by Jane Charles
What was Timothy doing here? She turned to look at the man she had hoped would be her employer. There was a hint of a smile on his lips and humor in his eyes. “By all means, send him in.”
“He should hear this too,” Mr. Wallace insisted.
“Katrina.” Those were the first words out of Timothy’s mouth when he entered the room. His eyes went from one person to another and whipped back to Mr. Wallace after passing over his face once. “What are you doing here, Mr. Wallace?”
“I have something I need to tell both of you.”
“What are you doing here, Lord Timothy?” Katrina asked, ignoring Mr. Wallace. Any news from Blackrig could wait until she found out why Timothy was here. Had he come to see Lord Fairfield, or her? She was in the house earlier than expected. Perhaps he hoped to miss her, but she couldn’t imagine why he would need to meet with Strotham. She had been under the impression he didn’t even know the gentleman.
“I, . . . well you see. . . I started thinking . . .Then I became concerned.”
Lord Fairfield laughed and settled on the settee, gently pulling Lady Fairfield down to his side. “Did I appear that ridiculous in Monique’s shop?”
“More so, I am afraid.”
He barked out laughter. “This should be interesting.”
“I don’t think you should take a position of governess,” Lord Strotham blurted out.
“Why not? You know I need to find a position. We have discussed this, several times actually.”
“Yes, but that was before.” Timothy pushed his fingers through his hair.
“Before?” Did she dare hope he developed the same feelings for her as she had for him.
“Well, before we were handfasted, and before I, well. . .”
“Spit it out, Strotham,” Lord Fairfield ordered from his settee, a grin on his face.
“Before I fell in love with you.”
Katrina couldn’t believe she was hearing the words she so badly wanted to hear. But what was he proposing? She certainly would not become his mistress, regardless of how they had spent those few days in the carriage. Yet, if they were together for a full year and a day, then they would be married for good.
Timothy studied her face. “Well?”
“Well?”
“Dare I hope you return my feelings?” The words were almost a whisper.
“Yes.”
His shoulders dropped as if relieved at her answer. “I don’t have a home, or a place for my library, but we will make do.”
“No home? What about the estate in Middleton.”
“Burned to the ground.”
Why was he grinning? Had Timothy somehow become addled in his brain since they parted?
“Two years ago. I just never got the letter informing me.”
That would change his plans but surely there was somewhere else to live in the town.
“Nor is there space to rent or buy for the library.”
He was about as homeless as she was. “Do you plan to return to London?”
The smile decreased. “Only if you wish to. I could go a very long time without visiting the City.”
“Then what do you propose?”
“We stay here.”
“Willanton is a lovely town. I would have no objection.”
“I am sure there is property somewhere I could buy and maybe even have our own home built. I don’t recall seeing a lending library in town and I am sure there is a place for one.”
“Actually there is a lovely . . .” Lord Fairfield began before his wife pulled him back and shushed him.
“It sounds as though you have thought of everything.”
“Not really.” He shrugged. “I haven’t really thought anything through, but I know a life with you is what I want, if you will have me.”
“Have you?”
“Yes, marry me, Katrina.”
“That is what I came here to tell you,” Mr. Wallace interrupted.
Both Katrina and Timothy turned to look at him.
“You already are.”
“Yes, I know. We are handfasted,” Katrina reminded the old man.
“No, yes.” He threw his hands up in the air. “Let me start again. The vicar used the wrong ceremony. He thought he was doing the handfasting, but he performed the marriage ceremony.”
“It wasn’t a church ceremony with prayer,” Timothy reminded him.
“No, it was similar to the words the blacksmithy says in Gretna Green, over the anvil.”
“And not a handfasting?” Katrina asked slowly.
“No. You are as good as married already. Even if you wanted to part in a year and a day, you would still be married.”
Joy burst inside Katrina and she turned to Timothy. He grinned and pulled her into his arms.
“I suppose this means we are going to advertise for a governess again,” Lord Fairfield mumbled from the settee.
Timothy pulled away and turned to Fairfield. “I apologize for the inconvenience, but I am afraid you will need to find another governess.”
More titles from Jane Charles
The Wiggons’ School for Elegant Young Ladies Series
To Walk in the Sun
A Gentleman’s Guide to Once Upon a Time Series
His Impetuous Debutante
His Contrary Bride
His Not So Sensible Miss
To Love a Governess
Sacked (Regency Short)
Handfasted (Regency Novella)
About Jane
Jane Charles has lived in the Midwest her entire life. As a child she would more likely be found outside with a baseball than a book in her hand. In fact, Jane hated reading until she was sixteen. Out of boredom on a long road trip she borrowed her older sister’s historical romance and fell in love with reading. She long ago lost count of how many fiction novels she has read over the years and her love for them never died. Along with romance she has a passion for history and the two soon combined when she penned her first historical romance. What turned into a hobby became a passion, which has been fully supported by her husband, three children and three cats.
Jane can be contacted at: [email protected]
http://www.JaneACharles.blogspot.com