Sylvia Andrew by The Bridegroom's Bargain

Author:The Bridegroom's Bargain [Bargain, The Bridegroom's]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Lexi found it nearly impossible to behave normally at dinner. Richard had adopted his public demeanour for the occasion—courteous, reserved, slightly cool. But his eyes rested frequently on his wife, and the expression in them was warm and loving. He was full of plans for Channings, and though Lexi did her best she had a hard time responding to his enthusiasm.

‘You’re very quiet, my love,’ he said finally.

‘Am I? I’m sorry. I think I must be tired.’

‘You’ve done too much today. We must see that you get an early night.’ Lexi went scarlet as he looked at her with a familiar gleam in his eye.

‘I…I think I’ll go up now,’ she faltered.

‘Come, we’ll go together.’ He got up and, waving away the footman, came round to help her himself.

‘Oh, but there’s no necessity for you to leave the table, too. You haven’t finished your wine!’

‘I don’t need it,’ he said. ‘I shall come with you. There’s something I’d like to give you.’

‘What is it?’ she asked, wondering what she would say if he was at last offering to show her the page from the diary.

‘A very special ring. It belonged to my grandmother. You should have had it earlier, but I was waiting for our anniversary.’

‘Anniversary?’ Lexi said blankly.

‘A week ago today we became lovers. One week of perfect happiness. I wanted to spend the whole day with you, but Mark’s visit and the business with Harmond made that impossible. But you shall have the ring. It’s upstairs. Come!’

He held out his arm, and Lexi could do nothing but accept it.

They went together into his room, where he settled Lexi down in the armchair and kissed her. ‘Sit there while I fetch it, my love. And afterwards you can go to your bed and sleep, if that is your wish. You’re looking very beautiful, but rather pale. You mustn’t be ill again.’ As he picked up the key and went over to the cabinet he asked, ‘What did Mark have to say for himself? His visit doesn’t seem to have done you much good.’

Lexi watched him nervously, as he put the key in the lock. ‘He…he talked of my father. And Rawdon.’

He stopped what he was doing and turned towards her. ‘He didn’t upset you, did he? I’ll have a word with him if he did!’

‘No, no. He means well.’

As Richard turned back again Lexi thought she heard him murmur, ‘Oh, does he?’ but by now she was too apprehensive to take it in.

He turned the key. The doors of the cabinet burst open and a torrent of folders fell out. The floor was scattered with papers and documents of every description.

‘What the devil—?’ Richard stared at the floor. The silence was dreadful. It grew and grew until it filled the room. Finally he turned his gaze towards Lexi.

‘It appears you’ve been looking for love letters again,’ he said.

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