The Princess and the Peer(62)

She was graceful and well spoken, poised in ways few ladies of much higher rank than herself even knew how to be. She was intelligent and interesting with perfect manners; he could readily imagine her hosting suppers and fetes with an aplomb all would admire.

As for her education and training as a governess, such knowledge would stand her in good stead to take over the efficient running of his household and to see to the upbringing of their children—when they had them.

He rather hoped she didn’t find herself increasing too quickly; he wanted to enjoy a long and satisfying honeymoon where the two of them did nothing all day but lie abed and savor the pleasure of being in each other’s arms. As for their life on the whole, he planned to spoil her as no woman had been spoiled before. He would lavish her with gowns and jewels, furs and trips and parties—anything and everything her heart desired.

For the first time, he was glad he was the earl. Peter had left him a very wealthy man, one who would have no difficulty providing amply for a wife. After the impoverished life Emma had obviously led, he would relish giving her the security and leisure his title could bestow. She would never know worry again, only happiness and contentment as his cherished wife and helpmeet.

Jesu, he thought, I really am besotted.

With a laugh, he flung back the sheets and leapt from his bed, padding across to pull the bell for his valet. Pausing for only a moment, he continued on to his bathing chamber for a dunk in a cold bath, to be followed by a close shave, thorough toothbrushing, and neat hair combing. He would ask Puddlemere to lay out some of his most attractive day attire. He wanted to look his best, just right for when he asked Emma to be his wife.

A little over an hour later, Nick strode into the breakfast room, looking refreshed and immaculate in fawn trousers and a coat of olive green superfine, a starched white neckcloth tied in an Oriental around his throat. He wore a striped gold-and-cream waistcoat, pristine white shirt, and polished black shoes—his “proposal clothes” as he now thought of them.

Of course, he hadn’t said anything to Puddlemere about his plans, even though he could tell the man had been curious when he’d been told to lay out his master’s finest. Better to wait until Emma officially accepted his troth, he decided, before letting the servants in on his plans.

He’d half hoped to find her already seated at the table, but apparently she was still abed. Not all that surprising, he guessed, considering their enthusiastic coupling last night on the library sofa. He supposed he would never think of that particular couch the same way again.

Smiling, he took a seat at the table and poured himself a cup of coffee from the silver carafe that had been placed there.

A footman walked in a minute later.

Nick looked up. “Bell, would you advise Miss White’s maid to ask Miss White to join me as soon as she is awake and ready for the day? I have a few matters I should like to discuss.”

His former crewman stared at him, an odd expression of surprise in his single, unpatched brown eye. “Miss White, Cap’n?—I mean, milord.”

Nick drank a mouthful of coffee, then set down his cup. “Yes, Miss White,” he repeated, wondering at the other man’s curious reaction.

He waited, but Bell said nothing further, which was odder still. Usually Bell was full of too much chatter; this morning he seemed nearly mute.

“Miss White,” Nick prompted after another long silence during which he barely refrained from rolling his eyes. “The young lady who has been staying with us. What on earth is the matter with you, Bell? Are you feeling all right?”

“Oh, right as rain, Cap’n. It’s just, I assumed ye knew.”

“Knew what?”

“About the pretty little miss—um, Miss White, that is,” he hastily corrected. “She done left this morning almost afore any of the staff were up and out’n their beds. I saw her in the front hall meself, holding that little valise o’ hers in her hands.”

Nick scowled. “And—?”

“And then she asked me to hail a hackney for her. Told me ye’d already said yer good-byes last night and she wanted to be off early. I offered to go round to the mews and have the coach made ready for her, but she wouldn’t hear of it. Most insistent on taking a hack, she was.”

Nick felt his eyebrows draw into an even deeper glower. “And you didn’t think to delay her? Perhaps advise someone else in the household of her wish to depart?”

Bell shuffled his large feet, clearly realizing he’d made a grave error. “Sorry, Cap’n, if I’d known she were runnin’ off, like, I’d have come and woke ye up. I jest assumed… well, ye already know what it was I assumed.”