A Marriage Made in Mayfair (11 page)

Authors: Tamara Gill

“I love you, wife.”

“And I you, husband.”

***

The next morning, Suzanna slumped against the multitude of pillows in her bed at a local inn. She looked about the room the innkeeper had explained was for newlyweds. Native flowers sat in a vase upon the windowsill. Two chairs faced the hearth, and the bed she now occupied was big enough for a king.

A smile quirked her lips and she shuffled under the covers. Last night had been marvellous. And to think she could sleep with Royce every night, for the rest of her life, seemed a dream come true. One would wish never to get out of bed.

A knock on the door sounded and Suzanna looked about for him. “Come in,” she said, pulling the blankets higher on her person.

A maid carrying a tray entered and curtsied. “Morning, my lady. Lord Danning wished me to inform you he’ll be back post-haste but wanted you to have a hearty breakfast.”

The aromas of ham, eggs, and tea filled the room, and Suzanna’s stomach grumbled.

“Thank you. Place it on the table before the fire if you please.”

“Yes, my lady.”

When the maid left, Suzanna wrapped her cloak about her shoulders and sat in the armchair before the hearth. She ate with zeal, the plain food tasting like a feast.

“Suzanna?”

She turned and smiled as Royce came into the room. “Good morning, husband.”

He laughed and came and sat on the opposite chair to hers. “I wish to speak with you. Have you finished your repast?”

Suzanna placed down her napkin. “Yes, thank you. What is it you wish to say?”

Royce pulled from his coat pocket a folded missive.

“Is it from Henry? Has something happened?”

He waved her concerns away. “No. Nothing of that nature. What I wished to discuss is in relation to us.”

He paused at her worried frown. “Go on,” she said.

“Suzanna, as you know, my family is no longer flush with cash. George’s gambling and our irresponsible lifestyle have brought the Durnhams to the brink of financial ruin.”

“Yes.” Suzanna nodded, not understanding why Royce would bring this up now. She was wealthy enough for both of them. He no longer had to worry about debts.

“Prior to my stay in Marshalsea, I had a marriage contract drawn up between us. I’ve sent a copy to London for your brother to approve and sign. This is your copy.”

“What does it say?” Suzanna held her hand out for the paper clutched tightly in his hands. She unfolded it and read it as quickly as she could. “This wasn’t necessary, Royce,” she said meeting his gaze. “Why did you do this?”

“It was right for me to prove to you and your family that my love is for you only and not your wealth. This had to be done.”

“I never doubted it, my love.”

“And you never will. Your dowry is to remain your own to do with as you wish. I received word from my steward the week before we left London that the home farms are doing well, and our crops look to be plentiful this year. The sale of my Rome property has finalized. All I need now are my investments in the East India Company to pay, and I should break even.

“I am determined to pay back what I owe your brother, along with other debts George has accumulated without touching your money. If I wanted to marry for such security, I could have asked any one of the chits flush with cash looking for a titled husband. But I did not. Honour and love would not allow me to.”

Tears streamed down Suzanna’s face. She was sure she could not love someone as much as she loved Royce right at this moment. She tore up the contract.

“What are you doing?” He leaped forward, but Suzanna had already thrown the document into the fire.

“I do not need a piece of paper to remind me I have a loving husband. I trust and believe your love is true. And you forget, Royce, in my family, when it comes to my dowry I have the choice as to how I spend it.”

He kneeled before her and hugged her about the waist. “And how do you intend doing so, my lady?”

Suzanna kissed him. “By ensuring our family is never bothered with trivial debts again. By bestowing on your brother an income, should he exceed it, will lead to his spending time in Marshalsea instead of his brother. By keeping a close eye on your horseflesh expenditure and perhaps the hiring of a nanny would be a good idea.”

Royce frowned. “We have no need for a nanny.” He paused. “Unless…”

“Unless I’m with a child?” Suzanna smiled at her husband’s shocked countenance.

“You’re pregnant?” he asked.

Her hand clasped her stomach, the small round hardness low on her abdomen declaring it indeed was so. “Yes.”

“But when?” he frowned. “Not last night.”

“No,” she laughed, “the night of the masquerade ball.”

“Oh, Suzanna.” Royce lifted her and kissed her soundly.

Joy unlike any she’d ever known or thought to ever have assailed her. She was in love and married to a wonderful man who loved her in return. And now a child from this magnificent affection grew in her womb.

“I will strive to be the best husband and father in London. I promise you this.”

Suzanna kissed him and wiped away his tears. “You already are.”

~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~

Tamara Gill’s love of history started from an early age, but her reading of historical romances only began when home on maternity leave with her second son. Her writing career started as a hobby but soon turned into an obsession that is still going strong. Member of Romance Writers of Australia, Romance Writers of America, South Australian Romance Authors and The Beau Monde keep her occupied and focused on her craft and the changing trends of readers. Tamara lives in the beautiful Barossa Valley in South Australia and enjoys hearing from readers and writers alike.

You can visit Tamara at:

www.tamaragillromanceauthor.com

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