‘Very well. I understand that you would like to have your aunt and uncle’s approval, but I shall marry you without it, if necessary.’
Natalya said nothing. In Mrs Edgworth’s novel, the heroine discovered at the end she was neither illegitimate nor a pauper. Natalya thought the latter might not prevent Tristan loving her, but if her birth was not respectable then that circumstance would choke his affection. If there was even the slightest doubt about her birth, she could not marry him. It would cause a rift in his family and she knew how much he loved them. She also knew she loved him far too much to risk his happiness.
As they began to stroll back through the garden the warm air was redolent with the scent of roses. Natalya would associate their heavy perfume with Tristan’s offer of marriage for ever. Only time would tell if she would think of it with satisfaction or regret.
Chapter Twelve
In the bedchamber, a small table had been placed close to one of the windows, to make the most of the evening light. Tristan and Natalya sat opposite one another, exchanging a smile as the servants carried in their dinner. Tristan had had the forethought to bring a full purse with him when he set out and he had given the housekeeper a generous amount to offset the expense of their residence at Farnell Hall. Now, he noted with satisfaction the number and array of dishes that filled the table.
Mrs Sturry had informed them that her master had taken the butler with him to their hired house in town, but he had clearly left behind the keys to the wine cellar, for the claret served for their delectation was excellent and he had no hesitation in recommending it to Natalya to accompany the tender slices of beef he carved for her.
They spoke little and on unexceptional topics, which was unsurprising, with servants bustling in and out of the room, but Tristan knew Natalya was preoccupied. She ate sparingly, taking only small amounts from the succulent dishes before her. He wondered if she was still shaken from her recent ordeal or merely tired.
When the covers were removed Tristan politely dismissed the housekeeper, telling her he would ring the bell when they needed her again. Then he sat back in his chair and smiled across the table at Natalya.
‘That’s better. I thought we should never have a moment to ourselves.’ Her smile was perfunctory and he went on, ‘Perhaps you would like to retire. Shall I ring for the maid to help you undress? You need not worry about propriety; I will take myself off somewhere for an hour.’
‘No, I am not at all tired and I do not want you to leave.’
‘I am very pleased to hear it. Shall we move to the more comfortable chairs?’
‘Yes, please. And perhaps we might have a little more wine.’
He was surprised, but too pleased that she wanted his company to question her request. He went off to find Mrs Sturry and came back with another bottle of claret and a lighted taper with which to light the candles. Very soon the curtains had been drawn across the windows, shutting out the dusk, and they were sitting one on each side of the empty hearth within the golden glow of the candles. Tristan raised his glass to Natalya.
‘Tomorrow you will be back in Bath. I shall speak to Pridham, suggest he takes on extra staff to guard you.’
‘I am sure there is no need.’
‘There is every need! If Pridham will not or cannot do it, I shall hire someone myself.’
‘Really, my lord—’
‘Tristan.’ He liked the way she blushed when he corrected her, almost as much as he liked the sound of his name on her lips when she repeated it.
‘That is better. After all, you are my future wife.’
She put up one hand. ‘I have not yet given you my answer and I will not, until I know who I am. Please, Tristan, do not argue with me,’ she pleaded with him. ‘My mind is made up on this.’
His mind was equally made up, but he did not wish to quarrel and was very happy to talk of something else.
‘Do you wish now that you had gone to London for the Peace celebrations?’
Natalya blinked in surprise. ‘What an odd question.’
‘I beg your pardon. I was casting about in my mind to find something to divert your thoughts away from your current predicament and I remembered there was to be the procession of royal dignitaries into London tomorrow.’
Natalya was touched by his concern, but she concealed it with a laugh.
‘You have achieved your aim, then! Yes, I admit I would have preferred to be in London rather than to be abducted. How could it be otherwise? The Grishams offered to take me with them, you know, but Uncle Pridham would not allow it.’
‘I should have thought he would have been eager for you to attend, as part of your education.’
She shook her head. ‘There was never any question of our leaving Bath.’ She paused, then said shyly, ‘Perhaps you are wishing now that you were in the capital rather than becoming embroiled in my affairs.’
‘I would not want to be anywhere but here, with you.’
His smiled warmed her and gave her the courage for her next words. Nervous excitement pooled deep inside. She took a breath.
‘Then stay with me tonight.’
There, she had said it. Watching him closely, she saw the flash of desire in his eyes, quickly concealed but unmistakable.
‘I intend to stay here,’ he said lightly. ‘We have already agreed I will be here to watch over you, Natalya.’
‘Not sleeping in the chair.’ Her mouth had gone dry. She ran her tongue over her parched lips. ‘In my bed.’
It was as though the words had a physical presence. They hung in the air between them, almost visible. Tristan was watching her and Natalya held his gaze steadily, trying to convey how
