The Marriage Obligation: The Marriage Maker Goes Undercover Book Four by Susana Ellis

Author:Susana Ellis [Ellis, Susana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scarsdale Publishing, Ltd
Published: 2018-07-26T16:00:00+00:00

Preston glanced at the mirror one last time and made a small adjustment to his neckcloth before taking up his hat and tapping on the door to his wife’s chamber. There being no response, he opened it and regarded the empty room. Blast it. Had she already gone for the day? He should have left a message for her upon his return, but in the early hours of the morning, he’d been too exhausted to do more than collapse, fully clothed, into bed.

A passing maid carrying a load of linens peeked in from the corridor. “If yer looking for yer missus, she’s breaking her fast downstairs. An early riser, she is.” She gave him a cheeky wink.

He ignored the familiarity and thanked her. He was becoming accustomed to the nods, smiles and knowing looks of the inn’s staff and guests once they learned of the honeymoon couple in their midst. At first, he worried that that being known as a honeymooning bride might discomfit his new wife, but after the first time or two, she appeared to have accepted the comments with the warmth and goodwill in which they were offered.

He dashed down the stairs and found her sipping coffee at the counter while chatting with the innkeeper’s wife. He was unsurprised. Cornelia took an interest in the lives of everyone she met, and, as a consequence, everyone liked her. He admired that quality in her, even though there were times he wished she were a bit more circumspect.

“Good morning, my dear Cornelia,” he said as he seated himself next to her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Why did you not waken me so we could share a meal together?” In a private parlor, away from the ogling of other men.

She flushed. “You returned so late from the Pavilion. I expected tonight would be the same, so it was best to let you sleep.”

“And spend another entire day fawning over His Majesty and listening to his boring friends? Not a chance, particularly now that I have a lovely bride to entertain.”

She bit her lip. “But I thought… Did you not intend to speak to the Prince about business?”

He chuckled. “No need. The Prince is as purse-pinched as ever, according to a certain someone who would know.”

Her eyebrows drew together. “Oh, but that’s not good, is it? Will you not have to find another investor?”

He turned and smiled directly into her eyes. “It was merely a passing notion, my dear. I am not sorry that nothing came of it, because now we can spend our honeymoon together, as is fitting for a newly married couple.”

“But—“ she sputtered. “It is not a real—"

He gently squeezed her hand and nodded toward the innkeeper’s wife, who stood in the doorway to the kitchen. “Now what were you planning to do today, Wife? A walk along the beach? It looks like a fine day for it.”

She nodded, a soft glow in her eyes. “I brought a book to read, but I should much rather walk with you, Preston.

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