Page 26 of The Rake and the Muse
“Don’t agree to any entertainments today. We shall take a stroll in the gardens after breakfast and discuss our plans for me to speak with your father.”
“I suppose we can’t speak of our intended betrothal to the other guests until you have spoken with Papa,” she said, frowning.
“It’s probably for the best. We will want to ensure your papa doesn’t think I have compromised his daughter.” He winked at her.
She laughed. “Given how you had sworn off marriage before we met, perhaps I am the one who compromised you.”
He brought his finger to his lips. “Well, that’ll be our little secret. At least for now. Once your father has agreed, you can tell the world that you hold my heart in your hand.”
Chapter 10
Juliet couldn’t believe that she was going to marry at all, let alone marry the notorious Lord Camden. Theo. She wished Eliza were there so she’d have someone she could confide her news in before she burst. Her best friend would be delighted for her. Eliza would likely be married to Nick in a matter of days and could hopefully be there for her own wedding. A part of her was sad she would miss seeing Eliza marry the man she loved, but she understood they had been kept apart for far too long. They deserved to marry as soon as possible and make up for lost time.
It took all of Juliet’s patience to suffer through conversation with Lord Duncan while seated at breakfast. Theo did the best he could to keep her engaged in conversationon her other side, but Lord Duncan wasn’t taking the hint. She couldn’t very well shout to the man that she was marrying Theo. Every time Duncan slipped into the conversation, forcing her to adhere to good manners and engage with him, she thought about Theo’s hand on her thigh. He had slipped his hand to rest there, and she enjoyed his protective touch. She only hoped no one took notice that she sat just a bit closer to Theo than she did to Lord Duncan.
Although she would much rather tell the entire world and begin planning their future together. At least they could be afforded time alone together that they wouldn’t have if she were back at home with Papa.
After breakfast, Theo escorted her away from the table, and they hurried out to the garden before Lord Duncan could follow and see where they went. Theo held her hand and pulled her along as she covered her mouth with her other hand to stifle her giggles.
Once alone deep in the garden, he tucked her hand in the crook of his arm, and they strolled along the path.
“If that man glanced at your chest one more time, I was going to plant him a facer right there in the breakfast room,” Theo ground out.
Juliet laughed. “I am so used to it. And don’t pretend you didn’t do so thefirst time we met.”
“I must apologize for my gender.” He shook his head. “Besides, I am to be your husband, and you now grant me permission to look.”
“Wouldn’t the scandal sheets love to hear you now?” she said, giggling behind her hand.
“Once you are my wife, I don’t give a whit if they speak of my fall from bachelorhood. As long as they only write kind things about my wife.” He pulled her behind several tall hedges and placed several kisses along her lips and jaw. “I shall happily be under my wife’s paw, among other things.”
She waved him off, and they started walking again. Juliet glanced across the field and grinned when she noticed one of the gentlemen, seemingly the Duke of St. Albans, sneaking off beyond the gardens. Perhaps he was meeting one of the other ladies. Love was certainly in the air, it seemed.
There was a gazebo ahead with a bench. Theo led her to it and helped her to sit before seating himself next to her. “So do you think I should write to your father and have him attend us here? Or should we depart?”
“Allow me to think on that. I want to give us the best chance of success.” Surely Papa would be happy she found love. “I don’t think we should insult our hosts with another couple leaving their party.”
He nodded. “Indeed. I shall defer to your recommendation on how to proceed. And when we are married, do you wish to go on a honeymoon trip, or would you like to settle into our home?”
“Do you have a home in Scotland?”
“I do, in fact,” he replied, grinning at her.
She clasped her hands together. “Might we spend some time there? Mama was half Scottish and I’ve always wished to see the beautiful lands. I might even paint some of the views.”
“If that is your wish, that is where we shall go. Perhaps I will do a bit of drawing.”
“You don’t draw landscapes, my love,” she said, smirking at him.
He took one of her hands in his. “Aren’t I fortunate that my muse will be on the journey with me? Besides, I would like to try my hand at drawing all manner of things.”
“I look forward to seeing anything that you create.” He was far more talented than he gave himself credit for. His work belonged in a gallery.
“Between the two of us, our walls shall be filled.”
“That reminds me,” she said. “Might we make some time to visit London at some point? I’d like to look for a place that would make for a good location for an art gallery.”
He eyed her curiously. “What are you talking about?”
