Page 23 of Bedding the Marquess
“You are shameless,” Caro charged, tearing her eyes away from his body even as her flush deepened.
“Perhaps.” He was enamored by the widening of her eyes—the way they glowed when compared to the paler hue of her morning dress. “Now, are you hungry? Have you broken your fast yet? I apologize for how long my ride took this morning, I—”
“Gideon, stop!” Caro couldn’t completely mask her bubble of laughter. It was adorable, and it made him want to kiss her and never stop. “Yes, I have eaten. You do not need to apologize for missingonemeal on this honeymoon trip. And would you enjoy a party or not? I believe it would be fun to plan a celebration for you.”
Unable to bear it any longer, Gideon leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her petal-soft cheek. “Don’t you make a wonderfully doting wife?” he commented lightly. “I do not require a party, but I appreciate the thought. I am entirely content with a quiet evening with you. We will return to London and, before we know it, the chaos of ourutterly scandalousmarriage will inundate our lives. We’d best enjoy the peace while it lasts.”
He rose and pressed a kiss to the top of Caro’s head, hoping she did not notice how he lingered a few seconds too long because she smelled so damned good, before excusing himself to bathe…and likely frig himself into oblivion because he was so bloody hard that it was excruciating.
Chapter Eleven
It didn’t takeCaroline long to decide that she would go through with planning a surprise party to celebrate Gideon’s birthday. What had begun as a ruse to disguise the fact that she’d been daydreaming—again—about her only night with her husband quickly transformed into a full-fledged notion. It was only fair, given how he’d helped her to celebrate her first birthday outside of her family’s home.
Gideon had been summoned by his father to their Northumberland estate. Having ignored the last several summonses, he’d told her that he could not continue to do so or risk his funds being cut off as punishment. He’d apologized profusely to her, knowing this trip meant he would miss her birthday, but Caroline had assured him that she understood and would be fine on her own—especially because Blackwood, Kempton, Brinley, and Trenholm had not been subtle about some secret celebratory plans. Little did she know, Gideon had had a hand in coordinating all of it.
He may not have been in London, but he’d left express instructions that the men were to follow to the letter on pain of death. A morning of riding in the park before the usual slow-moving carriages andtongawkers had been followed by a picnic luncheon and a boat ride on the Serpentine. They’d made quite a sight, Caroline accompanied by four of London’s most notorious rakehells as they toted along an enormous wicker basket and rowed the tiny boat! She was certainly the simultaneous envyand butt of all Society’s gossip that day, though she could not have cared less.
Especially when she’d finally returned home to discover Gideon had planted one final surprise for her.
A box had been delivered in her absence, and it waited for her on the entry table. The small note confirmed he’d been its sender and inside lay the most beautiful pair of sewing scissors she’d ever beheld. Made from polished gold and silver with artful craftsmanship so stunning, they appeared more like a piece of jewelry than a sewing implement. They dangled from a delicate gold chain that glittered in the light. To many, it might have seemed an odd gift, but for her, it had been perfect. Though contrary to what most believed her personality to be, Gideon knew of her true enjoyment of embroidery in her contemplative times…and her penchant for always misplacing her scissors.
She still possessed those scissors, cherished them, and thought of Gideon each time she used them. Because of this, she had an enormous task ahead of her in planning a surprise party worthy of such a man.
Plans and ideas to return the favor of that lovely birthday flitted through her brain like excited birds. All the possibilities thrilled her. Decorations, menus, and entertainment, each thing was more exciting than the last.
She enlisted the help of the staff the very next day, swearing them all to secrecy. Everyone seemed to enjoy the idea of opening up the castle for an evening of excitement. The great hall would be transformed into an elegant ballroom; adjacent parlors would be transformed into dens for Gideon’s favorite games of cards and chance; and local musicians would be hired to lend their talents for dancing and entertainment. The west lawn would be cleared and staked for a special event. The china would be unpacked, the silver would be polished, and every corner would be dusted and swept. She also spent a great dealof time in the kitchens with the Bray Castle cook. Together, they designed a menu filled with Gideon’s favorite foods—from roast venison all the way to his beloved cake with the ripest, sweetest summer strawberries to be found. A large order of his favorite whiskey was placed; red and white wines to match the dinner courses would be pulled from the castle stores. They were also in agreement that not a single mushroom would be allowed in the kitchens since Gideon could not abide them.
Caroline spoke with the housekeeper about obtaining flowers from the village and surrounding areas, determined to keep as much business as local as possible. Additional staff would be brought in a few days before the event to learn the layout of the sizable grounds, as well as their duties. The stables needed to be readied, as did additional bedchambers if guests were expected to travel from abroad. Some of thetonretreated from the city this time of year, but she knew most of their acquaintances preferred the bustle of town to any quiet country house, so they would not be difficult to track down.
Even after Gideon retired to his bedchamber for the evening, Caroline stayed up late compiling a list of guests. Nearly fifty names filled the page when she was done. It was a small party for a venue as large as Bray Castle, but these were the people whom she knew Gideon would have invited had he been aware of her plans. To him, pomp and circumstance meant little; he far preferred honest companionship and good laughter over pretenses. This birthday celebration would be precisely that.
It was unconventional for a newly married couple to host a party while still on their honeymoon trip, but since when had she and Gideon done anything properly? Beyond celebrating her husband, this would serve as their introduction as a married pair to Society—a demonstration of their unity and affection. She also harbored a secret hope that it would help dispel any nastyrumors that had blossomed in the wake of their departure from London.
Invitations were sent off to their close circle of friends, Gideon’s nearest associates, kin, and neighboring families whom Gideon had spoken of fondly on their walks. Though she had yet to meet him, she also addressed one to Gideon’s half brother, Oliver, and his wife. Emily had been lovely during their only meeting and Caroline liked to think the man a woman like that had married would be as charming. As soon as the invitation was sent off for delivery, Caroline reminded herself not to allow her hopes to reach too high—that she would understand if they did not accept. At least the gesture had been made. Part of her truly believed it was the right thing to do. She’d seen the disappointment on Gideon’s face the day they left London; a part of him wished to know Oliver, and, if this helped to facilitate the blossoming of a relationship between them, then so be it.
It had been a long time since her lessons in comportment and household management, but Caroline was impressed with what she managed to accomplish for her first attempt. She beamed with pride as her eyes ran over her neat lists of items, tasks, and names.
“You’ve done well, Caroline,” she said to herself, unashamed by her pride. She hadn’t set out to prove anything other than to give Gideon a party the likes of which he’d never had before, but she’d realized that this was something her mother would have told her she’d never accomplish unassisted. Even a gathering of this size was a massive undertaking for a lady who’d not coordinated such an event before, let alone a lady who still suffered with daily bouts of nausea and fatigue so rampant that she could not survive the day without a little nap in the sunshine like an overindulged feline.
And she’d done it.
“Did you say something?”
Caroline whirled around and just managed to shove her list beneath a stack of scattered pieces of parchment. “You really must stop this sneaking around,” she snapped at Gideon.
The maddening man chuckled, and the intoxicating sound shot straight to her core. “I have been here for several minutes. I assure you, the ‘sneaking’ was entirely unintentional. What are you concentrating on? You were scribbling away so furiously, I was afraid you might wear a hole straight through to the desk.”
“Nothing.” Caroline stood and shook out her skirts. “Nothing important. Just some correspondence. It can wait.”
“Wait for what?”
Why did he have to be so handsome when he was confused? He made her want to melt into a puddle at his feet. Ever since they’d arrived at Bray Castle, every glance he sent her made her heart stutter, each wink made her clench her thighs together, and every flirtatious phrase made her flush. She’d cared for him for many years, been attracted to him for nearly as long, been able to admit to herself that she desired him physically for the better part of a year, but lately everything about him drove her mad with need. It was terribly inconvenient to be so preoccupied when one had things to accomplish.
“A walk,” she said matter-of-factly and slipped her arm through his to guide him from the room. “I’ve spent far too long indoors today and I am jealous of your riding. Sitting still for so long is beginning to bother my back.”
“Your back?” His steps halted and she was pulled to a stop. “Should I—”
She clapped her hand over his mouth. “Do not say the wordphysician. I am fine, I merely wish to stretch my legs.” His sensuous lips curled into a smile against her palm and she yanked her hand back before the heat could spread up her limb to her heart.
