Chapter Ten
Jack never would have imagined when the Season began that he would be spending its final weeks answering the summons of a matchmaking matron.
Yet, here he was, arriving, as instructed, in the Barrington House book room, ready to do whatever she deemed necessary.
Were she not the only hope he and Odette had, he might have objected.
He stepped inside and saw not Mrs. Northrop, but Odette. She offered her hands in welcome. He took them both, raising one to his lips.
The door closed behind him. Without releasing Odette’s hands, he looked back. Mrs. Northrop gave him a nod and a smile, then crossed to a chair not far from the door and sat. She took up a book, opened it, and began to read.
“She thought we would appreciate some time together,” Odette said.
He returned his gaze to her beloved face. “Truly?”
She nodded. “We cannot be entirely alone. Were we to be caught out in utter privacy, it would ruin us both.”
“But might solve our problem.”
She smiled and laughed a bit. “A slightly better option than Scotland, but not by much.”
He released one of her hands, freeing his to brush gently along her cheek. “If only we were home in Somerset. There were far more opportunities to see each other.”
She leaned into his touch and closed her eyes.
He slipped his other arm around her waist and pulled her close. She rested her head against his chest.
“I do love you, Odette,” he whispered.
“And I love you. I have for ever so long.”
He kissed the top of her head, his arms wrapped around her. How long it had been since he’d last held her. Long minutes passed as they stood in each other’s embrace. If fate had chosen to be kind, this would not have been such a rare occurrence.
“How was your day, darling?” he asked.
“Lovely.” She made no move to pull away. “Today was the Summerfields’ at-home. Tabitha and I were able to speak for over an hour. The more I come to know her, the more I like her.”
“I believe Terrance could say the same thing.”
She tucked herself more snugly against him. “Mrs. Northrop believes Tabitha is fond of Terrance as well.”
“Truly?” He looked over at Mrs. Northrop.
For a lady who could not possibly have helped overhearing their conversation, she was doing an admirable job of paying them no heed.
Jack lightly kissed Odette’s forehead, something he’d taken to doing in the weeks before she’d left for the Season. He’d not been permitted to do so even once the past months.
“Let’s sit, darling,” he said. “We’ve time enough.”
They walked hand in hand to the sofa. She sat near enough to lean against him. He set his arm about her shoulders.
“Did your parents ever agree to bring your harp to London?” he asked.
“No. Their plans for this Season did not include me being happy.”
He tugged her a little closer. “Our scheme to render you unlikable didn’t make things any better.”
“I would have liked to have had my harp here,” she said wistfully.
“Someday, Odette, when we have a home of our own, I will see to it you have a harp at home and one here in Town. Then you need never be separated from your music.”
“Or from you,” she added.
“That will be the very best part.”
***
Adelaide had arranged this innocent interlude for reasons beyond the enjoyment of the young couple. She wanted to see for herself how they interacted and whether or not they were as good for each other as she hoped they were. She was not in the habit of making unhappy or unhealthy matches.
Listening to Jack and Odette from her spot near the door, she had her answer. He was kind and gentle, careful of the young lady’s feelings, attentive. Odette spoke to him with an openness she offered no one else. She was happier in his company, more content.
They were good for each other.
Too many people were not fortunate enough to be blessed with a happy marriage. Adelaide had made it her personal mission to change that one blissful couple at a time. Here was an opportunity to manage two happy matches at once.
In two evenings’ time, all four young people and their parents would be at the social event of the Season: a ball at the Grosvenor Square home of the Duke and Duchess of Wickford. Adelaide meant to have all the pieces in place for a very impressive bit of matrimonial chess.