“If you come close to sharing anything with him, change the subject. Talk about the baby. Mention Finn and Mena. You know Oliver is obsessed with children.”

  Diana kissed her cheek. “That’s an excellent idea, Thea. Oh, I’m so happy for you.”

  They embraced and Thea said, “My heart is so full of love, sometimes I think it might burst from within me.”

  “I know exactly what you mean. And when you and Durham have children, that love will grow a hundredfold.” She patted Thea’s cheek. “We better stop by and collect Oliver and go downstairs for dinner.”

  As they ate, Thea did her best not to look Adam’s way too many times. Instead, she watched what she hoped was a new budding romance unfold as Lady Sybil and Lord Hardy seemed to enjoy a lengthy conversation at dinner. Thea had enjoyed getting to know both of them and saw the shy, reserved Lady Sybil coming out of her shell as the handsome viscount charmed her.

  When the ladies left the gentlemen, Thea made sure she walked with Lady Sybil.

  “Did you have an enjoyable dinner?” she asked.

  Her new friend’s color rose. “Lord Hardy is quite nice. Very kind. And he truly seemed interested in what I had to say.”

  “And why not?” countered Thea. “You are a very interesting person, Lady Sybil.”

  “I’ve never thought so. Until now, perhaps.”

  They entered the drawing room and sipped tea as those who’d taken the house tour discussed various features of Durbury. Thea suddenly realized this was to be her house. They sat in the room where she would entertain guests one day. Suddenly, she had a strong desire to explore it herself. She listened to the other women’s conversation now with greater interest. She also studied the dowager duchess closely.

  The woman oozed confidence and charm. She knew just the right things to say and made everyone feel welcomed. Thea wondered when Adam would mention their plans to his aunt. Suddenly, the dowager duchess glanced in her direction and gave her a warm smile.

  Did she already know?

  Thea couldn’t decide for certain.

  The men joined them, and Lord Hardy made his way toward her and Lady Sybil. Thea rose as he arrived.

  “Might you wish to have my seat, my lord? I need to speak to my sister and hate to leave Lady Sybil alone.”

  “Thank you, Lady Thea. I would enjoy continuing my conversation from dinner with Lady Sybil.” Hardy claimed the seat and he and Sybil only had eyes for one another.

  Thea moved away and suddenly found the duchess at her elbow.

  “That was well played, my dear. I’d thought Hardy might find Miss Pickford more to his liking since she is far more outgoing, but I am happy to see his interest in the more reserved but charming Lady Sybil.”

  “Lord Hardy would be good for Lady Sybil,” Thea stated. “He draws her out.”

  “As you do my nephew,” the dowager duchess countered. “Adam was always a quiet boy. Very good and sweet but a bit shy. I found him to be the same as a man once we renewed our acquaintance. Until your arrival. He’s quite taken with you, my dear.”

  “His Grace is a most interesting man.”

  Adam joined them. “What have my two favorite ladies been discussing?”

  The dowager duchess chuckled. “If your ears burned, it’s because we spoke of you.” She paused. “I’ll leave you two alone and see to some of our other guests.”

  “What do you think of Aunt Louise?” Adam asked after her departure.

  “She is lovely.” Thea smiled. “And she mentioned you were taken with me.”

  “Did she? Well, I suppose I am.” His coffee-colored eyes roamed her face and he took her hand.

  “Should you do that?” she asked softly. “What if someone sees?”

  “I’m hoping they do,” he replied smoothly. “It seems I ought to stake my claim with so many bachelors around.”

  His fingers tightened around hers and his thumb rubbed back and forth along her wrist, causing her belly to tighten.

  “Your skin is like satin, only warm. I wish I could kiss you, Thea.”

  “Maybe later.”

  He’d already kissed her again this afternoon in the gardens. The dowager duchess had led the group through them. Thea and Adam had fallen behind the others and he’d taken the opportunity to give her a very thorough kiss before they caught up to the group. Thea longed for more of his kisses and hoped they’d find another chance soon.

  “Did you notice Hardy and Lady Sybil?” she asked, glancing across the room at the pair who were engaged in an animated conversation.

  “Yes. And I approve heartily. I know Hardy from my army days. He’s a good man.”

  “Shall we have some music?” the dowager duchess asked, her eyes sweeping the room until her gaze fell upon Lady Sybil. “I hear some of you possess wonderful voices.”

  Lord Hardy said, “I’d enjoy hearing Lady Sybil sing.”

  His companion blushed profusely. “But there are so many people here, my lord.”

  “Please?”

  Thea saw the one word, uttered sincerely and quietly, won Lady Sybil over.

  “If you wish.” She looked across the room to Thea. “Lady Thea, would you accompany me?”

  “I’d be happy to.”

  “I can turn the pages for you,” Adam said quickly and escorted her to the pianoforte.

  “Do you even read music?” she asked.

  “No. But I can read your lips if you say I should turn,” he quipped.

  Thea asked Sybil what she wished to sing and she flipped through a box of sheet music that a footman produced.

  “This,” Sybil said, handing the music to Thea. “Can you play it?”

  She nodded and sat on the bench, Adam taking a spot beside her.

  Sybil’s voice was high and sweet, full of emotion. When Thea struck the last note and the applause begin, she noticed pride written across Lord Hardy’s face.

  “If Hardy wasn’t convinced before, he certainly is now,” Adam murmured in Thea’s ear, sending a shiver through her.

  The group encouraged Lady Sybil to continue, and she consulted with Thea again. They played three more tunes for the crowd before Lady Sybil begged off, asking someone else to sing.

  “I’d like to stretch my legs,” Lord Hardy announced. “Lady Sybil, perhaps you’d accompany me in a walk?”

  “It’s a lovely evening,” the dowager duchess said. “Perhaps others would care to stroll outside as well.”

  “Lady Thea and I will accompany you,” Adam volunteered.

  Thea noted Oliver whisper to Diana and then he said, “We’ll also go along.”

  The three couples left the drawing room and ventured from the house.

  “It’s too dark to walk the gardens,” Adam said, “but the moonlight is strong enough to venture along the lawns leading toward it. Follow us.”

  He’d taken Thea’s hand and slipped it through his arm, placing his other hand over it. Thea could smell the spice of his soap and feel the heat pulsing from his tall frame. He led their group slowly, and she savored being near him, their upper arms pressed against one another.

  In front of the gardens sat two benches and Adam paused at them. “Would anyone care to sit and rest a bit?” he asked.

  “I would,” Diana said, and she and Oliver took a spot on one.

  “I think we’ll continue on a bit,” Hardy said, leading Lady Sybil away.

  “Then we should take the other,” Adam told her.

  She sat next to him, noting he took up a good deal of the stone bench. Their sides pressed against one another’s and Adam slipped an arm about her waist. She noted Oliver’s brows rise a notch at the gesture as the four of them spoke at length. Thea was pleased Adam got along so well with Diana and Oliver. Family meant everything to her, especially now that Diana and the twins were in her life.

  It startled her when Adam took her hand. He gazed into her eyes and said softly, “I want to tell them. If you do.”

  Thea nodded, grateful Diana wouldn’t have to keep anything from her husband.

  He cleared his throat and looked at the other bench’s occupants. “Now that we have privacy, I want to take this opportunity to speak to the both of you regarding my feelings toward Lady Thea.”

  Diana beamed at them. Oliver frowned deeply. Thea held her breath.

  “Lord Merrifield, I want you to know that I hold your sister-in-law in the highest regard.”

  Oliver leaned forward. “And does that regard include the liberty of holding her hand? Not only here but earlier, in front of everyone?”

  “I know you’re acting as her guardian and chaperone and though I wanted to approach you at the end of your stay at Durbury, in order for you to see us together this week, I find what’s in my heart too strong to remain silent.” Adam paused. “I’m in love with Thea and she with me. I am offering for her and would like to announce our engagement before the house party disperses.”

  Oliver’s penetrating blue eyes regarded them carefully. “You haven’t known each other long, though I suppose many marriages in the ton are arranged under similar circumstances. What is it you love about Thea?”

  Adam’s fingers tightened on hers and he looked deeply into her eyes.

  “Thea is beautiful on the inside and out. She is warm and caring. Thoughtful. Intelligent. It’s as if we’ve always known one another and yet will discover new things about each other every day forth for the rest of our lives.”

  Adam turned back to Oliver. “I’m a simple man, Lord Merrifield. I wasn’t raised to this title thrust upon me. My needs are few, but with the great responsibility I now hold, I want Thea by my side, helping me make the best decisions for Durbury and my tenants.” He paused. “I never felt love or received it in the past. My mother died giving birth to me. My father dedicated himself to the navy and left me in my uncle’s care. My aunt left the house when I was a small boy and we’re only now becoming reacquainted. So all of these new feelings I have toward Thea are unfamiliar to me—and yet they dominate my every thought. If I couldn’t be with her, I would be nothing.”

  His words touched Thea, and she saw they did the same for Oliver and Diana. Her sister’s eyes brimmed with tears, while her brother-in-law visibly relaxed.

  “Lord Reston must make the final decision,” Oliver said. “I will write him in the morning, recommending he give permission for you to wed.”

  “I’ll do the same,” Diana chimed in. “When Derek learns that Thea has found love, he’ll be happy to allow you to marry.”

  “I’ll ask one thing of you, though,” Oliver added. “You still have much to learn about one another. I request that you have a conversation now and share any secret you might hold with the other. It’s important to always be honest with your spouse. Honesty is the foundation to build your future.”

  With that, he rose and helped his wife to her feet.

  “We’ll leave you now,” he said. “I hear voices and will steer Lady Sybil and Lord Hardy back toward the house. If you still feel you wish to wed, tell me in the morning and I’ll send a messenger to Esterley.”

  Adam rose and shook Oliver’s hand and then kissed Diana’s hand. “Thank you, Lord Merrifield. Lady Merrifield.”

  Thea watched them go as Adam returned to her side. He took her hands and kissed them reverently.

  She said, “I’ll be the first to speak. If once I’m done, you wish to withdraw your offer, I’ll understand. That way, you won’t have to tell me any of your secrets and we can part ways amicably.”

  Chapter Ten

  Adam wondered what secrets Thea de Wolfe might possibly possess. She was from the far north and had lived in the country her entire life. She’d never made her debut in society. He knew from their kiss that it had been her first, though she was already proving that she would master kissing—and him.

  “Tell me,” he urged quietly, promising himself not to judge her harshly no matter what she revealed. “I don’t believe there’s anything you could say to keep me from you, Thea.”

  She licked her lips nervously, only causing a surge of lust to sweep through him. He had to force himself not to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless.

  She sighed. “The reason Oliver stressed honesty between us is that his and Diana’s relationship started with a lie.”

  “What? But they are the picture of happiness and most affectionate toward one another.”

  “That’s true. Let me take you back before they even met.” Thea paused. “It’s important you hear this.”

  She swallowed, and Adam could see whatever she wanted to say proved difficult for her. He squeezed her hands in encouragement.

  “Just before Diana left for London and her come-out years ago, she discovered she was with child.”

  Shock ran through him and then a rush of pity for the elegant, friendly countess replaced it. He knew these circumstances occurred occasionally and only felt sorrow that Lady Merrifield had gone through such a trying time in her youth. Adam remained silent, allowing Thea to continue her tale.

  “Father was beyond furious. He banished Diana from Esterley and forbid any of the family to ever see her again. She gave birth to twins and raised them on her own for years, taking in sewing to provide for them. Only when Father died six months ago and my brother became the new Earl of Reston did Diana finally come back into our lives.”

  Adam couldn’t imagine the calm, kind countess doing manual labor for years. She was the epitome of nobility. Yet he could understand her strength of character, wanting to provide for her children as best she could.

  “Derek insisted Diana have the Season—and husband—that had been denied her. He brought us to London and beseeched Diana to keep quiet about Finn and Mena, her twins. Diana hoped she might have an opportunity to marry some much older man or a widower with children, someone who might accept her children and not be shamed by them of her youthful behavior. Then Lord Merrifield came into her life and she was stuck with her lie by omission.

  “She desperately wanted to tell him about the twins but felt honor-bound to keep her promise to Derek. Oliver found out about Finn and Mena, though, and offered for Diana anyway. Because he loved her. He wasn’t ashamed of her. He didn’t want to hide the twins away. He loved her—and Finn and Mena. They already call him Papa and adore him as he does them. But he and Diana have sworn to always be open with one another. They’ll never keep secrets again.”

  “Lord Merrifield is an admirable man for having the courage to follow his heart. I’m sure society has gossiped about them relentlessly.”

  “Their love is strong enough to withstand anything. I tell you this, Adam, because my family means a great deal to me. I know you might judge me by my sister’s actions and the fact that some in society will never forgive her.” She paused. “I realize you might not want to be associated with a scandal of this nature.”

  He released her hands to cup her cheeks. “You are not your sister, but I wouldn’t judge Lady Merrifield for her past when her own husband doesn’t. In fact, I admire them both. She, for standing strong and providing for her children without support from anyone. He, for looking beyond her past and only seeing the future they could make together, as a couple and family.”

  Relief filled Thea’s face. “I’m glad you feel that way. If we wed, there will always be those who bring up the old gossip.”

  “The Merrifields will be part of my family. I will be proud to stand with them and chastise anyone who disparages them.”

  Tears brimmed in her eyes. “Thank you.”

  He pressed his lips against hers, his thumbs stroking her damp cheeks. Before he could deepen the kiss, she pulled away.

  “There’s more.”

  He lowered his hands. “Go on.”

  Thea worried her lower lip and Adam couldn’t help it. He reached out and brushed his thumb along it.

  “Please. Tell me.”

  She clutched his hand in hers, lowering it to her lap. “It’s said that sometimes friends become family. That is the case with Amelia and me. Yes, we are now related, thanks to Diana and Oliver’s marriage, but we are the closest of friends and I won’t give up that friendship. Not even for you, Adam.”

  Her eyes flashed with pain.

  “I would never ask that of you.” He had no idea why she would think he might do so.

  “Hear me out.” She paused. “Amelia is also my sister-in-law. She wed my brother, Derek, a few days after Trumbull’s funeral.”

  Thea searched his face and Adam couldn’t contain his surprise.

  “She wed so suddenly?”

  “Yes. Her marriage to Trumbull was very short. In that time, he was quite abusive to her.”

  “I’m not surprised to hear that. Trumbull was a bully as a boy. I can see him bullying a woman.”

  “It was worse than bullying, Adam. He mistreated her something awful. He only wed her so your uncle wouldn’t leave his unentailed properties to you in his will. The duke had threatened to do so if Trumbull didn’t wed by his thirtieth birthday.”

  Disgust filled him. “I had no idea. I was away, recovering from my war wounds, and unaware of any threats my uncle made to his son.”

  “Trumbull also had debts that Durham paid off once he married, plus he had Amelia’s dowry as well. Once Trumbull was dead and she was free of him, she didn’t want to waste time. She loved Derek and he loved her. A misunderstanding between them drove her into Trumbull’s arms. The marquess fooled her completely. Amelia said they’d already wasted enough time being apart and so she and Derek wed quietly and have retreated to Esterley. They’ll come for next Season and announce they’re wed. No one will be told just how long, though.”

  “I’ll admit I’m a bit surprised with how rapid Lady Amelia wed, but I know how despicable Trumbull was. If she’s happy, I’m happy for her. It has nothing to do with us.”

  “Even if you were supposed to wed her—and not me?”

  Confusion filled him. “I don’t know what you mean, Thea. I only met your friend at Trumbull’s funeral and we barely exchanged a few words.”

  “Your uncle insisted after the burial that Amelia wed you so she could remain Lady Trumbull.”

 

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