In an hour or so, Richard would get a phaeton, and they would go over to Declan and Rose’s house. The Lord and Lady Camarine were expecting. George and Jack would become uncles. Now there was an interesting thought.
At her feet, Callis raised his shaggy black head. The wolfripper dog let out one quiet woof. Someone was coming.
Light, unhurried steps made her turn. Lady Augustine walked up the porch.
They hadn’t spoken to each other for a quarter of the year. Charlotte gripped her cane, planted her feet down, and stood. “Hello, Mother.”
Lady Augustine’s eyebrows crept up. “You’re standing.”
Charlotte took a step forward. “And walking. With much difficulty.” She had the best caretakers in the world, but her progress was still painfully slow.
They looked at each other. Her legs trembled, and Charlotte lowered herself back into her chair.
Lady Augustine sat next to her. “That is an enormous dog.”
“Yes. He used to be a slaver dog, but he mellowed out.” Charlotte rubbed Callis’s shaggy side with her toes. “Are you done being angry?”
“You almost threw away your life. I don’t think I’ll ever stop being angry.” Lady Augustine sighed.
“Then why did you come?”
“Because even though I was never very familiar with the Camarines, I received an invitation to celebrate the pregnancy, and the rules of propriety dictate that I attend.”
Charlotte smiled. “Richard.”
“I would suppose so. It was quite elegantly done. I will admit that while he’s not of noble birth, he does understand our mind-set.”
“And exploits it, quite ruthlessly.”
“I see he built you a house.” Lady Augustine glanced at the house behind them. “By what means did he pay for it?”
“I do believe it’s extremely crass for you to inquire.” Charlotte couldn’t help but grin.
“I’m inquiring not as Lady al Ran, but as your adoptive mother. Mothers are permitted to be crass.”
“His family built it. I offered to pay for it, but he declined. They got together and raised it in about two weeks. I watched it go up. It was fascinating. Did you know that Lord Sandine is a changeling?”
“I heard something about it, but I thought it was simply a rumor. What kind?”
“A wolf. I saw three people struggling with a beam, and he took it away from them and carried it by himself.”
“Lord Sandine helped build your house?”
Charlotte nodded. “He’s married to Richard’s cousin.”
“Would you like to?”
“To what?”
“To marry.” Lady Augustine pronounced the word with a crisp exactness.
Charlotte shrugged. “Perhaps. I have a man who loves me. I have a daughter, who lives with us in this great house he built for us. We’re happy. Marriage is only a formality. You should meet your granddaughter, Mother. She is beautiful, and she needs you and me both.”
Lady Augustine glanced toward the pier. Her face took on an odd expression, as if she were staring over a great distance. “Dear gods,” she whispered. “She’s so damaged, darling.”
“She is. She doesn’t trust easily, but she loves me and I love her. We can help her together.”
Richard walked up on the porch. “My lady, Charlotte. The phaeton is ready. Would you care to accompany us, Lady al Ran?”
“I believe I would.” The Lady rose. “But first I’m going down to the pier to meet Sophie. Excuse me.”
“Good luck!” Charlotte said after her. She stood up. Richard hugged her, supporting most of her weight as she leaned against his strong body.
“Mad?” he asked.
“No. I meant to write her, but my penmanship is still horrid. It looks like chicken scratches in the dirt.”
“I love you,” he told her.
She kissed him. The touch of his lips woke a lingering need inside her. “I love you, too,” she whispered. “Do you think you could show me tonight how much you love me?”
He laughed quietly, a satisfied male chuckle. “I think that could be arranged.”
She leaned her head against his chest. They stood together, wrapped in each other’s warmth. Tomorrow would be a new day, new worries, new problems, new concerns. But tonight was peaceful and sweet.
“Can we do this again tomorrow?” she murmured. “Can you and I come out here and sit on the deck, drink wine, and watch the water?”
“It’s a date.” He kissed her.
She smiled.
