A Seven Year Hitch (23 page)

             
The time soon passed once they had entered the library and the several folders containing the numerous paintings and drawings of far flung places and wonders had been set out. Erica proved to be a font of knowledge about the various places depicted and enthralled them with tales of long dead princes and kings associated with some of the amazing buildings.

“So the Mughal Emperor Shah J
ahan built this for his wife?” the Duchess asked, trying to clarify what Erica had told them.

“It is in fact a mausoleum for it was built in memory of Mumtaz Mahal; his favourite wife. He would have had lots of wives
,” she affirmed.

“H
e must have loved her very much,” Ross said softly.

All stood quietly for a moment, studying the beautiful painting and thinking of the deep grief that had prompted Shah Jahan to build such a magnificent memorial.

“Thank-you my dear, for such an interesting afternoon,” The Duchess finally broke the solemn silence. “Come along Penkhill, you can take me for a stroll in the gardens where I can compare them with the plans.”

“Your wish is my command,
” he replied and smiling his own thanks, offered her his arm and together they strolled out.

Erica began gathering together the folders, in readiness for putting away and Ross took the opportunity to silently convey the message, through head gestures and hand motions that he wanted time alone with her.

Initially Fiona had looked puzzled and Ross was concerned that he would have to be less subtle which would alert Erica to his machinations, but Stephen grabbed her arm and pulled her none too gently towards the door. Her brow cleared in enlightenment and she smiled encouragingly at him before waving goodbye. Stephen nodded and quietly closed the door behind them.

“Let me help you with those
,” Ross offered gathering up some of the pictures.

“Thank you
,” Erica turned and smiled at him but then froze when, looking around, she noted the absence of Stephen and Fiona.

“Oh very cleverly done, My Lord. How did you bribe them into leaving?” she asked crossly, slamming down a folder on the desk and glaring at him.

“There was no need to bribe, they seem keen to see us form an attachment. But don’t be annoyed, I only want to talk,” he said.

“Oh I’ve heard that before and before I can count to twenty, you’re trying to seduce me with
your kisses and…other things.” she finished lamely.

“I give you my word I will not touch you, unless of-course
you give me permission first,” he assured her with such a look of ingenuousness on his face that she could not suppress a laugh.

“Oh very well, Trevellyn, you have ten minutes.”

“Come and sit down,” he said and when she again looked suspicious and guarded he added lightly, “Here in this lovely winged chair, comfortable sitting for one.”

Erica regarded him for a moment as he stood with his hand on the back of the chair before shrugging and taking the seat he offered. Ross did not immediately speak but paced the library trying to order his thoughts into some sort of coherent order. He had never before felt such deep and enduring love for anyone and had therefore never been in a situation where he had to declare it. It was imperative he got it right for, if he did not, he stood to lose the only woman he could ever love in such a way, and life without her in it did not bear thinking about.

He abruptly stopped pacing and swung to face her and all his carefully prepared words, all the things that he wanted to say suddenly evaporated. “I love you, Erica,” he blurted out, “with all my heart, all my soul, all my being.”

Following his outburst, the ticking of the clock was the only sound, marking the passing of time, although to the two occupants of the room time was, to all intents and purposes, standing still.

With a sob, Erica leapt from the chair and flung herself into his arms, soaking his jacket with her tears and clinging to him as though her life depended upon it. Ross held her tight and let her cry, using the time to compose his emotions for he felt a suspicious moistness in his own eyes.

“That seemed to go well
,” he eventually said, having decamped to the sofa where he sat with Erica ensconced on his lap with his arms securely wrapped around her.

“I had rehearsed a speech
you know, all about your beauty and your intelligence and how you light up my life but when I faced you I couldn’t remember any of it. Instead I blurted out like a callow youth,” he told her.

“If you had come out with all flowery words I would have just thought it wa
s another ploy to win the wager,” Erica admitted. “As it was, you spoke from the heart and I recognized it for the true state of your feelings for me.”

“The
wager was part of my speech,” he told her. “I was prepared to forfeit my own happiness and risk losing you by offering to sign the annulment papers to prove to you how much I loved you. And you? What are you feelings for me?” he asked her.

“You know very well how I feel about you!” she answered.

“I still want to hear you say it.”

“I love you Ross Devereaux!”

“And I love you, Erica Devereaux! Now do I have permission to touch you?” he asked in mock seriousness.

“You already are touching me,
” Erica, somewhat confused, retorted.

“I meant touch you intimately!” he said amusement mingling with desire in his sincere gaze.

Erica blushed and nodded, uttering a blissful sigh as he lowered his lips to hers for their first kiss, devoid of any restraints or reservations. He ran his tongue along her lower lip before gently probing her open mouth and entangling his tongue with hers. She kissed him back, exploring him with her own tongue, her hands splayed across his hard expanse of chest, feeling the strength coiled in his toned muscles.

“Come to bed with me, wife?” he broke the kiss long enough to ask.

“What now? But it is the middle of the afternoon!” She answered, only half-heartedly objecting.

“No one would miss us for an hour or so, they’ll assume we are walking in the grounds
,” Ross trailed little kisses down her jaw line and sucked her earlobe, making it difficult for her to think.

“Your room or mine?” she asked when she could summon enough breath to speak.

“Mine, it’s further away and less likely that your screams will be heard!”

“Screams?” she queried, a little concerned.

“Screams of pleasure, my darling,” he assured her. “I promise you a very pleasurable, scream filled, afternoon!”

“What are we waiting for?” she asked and he, covering her mouth again with his own, lifted her as he stood and slowly lowered her down the length of him, so that their bodies remained flush.  Breaking away she clasped his hand and turned towards the door, intent on reaching their destination as quickly as was humanly possible, but had not taken more than a couple of steps before a knock preceded Boodle’s entering and standing on the threshold.

“Mrs. Hardy, Miss Anne Hardy, Mr. Algenon Hardy and Mr. Albert Harrison have called, Miss Erica. Do you wish me to inform them you are not at home to visitors?” he asked.

“
Harrison?”

“Yes Miss. A shifty looking character, not quite the thing if you wish for my opinion.”

“Yes I do. Thank you Boodle. Have you told my brother they are here?” she enquired.

“Master Gerald had urgent business at home farm, Miss. He left about five minutes ago!” Only the telltale red, staining his ears, gave any indication that Boodle was relating a lie, concocted by his master.

Erica frowned but said, “It’s probably just as well. Tell them I will be with them in a few moments please Boodle, and see that refreshments are offered.”

“Very good, Miss
,” Boodle bowed and turned to go.

“Oh and Boodle
,” she added “Don’t serve the good liquor to the men. There’s no point wasting it!”

“Very good,
Miss.” he smiled and again made to leave.

“Oh and Boodle, one more thing!”

“Yes Miss?”

“Congratulations are now in order.”

“Oh Miss Erica or perhaps I should say My Lady, many felicitations and to you too, My Lord,” Boodle’s face split into a beaming smile as he surveyed his young mistress and her husband.

“Please share our news with Mrs. Kavanagh but we want it kept secret from everyone else; staff and family for the ti
me being,” Trevellyn told him.

“Very good, My Lord. I know Mrs. Kavanagh will want to join with me in wishing you both the best of happiness for the future.” He then resumed his butler’s mantle and bowed again before solemnly leaving to carry out his duties.

“Is Mr. Harrison a friend of the Hardy family?” Ross asked just as soon as the door closed behind him.

“No, not to my knowledge. He has never visited before and she has never mentioned him. Algenon is her nephew and although he has been in the past, his visits are rare and of short duration. Perhaps Harrison is a crony of his although he comes across more as a wet fish than a man of
Harrison’s ilk. Jane did let drop once though, that Algenon had a habit of gambling beyond his means and that it was causing his Mama some concern.”

“Then that will be the connection. He probably holds Hardy’s credit notes and is using them to get what he wants, which seems to be an introduction to you. What we need to know is why. The logical conclusion would be that he has found out your alias.”

“Robert and I have always been incredibly careful to keep my identity hidden. If there was any possibility that I had been exposed, Robert would have heard of it,” Erica told him.

“
Harrison is an extremely dangerous man, Erica. We must not assume anything where he is concerned for rest assured, he is not here just to be sociable! Even if he has not discovered the truth about you, he will have some ulterior motive for seeking an introduction.”

“Well then, let us go and find out what he does want. I shall give a very good impression of being a trifle witless but arrogant young lady so that he’ll think me incapable of being a threat to his nefarious dealings
. ” Then on a lighter note, “I absolutely forbid you to desert me. Algenon has a repulsive habit of salivating over me. It quite turns my stomach! As my husband I expect you to protect me from such nauseous attentions.”

“My attentions are going to be directed at
Harrison, I have every confidence that you will be able to rebuff your slobbering beau!” he replied.

“Maybe, but do not expect any help when Mrs. Hardy corners you as a potent
ial bridegroom for her daughter,” Erica retorted.

             
Together they made their way down the hall to the formal reception room where they found their visitors waiting in a rather awkward silence. Erica, herself feeling trepidation at the forthcoming interview, sensed the uneasiness of her neighbours. Mrs. Hardy, usually so loquacious, seemed subdued and strained. She looked up as Erica entered the room and greeted her with obvious relief.

“Erica, my dear, how good of you to receive us. I know how busy you must be with your family all here and indeed I would never have intruded but Algenon insisted, that you would want to see him
and be introduced to his friend,” Mrs. Hardy explained their presence, obviously embarrassed.

Erica chose to remain standing; therefore ensuring the men did also.

“Indeed!” Erica had transformed before Ross’ eyes into the epitome of an autocratic matron of the ton. That one word was spoken, dripping with ice and was capable of freezing any pretensions.

             
Holding herself fully erect she levelled her most haughty stare at Algenon, who visibly blanched, but catching the eye of his companion bravely spoke.

“My dear Miss Wilmshurst. I knew you would want to know I am visiting with my Aunt and Uncle at the moment and would like to introduce my friend from
London, Mr Harrison.”

“Mr Harrison
,” Erica condescended to offer him her hand, allowing a faint smile that was meant to portray her annoyance of Algenon rather than him.

“I do not believe any of you are acquainted with the Marquis of Trevellyn.” She then proceeded to introduce him before regally taking a seat in an upholstered chair and indicating to her two male visitors that they should sit upon a pair of hard and uncomfortable ones.

“Can I say how well you are looking, Mrs. Hardy. It must be a comfort for you having Jane at home with you again,” Erica smiled pleasantly at her neighbour and thereby achieved her two aims, which were to put Mrs. Hardy at her ease whilst assuring her that she in no way held her responsible for her nephews actions.

             
For the next ten minutes the ladies observed the social niceties, discussing the local news and weather whilst Trevellyn tried to engage the men in conversation. Keeping half her attention on them, Erica was not surprised to find Harrison somewhat monosyllabic and Algenon rattling on about inconsequential rubbish.  As if by mutual consent, Ross and Erica exchanged places and while he charmed the ladies, she tried to draw out Harrison.