With His Ring (Brides of Bath Book 2) by Cheryl Bolen Page A

road ahead would be difficult to navigate. It would be uphill
all the way. But she had confidence in her abilities to snare his
affections—given time. It wasn't as if they didn't already like each other. She expected Blanks would be solicitous of
her. That was a start. And he had said she was pretty. Which
assured her that she did not repulse him physically. Thank
goodness.
    But now that she was embarking on marriage
with him, she realized her hopes to ensnare his heart
weren't good enough. She needed a plan. Like a general in battle.
For the unbudgingly stubborn Gregory Blankenship was a mighty
opponent.
    The rest of the night she assembled in her
mind the weapons that would carry her to victory. The most
important of these was her love for him. Because she cared so
deeply for him, she wanted to learn everything she could about him.
Her mission in life would be to see to his happiness. If haddock
was what he desired at dinner, haddock he would get. If he desired
to stay out every night with his friends, nary a criticizing word
would come from her.
    From little things he had jokingly said over
the years, she had come to realize that his stepmother held no love
for him. Since his mother had died at his birth, he had likely
never known the love of a woman. True love, that is. Her heart
ached for the lonely child he must have been. Glee was prepared to
swaddle him in love and drench him with affection.
    She had other plans, too. Not only would she
not interfere in his pleasure pursuits, but she also meant to join
him. They would continue to be the best of friends.
    Friendship, she had observed, was the
foundation of all good marriages. If her schemes came to fruition,
Blanks would grow tired of his hedonistic ways and long for his own
estate, complete with loving wife and children. Then he would know
true happiness.
    Children. Surely Blanks would want them
someday. She could not imagine life without them. Somewhere down
their uneven road, she and Blanks would start a family. Even if she
had told her betrothed she would be happy without them.
    If, in the coming years, he was still
opposed to fathering children, she told herself she would respect
his feelings. As much as she wanted children, she wanted Blanks
more.
    She had one last weapon to employ in her
battle to win Blanks' heart, but she wouldn't use it until after
they were married.
     

Chapter 6

    Having checked into Bath's Sheridan Arms
Hotel and overseen the unpacking of her bags, Glee now hastened to
Number 7, Diana's chambers. They had decided against staying at
Diana's brother's estate because its location three miles from the
city would be less convenient than the hotel.
    Diana, now changed from her traveling
clothes, opened the door and stepped into the hallway, slipping a
shawl around her shoulders as she looked up and saw Glee. "I was
just leaving to go to your chambers," she said with a laugh.
    The two women descended the stairs to the
ground floor, speaking all the while. "According to Blanks's letter
there are three prime townhouses on the market and I am to take my
pick of them," Glee said. "The Harrison's house on Queen Square, I
am sure, will undoubtedly outshine the others. You've been there,
have you not?"
    "A lovely home," Diana answered, "and such
an excellent location."
    Glee nodded her agreement. "Between the
Upper Assembly Rooms and the Pump Room. Even if it weren't one of
the finest houses in Bath, I believe I would choose it for where
it's located." They strolled through the opulent lobby and out the
door to High Street. Glee fastened her pelisse and braced against
the chilly wind that greeted them outside.
    "Are we going there first?" Diana asked.
    "Yes, I thought we'd walk since it's so
near."
    Soon they walked along the pavement on
Milsom Street. Glee felt somewhat guilty that she hadn't let her
betrothed know she was already in Bath. Somehow, she had thought he
might be displeased to learn she was coming a day early. His
insistence on posting