Mary Jo Putney (29 page)

“Quite right,” his grandmother said crisply. “You and your wife show promising attitudes and skills, but it’s far too early to assume that you won’t slip into the same bad habits your father and brother succumbed to. I shall continue to hold the mortgages, but I won’t require payment if you follow the course of action you described today. Also, don’t lease Kellington House. I wish to stay there when I’m in London.”

It was almost too large to comprehend. He exchanged a glance with Sarah, who seemed as stunned as he. “I don’t know how to thank you, ma’am.”

“I’m not doing this for you, but for Kellington. I sincerely hope you’ll be a better earl than your father and brother.” She got to her feet and glared at Sarah. “And you, missy! Make sure you produce an heir promptly, and raise him to have good sense.”

“I’ll do my best,” Sarah said meekly.

The dowager marched from the room. When she was gone, Rob scooped Sarah from the sofa and arranged her on his lap, then hugged her hard. He was close to shaking with shock. “We’re going to survive, Sarah! We’ll have some lean years ahead, but we’ll be able to rebuild the estate as we hoped.”

“When your grandmother was poking her cane into your almost-drowned body, I never, ever expected that she would do anything like this.” Sarah laughed. “It turns out that you didn’t need an heiress after all!”

He joined her laughter. “This makes me very glad that I followed my fancy rather than being logical and starting an heiress hunt.” He kissed his wife’s graceful neck. “Now that we’ve taken care of business, shall we go upstairs and celebrate?”

Sarah batted her golden eyelashes innocently while wiggling her sweet backside very uninnocently on his lap. “What do you have in mind?”

“I’ll think of something.” Holding her in his arms, he stood, no mean feat even with a woman as petite as Sarah. “You’re my lucky charm, princess. My life has improved dramatically since I met you.”

She linked her arms behind his neck. “So has mine, Robin. So has mine.”

S
arah awoke with a long, lazy yawn. She’d had no idea just how much she would like being married. Before she’d had rather fuzzy, mystical ideas about not marrying unless she was “in love.” She’d learned that it was enough that she enjoyed Rob’s company, trusted and respected him—and truly loved sharing a bed with him.

Rob was lying on his side with his back to her, so she rolled over to fit behind him, her body pressed along his and her arm around his waist. He made a soft, half asleep sound and clasped her hand, resting it over his heart. Sarah murmured, “Now that your grandmother has gone back to Bath, this finally feels like our house.”

He chuckled. “She did take up rather a lot of mental space. I’m flattered that she’s now willing to entrust Kellington to us.”

“I give her credit for recognizing that if she stayed here, she’d be constantly interfering.” Sarah breathed on the back of Rob’s neck. “I invited her back for Bree’s birthday party and she might come. Bath isn’t that far.”

“Between now and then, I’m going to have to take some trips. I need to visit the Kellington properties to evaluate what each needs. I’ll start with the ones in this part of the country.” He rolled on his back and looped his arm around her neck. “I hate leaving you, though. Could you come with me?”

She sighed. “I’d love to, but there’s so much going on. For now, at least, one of us needs to be here.”

“I’ll take Crowell then. He’s an excellent steward. Now that I’ve offered him a permanent position and some money for improvements, he’s working even harder. It will be useful to get his opinion of the other estates.” Rob’s chuckle reverberated under her ear. “But I won’t want to share a bed with him at night.”

“I should hope not!”

He stroked her hair. “I love the way our lives are taking form, Sarah.”

“So do I, but at the moment, I’m more interested in here and now.” Her hand slid down his torso. She was unsurprised to find that he was already somewhat aroused. When she grasped him, he caught his breath and hardened instantly. “I think I’ll climb Mount Robert,” she said happily.

“Do with me as you will, princess,” he said huskily. “I’m at your mercy.”

She pulled the covers down and climbed onto him in a dry land version of what she’d done in the tub. This was a new position for her, but she thought it would work.

Theory rapidly became fact. She loved lying along his lean body, her hair spilling around his face as they kissed and caressed. The world narrowed down to hot blood and escalating desire. Not only was it easy to join together in this position, but also shockingly, deliciously stimulating.

Their union was swift but fiercely satisfying. As she lay panting on top of him in the aftermath, she breathed, “I never realized just how powerful marital intimacy is. I can’t imagine doing this with another man.”

“God willing, you won’t have to.” Rob pulled the covers up over their cooling bodies. “This is the ‘cleaving unto one another’ part, and I like it.”

She rested her head on his shoulder, unable to forget that other women had been in his bed before her, even if they weren’t wives. “Rob,” she said in a small voice. “Does the fact that you’ve had other lovers make what we do . . . less special?”

His muscles tensed. “You don’t believe in avoiding difficult questions, princess.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice even smaller.

“Don’t be,” he said firmly. “The simplest answer is that each relationship is different. Unique. Impossible to compare. Bryony and I were very young, with all the passionate discovery of youth. My . . . companion during my Runner years was my friend and professional equal. We were two lonely people who found comfort in each other’s company, and occasionally warmth in each other’s arms.”

Sarah frowned thoughtfully. “We have a good deal of the passion, and also the companionship, I think.”

“Yes, not to mention the fact that you’re my wife.” He laughed a little. “I still have trouble believing that! But it means that everything between us is shaped by the knowledge that we have made lifetime vows to each other with all the joys and responsibilities that go with those vows.” He kissed her chin. “I refuse to get drawn into a discussion of beauty, charm, and allure! That wouldn’t be fair to anyone.”

“Wise man,” she said, smiling as they relaxed together. She suspected that he’d been with other women as well. A mistress in India, perhaps. More casual encounters that hadn’t left much of a mark on his life.

Now there was Miss Sarah Clarke-Townsend, who by luck and circumstance had become his wife. If he’d rescued a different woman and returned to England to find himself a lord, might he have married that woman? Perhaps, if they liked each other and were both in the mood to marry. It was a rather unromantic view of marriage.

Yet the fact of marrying
did
change the situation. She and Rob had pledged fidelity and responsibility. He was right that doing so affected the intimate side of their marriage, though she wasn’t knowledgeable enough to define how.

Rob said with regret, “I hate to move, but the duties of the day are calling.”

Equally regretful, she rolled off him. “Tonight is another night.”

He sat up and kissed her. “And tomorrow will be another morning.”

She made the kiss more than casual, amazed at the thought that she’d been skittish about marrying. If marriage was a gamble, she’d won her bet.

 

 

Rob was able to join Sarah for lunch that day. He enjoyed sharing the details of their days. This was another of the bonds of marriage, he was learning. Day by day they were becoming closer. Building a life as a couple.

It was a pleasant spring day and windows were open, which is why they heard the sounds of livestock as they lingered over tea. A bellowing bull, the baaing of sheep, and cackling roosters, followed by the quacks and honks of waterfowl.

“What on earth?” Rob rose and looked out the window, Sarah joining him.

Outside the castle was a convoy that included two men on horseback and two wagons, each with a bull tethered behind it. The first wagon contained sheep, goats, and pigs in separate pens. The second carried caged poultry and rabbits. At least two roosters were included because they were crowing at each other.

“They seem to be all males,” Sarah observed. “And very fine beasts they are! Did you order breeding stock and forget to mention it?”

“No.” Rob broke into a smile. “But I think I know where they came from. See that man riding at the end of this parade?”

“Murphy!” she exclaimed with delight. “Adam’s head groom. I think that other man might be one of the Ashton cowmen.”

Rob caught her hand and headed for the door. “Let’s see if this is what I suspect.”

They reached the drive in front of the house as wagons, bulls, and horses rumbled to a stop. Murphy swung off his mount and approached, a letter in his hand. “Good day, my lord,” he said formally.

“I believe you were calling me Carmichael when last we met. Why not go with Rob?” Rob offered his hand and a smile. “This lot must be a nuisance for a man who works with horses!”

Murphy grinned back. “It was an interesting trip. Took three days. The bulls are not fast walkers.” He handed over the letter.

Rob broke the seal and read:

Rob handed the letter to Sarah. “Wonderful!” she exclaimed. “Much of Adam’s original stock came from Coke of Norfolk, and he’s been improving it ever since.”

“Aye, my lady.” The cowman joined them. He bobbed his head. “You won’t find finer breeders anywhere in Britain. Where shall we put the stock? I want to get them settled properly. A journey like this ’tis hard on the poor beasts.”

This was a man who obviously loved his work and his animals. “I’ll show you to the barns,” Rob said. “I assume you’ll stay the night, maybe another day or two? I’m sure my stockmen can learn from you.”

“Aye, his grace said we were at your disposal for as long as you want.”

Seeing the conversation sliding toward the agricultural, Sarah said, “Mr. Murphy, I’m glad to see you again. I owe you thanks for what you did for me and my sister. Rob, I’ll see you later.” She gave a dazzling smile to all the men, including the drivers, and returned to the house.

As they walked toward the barns, Murphy fell in beside Rob. “His grace said you could also have this stallion I’m leading if you’d like it. Rojo is a first-class stud.”

Rob took a closer look at the stallion, a handsome red chestnut. “He’s magnificent! Why would Ashton think I might not want him?”

“Some men might feel insulted at the idea they need help with their horseflesh,” the groom explained.

“Anyone who wants to insult me with a horse like this is more than welcome,” Rob said with a grin. “This old estate is well on its way to getting on its feet again.”

“Onto a lot of sets of four feet, and some two footers as well,” Murphy said, a twinkle in his eyes. “You’ll have a fine lot of new stock next year.”

“And better yet a year later.” Rob cast an admiring glance over all his new stud animals. Sheep and cattle were impressive, but rabbits and pigeons were a good source of meat, just as good roosters and ganders could improve the quality of eggs and poultry.

He stroked the silken neck of his new stallion. Trust Ashton to come up with a unique and perfect payment for the mission Rob had accomplished.

T
he varied breeding stock animals were not the only beasts to arrive. A week later, when Rob was off acquainting himself with other Kellington properties, Sarah headed for the stables to go riding.

She was looking for Jonas when she saw that Rob’s man Harvey had returned from Ireland and was grooming a tall pony in a stall. Sarah barely knew him, so this seemed like a good opportunity to remedy that. “Good afternoon, Mr. Harvey.”

Then she recognized the pony he was grooming. “Boru!” she exclaimed with delight. “Is that really you?” Cooing, she offered the pony part of the apple she’d brought for the gelding she’d planned to ride.

Harvey touched his cap respectfully. “Rob asked me to see if I could find your pony after I finished at Kilvarra.” He nodded toward the next stall. “He also said I should look for another pony that would do for Miss Bree.”

“What a beauty!” Sarah leaned against the stall door, admiring the placid dappled gray pony. “Bree will love her.”

Harvey patted the pony’s neck. “She’s a patient girl. Good for a new rider.”

“How did things go at Kilvarra?” Sarah asked. “Are any tenants interested in emigration?”

Harvey nodded. “Aye, some are eager to try their luck in a new land. That was a good thought. I also discharged the old steward and hired on Father Patrick’s brother. Much remains to be done, but the tenants’ lot is improving.”

As with Kellington Castle, it was a start. Sarah studied Harvey from the corner of her eye. He was a few years older than Rob, wiry and weathered. There was intelligence in his face, and a weary sense of experience. “How did you and Rob meet?” she asked. “If you don’t mind my asking.”

Harvey shrugged. “Don’t mind. It was in India. I was a sergeant in the East India Company army. One night when I had too much to drink, I walked down an alley where there were some locals who didn’t like foreigners. They attacked and would have killed me if I hadn’t been yelling. Rob heard and came to investigate. Drove them off and did considerable damage. ’Course, they messed me up pretty bad first.”

“So badly you had to leave the army?” she asked quietly.

“Aye.” Harvey stamped his wooden peg leg on the floor. “Lost my leg below the knee. I almost died when the wound turned putrid. Rob saw that I was taken care of, then offered me work when it was obvious I wasn’t much more use to the army.”

“You might not have been much use to the army, but I gather you’re good for other things,” she remarked. “Rob values you as both associate and friend.”

“ ’Tis mutual.” Harvey glanced at her askance. “Are you good enough for him, my lady?”

She smiled. “Probably not. But I’m working on it.”

He laughed softly, and she knew that in the future, they’d be friends.

 

 

Rob had planned to return from Devonshire the next day, but instead he pushed on, anxious to see Sarah. It was near midnight when he and Crowell returned. A tolerant gleam in his eyes, the steward said he’d take care of the horses and sent Rob off to join his bride. Rob found it wryly amusing that he was the cliché of a besotted bridegroom, but there was no denying the reality.

When he entered the master suite, he went direct to Sarah’s room. The earl’s room had yet to be slept in. He entered the chamber quietly, not wanting to startle her awake. A dimly lit lantern gave enough light to show his wife sleeping innocently on her right side, her right hand under her cheek. She looked like a sleeping angel, her exquisite features serene and her blond braid falling over her shoulder.

“Sarah?” he said softly.

There was a flash of movement and suddenly his wife was sitting up in bed, a cocked pistol held steady in both hands, the barrel aimed at his chest.

Rob froze, his hands in the air. Startling a barely awake woman with a gun aimed at him would not be wise.

“I thought I’d receive a warmer welcome,” he said in his most soothing voice.

She recognized him in an instant and uncocked the pistol. As she set it on her end table, she exclaimed, “Rob, I’m so sorry! With you away, I’ve been having nightmares of the abductors coming after me again.”

She slipped from the bed to wrap herself around him. He enveloped her in his arms. She was trembling.

He felt like the greatest fool on earth. “I’m the one who needs to apologize. I shouldn’t have gone away, and I certainly shouldn’t have startled you awake! I missed you too much to stay away for a minute longer than was absolutely necessary.”

She tilted her face up and he kissed her. Passion seared, swift and shocking. He swept her onto the bed and tumbled down beside her. As he frenziedly unbuttoned his breeches, her hands and mouth and teeth were all over him, as urgent with need as he was.

She was ready, more than ready, her body hot and slick and demanding when he thrust into her.
She
was his home, not this great pile of rocks. In Sarah he found peace and joy and shattering fulfillment.

Culmination was as swift and uncontrolled as their joining. Guessing that he’d have nail marks on his back, Rob rolled to his side and drew her close, gasping for breath, his cheek pressed to hers.

Sarah said with unsteady amusement, “Well,
that
was a fine way to wake up!”

He gave a choke of laughter. “I’m sorry. I really didn’t intend to ravish you.”

“I think the ravishing was mutual.” Her arms tightened around him. “I kept myself very busy, but I still missed you dreadfully.”

“As I missed you. I never really understood the madness of the newly married. I feel like an idiot—but I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He kissed her temple.

“Nor would I.” She made the soft humming sound that reminded him of a contented cat.

“I hate to think I’ll have to go off on another manor visit in a few days, but I need to do what I can while it’s early enough in the year to implement changes.” He sighed. “And I should go to London for a few days, too. I may need to kidnap you myself.”

“Tempting, but not sensible.” Sarah thought for a moment. “How about after Bree’s birthday, the three of us go to London together? You can take care of business while I can show her the sights and take her to a modiste. I’d also like to engage a governess who could teach Bree and the Holt children. Mrs. Holt is a good teacher, but she has so many other duties that she’d be happy to give up that one.”

“I like that idea,” he agreed. “Have you found local teachers for the estate schools you want to start?”

“I’ve hired two infant teachers, but I still need a master and mistress for the older children. I’d prefer local people.” She grinned. “I’m thinking of calling these the Kellington Hedge Schools with the motto ‘education for all.’ ”

He laughed. “I like the name, but we don’t want parents refusing to send their children because they fear lung fever from studying under the hedges.”

“I expect you’re right.” She sighed happily. “So many of the things we can do to improve the tenants’ lives cost so little. A year of education for all the children on the estate for less than the cost of a grand lady’s court dress or a good hunting horse for a sporting gentleman.”

As Rob rubbed her back, he said slowly, “I’ve begun to be grateful for the difficulties of my younger years because I lived life as very few aristocrats ever do. I’ve learned that people of all ranks of society have hopes and fears and dreams. They feel happiness and despair. Now I’m in a position to help some of them.”

“I wonder what you’d be like if you’d been raised as a typical aristocratic younger son,” Sarah said. “Much less interesting, I’m sure. I like you very well as you are.”

“That’s fortunate, since you’re stuck with me,” he said, his gaze tender.

They were amiably silent for a few minutes until Sarah asked, “How did you find your manor of Buckthorne?”

“Rather neglected, but not desperately so. The tenant is a good one who took care of a lot of the smaller problems himself. He was very glad to hear that improvements will be made. Since I needn’t pay the mortgage, I can plow Buckthorne’s revenues back into the manor. In two or three years, it should be profitable again.”

“If that’s true of the other properties, in a few years you will be very, very rich,” Sarah observed.

“
We
will be very, very rich. Remember me saying ‘with my worldly goods I thee endow’?” He frowned. “That reminds me that we need to have marriage settlements drawn up since we didn’t do them before the wedding. Portions for daughters and younger sons, pin money and jointure for you. Whatever else is advisable.”

“An advantage of all these unentailed estates is that they can be left to those daughters and younger sons,” she observed. “That way they’ll be comfortably established as gentry in their own right.”

He ran a caressing hand down her side and over her hip. Since she hadn’t been expecting him, she wore a plain, sturdy flannel nightgown. She still looked incredibly fetching. “As a younger son, I would have welcomed land of my own instead of money.”

“Which you didn’t receive anyhow. If you’d had the deed to a manor, you would have had something your family couldn’t take away.” She nuzzled closer. “We’ll be much better parents than your father.”

“I certainly hope so. I’ll need to study how to do it right, though, since I’ve had no experience of what a good father is like.”

“If you need a model, there’s my uncle Peter, who was a wonderful father to his sons as well as me,” she suggested. “Or Adam’s stepfather, General Stillwell. His children and stepchildren are devoted to him.” She snuggled closer. “But I think you’ll manage on your own. You’re doing a good job with Bree.”

“I’m glad you think so.” He looked at himself ruefully. “I may need aid in being a proper, respectful husband, though. I’m covered with travel dust, which I’ve inflicted on you and your bed.”

“There’s a cure for that.” She smiled at him mischievously. “Let’s take a bath!”

Laughing, he swung out of the bed and lifted her in his arms to carry her off to their magnificent tub. He truly was blessed.