Page 12 of Miss Harvey's Horribly Lovable Fiancé
She lifted her chin, conflicted over the duke’s decision. “He does not approve of me.”
“Listen to me, darling. He does not approve of anyone but himself. And that is a gross miscarriage of logic. Come here.” He wrapped her in his arms again and kissed her temple. “We will take our vows without him.”
Then he stepped away. And when he did, his brow was furrowed with concern though he did a pitiful job of smiling to hide it. “Show me to my rooms, will you? I rode alongside my carriage. I’m in need of a bath and a shave. Where is everyone? The village?”
“The May Pole celebrations have begun already. All the guests have gone.”
“Good. Do you go?”
“I must meet my cousin, Fiona. A talk. Most necessary. You won’t mind, will you, to go alone to the village?”
“No. Actually, I first must talk with your father. Where is he?”
“In the village.”
“Ah. Well. I will find him.”
As she accompanied him up the stairs to his rooms, she felt a prick of discomfort that talking with her father was his goal. Why was that? Were her bridal nerves imagining all sorts of problems? With him? With his love for her? With his father? Oh, the never-ending questions! Including the biggest challenge of the settlements. Their solicitors had haggled so much over the legalities of this marriage that she did not welcome any more problems of any sort.
“I want us married,” she whispered, so blunt with him about her needs. “Happy. Perfect.”
“Come here,” he whispered as he closed his door behind him and took her in his arms. “I know what is most perfect. Your lips.”
* * *
She speddown the hall toward the orangerie where Fiona awaited her. She was late, but it couldn’t be helped. Not when Giles had proceeded to kiss her into a blind desire for him—and for tomorrow.
“I must go,” she’d finally told him when his lips on the pulse at her throat made her think of nothing but removing every stitch of clothing.
He’d touched his forefinger to her lips and pushed away. “Yes, indeed.”
“You and I will dance tonight.” She’d wiggled her brows at him when she adjusted her décolletage and he looked deprived.
“With you and no other, Miss Harvey.” Then he’d given her a leg, she’d giggled and run toward the hall and her cousin.
Fiona had sent her a message this morning that she was feeling much better than she had after yesterday’s coaching accident. Esme did not wish to inconvenience or irritate her cousin. Indeed, before her wedding day when her whole life changed, she wished once and for all to end their childish pettiness.
Fifi sat waiting in the small nook in a bower of Mama’s roses. This was May but uncharacteristically grey and chilly. Yet in the glass-walled summer house, white and pink roses blossomed with an ethereal fragrance that lifted Esme’s hopes for this meeting.
"Forgive me for being late, Fee." Esme approached. "Mama had me talking with Cook about the refreshments for tomorrow's wedding breakfast." She didn’t want to speak of Giles just yet, wishing to keep his charm and kisses as treasures even while she questioned the details that had kept him away.
"I'm certain everything will be superb.” Fifi smiled at her with clear blue eyes. “Your cook is very talented."
"She is." She sighed heavily and advanced a few more steps. "I'm glad you agreed to meet me here. I'm sorry you're missing the festivities in the village."
"I'm not sorry. I didn't wish to go."
"Oh?" Fifi was not known to attend many social gatherings. And that was a shame because she was sterling company.
Fifi lifted her injured foot."I dislike my inability to get around."
Esme perched on the edge of a chair and commiserated. "When I broke my arm last year falling from my horse, I suddenly understood why our Mary does not go too many places." Mary had suffered a broken leg when a child and the bone had not healed correctly. She limped and refused to use a walking stick to assist her.
"Calling attention to oneself for all the wrong reasons, eh?" Fifi said nonchalantly.
"Exactly." Esme considered her hands in her lap. "In many ways, that's what I wanted to talk about with you."
"Calling attention to oneself?" Fifi was surprised.
