‘Here.’ He passed his jacket across to her and then turned away, seeming to sense her unease. ‘I won’t look, I promise.’
‘Thank you.’ She climbed out and then rubbed herself down quickly, wringing the moisture out of her sopping wet hair before wriggling back into her clothes. It was strange to feel shy again, but she did. She’d never behaved so outrageously in her whole life—or at least not since she’d accepted an invitation to go walking eight years ago... That thought alone gave her pause, but she didn’t want to think about that, not any more. She wanted to do what her heart told her and her heart wanted Samuel.
She loved him, she trusted him and she was going to marry him, no matter what the future held.
Chapter Eighteen
Samuel waited until the sound of rustling clothes had finished and then reached out a hand, clasping hers tight as they made their way back through the water garden and up through the woods. This time he looked around at the trees as they walked. Somehow the world looked even more beautiful now than it had earlier. The birds were chirruping, the sun was shining and isolated clusters of primroses and daffodils were bursting up from the woodland floor like a yellow carpet. It was perfect.
He stole a sidelong glance towards Anna. She looked perfect, too. Bright eyed, pink-cheeked and thoroughly bedraggled, her dark hair already starting to curl into ringlets over her shoulders. Tempted as he was, he didn’t dare to put his arm around her. Just the touch of her fingers reminded him of how her body had felt in the pool. He’d managed to let go of her then, though not without a considerable effort, and the after-effects were still wearing off. For the first time since they’d arrived at Staunton he felt almost light-hearted. For the first time in a long time, in fact. From the moment the steward had told him about the water gardens he’d wanted to go and see them for himself, but he’d wanted to go with Anna, to see it for the first time with her. Waiting until the morning had been hard, but it had paid off. He hadn’t expected her to accept his proposal so soon or so suddenly. Maybe they could both belong there, after all?
‘I’ll ride to London this morning.’
‘What?’ Her head spun towards him. ‘Why?’
‘For a special licence. We’re not residents of this parish so an ordinary one won’t suffice.’
‘But you only got here two days ago. You can’t leave without seeing Lady Staunton.’
‘Something tells me she’s not particularly keen to see me.’
‘That’s not the point. Why rush?’
‘Because I don’t want to wait.’
‘Do you think that I’ll change my mind?’ She threw him a suspicious look. ‘Don’t you trust me?’
‘It’s not that.’
‘What then?’
‘I just showed you why. You can’t expect me to keep my hands off you for much longer.’
‘Who said you had to?’
‘I do.’ He felt his body tighten at the implication. ‘If I inherit, then there’ll be enough gossip about the pair of us. I don’t want to provide any more fodder for the rumour mill.’ He edged closer, pressing a kiss into her hair. ‘I shouldn’t have kept you out so long this morning as it is. I might have some explaining to do to your mother.’
‘Don’t worry, I’ll talk to her.’
‘We’ll talk to her.’
‘All right, we will, but I’d like to be married in Bath.’ Her voice wavered slightly. ‘Your grandparents are there and I’d like for Henrietta to be a bridesmaid.’
‘If that’s what you want,’ he agreed reluctantly. ‘But in that case, we’re going back as soon as possible.’
‘Thank you.’ She squeezed his hand and then released it as they emerged out of the woodland, running her palms over her gown to smooth the creases and then tying her hair back in a loose, though still unruly ponytail. She looked so adorable that he couldn’t resist the temptation to pull her back into his arms as they crept through the front door and into the deserted hallway, kissing her full on the lips.
‘Samuel! Someone will see!’ She giggled, kissing him back and then darting away, throwing a mischievous smile over her shoulder as she started towards the dining room and then froze.
‘What’s the matter?’ He nearly walked into the back of her, following her gaze into the room ahead. Her mother was sitting there, he noticed first, without her usual smile, although it wasn’t that which alarmed him. That was the presence of another woman in the room, a woman he’d never seen before, sitting ramrod straight at the head of the table with an expression that could only be described as ferocious. He’d seen less hatred on the faces of the French sailors at Trafalgar.
‘Captain Delaney, I presume.’ Her voice, when she finally spoke, was clipped and positively dripping with loathing. ‘I see that you’re making yourself at home.’
‘Lady Staunton.’ Samuel made a formal bow, not that there was any point in trying to impress the woman now, he thought with a grimace. That proverbial ship had well and truly sailed. Into the sunset and over the horizon. ‘I’m delighted to meet you at last.’
‘Indeed?’ The Countess’s tone suggested she was a long way from sharing the sentiment.
‘Allow me to present Miss Annabelle Fortini.’ He took hold of Anna’s elbow and steered her into the room. ‘My—’