Page 62 of A Rogue to Reform

The butler gave her an indulgent look. “I wanted to know if you’d like dinner served now?”

“Yes, in a few moments. Bring it upstairs, to the green room,” Evan said with a wink and Norman nodded, hiding a smile when Felicity looked at him.

Before she could ask, Evan tugged her hand. “Hurry, dear.”

They went to the door next to the bedroom and he motioned to it. “Go on inside.”

“Rosalie told me it was a mess. Did you have it cleaned out? Or are we to decide about it now? I do not wish to look now; can we wait until after we eat?” She looked across the hall to where his study was. There was only one other room, and it was a lavatory. “Where is the green room?”

He pressed a kiss to her temple and pointed to the door next to their bedroom. “In there.”

Quick as a hare, she threw the door open.

It was hard for Evan to see her expression as she took a step forward and held her hands up, covering most of her face. She walked to the large windows where a grouping of four chairs had been upholstered in a beautiful sage green. The drapes were velvet, the color of emeralds. There was a cream settee with intricately embroidered ivy on the back and cushion. In addition to a pair of tables, throw rugs, and plush pillows, there were several trinkets placed here and there that brought life to the room.

Over the fireplace, a painting of Felicity wearing the pale green dress she’d worn the first time he’d seen her upon her return from Edinburgh. The portrait reigned over the room. The artist had added a beautiful pearl and emerald necklace to decorate her neck with matching earrings.

When Felicity whirled to look at him, tears were streaming down her face. “I will never wish to leave. This room is absolutely breathtaking.”

Once again, she turned from him and hurried from place to place to admire what Madam LaGrange had done. Watching her delight and expressions made the cost of the room more than worth it. He made a mental note to personally thank the designer.

“I love the painting. Where did you get the idea for the jewels I’m wearing in the portrait?” Felicity asked, coming to his side and leaning against him when he placed an arm around her waist.

“You are not a very good explorer if you missed the jewels. They are laying about here somewhere.” Evan waved around the room nonchalantly.

Felicity flew to one ornamental box, finding it empty. She went to a larger one that was placed on a table next to the window.

“Oh my.” Her hands trembled as she reached to touch the beautiful jewelry that had once belonged to his grandmother.

“It is from my parents. They feel, as the first daughter-in-law, you should have them.”

When she crumpled to the floor, hands over her face, and began to sob, Evan hurried to her.

“What’s wrong?” He carefully picked her up and carried her to a chair, positioning his crying wife on his lap.

Even with a pink nose and clumped lashes, she was a ravishing beauty. “I am so very happy and feel so overwhelmed with joy at this moment.”

“If only I could keep you this happy every day,” Evan said, then kissed her tear-streaked face. “Come now, let us sit at the table, dinner is about to arrive.”

Still sniffing, she went and peered down at the emerald necklace and earrings and reverently closed the box. “I will treasure this moment and each item in this room dearly.”

They talked about the progress of the house renovations and made plans to host a dinner party once it was all completed.

He could not take his eyes from Felicity as she spoke in great detail about what she planned to serve and how the house would be decorated. Who would have thought that a simple conversation like this would make him deliriously happy?

It occurred to Evan that, despite having wasted years on unimportant pursuits and having lost his entire fortune, it was all worth it to have ended up in that moment.

“You are quiet all of a sudden,” Felicity said studying him. “Am I boring you?”

“On the contrary. I was musing at how happy I am right now.” Evan smiled at her, and she returned it with an impish grin.

Her gaze moved to the door that led to the bedroom. “I have to admit to enjoying being your wife more than I thought possible.”

Chapter Sixteen

“You are positively beaming,” Hannah said as they settled into a table at her father’s tea shop. It was bustling with activity, and it made Felicity glad. Although Hannah’s family would never recover from the fire, at least the small business was providing income.

A young woman brought a teapot, cups, and sweet scones on a tray and placed each item in front of them. She poured the tea and cream and then left.