The Hidden Heart (32 page)

“The devil with my family,” said Richard. “I have very little family, except for a few cousins who will doubtless be most disappointed to see that I am remarrying at all. I have told you, I am free to do as I please, and I please to marry you, scandal or not. I want to restore your father’s good name for you. You do not deserve to live, and he did not deserve to die, under the cloud of suspicion. He was an honorable man, and he did a very good thing. He probably died in the service of his country. For while the General may have preferred to believe that he died in a common tavern fight, I find it difficult to believe, given the circumstances. We know that Kestwick is a killer. I see no reason to think that he was not one back then, too. You may forgive the General for what he did for Lady Kestwick, but I do not. He allowed you to live in poverty, to suffer the rejection of society, to have to work to live. And if Gabriela is harmed by this, that, too, will lie at his door.”

He looked at her and smiled. “I know. You are too tenderhearted to think of her being hurt. Well, do not worry. In four years’ time, when she comes out, with a duke for a guardian and you and Rachel guiding her through her season—as well as the very substantial fortune she was left by Streathern and her father—I will probably have to beat the suitors off with a stick. She will be fine.”

Jessica smiled and reached up to place a light kiss on his lips. “I love you.”

“And I love you. Now, I suggest we find Rachel and Michael and tell them our news.” He kissed her brow, then nuzzled into her hair. “Although, now that I think of it…there is a little bit of time before supper, and Gabriela will doubtless keep Rachel occupied for the next few minutes.”

“That is true,” Jessica agreed, bending her neck to the side to allow him access. “Can you think of a way we could spend that time, Your Grace?”

His chuckle was muffled against her neck. “Indeed, I can, Miss Maitland.”

Turning, he strode to the door and closed it, turning the key firmly in the lock. Then he walked back to her, a slow smile spreading across his face. Sweeping her up in his arms, he carried her across the floor to the bed. This time their lovemaking was slow and gentle, an easy exploration with hands and tongues and lips that built gradually, until at last they exploded into a white-hot burst of passion. And as she eased back into reality, her heart still hammering, her body slick with sweat, Jessica knew, with a happiness that had no measure, that she had at last found love.

The roads were passable in two days’ time, and, to everyone’s great relief, their visitors were able to leave, Lord and Lady Vesey taking Darius with them in the carriage to London, and the coach passengers continuing, much diminished, to York. Mr. Cobb escorted Radfield Addison to gaol and set off with the jewels for Mr. Gilpin.

The house was then in a stir for Christmas, only two days away. Christmas Day dawned bright and clear, with enough snow remaining to provide a picture-pretty scene.

The Yule log was dragged in in the middle of the afternoon and placed in the cavernous fireplace in the Great Hall. Richard lit it with a splinter saved for that purpose from the last year’s log, something which his servants never failed to do, always wishing good fortune on him and his house even when he was not in attendance.

Afterward they sat down to a groaning table covered with a Christmas feast far larger than they could eat. There was roast beef and venison, as well as stuffed goose and pheasant, and a variety of vegetables. There was mince pie, a Christmas staple, one of which would be eaten every night for the Twelve Days of Christmas, thus insuring twelve months of good luck for the inhabitants of the house. The meal was finished off, of course, with a huge round plum pudding, made on the first Sunday of Advent, with everyone taking a turn at stirring it for luck. There was gingerbread, as well, and sugar plums and ginger nuts, so that by the end of the meal, no one could eat a bite more.

Everyone retired to the Great Hall, where the servants were given their gifts, and the gentlemen toasted the coming season from the wassail bowl, the ladies with wine.

“I think this is the best Christmas ever,” Rachel said, smiling at Richard and Jessica.

“Splendid,” her husband agreed, and his eyes rested on his wife’s face for a moment. Then he smiled and added, “A wonderful feast, and good friends and family.”

Richard slipped his hand through Jessica’s and tugged her away from the group by the fire. She followed him, looking questioning. He reached into his pocket, smiling down at her, as he said, “I have a gift for you.”

“Richard! But how—” She and Gabriela had knitted some simple gifts for the others during the past few days, but no one had been able to venture forth to the village.

He smiled, holding out his hand and opening it up to reveal a ring lying nestled in his palm. Jessica’s eyes widened. “Richard!”

“A betrothal ring,” he told her. “I thought of the one from the Cleybourne emeralds, but I did not think you would care for that. This sapphire, though, is beautiful and not quite as, shall we say, noticeable. It came to me from my mother, and from her mother before her.”

“It’s lovely. Perfect.” Jessica picked up the ring. It was set with a pure blue sapphire, surrounded by tiny diamonds, far smaller and less showy than the Cleybourne emerald that she had seen on Caroline’s hand in the portrait. He was right; she would not have wanted that ring, with all its memories of past tragedies. But this ring was beautiful and suited her far better. “Thank you.”

She held the ring out to him, and he took it and slid it onto her finger, then raised her hand to his lips. “I love you, Jessica. Until you came, I think I was only half-alive—if even that much.”

“And I love you.” The glowing face she turned up to him showed the truth of her statement.

They linked hands and looked back to where the others sat before the fire, Gabriela showing Rachel a book that Jessica had given her, and Michael quietly watching them. Jessica sighed. “I only wish that Rachel and Michael could be as happy as I am.”

“Well,” Richard pointed out, “you have changed my life. Perhaps now you can start on Rachel’s.”

Jessica smiled faintly. “No. I am afraid that happiness is something each person has to find for himself…or herself.”

“Well…” Richard leaned down and pulled her into his arms for a kiss. “I can only say I am glad that you found me.”

“That we found each other,” she corrected, and twined her arms around his neck for another kiss.