Caroline lay on her side and watched her husband reading the Times in bed next to her. It had taken no getting used to at all, sharing a bedchamber with Alex, though for the past week they had been frightfully indolent.
It was not that they were waking late, it was just that, finding themselves in bed together, well…one thing led to the next. She smiled privately. Sometimes it was a wonder they made it downstairs before noon.
She set her hand on Alex’s chest—his naked chest, the muscles of his arms admirably displayed. Her glance strayed down to the sheet. She could say with authority that his lower half was as unclothed as his upper. Unlike her, he had soon stopped wearing nightclothes to bed, arguing that since they seemed to have a problem staying on he may as well dispense with them altogether.
He glanced at her, something serious in his eyes. “Your uncle’s announcement is in the notices.”
“Let me see.” She curled closer to him and he tilted the paper so she could read:
At the request of Mrs. Alex Trentham, née Miss Caroline Huntington, the petition for adoption by Lord Charles Denby Huntington, Earl of Twickenham, shall void ab initio.
“Does it make you sad?” He settled his arm around her.
“No. It’s only the adoption that’s been canceled, not my uncle’s affection. Besides, this means Mr. Simms will have no reason for additional attempts on my life.”
Alex’s mouth hardened. “Attempts or no, if I ever see him again, so help me…”
She dropped a kiss on his collarbone. “It will be good to move freely again, to return to London. To our new home.”
Alex had made inquiries and they had taken a house in Belgrave Square. It should have come as no surprise to her that he was in possession of a decent fortune—after all, his family clearly had wealth.
But most surprising of all had been his mother’s contribution.
Pen had stayed on at Raven Hall with them, and she and Gertrude had taken to one another as kindred spirits, despite the decades separating them. The girl had quickly involved Alex’s mother in all the particulars of Caroline’s project—including the financial complications facing the dispensary.
One evening at dinner Alex’s mother had made the announcement. She would like to become the Twickenham School’s benefactor. She would notify her solicitor, if Caroline and Alex agreed.
Agreed? Caroline had flown up out of her chair and embraced Gertrude right there, at the dinner table, the soup course forgotten. And she had to admit, she was delighted to be free of the Ladies’ Auxiliary Board and their fountain-filled schemes.
Alex folded the paper and set it aside. “Back to London, yes. How soon would you like to leave Raven Hall?”
Never. Immediately. Caroline shook her head at her own conflicted reaction. “Part of me would love to stay here forever—while the other part is anxious to return.” She let out a soft breath. “I worry I’ve been away from the school too long, especially as things have been so unsettled.”
He smiled at her, and again she thought how very handsome he was, the sun glossing his dark hair, his eyes reflecting a hard-won serenity. Very handsome. She smoothed her hand over his chest, warmth kindling through her again.
“Then we shall leave the day after tomorrow,” he said. “That should give us time to pack.”
She nodded. “Not that I have a great deal in my own possession. I suppose you have things you’d like to bring from Raven Hall.” Though she couldn’t imagine him filling trunks with childhood mementos. Not after seeing the unadorned simplicity of his cottage in Crete.
His smile turned mysterious. “I’ll make the arrangements.”
If they were going to be leaving soon, she had best take advantage of the time they had left. She gave him a wicked grin. “Mm. I think you have some arrangements to make with your wife right now.” She slipped her leg against his beneath the covers, then laughed out loud as he rolled her into his arms.
~*~
The day of their departure was overcast, which was all to the good. Another perfect, sun-drenched day would have made leaving Yorkshire too much like abandoning paradise.
At breakfast—attended at the true early-morning hour this time—Alex’s mother kept dabbing her eyes with her kerchief and reaching to clasp her son’s hand.
“Mother,” he said, “you know you are welcome to come with us. There is more than enough room in the house and we would be happy to have you and Lucy there.”
Caroline nodded. “You are easy company, Gertrude, and we’re not best pleased at the thought of leaving you alone here.”
“It is exceedingly kind of you both, but you need time to establish your household. I will visit, of course. I need to see your school and finalize arrangements with my solicitor.”
“You must come soon,” Caroline said, “and we’ll take you about London.”
“Oh, yes.” Pen nodded. “I know a milliner’s shop that has the most splendid dresses.”
“And in addition to the school I would also like to see the—”
“Don’t spoil the surprise, Mother,” Alex said. He took a last gulp of tea, then stood. “I’m going to check on the luggage. Come out as soon as you’re ready.”
Caroline finished her toast and again assured Mrs. Trentham of a warm welcome any time she chose to visit. “And I’ve no doubt we’ll return to Raven Hall as often as we can. I’ve come to love Yorkshire—and not only because I married your son here.”
Gertrude smiled at that and the two of them, followed by Pen, proceeded to the front doors. Caroline stepped outside, blinked at what she was seeing, then blinked again.
There was the coach ready to take them to London, but behind it were two wagons, heavily loaded and covered with thick canvas.
“What is this?” She looked from the wagons to Alex.
He was grinning—a most unusual expression on his face. “The furnishings and equipment for the dispensary. I will need them if I am to return to the practice of medicine.”
“You’re…” She looked again and felt a bubble of happiness form in her chest. It was…he had brought… The bubble expanded, rose, carrying her words with it. “Your clinic? You’ve packed up your entire clinic?”
“And am transporting it to London. If you still need a physician, I would be honored to offer my services.”
She flung her arms around him, for surely her lightness of spirit would otherwise carry her off, buoyed as she was by joy.
“Oh, Alex!” A moment later she stepped back to study his face. “Are you certain?” It had been a topic left unsaid between them. She had not wanted to press, and it seemed too demanding, the potential for reopening old wounds too great. “I did not expect—”
“No, you did not, which is most satisfying, since it was meant to be a surprise. I am choosing this freely, Caroline.” He snared her gaze. “What are we here for, after all, if not to make life easier for one another?”