The Last Duchess (The Lennox Series)(95)

Someone in their audience called, “Oh, do marry him, Lady Bonderant! He’s a wonderfully marvelous man!”

“Deuced havey-cavey, Sherbourne, casting about to catch one for the lady when it was you on the line all along.”

“Lord have mercy, whatever will Blixford say?”

“Won’t like it by half. He’s a stick, you know.”

“I say, Sherbourne, congratulations!”

He finally looked toward them, his face split with a grin. “She’s yet to say yes.”

They broke out, all of them, into urgent directives. “Lady Bonderant, ‘tis a father the young viscount needs.”

“Dashed fine father, Sherbourne is. You could do a lot worse.”

“He loves you madly. Of course you must marry him!”

“Isn’t this lovely? So romantic! Oh, do say yes, Lady Bonderant!”

He looked into her sweet face and they both began to laugh. She boldly planted a kiss on his lips before she said, still laughing, “Yes! Oh, yes, of course I will marry you!”

The impromptu audience applauded, rushed forward and surrounded them, gently directing them back into the ballroom. Before Sherbourne could protest, Morrison had been pressed into making an announcement.

Within the space of half an hour, he’d gone from the depths of despair and a bleak future without her, to the pinnacle of happiness and a future certain to hold many lovely surprises, Lucy at the center of it all.

***

Jane didn’t get her three days, thanks to her father. The day after she received his letter, the man himself arrived. It was late in the afternoon and she and Blix had only just returned from a lengthy sojourn at the lake. The weather was especially warm and they had bathed and made love on the grassy bank, especially amorous as this was the first opportunity they’d had since she’d done with her courses. Later, they’d wandered through the wilderness, searching for a gigantic, bright, yellow butterfly she claimed to have seen and he would not believe. They eventually gave up when they found themselves in the small clearing with the boulder and their interest turned from butterflies and focused on each other.

She’d not braided her hair, but left it loose to dry. She carried her damp chemise in one hand and held her husband’s hand in the other. He was in his shirtsleeves, his coat and waistcoat slung across one shoulder. Anyone happening along who caught sight of them would have no doubt how they’d spent their afternoon. But Beckinsale House was well off in a world of its own, offering privacy and seclusion, so they had tended to relax further as time passed.

How could they have known Sherbourne would arrive without notice, or that Hester would situate him in the parlor, and after he tired of waiting, he’d take a stroll in the garden? They could not know, of course, and thus it was that as they tripped up the garden path, grinning at one another and exchanging suggestive remarks, headed for the garden door and ultimately their bedchamber, where they had plans for the remainder of the day until dinner, they instead ran into Sherbourne.

Her face flaming, she curtsied and greeted him. “Papa, how nice to see you. Isn’t this a lovely surprise.” She suspected she knew the nature of his visit and her stomach instantly tied itself into knots. Blixford was certain to go off, very soon.

Sherbourne shook Blixford’s hand before he swept her into his arms and embraced her tightly. “I’ve a guess that you’ve been swimming, daughter.” He set her back and smiled down at her. “How is your backstroke these days?”

It had always been what gave her the most trouble, and had taken years to perfect. Beaming with pride, she announced she’d gone halfway across the lake on only her backstroke. “I aimed for a target and swam directly to it, instead of going about in circles. You may ask Blix if you don’t believe me.”

He petted her hair and nodded approval. “Took to the water like a fish, almost from the time you could walk.” He smiled and nodded toward Blix. “Not that I don’t trust your husband, but he’d naturally sing your praises, whether you swam competently, or sank like a stone, eh, Blixford?”

Appearing to relax a bit from his initial stiff, obviously horrified stance, Blix gave a short nod and waved toward the house. “Won’t you come inside, Sherbourne, and have a refreshment?”

“Yes, of course. Thank you.”

Looping her arm through his, she walked with her father as they followed Blix to the door. “Will you stay for dinner and spend the night as our guest, Papa?”

“I hate to intrude, I do, but yes, Jane, I believe I will. Something has come up and I felt it best to come and discuss it with Blixford immediately.”