Chapter 10
Ten
The next day
Dinah nibbled at her toast, alone in the breakfast room.
The men had gone for an early morning ride with the steward, giving Lord Burstone a tour of the estate’s improvements.
She took the time to plot when she would spill her secret.
Yesterday afternoon had been absolutely delightful.
So, she decided it would happen when they next skated.
It was time to swallow her pride and be brave.
While poor Jo sat forlorn, Dinah had the opportunity to grab the brass ring.
If Neel loved her, there was no reason to wait weeks to reveal her feelings. Or the news they were to be parents.
Cornelius would be a wonderful father and overjoyed with the fact he would soon be one.
Not because he wanted sons, but because he loved children.
The boy still living inside him continued to surface, looking for companions, and she imagined them playing the same games with their sons and daughters that she and Neel had played in their youth.
In fact, Dinah would write to Jo and tell her, so she couldn’t change her mind. With her decision made, she decided to finish her correspondence this morning after her meeting with the housekeeper, then find a good book. It was a dreary day, so perfect for losing herself in a good story.
“Please give my compliments to your cook,” said Lord Burstone as he and Neel played a game of chess. “The Savoy cake was the lightest I’ve had in recent memory. Was that almond I detected in the icing?”
The marquess was at his most charming tonight. “Yes, my lord,” Dinah answered. “It’s one of my favorite desserts.”
“When it’s done well,” agreed Neel. “But it must be light, airy or it tastes like a sodden biscuit.”
“I do enjoy my sweets,” murmured Burstone as he studied the board, then moved a rook.
Cornelius grinned. “Check.”
“The devil,” the marquess said with a grunt. He leaned back to study the board again. “I believe this may soon be your victory.”
“You may be lucky at gaming, but my skill at chess has improved greatly since our university days.” Neel waited patiently for his opponent to make a move.
Dinah could see there were no good options that would save Burstone’s king. The match would soon be over. She returned her attention to her embroidery until she heard “checkmate.”
She smiled at the good-natured gloating in her husband’s voice.
Dinah had rather enjoyed the camaraderie between the two men over the past few days.
Lord Burstone was growing on her. He had been asking for advice on how to woo Jo when they gathered for tea earlier.
On a whim, she’d studied the marquess through her quizzing glass. To see if he was sincere.
To her surprise, she saw great affection in his eyes when he spoke of her.
Neel said he’d been smitten during Jo’s first Season, but she hadn’t taken notice.
Or did Jo rebuff him? If she had, Dinah would have remembered.
It was the same year Burstone had caused such a stir when he’d pinched an earl’s daughter on the arse.
That was probably the reason Jo hadn’t been interested.
The men poured another brandy and joined her by the fire. “My lady,” began Burstone, “may I ask an odd question? Nothing personal, just… out of the ordinary.”
She was intrigued. “Of course.”
He rubbed his chin, then turned red. “My chin,” he said, still kneading it, “is the most unattractive part of my face. I’ve heard people call it weak, and I’m sure it’s all my father sees when he’s glowering at me. I was wondering if you had any ideas—”
“You vain coxcomb,” teased Neel. “My wife can’t change your face.”
“No, but—” She picked up her quizzing glass and studied his chin, making the marquess decidedly uncomfortable. “I remember my grandmother in her later years doing exercises for her double chin. Perhaps they could help by building the jaw and neck muscles.”
Dinah wanted to agree with her husband, but Lord Burstone seemed so earnest, she wanted to give him some kind of hope.
“She would open her mouth as wide as possible, hold it for just a bit, then close it. Grandmama would do this a dozen times at least. She would also open her mouth, then push on her chin with thumb and forefinger. Like this.” Dinah demonstrated and Burstone copied her, his gaze intense as he followed along.
Neel guffawed, slapping his thigh and shaking his head. “Stop, stop. I can’t take anymore. You both look absolutely ridiculous.”
“I feel like a gaping fish thrown on the bank of the Thames,” whinged the marquess.
“Ah, Frederick, you looked like one too.” Neel began laughing again, and this time, it was so contagious his friend joined in.
“Did it work for your grandmother?” asked Burstone.
“I’m not sure since she was quite plump and had multiple chins. It might have helped dispose of one.”
They sat in silence for a bit. Then Dinah had an idea. “Why don’t you grow a light beard? Just enough to hide the chin, nothing bushy.”
Burstone’s face lit up, then his smile slipped. “Beards are not in style. It will be obvious why I’m doing it.”
“Say you’re doing it for a wager. No one will doubt that. Eventually, everyone will get used to it,” suggested Neel. “You could say it’s quite ‘grown on you,’ and you’ve decided to keep it for a while.”
Dinah closed her eyes at the horrible pun, trying to hide her smile.
“Splendid idea!” announced Lord Burstone.
“And much more dignified than my grandmama’s exercises,” agreed Dinah. “Though it wouldn’t hurt to do them when you’re alone.”
“I shall take both pieces of advice,” he promised.
Dinah had just dismissed her lady’s maid when Cornelius gave a tap on their connecting door, and he poked his head in. “May I come in for a moment?”
“Only a moment? It will take at least two just to remove my night rail unless you plan on throwing it over my head.”
He barked out a laugh and pulled her into his arms. “You are a vixen, my lady.” He kissed her on the top of her head. “I wanted to thank you for being so kind to Frederick.”
“Did you think I would be rude?”
“No, never. I expected indifference, but you were warm and gracious.” This time he kissed her mouth, cutting off any response she might have had.
When he broke off the kiss, she asked, “Could we go skating tomorrow?”
“I don’t see why not. The weather is cold enough and our guest leaves in the morning.” His thumb brushed her cheek as he studied her.
“What?” she asked, wondering why he was staring at her so intently.
“What?”
“Do I have something on my face? Is my hair mussed?”
“You are perfect,” he said with a kiss to her forehead. “I shall let you get some rest. I promised Frederick an early morning ride before he leaves.”
Dinah went to bed, disappointed she wouldn’t be joined by her husband. Then she grinned, hoping tomorrow night would be full of passion after she shared her news and her feelings.
The next day
Collecting her mittens and fur muff, Dinah joined Neel in the entryway. He helped her don her dark-blue mantle with the rabbit-lined hood. She didn’t feel very sensual with so many layers on, but she also didn’t want to catch a chill. Not with a babe on the way.
Cook had offered to make a light meal, so they had decided to take the carriage.
It was a cloudy day but no wind, so the temperature wasn’t biting.
Dinah nibbled on a biscuit as she leaned back against the squabs, staring at her handsome husband, still practicing in her head what words she would use.
“I’ve instructed Mr. George to send some hot bricks later so we can eat in the carriage and warm our feet. And”—he reached into the basket and pulled out a flask—“I have some warm mead with lemon.”
“You’ve thought of everything.” Did he know he was helping her cause? Of course not.
He took a drink and handed it to her. Dinah had only a sip, wanting to keep her wits about her this afternoon.
When they arrived at the makeshift pond, she saw he’d had a bench brought out for them.
She sat on it to attach her skates and tie them over her boots.
When they were both finished, he held out his hand, and they stepped onto the ice.
It was so freeing to glide on the ice, the wind against her cheeks, arms out. She did a complete circle and skated back to Neel.
“You’re beautiful, you know. And graceful,” Neel said, catching her by the waist and pulling her close, the pair spinning together as one.
“Why thank you, husband.” Now? Dinah wondered. No, I’ll wait until we eat.
An hour flew by. They talked, teased one another, raced, then held hands as they went round and round the ice. It was as if they were young again but better because they loved each other. She was almost certain.
“Remember the skating contest we used to have? One of us would do a double twirl or some intricate step on the ice, and the others had to copy it.” Dinah had often won those competitions.
“Shall we?” he asked. “Why don’t you begin?”
Dinah grinned and skated backwards a few feet. She got up some speed, then jumped and spun in the air, and landed in a graceful glide.
“You could have started with something a bit easier,” pouted Neel. “But I’ll give it a try.”
He sped off toward the other end, made a large turn, then facing her, leapt in the air and managed a half turn before hitting the ice and almost falling. “It was similar,” he said with a laugh.
“Brava.” This time she squatted on the ice as she slid along, then stood to attempt another spin.
But as she rose from the lower position, her mantle caught the back of her skate.
As she went in the air, she twisted, and her body was unable to straighten.
Dinah felt herself falling and the distant sound of Neel’s frantic voice.
Her head hit the surface, heard Neel calling her name as he lifted her head.
Then the world went black.