Arabella met Merrick’s gaze and couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled from her throat. Merrick’s relationship with his aunt was mending slowly day by day, but Lady Penelope simply couldn’t help but tell them what must be done.
Merrick shrugged and kept his arms about her. “Arabella deserved to have her wishes respected, Aunt. I have enjoyed our time together immensely and harbor no regrets at all about the need to conduct a discreet courtship. Do stay out of my affairs. I want to talk to my dearest Arabella.”
“Talk later. A marriage and nothing less,” Aunt Pen insisted, then spun about to search the room. The next instant she did the most astonishing thing Arabella had ever seen. She raised her arm and madly waved it about in the air. “Mr. Gibbs! This way. Tonight will do. It’s rather fortunate that I just so happen to have a vicar with me,” she said to them with a straight face when she turned back, but her eyes twinkled with excitement.
Merrick took the folded special license from Arabella’s fingers and studied it. “Why am I not surprised that the arrival of this coincided with a vicar’s presence at a ball where a vicar is hardly needed?”
Arabella leaned close to his ear so she could whisper. “Can I describe to you the flurry of letters that have been passing from your aunt to Newberry Park for the past weeks? I’ve never seen such correspondence. It’s been vastly entertaining listening to Aunt Pen extol the virtues of a swift and decisive marriage. My ears have been cruelly assaulted.”
“I’m glad you were so well entertained and I’m equally glad her opinions had no bearing on your decision. I had were Holland’s glum face greeting me each evening when I came back empty-handed without you. Not a pleasant prospect either.” He laughed good-naturedly. “Thank you.”
Arabella set her hands to his face. He was such a dear, sweet man to be so patient. He was the most astonishing man for thanking her for loving him. “Aunt Pen, do excuse us a moment. There is something I’ve been longing to do these past weeks.”
Aunt Pen beamed at Arabella’s informal mode of address. “My dear, you may have him as soon as may be, and with my blessing of course, but get married to him first.”
“Oh, all in due course.” Arabella smiled at Merrick, excitement making her giddy and restless. She caught his coat in her hands and held tight. “I’m ready for my next lesson in love.”
“And I’m ready for my first lesson in marriage.” He winked. “I’ve never done it before, you know.”
Arabella turned her face to Merrick’s, and then she kissed him in the way he’d shown her on the night their accidental affair had first begun, right before the entire ton and Aunt Pen. When the noise around them grew deafening, she rested her cheek against his so she could whisper in his ear. “And if I have my way, you’ll never need to consider it again. There’s no changing your mind now.”
EPILOGUE
Arabella snuggled closer to Merrick on the divan, the centerpiece of their new greenhouse at Winslette. The simple affair she’d hoped for had been expanded until the space was large enough for Merrick’s collection and hers, along with enough comfortable chairs they could spend all day in if they had guests. Despite her contentment, she peeked through the frosted glass at the scene unfolding a few yards away to check on her matchmaking project. “I think it’s sweet.”
“You would.” Merrick grumbled and then tossed the book he’d been reading onto a nearby table. “You’re much too tender hearted. That girl will be the ruin of him.”
Arabella’s new maid, the first female, non-relation employee in Merrick’s household for the past eight years, had developed an affection for Merrick’s half brother that was impossible to miss. To Arabella, those feelings were certainly reciprocated. Holland couldn’t keep his eyes from the girl, but so far he’d been entirely proper. “Lady Penelope doesn’t seem to mind. She said Lisette knew how to style hair.”
“Such a compliment. You call that smile at tea earlier happiness?” He stood to stare out the window at his half brother and Lisette, showing her his broad back, his long legs, and stirring wicked ideas in her mind again. “Bet he hasn’t the courage to kiss her. He’s going too slow.”
Merrick wore everything very well. She liked him both in and out of his clothing. Right now, she wished he was out of it and they were upstairs in their bed. She shifted on the couch, suddenly disappointed that she must have luncheon with Aunt Pen soon. At the moment she would much rather tempt Merrick back to bed than entertain his family. “Well, you know she cannot show too much interest in the romance without drawing unwanted attention.”
He looked at her curiously. “Why did you invite her then?”
Why had she? Simple kindness had certainly played a large part. “I didn’t want to deny Aunt Pen the chance to meet Lisette. If the relationship develops as I hope, she will see her son made a happy man. Aunt Pen may never get to spend much time with him or any children they may have unless we invite her. It is sad to imagine she might never be known as a doting grandmother. I think she would have been wonderful and spoiled them.”
“I think your pregnancy has run amok with your imagination.” Merrick rejoined her on the divan and pressed a kiss to the rounding of her belly where their child lay. “Do you hear that, sir or little miss? Your mama thinks well of everyone. We are very fortunate indeed to have her to love us.”
“Not everyone.” There were two who deserved to be ignored and distrusted. Her former brother-in-law, Lord Farnsworth, she’d given the cut direct several months ago and had enjoyed doing so, especially with Lady Penelope firmly entrenched at her side. The last she’d heard of him, his creditors had been carting his possessions from Hinkley to pay his debts when he’d disappeared. He hadn’t only owed Lord Parker, he’d run up debts everywhere. She threaded her fingers through Merrick’s hair as he rained kisses over her belly. “I may never speak to Lady Harrison again.”
Merrick glanced up, frowning at the reminder of a recent encounter with the woman. “Louisa was informed I would be faithful to my wife. Have I given you reason to doubt me?”
“No. But…” Arabella scowled and struggled to sit up. So late in the pregnancy, she had little more grace than a whale and that made her even more irritated with Merrick’s former lover. “She had no right to run her hands all over you as if she was allowed to eat you at the Fairweather ball.”
Merrick pushed pillows behind her back to help her get into a more comfortable position. He didn’t reply as footsteps approached.
When Merrick’s youngest half brother, Danny, appeared at her side, papers in hand, she forced a smile to her face. The boy usually had a smile for her too, but today, coming direct from the schoolroom, he wasn’t a happy fellow. He thrust them out. “I finished.”
“Already?” She smiled as she took them, then caught Merrick’s eye. “I think this young man might have the makings of a scholar one day.”
Danny’s penmanship had improved considerably these past weeks with extra attention given to that area of study. She no longer had to squint at some words now, and she was pleased. She wanted only the best for the boy.
Danny fidgeted, his steps soft as he crossed the room to peer out the windows while Arabella glanced over the papers. “Can I go now? The others are waiting for me by the stables.”