by Janet Woods
Their arms came around each other’s waists, and they began to stroll towards the house, disturbing the burnished leaves that drifted through the air and settled under their feet.
‘Rushford is wondrous fair in autumn,’ Graine whispered.
Saville tipped up her face and kissed her mouth. ‘You are wondrous fair all the time, my Lady. Even when you’re covered in the stinking Thames mud.’ She laughed, but shyly. They had been wed but a short time, celebrating a double wedding with her sister in the church in which John preached. The ceremony had been conducted by John’s superior, Bishop Salmesley.
It had been Graine’s pleasure to become Saville’s wife, but it was only in name, for they’d left for Rushford immediately after the ceremony.
‘The estate workers will want to celebrate with us, and where better than at the harvest supper,’ Saville had said. But Graine knew he was longing to return home, to the place where his heart was.
Progress was slow, for Saville stopped to kiss her every five steps they took, and she felt obliged to return that kiss. She was filled with a strange and vibrant urgency to be alone with him.
A dog detached itself from the house. It’s nose cast about in the air and it began to bark. Fixing its eyes on its prey, it hurtled down the garden, its legs a blur of movement. Graine laughed when Rebel overshot them in his haste. He did a summersault, then danced around them, twisting and turning.
‘Damned dog,’ Saville said, grinning fondly at the animal, who thrust his head into his master’s hand to be fussed over. ‘I’ve missed you.’
When they reached the house they were obliged to run the gauntlet of servants, who tried not to grin when Jessie advised him. ‘I’ve had the countess’ things moved to the chamber adjoining yours, My Lord.’
‘Thank you Jessie. We’ll go and inspect them immediately, then, for we need to rest after the journey. Your services will not be required at present, but later she will need to dress for dinner. Tell the cook to serve dinner on the terrace at the usual time.’
The servants exchanged smiles.
‘Out,’ Saville said to Rebel as he tried to follow them into the chamber, and he smiled at her. ‘My lady and I need some privacy.’
Heart beating fast, and overflowing with the love she felt for him, Graine moved into her husband’s arms.
Later, before he led her down to the patio he placed a silken scarf around her eyes. ‘I have a surprise for you, my love.’ He led her down the stairs and on to the patio, where he removed the binding.
She sucked in a breath. The garden was a blaze of color from the flickering candles in colored pots that covering every tree, and shrub. Who would have thought a man like him could be so romantic … so tender in his loving.
Her eyes met his. When he grinned at her, and she recalled how totally loving the last two hours had been, and how eager her own response, she buried her head in his chest and blushed.
Copyright © 2004 by Janet Woods
Originally published by Robert Hale [0709075405]
Electronically published in 2010 by Belgrave House
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This is a work of fiction. All names in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to any person living or dead is coincidental.