Carla Kelly (42 page)
Authors: Reforming Lord Ragsdale
“Actually, it was worth it. Emma, I cannot confirm this, but one of the senior clerks in Home told me that Spencer Perceval—the prime minister, my dear; don't look so blank—even said, ‘What a novelty. Did they finally get someone who might actually do the job?’ ” he concluded modestly.
“They did,” she said. “Mrs. Larch always swore that you know how to handle people.”
“Let us see if I can deal with felons, murderers, blackguards, assorted lowlife, and touchy Irish. Let me promise you that for every old idea I use, I will think up two new ones,” he said and reached into his pocket. “Which brings me to my next bit of effort. Emma, you see before you a special license. It cost me a bundle, and I would hate to waste it.”
She took the writ from him and looked it over, then handed it back. “You've become so frugal, my lord.”
“Yes. Economy is the key here, my love. Do call me John, by the way. I think our association is shortly to become somewhat intimate, and I think too much ‘my lording’ will quite put me off my best conjugal efforts.”
“Really, John,” she said and blushed.
“Economy, dear. You see, I need a secretary for my new duties—if David Breedlow cannot be found—and I need a wife and mother for my children. As I am only allowed so much poundage for this voyage, I must economize and combine all that in one.”
She smiled at Lord Ragsdale and nudged Tim. “Doesn't he carry on?”
Tim nodded. “I think he is asking you to marry him.”
“Smart lad,” Lord Ragsdale said with approval. “How about it, Emma? Will you marry me? It's an exertion, but I think I can manage.”
“Of course I will marry you, John,” she said promptly, “but I might remind you that we have left the dock.”
“True,” he agreed. “Isn't it our good fortune that the Colonial Office decided to send out a vicar to Australia? He's the one over there looking decidedly seasick already. Granted he is not Catholic for you, my dear, but he'll make us legal.” He looked at Tim. “Will you mind having your cabin to yourself? I plan to be seasick and a devoted husband, in equal parts, and it won't be a pleasant sight for you. Perhaps Emma will be a loving enough wife to raise my head from the bucket every now and then.”
Tim shook his head and grinned. “I won't mind, as long as you treat her well.”
Lord Ragsdale stopped smiling then, and his face became so serious that Emma felt tears in her eyes. She brushed at them, then squeezed his hand tighter.
“I promise, laddie,” he said softly. “She'll have no cause to regret her decision.” He released Emma's hand and reached across her to take Tim by the shoulder. “And if for some reason we cannot find your father, I would beg the raising of you as my own, if that's agreeable.”
“Aye,” Tim whispered, his face as solemn as Lord Ragsdale's.
“Very well, then!” Lord Ragsdale said and looked at Emma and Tim. “What a couple of long faces!” He slapped his forehead then in theatrical exasperation. “Oh, Emma, I know why you are so solemn right now! Didn't you once tell me that nothing would make you happier than a bed of your own?”
She laughed out loud, wondering how she would manage a lifetime with the quixotic, outrageous Lord Ragsdale.
One lifetime will never be enough,
she decided, loving him with all her heart. “I did say that once.”
“You will have to share your bed again, Emma. I'm sorry, but I must insist.”
Photo by Marie Bryner-Bowles, Bryner Photography
ARLA KELLY IS A VETERAN OF THE NEW YORK and international publishing world. The author of more than thirty novels and novellas for Donald I. Fine Co., Signet, and Harlequin, Carla is the recipient of two Rita Awards (think Oscars for romance writing) from Romance Writers of America and two Spur Awards (think Oscars for western fiction) from Western Writers of America.
Recently, she's been writing Regency romances (think
Pride and Prejudice
) set in the Royal Navy's Channel Fleet during the Napoleonic Wars between England and France. She comes by her love of the ocean from her childhood as a Navy brat.
Carla's history background makes her no stranger to footnote work, either. During her National Park Service days at the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, Carla edited Friedrich Kurz's fur trade journal. She recently completed a short history of Fort Buford, where Sitting Bull surrendered in 1881.
Following the “dumb luck” principle that has guided their lives, the Kellys recently moved to Wellington, Utah, from North Dakota and couldn't be happier in their new location. In her spare time, Carla volunteers at the Railroad and Mining Museum in Helper, Utah. She likes to visit her five children, who live here and there around the United States. Her favorite place in Utah is Manti, located after a drive on the scenic byway through Huntington Canyon.
And why is she so happy these days? Carla doesn't have to write in laundry rooms and furnace rooms now, because she has an actual office.
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