The Viscount's Counterfeit Wife (72 page)

Reed looked pointedly
at her, but she quickly shook her head. Ah, well, it might take
awhile, but he knew it was only a matter of time. His father would no
doubt resist at first, but in the end he’d come round. He loved her
too much to want her to be unhappy.

Reed looked around the
crowded room for Tally. Ah... there she was, with her mentor.

“Now, I have hosting
duties to attend to.” He leaned over to drop a quick kiss on his
mother’s cheek. “Make sure you come say goodbye before you
leave.”

He headed straight for
Tally and arrived to hear an effusive Beauclaire extolling her
paintings. Monsieur, on the other hand, seemed more interested in a
gallery opening expressly to display women artists’ work.

“What a marvelous
idea, Selwich! Innovative! I wonder why no one has thought of doing
this before!” Monsieur was effervescent with pleasure and pride
that his secret
protégée
was finally receiving her due.

“
Fantastique!
”
was Beauclaire’s succinct appraisal. “And
Madame
, may I say that your work is incredibly good for
one so young. Antoine has been telling me for years, but now that I
see it...
merveilleu
x!”
He kissed his fingertips and opened his hand to toss the kiss gaily
up into the air, a European gesture meaning, “Wonderful!”

Reed laughed when his
wife blushed. He reached for her hand and squeezed encouragingly.

“Merci beaucoup,
Monsieur Beauclaire, your good opinion means more than most,” Tally
said, thankful Reed had come to stand by her. She was overwhelmed by
her husband’s surprise gift. He’d lured her here, saying he had
heard of a new art gallery that was showing a woman artist’s
paintings. He’d neglected to tell her the gallery was his and that
she was the artist whose paintings were being shown!

It had been a splendid
evening, but now she was ready for some quiet and, especially, to sit
down and rest. Everyone wanted to talk to her... or interrogate her,
in the case of her family! And she was all talked out and her feet
hurt. She wanted to be alone with her husband. To thank him for his
thoughtful and astonishing surprise.

“Mebbe you’d like
to sit down for a bit, Missy.” Foster and Hislop were overseeing
the event and her dear friend had been preening like a peacock all
evening, looking prouder of Tally than anyone else here, except for
Reed.

“Thank you, Foster, I
think that’s a fine idea.” She kept hold of Reed’s hand as the
three of them moved out the main door of the reception room to enter
a smaller sitting room.

“You sit down and
I’ll bring ye some tea.”

“Not champagne,
Foster?” she teased him.

“Not likely, Missy,
you’ve got to start taking better care of yerself.” He gave her
an admonishing look before shuffling off to fetch her some
refreshment.

“I thought you
weren’t going to tell anyone?” Reed didn’t seem annoyed, just
curious.

“I’ve told no one.”
She smiled, thinking how typical it was that the old dear had
guessed.

“What have I got
myself into?” Reed quipped, a frequent refrain of his since their
marriage.

Like her, he’d known
it was only a matter of time before “the triumvirate”, as they
privately called them, worked it out. Foster, Mrs. P and Hislop
formed a powerful threesome. Together, there was very little that
escaped their notice. At Tally’s urgings, Foster had agreed to live
in the perfect cottage Reed had spoken of on his estate, and the old
soldier surprised them all by inviting Mrs. P to share it with him,
as his bride! Their wedding had been a small but joyous occasion.
Tally had been so happy to know her dearest protector was going to
have someone he cherished sharing his retirement.

Now if only he’d
agree to retire! He and Mrs. P even accompanied them to London during
the Season! But Tally couldn’t really complain. Foster wasn’t yet
ready to give up watching over her, and she was glad of that. She’d
have missed him hovering close by, making sure she was well looked
after. For now, she was content to begin lessening his load.
Although, knowing him, she feared his protective instincts were about
to double.

With an amused smile,
Reed shook his head knowingly. He grabbed a footstool and, smoothly
lifting her legs with his other arm, placed it in front of her for
her to rest her feet on.

She was lucky to have
such an understanding husband. Another man might have been jealous of
her close relationship with Foster. But, not only did Reed never
attempt to separate them, he actively included the old butler in
their lives. He’d even taken the triumvirate into his confidence
about this surprise, before anyone else. Mrs. P was in charge of
catering for it, along with the ample kitchen staff he’d hired to
help her manage their kitchens.

Tally couldn’t
believe how well her life was turning out, after almost ending
abruptly in that Abbey. Her amazing husband sat beside her on the
sofa and leaned in for a soft kiss. The door opened and, this time,
he stayed with the kiss despite Foster’s voluble “ahem.” After
all, they were married now. They didn’t need to skulk about and
worry about her self-appointed guardian’s stomping feet.

“Humph!” They
heard. “I’ll just be going to help Hislop hurry these folks on
their way, so they don’t think to stay all night, shall I? You’ll
be needing yer sleep.” The firm click of the door told them he’d
gone. They parted, looked at each other and collapsed, laughing, into
each other’s arms.

Later, after they’d
bid their guests goodnight and had gone home themselves, Tally let
the feelings she’d been holding in abeyance free. “I feel
terrible. I gave you nothing but a painting.” Her voice trembled.
“Whereas, your gift... Well, I can’t imagine a better anniversary
gift!”

“I can.” His eyes
spoke volumes as he bent and murmured in her ear, “and you gave it
to me last night.” He ran his hand fondly over her stomach.

“Yes, but that’s a
gift we gave to ourselves.” Having a little Reed to join them had
become her fondest wish. “Tonight,” she gestured in the air.
“inviting all of my family to see my art, that is beyond words,
Reed. I don’t know how to thank you.”

“I’ll wager you
do.”

“Be serious. I’m
trying to thank you for being the best husband, the best partner and
the best friend a woman could have.”

He drew took her into
his arms and leaning his forehead against hers said, “The day you
shot me was the luckiest of my life.”

“Be serious, Reed.”

“I am as serious as
can be. I am forever grateful you became my counterfeit wife, but
even more thankful you are now my true wife, my companion for life.”

Glad you’ve read my book. Hope you
enjoyed it! Feel free to
share your impressions!

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