But I know of his death and her grievous sin.
The ancient chair toppled onto its side. The draperies flew closed.
"Well, that certainly got a rise out of the old boy," Nicholas said. He pulled Rosalind close. "What do you think of my home now?"
"I think," she said, looking up at him, "that we have something very important to accomplish."
"Yes," he said. "Yes, we do. Do you know, I've never before heard my grandfather sing. I remember once he told me his voice scared small children and dogs."
Rosalind said nothing, but she still stared at the empty wing chair lying on its side on the carpet.
30
Nicholas took a bite of his roast pork, and chewed quickly. Dinner had been the last thing on his mind when Block had waylaid them coming out of the library. "Now that you are in the country, my lord, it is country hours you must observe." He bowed. "It is now well after six o'clock, nearly seven as a matter of fact and Cook is anxious to present you with her pee-ss de resistance."
What was a poor beleaguered very newly married man to do? Strangle Block, that's a good start.
After Rosalind met the cook, Mrs. Clopper, tall and bony, dressed all in white, not a single food stain to be seen, and a mustache that looked like a thin swatch of black satin, Block steered them into the massive dining room.
Nicholas had no fond memories of this airless, gloomy room, but the table was set for the two of them and candles were lit. "After this, Block," he said, "we will have our meals in the breakfast room. This room is so dark a half dozen thieves could be hiding in the shadows. I don't wish to come armed to my dinner."
Block bowed. "As you wish, my lord. Ah, I will now fetch Cook's white soup. It is renowned. She never serves her soup first, as perhaps you may remember, my lord, but tonight, she believed ..."
Rosalind wasn't listening, she was breathing in murky air and studying dark corners. A single twelve-branch of candles stood in the middle of the table and cast strange shadows on a large bowl of muddy-looking grapes. She said, "If Grayson saw this table, he would say it was at least three coffins long."
"At least," he said and gave her hand a squeeze, all of her he could reach. He heard Block clear his throat yet again, and whispered, "Eat as much as you want, Rosalind , for I plan enough activity to skinny you to the bone."
She smiled at him, though he saw that her eyes were a bit dilated, perhaps her face a bit pale.
The two of them, if asked, would have said the dinner was quite delicious, but in truth, neither particularly noticed the succession of dishes brought out by Block.
"I am quite fond of fig pudding," Rosalind said finally, and forked up a small bite.
"I believe that is an apple tart."
"Oh, dear."
"Figs, apples, it doesn't matter, keep eating. You will need your strength."
She took another bite. "I believe you are right, it is apple. Do you know, Nicholas, I wonder if your grandfather will visit us in your bedchamber."
"Our bedchamber. If Grandfather comes to sing us a lullaby, we will listen, I suppose, then applaud and politely ask him to leave, else he will find himself shocked to his ghostly toes."
"If I know the lullaby, I could sing it with him." She gave him a look from beneath her lashes.
She felt the urgency in him, heard it in his voice even though he sounded light and amused. Despite her excitement, she knew this was uncharted territory. She had to admit to a bit of apprehension, a bloodless word, really, when she felt her innards jumping with excitement mixed with terror.
"Nicholas? about this lovemaking business."
He came to full attention, his focus on her. "Yes?"
She waved her hand around her. "This is all very civilized, I mean, we're eating our apple tarts, but now I'm thinking about what you're going to do to me as soon as you get me into the bedchamber."
He did indeed have plans, wonderful, detailed plans. "Did you look at all the pictures in the book Aunt Sophie gave you?'
"I tried to thumb through it quickly, but neither aunt would give me a moment's peace. I think they were embarrassed and regretted immediately giving it to me, but I held on, let me tell you."
"If you wish, when we are in our bedchamber, we can look at the pictures together. Should you like that?"