The Contract Bride (Runaway Regency Brides Book 6) by Darcy Regina

Author:Darcy, Regina [Darcy, Regina]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Clean and Wholesome Romance
Published: 2020-06-29T16:00:00+00:00

SIX

Mrs Widdoes’ prediction proved sadly accurate. Because of daily strolls in chilly weather, and on her wedding day, Josephina was assailed by a cold which left her sneezing throughout the service. Her father glared at her and then at his wife, as if by marriage his daughter had absorbed her mother’s maladies. But Joshua was not at all impatient or cross, and after the wedding luncheon, he said that it would be best if he took her home at once so that she could rest.

“May we come to see her?” Sylvia asked timidly as Joshua helped Josephina on with her coat.

“Of course you may. By tomorrow, she will be feeling much better, I am sure, after she has had some pampering and rest, she will be eager for company,” he assured Sylvia. “My lord, you will see that my wife’s belongings are ready to be delivered to our residence so that she will have her familiar things around her?”

“Yes, of course. They’re already packed. You could take them now if you had room in your carriage.”

“I’ll send a footman over this afternoon,” Joshua said. “My servants will take care of everything so that Josephina will not be in the least uncomfortable.”

In the carriage, he bundled Josephina in a thick blanket and let her lean against him as they travelled to his house.

“I’m very sorry,” she said.

“Sorry? For catching a cold?” Joshua laughed. “There’s no reason to apologise. It is unfortunate, that is all, but you are young and healthy, and we shall soon have you well. If you are still unwell in the morning, I shall send for the physician, but I am confident that if we only let you rest and ply you with tea, you shall feel better.”

More familiar with her father’s brusque disapproval of illness, Josephina was rather surprised when they arrived at Joshua’s house and he proved the truth of what he had promised when they had gone walking in the brisk air. He carried her inside, and the servants, gathering in the entrance to welcome the new mistress, thought their master was performing the traditional carrying over the threshold.

They applauded her arrival. Josephina lifted her head from Joshua’s chest and realised that the accolades were for her. “Oh, but . . . I must . . .”

But Joshua would not put her down. “Mrs Hendrickson has caught a cold and must be made comfortable,” he said. “Mrs Barkley, will you see that the chaise is made up in the drawing-room so that she may rest? Albert, please build up the fire for warmth? Fanny, please bring up a pot of tea for my wife.”

“Shall I bring up some of Cook’s cakes, too?” Fanny asked.

Overwhelmed at the outpouring of generosity, and the warm welcome, Josephina hardly knew what to do with herself. She offered them all a bright smile, hoping it conveyed her gratitude and sincerity.

“Are you hungry, my dear? You ate very little at the luncheon.”

Josephina shook her head. “No, but thank you,” she said. “I am sorry to put all of you to so much trouble.

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