Caversham's Bride (The Caversham Chronicles - Book One) (35 page)

Ghita greeted her, arms outstretched, ready to help her undress. “I ordered a bath the minute you arrived. My lady, wait until you see! You and His Grace have your own bathing chamber. The tub is big enough to swim in.”

Lia chuckled softly, and lowered her frame into a plush chair near the hearth. “I doubt that, but I am glad you had the forethought to order up the water. I am tired, and wish to bathe this layer of grime from me.”

The maid unlaced Lia’s boots. “I also asked that a tray be sent up for you.”

“I’ll eat later,” Lia took in her new surroundings. This home was even more grand and palatial than her husband’s London home. In her room, not a thing seemed out of place or mussed. Not a speck of dust graced a table top or vase, and the mirrors and windows shone with a near blinding glow.

The floral patterned Aubusson carpet in this room was plush and inviting to the bare feet. Lia dug her toes in the deep pile, relishing the freedom of having her shoes removed.

“Ghita, help me undress,” she said. “I need that bath, and afterward a short nap, if I am to make it through the rest of this day.”

With her maid’s assistance, Lia had to step down into the largest bathing vessel she’d ever seen. The sunken tiled bath was deep enough for the water to come to her chin if filled, and could easily seat two. In the center was a cover, which she presumed was over the drain. She marveled at the innovation, and wondered what was underneath this room, and where the water went after they were done.

Once settled, the warm water came nearly to her shoulders. The size, she assumed, was to accommodate her husband’s massive frame. He might be able to relax in something this big, but she could not. Bathing quickly, she soon asked for Ghita’s help to get out of the monstrosity.

“I thought you might like to soak for a while,” Ghita said in their native Italian. “It looks so inviting.”

“I’m rather tired and would like a nap,” Lia said.

A large fire blazing in a hearth against one wall kept the room warmed. Ghita rubbed her dry and slipped a chemise over her head and placed her slippers within easy reach. Wrapped in her dressing gown, Lia walked into her room, and upon seeing the plush and inviting canopy bed, suddenly felt more tired.

“I think I’ll take that nap now, Ghita. Wake me in time to dress for dinner.”

As she lay on the deep, soft bed, Lia contemplated her new sister-in-law’s attitude. She hoped to break through Elise’s hardened exterior. She held the young lady no ill will, and vowed to prove this to her, wanting only her friendship.

The same with the younger girl, Sarah. Lia would have to proceed patiently. A relationship with Ren’s sisters could not be rushed. She would have to let them approach her, and find out what kind of relationship they wished with her. If there was one thing she learned when she and her brother were forced to move in with their aunt and uncle, it was that relationships with new relatives take work. Because of the bond you must be amiable with each other—but only if there is caring will the relationship grow into a loving and trusting one. And love came with time.

If at all.

G
hita placed the final pin in Lia’s upswept coif, and coiled the shorter tendrils into corkscrews around her face. Lia turned and looked into the full-length mirror. The woman looking back at her was far different than the one who was abducted four months earlier, and vastly different from the girl whose parents died almost a year ago.

She thought about them, and how she’d always wanted to have a love like theirs. Their love story was no exaggeration. They’d met at the University, where both worked translating ancient philosophical texts. They loved each other so much they died together.

Lia fought the tears as she recalled the day. They had been working in separate rooms, when a fire broke out, quickly consuming the building. From the stories told by witnesses, her father had been trapped behind a wall of flames and her mother ran to rescue him, only to be trapped herself. They never made it out. When their bodies were recovered from the rubble, they were holding each other.

Lia had wanted a love that grand. She even believed she might find it one day—until her aunt and uncle had come to claim them. Now she was married and making the best of the situation—certainly not an unpleasant one—and about to have a child of her own. She prayed daily that the relationship between she and Ren might blossom. She felt some of the elements were there—the care, affection, and passion, so they were starting off on a better foot than most. But she wanted more, and she was hoping that the love she sought might come with time.

She sighed and turned to face her maid. “I swear, this hair style will give me a headache before the evening is over.” Tugging at the low neckline of the gown. Lia tried to suck in her belly.

“You aren’t showing yet, my lady. Why do you worry about your size?”

“I just feel so fat,” she replied.

“You look beautiful, my lady. His Grace will agree with me, I know it.”

“What will he do when nothing I own fits any longer?”

“He will understand that it’s his babe that grows, then call the modiste.”

She chuckled. “I hope you’re right,” she said as she left the room in search of her husband. As she descended the wide, curving marble steps, she noticed the portraits hanging on the wall. Every male ancestor her husband had was depicted in his portrait finery, with a few wearing the robes of their office. But one painting stood out from all the rest, that of a gentleman Lia assumed was Ren’s father.

Except for the receding hairline and gray hair, it could easily have been Ren. The same clear, silver eyes under dark, arched brows stared back at her, and the same high cheekbones with a sliver of a dimple under each. The man in the painting had a slightly fuller mouth than Ren, but even the dimples were exactly the same. She was looking at her husband’s father and seeing the future. Would her son one day look as regal and handsome?

Suddenly, a warm current flowed through her and she became aware of another presence behind her. Turning, she smiled as she saw her husband standing near the base of the stairs. His molten-metallic gaze met hers, and he returned her smile.

He cut a fine figure in his black breeches and waistcoat, with his snowy cravat knotted above the stiff collar. His black hair had been trimmed, and he appeared to have been freshly shaved.

Lia felt his stare as it caressed her form. She found herself rooted to the step, unable to move, as Ren came toward her, reaching for her arm. Though his proud bearing and noble manners appealed to her, his handsome looks made him physically desirable from the first moment she saw him. But more than that, this man’s mere presence aroused her. When he touched her, small tremors coursed through her body. Her knees buckled as his lips brushed a kiss on her bare neck. Detecting her weakness, her husband wrapped his arm around her waist, lifting her off the last steps to set her on the floor.

“Come, wife,” he whispered. “The family awaits.”

A flock of butterflies roused and fluttered in her belly, and she trembled slightly as he led her into the drawing room, where his grandmother, sisters, and Lucky waited. He leaned over and whispered an encouragement, and she nodded though she didn’t hear what he said. The only thought going through her head was that she wanted them to like her. It would give any relationship between them solid roots if they could get along.

A footman came forward bearing a tray with two wine glasses, her husband took one and handed the other to her. She saw that his grandmother and Elise already held glasses, and the children held small cups.

After greeting everyone, Lady Sewell rang the silver bell from the serving tray, gaining everyone’s attention. “I would like to say something,” the elder woman said. “I have waited for this day for a very long time. My grandson has found a treasure of a wife, in a foreign land, and did the smart thing by marrying her and bringing her home. Remember always how much you love each other this day.” Facing her she said, “May your lives be filled with happiness and children.” Then Lady Sewell turned to Ren, and continued. “May the seeds ye sow be as beautiful as your bride, as loving as my daughter, your mother, and as honorable as your father.”

When Ren’s grandmother lifted her glass, everyone followed suit, including Lia. She thanked her new grandmother, and took a sip from her glass. Elise and Lady Sewell congratulated them, on their marriage and the upcoming babe.

The door opened and the butler cleared his throat to catch their attention. He announced that dinner was ready to be served in the dining hall. Her husband came and raised his forearm to lead her into dinner.

All through their meal her new grandmother led the conversation, questioning them on where and how they met, and as they had rehearsed, each question was skillfully answered. Thankfully, Ren had the foresight to instruct Luchino on the necessity of masking a few of the facts of their meeting and journey. He stressed his grandmother’s weakened constitution, and his sisters’ delicate sensibilities as the reason for doing so. She was so proud of her brother, because at eight years of age, he’d understood the importance of doing this for them, and performed his role with ease.

Lia attempted to taste each dish that was set before her. If she could, she took one spoon or fork full, then pushed the rest of the food around on her plate, hoping no one noticed. Some dishes she was afraid to try because the smell of them was unsettling to her stomach. It went on like this for over an hour.

After dessert, Sarah’s nurse came and took the two children away. Lia saw her husband wink at her brother, thanking him for his performance, and her brother winked back. Ren turned his head to hide his smile.

The adults moved into the front parlor which was also used as a music room. Elise sat a the pianoforte and began to play a piece by Bach. She and Lady Sewell sat on a high-backed sofa, and her new grandmother began to tell Lia the story of their family, and how the shipping company came to be so important. “My first husband, Ren’s grandfather, was insistent that no son or grandson inherit shares of his company unless they knew the business from the bottom up. His own grandfather, who’d founded Aberdeen Trading, had done the same with him when he was a lad, and said that was how the company managed to never lose money. It was how he raised his son, Angus, and how it’s been ever since. Several times a year my grandson came north to Scotland and sailed with his uncle and his two cousins.”

“And your husband, did he go with them?” Lia asked.

Lady Sewell shook her silk-turbaned head. “Oh, no. My Robbie died when Angus was about fifteen. He caught a fever in the Indies on one of his many voyages. He left me a wealthy widow, and our son the owner of his shipping company, though everything was held in trust until they reached his majority. The guardian of that trust became my second husband, Lord Sewell. He was a good man, who knew how to turn a coin even if he couldn’t stomach the sea. He loved my children as his own, and he knew before we wed that I could have no others.”

“You were fortunate in that,” Lia said.

Lady Sewell agreed, then began to regale Lia with tales of Ren’s childhood, and when Lia laughed at something the older woman said, Elise stopped playing. “Do you sing or play, Your Grace? You’re sure to be better at it than I. Perhaps you would like to play for us?” she asked.

Lia turned to her sister-in-law. She shook her head. “I’m afraid I cannot do either.”

The other girl’s eyebrow rose, in a manner similar to her brother’s. “Oh, then, do you ride?”

“No. I never learned.”

“Would you like to learn?” Elise asked. “I could teach you, you know.”

“I thank you for the invitation.” Her hand absently slid down to her lower belly and held it there. “But, I cannot risk it right now.”

She didn’t want to use the babe as an excuse, but it truly was the reason she would not be getting on a horse anytime soon. When she politely declined the offer Lia saw a shutter close in Elise’s eyes, as though she was keeping Lia intentionally on the other side, proving that the animosity she felt when she met her new sister-in-law wasn’t her imagination. Sitting on the piano bench, with her hands folded on her lap, and a sweetly innocent smile on her angelic face, Lady Elise appeared the embodiment of graciousness itself as she extended the invitation.

“When you are able,” her sister-in-law replied with a reserved smile, “I shall teach you.”

Ren stood and came to her side, putting an arm around her. He appeared relaxed as he and his sister discussed the horses she’d purchased as the foundation for her new project. After a few minutes she felt a tap on her shoulder and looked up. She saw a familiar look in the silvery depths of his eyes. One she had become very familiar with in their time together. Desire. It was the one constant in this man, her husband.

When she stood, she laid her head on Ren’s chest. The other occupants of the room might have thought she was tired from her travels when, in reality, she inhaled his scent.

“I believe my wife and I shall retire,” Ren announced. “She’s not been sleeping well, and tomorrow will be a long day for me. I have quite a bit to catch up on around here.”

Standing next to her, he lifted his wife’s chin, and placed a chaste kiss on her forehead. “Are you ready, darling?”

The words of affection came so easily from his lips and she wanted to believe he meant them because she had fallen in love with him. And Lia found herself wanting Ren to love her in return.