Grace Burrowes - [Windham Sisters 05] by Lady Jenny's Christmas Portrait

Author:Lady Jenny's Christmas Portrait
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Eleven

Breakfast was trial by tea and toast. Elijah’s host and hostess bid him safe journey to London, then drifted off to whatever business would fill their day. Elijah took his customary place, back to the windows, and prayed Jenny would have the wisdom to remain above stairs until his departure.

Then he prayed that she’d come down early and spend every possible minute with him before he rode out of her life.

Then he prayed that a blizzard might start up and prevent them both from leaving, because the developments of the previous night had been too complicated and overwhelming to allow a man to think them through clearly.

“My lady.” He rose as Jenny paused in the doorway, a vision in holiday green. “Good morning.”

Her smile was hesitant. “My—Mr. Harrison.”

He’d told her about the title. He’d very nearly told her he loved her. “Won’t you sit with me? There’s a little sun to be had at this end of the table. May I fix you a plate?”

May I tell you that despite the fact that I thought we were to be married, and you did not, I will always treasure the hours you spent in my arms?

He’d told her that much when he’d deposited her fast asleep in her own bed not two hours past and kissed her cheek in parting. How brave of me.

Her smile became more confident. “I’d like that. The day looks encouraging.”

No, it did not. The day looked all too well suited to travel. Her smile, though, looked encouraging. “What will you have?”

He heaped up a plate for her, knowing she’d never eat that much but wanting to give her something, even if it wasn’t what she’d asked him for last night. When they were seated at the end of the room nearest the hearth, Elijah filled her teacup with strong, fragrant tea and added cream and sugar.

This was the last bit of solitude they might have. “Are you well, Genevieve?”

“Quite, thank you. These strawberries are particularly good.”

He tried again. “You know there might be consequences from last night?”

She went still, a succulent berry halfway to her equally succulent mouth. “Consequences?” The word came out care-ful-ly, as if she hadn’t realized any such thing. “But you didn’t… I thought… Heavens.”

She’d blushed nearly as red as the strawberry.

“I did not.” Thank a merciful, benign, forgiving Deity. Elijah had not spent his seed in her body. “There can still be consequences, and you will not bear them alone.” He passed her a folded piece of foolscap. “My man of business always knows where to reach me. If there’s need, you will contact me immediately. Promise me, Genevieve.”

She took the paper, stuffed it in some secret female pocket in her skirts, and nodded.

A tension in Elijah’s chest eased. “Butter?”

“Please.”

Ah, God, not that word. He buttered a slice from the toast rack in the center of the table. “What will you do with yourself today, Genevieve?”

“My parents will collect me shortly, and I’ll probably spend the morning planning the house party with Her Grace.

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