An Inadvisable Wager (The Curse of the Weatherby Ball Book 2), Eliza Lloyd [books to read for 12 year olds TXT] 📗

“Maybe he thought someone else would find the treasure,” she said.

“Or maybe someone did find it.”

“Or maybe it never was.” That seemed more likely. “I suppose we’ll be telling our grandchildren about the great rumors of treasure in the barn walls and they will only want to visit Nana and Grandpapa so they can find it,” she said. It was a lovely thought—their progeny running free at Henbury, enjoying all aspects of life in the country. Enjoying the home that had belonged to their great-grandfathers.

“We’ll have to bury something for them on occasion to keep the rumors and enthusiasm alive. Anything to encourage their return to see us.”

Their gazes caught. Nora felt the strong pull of attraction that had been growing for him. She took his hand and held it with both of hers. “Gabriel, you said once, all those years ago…” She smiled as she said it, thinking about how long ago it seemed that she and Carlow had made their bargain. A little over a month now. “You said that if I didn’t love you in three months, Henbury Hall would be mine.”

“About that—”

“No. Let me finish. You’ve been true to your word throughout and I find myself in an awkward place. In three months, my feelings aren’t going to change from what they are now.”

“You can’t mean that. I still have several weeks to convince you our marriage is worthwhile.”

Oh, yes! She believed that. With all her heart. There had never been anyone with whom Nora had felt such an immediate and compelling connection, even with the bumps and bruises of her behavior.

“I do mean it. I love you now, Carlow! Not the sensationalized passions of one of those cheap broadsides published in London. For me, it is something grander and deeper than I would not have thought possible in such a short time.

“If you don’t feel that way about me, I promise I will still be an admirable wife. One any man in England would be proud to have, or at least not embarrassed to have. And I promise I won’t ever harass you or Andover or Fromme about what my father may or may not have done with his properties. I’ll even try not to add so much drama to your life,” she said.

“Nora,” he said.

“I know. At first, I was the one who wanted the dissolution or the annulment, but you were right. It would be difficult and scandalous, and we should make the best of our situation. We should, shouldn’t we?” She glanced at him again to see his expression was blank. “You’re not saying anything.”

“I wanted to give you the last word,” he said.

“Now is not the time for last words. We need agreement.”

“Well, I agree it is a good thing you love me.”

“Yes, of course you would think that. Henbury Hall will always be yours, never belonging to the Blasington family again. Perhaps someday I will still be able to buy it from you,” she said.

“I plan to give it to the first son you give me. He would be half Blasington.”

Nora smiled broadly at the implication. “Mayhap his name could be styled Blasington-Sutter.”

“Let’s delivery a healthy baby boy before we have that discussion.”

“You don’t seem too angry with me.”

“How could I be? The woman I love just said she loves me.”

Nora couldn’t stop the rush of tears nor the spill that rolled down her cheeks.

“Yes, I know it’s a shock. It was a shock to me when I realized it about two hours after we met. Nora, dear, you don’t ever have to worry about your home here or any home I have. What I have is yours.” He wiped his thumb over her cheek, then pressed a light kiss to her lips.

“Don’t tell Fromme or Andover, but I am so happy your father ended up with Henbury Hall,” she said.

“In spite of all this mess?” he asked.

“I guess we’ll have to add it to the mystery of Henbury Hall. I am sorry for your father, though. It seems such a waste of life looking for something that’s not there.”

“I love you, Nora. Promise that you will bring your cares to me, your worries, your joys. No more talk of annulment or dissolution. We are together from this day forward.”

“What will it be like to wake without a care about my family, I wonder?” she asked, squeezing Carlow’s hand. Her family now.

Each day that passed relieved some of Nora’s anxiety. There was a certain satisfaction in rebuilding Henbury Hall and watching the slow progress as the skilled laborers busied themselves with repairs. Within two days of their arrival, the earl’s room was finished.

Nora insisted on cleaning the room one last time before she placed the rugs on the floor, settled the table and chairs in their spot, moved the cheval mirror here…and then there. She stood at the door and enjoyed the vision of her labor.

She heard Carlow approach and he peered over her shoulder into the room.

“Ah, at last. It looks like a room well-loved. But come with me, I have something else I need to share. You asked about it ages ago, and I finally know the answer.”

He took her hand and led her down the stairs. “What is it?”

“You’ll see.”

Carlow led her into one of the outbuildings. A carriage house by the looks of the interior. There were stall boxes for horses, and one carriage with a broken wheel, which leaned against an interior wall. Harnesses and other leather accouterments hung on the iron racks. Troughs, whether for water or hay she didn’t know, were spread at intervals along the interior.  The spiders had been busy, leaving giant weaves and heavy hanging threads anywhere there was a corner or nook.

“In