ose were spent before the fire in their room, getting more and more acquainted.
It was such an idyllic time, both of them were loath to leave.
Pausing before the door to their room, she listened to see if her husband was stirring, but only silence greeted her. That would mean he was still abed, a thought that made Amanda grin.
She knew the perfect way to help him greet the morning.
Before she went in, she quickly leafed through the letters clutched in her hand and spied one in particular that caught her attention. Tearing it open, she read it in disbelief.
She entered their room and closed the door behind her.
Jemmy stirred in the bed and rolled over. His tousled hair and shining blue eyes spoke of the night they’d just spent nestled in each other’s arms, making love, sharing dreams of their future life together.
“Come, my sweet wife,” he said, throwing back the counterpane and patting the empty space beside him. “Come back to bed with me.”
“What?” Amanda asked, distracted by the letter in her hand.
“What do you mean, what?” Jemmy shook his head. “Must be time to return to Finch Manor if my bride is already forsaking my bed.”
She laughed. “No, it’s just that I’ve received a letter and I cannot believe what it says.”
“Do tell,” he said. “Then perhaps you’ll reconsider my offer.” He waggled his brows at her.
Tossing aside her bonnet and pelisse, she joined him in the bed and read aloud from her letter.
“ ’Tis from my Aunt Hortensia,” she explained.
“The one you were named after?”
“Yes. And she’s written the most amazing letter.” She paused for a second and bit her lip. “Though I am embarrassed to read it. I fear she’s rather blunt in her observations.”
“You’ve met my mother—I think I can shoulder a bit of blunt criticism.”
She shrugged and then read the letter to him.
“My dearest Amanda—”
Jemmy stopped her right there. “She didn’t call you Hortensia?”
Amanda held out the letter. “That’s only the beginning. Listen to this:
“My dearest Amanda,
Your parents have written me of your disgraceful conduct and your hasty marriage to Mr. Reyburn. In light of all this, I must say I was quite overcome…with admiration for you. You have finally lived up to being called Amanda, and not by this horrible name with which I have been burdened all my life. I never thought your parents would dare name a daughter thusly, but then given your father’s skinflint ways, I don’t know what I was thinking. All that aside, I had always hoped that one day you would find a way to get past such a wretched moniker and discover a love that would fill your heart with joy, much as I had with my Oswald. Now it seems that you have.
My only concern is that mother-in-law of yours. Evaline Reyburn can be a bothersome, meddlesome woman, and I don’t want to see her interfering with your happiness. As such, I am reinstating my promise to see you dowered. I have instructed my solicitor to place the sum of five thousand pounds in a bank account that is to be at your disposal. That rapscallion you’ve married cannot touch it, but you will have full discretion to do with it as you please. The remainder of my estate with be placed in trust for the endowment of your daughters. Raise them well and see them happily married, is all I ask.
And you as well be happy, my dear child, and enjoy this money with all my love.
Your ever loving,
Aunt Hortensia”
When Amanda finished reading, she stared at Jemmy, and he at her.
“Five thousand pounds,” she said. “Can you imagine such a sum?”
“Well, yes I can,” he said, plucking the letter from her hands and pulling her into his embrace. “What do you plan to do with it?”