“Nonsense, my dear. Your happiness is due to your own courage and Sir James’ persistence.” She leaned closer. “And now you deserve to revel in it, just the two of you.” She sat back and turned to look at Sir James.
“You, sir, had best go ensure that all is ready for your departure.”
Sir James looked between the two ladies. His brows rose, but he merely nodded and took his leave. As he kissed the Countess’ hand, he murmured, “My eternal gratitude is yours, my lady.”
“I have no doubt about that,” she said, teasing him with great amusement.
When he had gone, the Countess took her hands again. “And you, my dear, must take one more order from me.”
“Anything.”
“Take Wellington for one last, very long walk while your grandfather finishes his tea.” From her tone and the slight rise to her eyebrow, Cornelia knew she meant something very different.
Cornelia smiled. “Who will walk him when I am gone?”
“I must keep my servants busy somehow, you know.”
“And how will you keep yourself busy?”
She smiled, her cheeks wrinkling as her lips turned up, and her eyes twinkled merrily. “Oh, I suppose I shall start planning my next party. Though perhaps I shall let someone else be the hostess next time. I do not know how I could manage without you.”
Cornelia’s eyes filled with tears again, so she rose, kissed the Countess’ cheek, and hurried out before they had a chance to fall. “Come along, Wellington.” She scooped him up and all but ran to the front entry. Sir James waited for her in the doorway, and when he saw her coming, stepped forward to meet her.
“Ready?”
“Quite ready.”
She set Wellington down and scratched the top of his head. “I’m going to miss you, you rascal.” She waved to a footman. “Take good care of him for me.”
Sir James took her elbow then and helped her down the steep steps and into the waiting carriage. As they went, Cornelia looked over her shoulder, afraid to see her grandfather following them. No doubt the Countess would keep him busy while she supposedly took the dog on a walk. She felt bad for sneaking away on him. He had been so kind after all. But she had no doubt she would see him again in Buxton.
When they were seated inside, James gave the order to leave by thumping on the carriage roof, and the carriage jerked forward.
“I never imagined I would have to elope after I was married,” Sir James grumbled.
Cornelia smiled and reached for him. “Don’t worry. I know how to chase that scowl from your face.”
Sir James smiled and pulled her onto his lap. “Really? You seem quite confident in your abilities, lady wife.”
“I have often been described as eminently capable, and I intend to spend my life making you as happy as you’ve made me.”
“No more sewn-together cuffs or fish-heads in my room?”
“I never said that,” she said mischievously, thinking of all the things she might do to tease him now.
He chuckled and played with one of the curls that had fallen from her pinned up hair in their dash to the carriage. “Good. Because I want our life to be as entertaining as our courtship.”
She cupped his jaw with her hands and kissed him. “It will be.”
Follow Michelle Pennington for Regency House Party news and other books as they become available.
This is the first of many Regency House Party Collections. Follow our Newsletter to find out when others become available. HERE.
Read all our books. They can be enjoyed in any order:
The Unwanted Suitor
Mistaken Identity
The Stable Master’s Daughter
An Unlikely Courtship
Tabitha’s Folly
Damen’s Secret
These stories first appeared in serial form at http://www.regencyhouseparty.com. Join us there for the next party.
Guests are enjoying a certain amount of merriment on our Facebook page and group. Characters mingle with the visitors, Wellington the pug has an active presence and when a new party is in the works, we announce new chapters as they go live. RHP Group
Copyright © 2018 by Michelle Pennington
All rights reserved.
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The Unwanted Suitor (Regency House Party: Somerstone Book 1) Page 11