of your voice. It is direct and firm, and at the same time, deliciously smooth and sultry.” He tossed her a naughty grin. “May I be completely honest with you? Even if it embarrasses you?”
“Yes, of course. This is the entire point of the book, isn’t it? To teach us to see things clearly and be honest in our feelings toward each other.”
“Good, because if I ever had you in my bed...no, that’s a little too honest for your innocent ears. Let’s just say that I very much like the sound of your voice. Before I move on to the next sense, let me add that your laughter is also sweet and alluring. No girlish giggles or drunken cackles that would make a man cringe.”
He moved over to settle beside her on the settee. “Next is the sense of smell.”
She almost shot out of her seat when he leaned in close and nuzzled her neck. Her blood heated, and her heart began to race. His lips were so close! When she felt his mouth upon her skin, everything stirred to life inside of her.