Autumn's Wild Heart (Seasons Book 4) Read online

  James stopped abruptly, turned to look at her, then resumed their walk, shaking his head. “I wasn’t speaking of the estate, silly wife. I was speaking of you. How proud I am of you.”

  Nella lifted her gaze. “I’ve done nothing extraordinary, James.”

  “But you have. In less than one day you’ve greeted our guests as though you’ve known them forever. You’ve made everyone feel welcome and at ease. And I think you’ve even caused your friends and mine to form friendships they weren’t expecting to form.”

  “That was purely accidental, you know. I am not responsible for their friendships. We both are. You because you had the good taste to consort with such agreeable fellows. And me, because my two best friends are the most wonderful people on earth and thankfully your friends are wise enough to realize it.”

  Her husband tipped his head back and laughed heartily enough that the two couples in front of them turned to see what was so funny.

  “You are quite remarkable, Nella.”

  She hugged his arm closer. “There is nothing remarkable about me. Don’t ever think there is.”

  “And why not.”

  “Because whenever you fool yourself into believing there is, something will happen to force you into defending me.”

  He stopped walking and this time Nella was forced to stop, too.

  “Don’t,” he said in a tone that was closer to an order than a request.

  Nella regretted what she’d said. It made her appear self-loathing and that wasn’t what she wanted him to think. She didn’t pity herself. She was used to being the wallflower. She was used to sitting quietly on the sidelines while all the females were asked to dance, or take a turn around the room. No, she didn’t pity herself. Quite the opposite. He was the one she pitied. And he deserved all her pity and more.

  “Have I told you what I have planned for tomorrow?” she said in an effort to change the subject.

  He went along with her change of topics. “No, what are your plans for tomorrow?”

  “You and the other men will have to rest well tonight, for tomorrow afternoon I have arranged for all of us to go sailing.”

  “Sailing?”

  “Yes. Covey has found three boats he has assured me we can use to sail about the lake. Should the wind not cooperate, you and your friends will do the rowing. Meanwhile, I and my friends will hold parasols over our pretty heads and recline against a hundred pillows while you show off your muscular prowess.”

  “Delightful,” he said on a laugh. “You are truly delightful.”

  Nella looked at him and smiled. No one had ever told her before that she was remotely delightful.

  Just as no one had ever laughed with her instead of at her.

  Chapter 9

  One day turned into two, then two into four and before he knew it, one whole week had gone by. James could scarcely believe it, nor could he remember a time when he’d felt so relaxed, so filled with good cheer, so…cared for. Nella had something special planned for each and every day, and in her subtle way, she always managed to make it look as if he had orchestrated their adventures. He wouldn’t be surprised if she suggested he even orchestrated the marvelous weather.

  One day, however, they’d had to cut their outdoor activities short when a raincloud interrupted their croquet match, which was a good thing, considering Nella and her friends were trouncing James and his friends.

  But that hardly mattered. The men gathered around the billiard table, showing off for the women and challenging each other in several entertaining games while they drank James’s most smoldering brandy.

  That evening, Nella entertained them again at the piano, and the talented Lady Rosamonde serenaded them with her rather saucy mezzosoprano. She had a lovely voice and Lady Patricia was even coaxed into singing a popular duet while Nella accompanied them.

  It was engaging, and a far cry from the rather raucous entertainment in which his gentleman friends usually engaged—in this very same room. Tonight, James felt certain he had never heard anything quite so pretty yet laced with so much humor.

  When the entertainment was finished, James stood. “There’s a full moon tonight, my friends. Who will join me in the garden for a look at it?”

  Without the slightest hesitation, the other five paired easily and followed him onto the terrace. He noted how casually Nella tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow, and he suddenly loved the ease and rightness of it. He drew his other hand across to gather her tucked hand with his fingers.

  “So what’s on the agenda for tomorrow, wife?” he asked as they were walking down the pebbled path.

  “If the weather is agreeable, I thought we’d go for a carriage ride in the afternoon. The girls want to see the shop at that wonderful glass manufactory just beyond the village. Then, in the evening, we’ll put a fire in the library and play whist. How does that sound?”

  “Perfect. Candleton and Pomeroy just mentioned today that they hadn’t seen all of Colworth Abbey. This will give me the opportunity to show off my estate when we take the south road over to the factory.”

  “Oh, good,” she said. “Then, the next evening I thought we might dance.”

  James drew them to a stop, looked up at the moon, and smiled. “Wait a moment. You’ve told me repeatedly we don’t dance.”

  “Well, that’s true. We don’t dance. But you do, and so do the rest. I’ll play, you’ll dance. With Rosamonde and Patricia.”

  “So who’s going to play for you to dance?”

  “Nobody,” Nella smiled. “Because I can’t dance.”

  He stepped in front of her, knowing disbelief was written all over his face. “What?”

  “It’s sad but true, husband. I cannot dance.”

  “Now wait a moment, wife. You paint like a professional artist. You play the piano as well as anyone I’ve ever heard. In fact, you play for the Queen. You organize events as if you’ve done it your entire life. And you have a personality that makes people feel comfortable after just meeting you. So please be so kind as to explain why it is that you cannot dance? I thought every young lady was taught to dance from the time they could walk. Isn’t that the first thing you are taught, along with embroidery and painting and playing the piano?”

  “Most females are, I’m sure. But I was the oldest of Father’s four daughters. Mother had already passed away, and Father didn’t have much time to devote to our social lives. Instead, he hired a dance instructor to teach us, but he didn’t see the necessity of putting out money to pay for an accompanist when I could fill the roll. So, I was recruited as the accompanist. I played the piano and my sisters learned to dance. I suppose he thought I would learn by watching, but it didn’t seem to work.”

  “Oh hallelujah! I’m ecstatic there is something I can actually do for you, then. Something which I will happily undertake. I will hire a dance instructor and an accompanist and you will learn to dance. Or better yet,” he said without thinking, “we will go to London for the Season and attend every ball. We will dance every dance together and you will—”

  The full moon came from behind a cloud and he saw the color leave her face.

  “No. We will not.”

  “I’m sorry, Nella. I didn’t think. I…forgot.”

  She was silent for several moments, then said, “We should continue. The others are getting far ahead of us.”

  “Yes, they are.” He looped her arm through his. “Come. We’ll catch them up soon enough.”

  Nella walked down the path as if she was racing to run away from his remarks.

  James regretted his comments. After his experience in London two weeks ago, he would never put Nella through the humiliation. How could he have made such a ridiculous suggestion? He was a complete cad.

  ~■~

  Nella woke the next morning and raced across the room. She reached the washstand bowl just in time to cast up the contents of her stomach. Wary lest it happen again, she clutched her middle and went back to lie down. She wasn’t sure she’d b
e able to get up, but whatever sickness had struck her left after an hour or so and she felt altogether better.

  She was glad. She’d so looked forward to touring the estate. There were several places she’d not yet seen.

  She dressed, then went down to break her fast.

  Everyone had already eaten and had gone to the library to relax before it was time to leave the house.

  “Are you all right?” her husband asked when he entered the room and looked at her.

  “Yes, of course. I’m fine.”

  “You seem pale. And there are dark circles beneath your eyes.”

  “I…um…didn’t sleep well last night. That’s all.”

  “All the stress of the last two weeks is wearing on you, I dare say.”

  “No, I’m fine. Truly.”

  “Well, sit down and have some breakfast.”

  James led her to the table, then went to the sideboard and started to fill a plate.

  “I’ll just have some toast,” she said. The thought of eating any more turned her stomach.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I’m sure.”

  “Perhaps you’d like to go up to your room and rest until it’s time to leave.”

  The thought of doing just that was most desirable, but she couldn’t. She had guests to see to, and her husband would only think her weak if she neglected her company.

  James put his hand to her forehead then removed it. “You’re not overly warm, Nella.”

  “Of course not. I’m not ill.”

  “Very well.” He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.

  Her heart wanted to leap for joy when he showed her just that little display of affection. It was everything she’d wished for.

  “Join our guests, James. I’ll be there in a moment.”

  “Very well.”

  And he left.

  Nella drank her tea and ate a bite of dry toast. By the time everyone was ready to leave, she felt much better.

  She wasn’t sure what she’d eaten the night before to upset her stomach so, but she vowed never to eat it again.

  ~■~

  James watched Nella as they rode in the open carriage. Her two friends were with her while he, Candleton, and Pomeroy rode their horses.

  “What is that?” she asked from the carriage.

  James rode closer. “What is what?” he asked.

  “That stone wall over there.” Nella pointed to the only remaining wall of a crumbling structure.

  “It’s part of the old stone quarry. They cut squares for the original part of Colworth Abbey here and hauled them to the manor house.”

  “And what is that?” she asked, pointing to a small cottage.

  “That’s where the overseer of the quarry lived. It’s been vacant for years now, though.”

  “Might we go inside?” Lady Patricia asked.

  “If you wish. But no one’s been there for years so I can’t guarantee what it looks like inside.”

  “That’s all right,” she said, prompting James to order the driver to take them to the cottage.

  “Oh, look,” Nella said when they entered the small cottage. “Are you sure no one’s been here for a long time?”

  “I didn’t think so, but perhaps someone has. Or at least they’ve been here to tidy up.”

  “Yes, I think you’re right,” Nella said. “What a sweet getaway this would make. I think I could even paint here!”

  James lifted her hand and kissed it. “Then paint away, my dearest. Paint to your heart’s content.”

  Laughter bubbled up as a welcome tingle traveled up her arm.

  My dearest. He’d called her his dearest. A kiss on the hand and sweet words. The moment seemed as near to paradise as Nella had ever been.

  “Come along, you two lovebirds,” Rosamonde sang as she swept out the door. “I want to see that glass factory!”

  After leaving the small house they toured the rest of Colworth Abbey and spent a fascinating hour at the factory. There was so much to see they barely made it home in time for luncheon.

  “Oh, Nella,” Rosamonde gushed when they returned to the manor house. “Those hills were beautiful. I can tell you’ve already found a dozen more scenes to paint.”

  Nella looked at her husband and smiled. “More than I’ll have time to paint in this lifetime. This has to be the most beautiful area in all of England. And just imagine how it will transform in the spring and summer. I’ll never have enough paints to complete the scenes I want to put on canvas.”

  “Are you short on paint, Nella?” James asked.

  They’d gone into the drawing room and were enjoying a few quiet moments before luncheon was served.

  “Don’t you know,” she teased, “artists are always short on paint. Like readers are always short on books and embroiderers never have the right color of thread.”

  Everyone laughed. James was reminded again that his wife had a wonderful sense of humor and he loved anticipating what bit of whimsy might come from her next.

  “Then I have an idea. If you’d like.”

  “What?” she asked, the excitement evident on her face.

  “What if we took a short walk after lunch and went into the village. You can stock up on paints, then you and your friends can visit the bookshop while the men and I go to the Tobacco Shoppe. I’m running low on pipe tobacco.”

  “That sounds wonderful,” Nella said when she looked at the excited expressions on her friends’ faces.

  That is just what they did. After lunch, they all walked to the village.

  James was glad that he’d had the foresight to have the carriage follow them to Siding Cross. Not to transport the females, who he thought might need a ride back, but to carry all the items they’d purchased.

  He looped his wife’s arm through his and walked with her as they returned home.

  “Thank you,” she said when they were on their way.

  “For what?”

  “For…everything. For making this day possible. For buying me a necklace I didn’t need but love nonetheless. For making my friends feel so welcome. For…”

  She lifted her gaze and James suffered from the most exhilarating effect when she smiled at him. It was as if a rush of molten warmth wrapped around his heart. As if he was consumed by a joy he couldn’t identify.

  She smiled and their gazes locked in a way that confused him. He wanted to kiss her, but didn’t. He couldn’t. Not here. Not now. Instead, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and nestled her close to him while they walked back to Colworth Abbey.

  The sudden desperation to have his wife in his arms completely flummoxed him. This urgency to feel her lush body beneath him, to feel her arms around him while they made love, was new to him. And astonishingly welcome.

  His mind told him to push these thoughts away. To push her away. But instead, he held her close, and for the first time since they married, he realized the depth of his good fortune at taking her for his wife.

  Chapter 10

  Their autumn house party was nearly at an end. Everyone would travel back to London tomorrow and the house would be empty again.

  Nella hated the thought of seeing her friends return to London. Especially since James had informed her that he had important business he had to take care of in Town and would be leaving at the same time as their guests.

  She told herself she shouldn’t let his absence bother her. She’d known when they married that he would start to spend more and more time away from her. He was born for the life he had in London and couldn’t be required to stay at Colworth Abbey with her. It wasn’t the life he wanted or…deserved.

  She sat in the library with a book in her hands, yet she wasn’t reading. She raised her head at a knock on the door, then smiled when her friends walked into the room.

  “There you are,” Rosamonde said as she and Patricia entered.

  “Yes, you knew right where to find me. Sit down. I’ll ring for tea.”

  “Please don’t,” Pat
ricia said after she and Rosamonde sat on the sofa across from her. “It’s nearly time for luncheon.”

  “We wanted to thank you, Nella,” Rosamonde said reaching for Nella’s hand and squeezing her fingers. “We’ve had the most exciting time ever!”

  “Oh, I’m glad.”

  “Yes,” Patricia added, “and Lord Candleton told me he looked forward to dancing with me at the military ball next week.”

  “Oh, wonderful!” Nella said.

  “And Lord Pomeroy asked for permission to call on me when we return to London.”

  Nella could hardly contain her excitement. This was much more than she’d hoped for. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if her friends married James’ friends and they could see them regularly?

  “Oh, do let me know how things progress,” Nella said. “Write me often.”

  “We will,” Rosamonde and Patricia said in unison. Then, their moods turned dour.

  “What? Is something wrong?”

  “We weren’t going to tell you this,” Rosamonde said as she gave Patricia a look.

  “There was talk brewing before we left London.”

  “What kind of talk?”

  “It seems that Lady Blanche has it in for you.”

  “For me?” Nella said clapping her hand over her mouth.

  “Yes. She says it won’t be long before your husband is free of you.”

  “Free? Of me? Why would she say such a ghastly thing?”

  “She says…” Rosamonde looked to Patricia for reassurance, then continued. “She says she will forgive him and…and welcome him.”

  Nella rose from her chair and stumbled across the room. What did Blanche know? What could have given Blanche the idea James would leave his wife? Unless…

  Nella shook off the horrid thought.

  When she reached the opposite side of the room she placed her hands on the window ledge to steady herself. “He wouldn’t leave me.”

  Her dear friends rushed to agree.

  “Of course he wouldn’t! We’ve seen how much he loves you.”

  “We just want you to be aware she may still be plotting,” Patricia said. “Just be careful.”

  Nella swiped the tears from her eyes and stared out the window at nothing. “I will. You will let me know what you hear when you return, won’t you?”