a disreputable ex-fiancé.
There were other benefits as well. Harriet very much liked the fact that she would have several charges to care for, specifically two girls and younger boy. Her experience with her nephew Georgie made her comfortable with the notion of coping with little boys, since she felt she understood them. Certainly far more than she understood grown-up boys.
Having girls to guide would bring balance and variety to her days. And best of all, they were Mr. Wainwrightâs wards, not his natural children, so his interest in their welfare should be limited. That would leave Harriet in nearly complete charge, a position she felt suited her best.
Two girls and a boy. A long time ago, in what now seemed like a different life, she had yearned to have four children of her own. She had dared to dream of raising two boys and two girls, if the Lord had seen fit to bless her.
The begetting of those children had also been something to look forward to with excitement and curiosity. Her ex-fiancé Julian had been very miserly with his kisses, yet Harriet had remembered, and cherished, each and every one with nearly reverent clarity.
The soft brush of his gentle lips against her own on the afternoon when she agreed to be his wife; the desperate, almost frantic pressing of lips and dueling of tongues on the eve of his departure to Spain, when he left to join Wellingtonâs staff as a junior officer.
The intervening weeks and months and years had been long and lonely, yet Harriet greeted Julian with open arms and a loving heart upon his unexpected return. She would never forget the thrill of finally being alone with him. Of winding her arms around his shoulder and neck, rising on her toes to embrace his fit form, pressing her body snug against his. The movement of his breath against her cheek, the heat of his body so near to her own.
They had shared several deep, slow, erotic kisses that made her knees turn to rubber with a mindless pleasure that had stunned her. It was those kisses Harriet remembered so vividly for they had promised such glory but led to only sorrow.
She believed they would marry within a few weeks and begin their life together. A home, children, a place in society, a place among the community where they lived. It never happened. Instead there had been scandal, disgrace, and abandonment.
Given no other choice, Harriet had made the best of it. And now somewhere in the wilds of northern Scotland, two little girls and their younger brother awaited her arrival.
âWill you miss me, Aunt Harriet?â
Harriet gazed down at her nephew with a pained expression. She would indeed miss Georgie, probably more than anyone else in the household. She had loved, protected and fought over this child from the moment he entered her life. It was difficult to accept that his need for her as a champion had lessened considerably over the last year and was part of the reason she felt it was time to break away from the household.
Very much aware of the fickle nature and memories of children, Harriet feared he would soon forget her. Burying that gloomy thought deep in her heart, she bent down and scooped the child up in her arms. âYou are a special, wonderful lad,â she whispered in his ear. âAlways remember how much I love you.â
Georgie suffered his auntâs embrace with good humor, planting several sloppy kisses on her cheek before pulling away. Harriet collected herself and straightened. With brisk efficiency she embraced her sister-in-law, Faith, kissed the sleeping infant Emma Kateâs cheek, and gave Elizabeth one final hug.
Harriet turned, hearing her sisterâs soft, gentle sobs. Feeling unsettled by the emotions that were crowding her, she brushed at the tears brimming in her eyes and focused her attention on the cumbersome coach in order to keep from crying.
The moment the steps were pulled down, Harriet held up her skirts and climbed into the coach. She settled into
There were other benefits as well. Harriet very much liked the fact that she would have several charges to care for, specifically two girls and younger boy. Her experience with her nephew Georgie made her comfortable with the notion of coping with little boys, since she felt she understood them. Certainly far more than she understood grown-up boys.
Having girls to guide would bring balance and variety to her days. And best of all, they were Mr. Wainwrightâs wards, not his natural children, so his interest in their welfare should be limited. That would leave Harriet in nearly complete charge, a position she felt suited her best.
Two girls and a boy. A long time ago, in what now seemed like a different life, she had yearned to have four children of her own. She had dared to dream of raising two boys and two girls, if the Lord had seen fit to bless her.
The begetting of those children had also been something to look forward to with excitement and curiosity. Her ex-fiancé Julian had been very miserly with his kisses, yet Harriet had remembered, and cherished, each and every one with nearly reverent clarity.
The soft brush of his gentle lips against her own on the afternoon when she agreed to be his wife; the desperate, almost frantic pressing of lips and dueling of tongues on the eve of his departure to Spain, when he left to join Wellingtonâs staff as a junior officer.
The intervening weeks and months and years had been long and lonely, yet Harriet greeted Julian with open arms and a loving heart upon his unexpected return. She would never forget the thrill of finally being alone with him. Of winding her arms around his shoulder and neck, rising on her toes to embrace his fit form, pressing her body snug against his. The movement of his breath against her cheek, the heat of his body so near to her own.
They had shared several deep, slow, erotic kisses that made her knees turn to rubber with a mindless pleasure that had stunned her. It was those kisses Harriet remembered so vividly for they had promised such glory but led to only sorrow.
She believed they would marry within a few weeks and begin their life together. A home, children, a place in society, a place among the community where they lived. It never happened. Instead there had been scandal, disgrace, and abandonment.
Given no other choice, Harriet had made the best of it. And now somewhere in the wilds of northern Scotland, two little girls and their younger brother awaited her arrival.
âWill you miss me, Aunt Harriet?â
Harriet gazed down at her nephew with a pained expression. She would indeed miss Georgie, probably more than anyone else in the household. She had loved, protected and fought over this child from the moment he entered her life. It was difficult to accept that his need for her as a champion had lessened considerably over the last year and was part of the reason she felt it was time to break away from the household.
Very much aware of the fickle nature and memories of children, Harriet feared he would soon forget her. Burying that gloomy thought deep in her heart, she bent down and scooped the child up in her arms. âYou are a special, wonderful lad,â she whispered in his ear. âAlways remember how much I love you.â
Georgie suffered his auntâs embrace with good humor, planting several sloppy kisses on her cheek before pulling away. Harriet collected herself and straightened. With brisk efficiency she embraced her sister-in-law, Faith, kissed the sleeping infant Emma Kateâs cheek, and gave Elizabeth one final hug.
Harriet turned, hearing her sisterâs soft, gentle sobs. Feeling unsettled by the emotions that were crowding her, she brushed at the tears brimming in her eyes and focused her attention on the cumbersome coach in order to keep from crying.
The moment the steps were pulled down, Harriet held up her skirts and climbed into the coach. She settled into
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