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Dallis and Rory came down the stairs much later in the day—almost early evening. A blush spread across her cheeks when they sat at the dining room table to eat dinner with his mother and Kathleen. Lady Beckwith bestowed Dallis with the smile of a woman who had experienced, and recognized, the joy of a husband who doted on her. Kathleen made a quip which caused Rory to pinch her. They sat and enjoyed the meal as a family.
“Mama, Dallis has decided the house needs refurbishing and wishes your help in redecorating,” Rory announced.
“I would love to assist, Dallis. It looks a bit drab, does it not?” she said, glancing at the curtains, sending a wink in Dallis’s direction.
Dallis smiled and returned her wink. The previous evening they discussed Dallis’s wishes. She could see Lady Beckwith enjoyed that Dallis won the fight on using her money.
“Perhaps, Kathleen, you would like to join me tomorrow for a visit to the seamstress? And you too, Mama.”
“I am sorry, Dallis, but no. I hold no coin for new dresses.”
“You do now, sister,” Rory told her.
“How?”
“Do not worry how. Please show your gratitude and accept Dallis’s invitation.”
Kathleen smiled with glee at being able to purchase new gowns for the season. Even though the season was half over, there remained enough time to make a certain gentleman take notice. Enough notice, she hoped, to pull him into her trap.
“Yes, Dallis. I would enjoy receiving some new dresses.”
“Excellent, we shall make a day tomorrow of shopping, ladies. I hope you can part from me for a few hours, Rory.”
“I believe I shall join you. It is not every day a gentleman can take pleasure with his family.”
Dallis smiled across the table at Rory with love as his mother and sister chatted gaily of what they should change first in the house. Kathleen shared with them about a dress she saw in a shop window, and the perfect bonnet to match. Rory returned Dallis’s smile with the corner of his mouth twitching in laughter. All along he had been a fool to let pride stand in his way. When, if he would have trusted in the love he held for Dallis to prosper, he could have enjoyed this sooner. Rory had wasted precious time. Not anymore though. No longer would he let his pride rule any decisions he would make for their family.
Dallis never thought she'd have the love she shared with Rory. Throughout her life, her parents left her alone and feeling unwanted. Rory made her feel whole. She knew in her heart that their love would only grow as the years passed them by. To have held onto her love and not tell Rory would have been selfish in its own right. Now, a day would never go by that she wouldn’t share her love with him. Even if she had to tell him all day long, so he would never hold a doubt to her true affections.
Rory sent her a wink and nodded toward the door. Dallis shook her head and blushed the beautiful shade of red she always did when he suggested something inappropriate. He caught his mother’s eye, and she smiled her approval at his choice in a bride. When she lifted her hand and shushed him away with a wink, Rory knew his mother understood what he tried to suggest to his wife. With a laugh he strolled to the doorway and stopped. When his wife frowned at him, Rory crooked his finger. She remained in her seat, and Rory chuckled, walking to her side. Lifting Dallis from the chair he kissed her, letting everybody know his intentions. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him in return.
Before Dallis could feign further protest, Rory had climbed the stairs and entered their bedroom. With slow steady kisses he made love to her throughout the night and well into the next morning.
The shopping trip the ladies planned was postponed for another day.