“I hope he likes the dress,” she whispered to a ladybug, thinking of her wedding gown, the last fitting of which was today. The cream-colored gown, shot with brilliants, was meant to be a recreation of the dress she wore the night they met at Lord Corbett's. Jemma giggled. “I can't very well march down the aisle in breeches, can I? Though I suspect Nick would like that.”
“I would indeed. I adore you in breeches.” Nick stole up behind her and pressed a kiss to her neck.
“Oh.” Jemma tripped over a stone at the feel of his lips. She hadn't heard him sneak up on her. “Bloody hell, Nick. How is it possible for such a big man to be so quiet? Stop appearing unannounced.”
He caught her deftly by the elbow and pulled her close, kissing her soundly.
“I beg you, Jem, to watch where you walk.” Nick looked down on her from his great height, the blue and brown of his mismatched eyes twinkling at her in mischief. “I want you in full command of your limbs for our honeymoon. In fact, I insist upon it. I assume you were so enthralled with thoughts of the vast array of liberties you can take with me once we are wed, that you didn't hear me stalking you.”
“You are most full of yourself, Your Grace,” Jemma said primly. “I am an innocent girl. I was thinking of the flowers that will grace my bride’s bouquet.”
“Yes, I forgot your innocence.” He pinched her bottom.
Jemma wiggled further into his arms. “Stop that,” she chided, looking towards the windows of her uncle’s house hopeful no one could see Nick in the garden. “I was thinking of my wedding gown, I’ve the final fitting today. I cannot wait to wear it for you.”
“I cannot wait to take you out of it.” He leaned over to press his lips to hers again. “Come let us seek the shelter of yonder bushes lest Lady Marsh find me here.”
“Must we obey my aunt?” Jemma said. Aunt Mary declared that she and Nick not see each other for the week before their nuptials, and so Nick resorted to sneaking into the garden every morning. Unfortunately, due to the preparations for the wedding, the garden would be full of tradesmen by teatime today, and Jemma doubted she would see Nick again until he took her arm before the minister.
“Your aunt is very clear that I not see the bride before the wedding, and you are fortunate she has not noticed me sneaking into her garden. Were she to catch us, I fear she would be most unforgiving.” He shook his head. “With the manner in which she argues her opinion, Lady Marsh should have been a barrister. It is only for these last two days, love, whilst the tradesmen set up the bower.”
“I am beginning to regret agreeing to a garden wedding. Is Lord Kilmaire settled? I’m not sure why he chose to find a town home to let rather than stay at Dunbar house. We will be gone on our honeymoon after all. It would be no bother.”
“Colin is looking for a bride.” Nick winked. “His chances are slim enough with his reputation. I fear my notoriety, were he to stay with us, would lessen his chances even more. Besides, Colin is a bit of a loner. He’s used to living on a large estate by himself. I think he wishes the privacy. He’s constantly scribbling notes on bits of paper, though I’m not sure what he uses them for.”
“Perhaps he’s a writer of sorts or keeps a journal.” Jemma thought Lord Kilmaire sounded as mysterious as Nick himself. “And what does his ‘reputation’ consist of?” She inhaled the warm male scent of Nick and felt the familiar pool of honey between her thighs. Could anyone see them from the house if they were to disappear behind the lion shaped topiary?
“That is a tale for later.” He must have seen her assessing the topiary for he said, “Yes, love, they would certainly see us. We must wait.” He cupped her face in his hands, gently pulling her to him with a brush of his lips against hers. “Then we shall be off to the Continent, alone, just the two of us.”
Jemma hugged him tight, smiling into his coat. Nick couldn't truly read minds, for if he did, he would certainly know that this would be a wedding trip for three.
“What are you about Jem?” Nick pressed a kiss to the top of her head, sensing she had a secret.
“A wedding gift.” She leaned back and brushed a bit of lint off his shoulder, trying to sound nonchalant, lest he guess at her news. “A surprise.” While she didn’t dare ask anyone, Jemma thought her suspicions correct.
Nick gave her a sideways glance but didn’t press her for more. He took her hand in his and proceeded to meander through her uncle's glorious garden, careful to stay out of sight of the house. Every now and then, she would squeeze his fingers tightly and Nick would squeeze back.
“Miss Grantly,” Anna called from the back door of the Marsh home. “Are you still out there? Your aunt and cousin have come down. The carriage is waiting.”
Jemma could see the red of her maid’s hair as the woman put a hand over her eyes to see into the garden.
Nick pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“I don’t want you to go,” she whispered, suddenly feeling desolate that she would not see him for the next two days.
“Don’t be silly. I must see Colin settled.”
“Settled? I suspect that the settling will involve a bottle of whisky shared between the Earl of Kilmaire, the Marquess of Cambourne and my cousin. Try not to fleece Rowan of his fortune over cards, please?”
Nick chuckled softly. “Why do you insist that I must cheat at cards? Rowan is a terrible card player and never bets much. Dice is his game. And as for the whisky, I doubt Lord Kilmaire will overindulge. Colin becomes drunk after drinking a teacup full unless his tolerance has changed. And what shall you do?”
“I shall stay in my room tonight with a book, mooning over you.” She tried to look demure. “As a dutiful betrothed would for her future husband, though I will miss a visit from my lover.”
Nick laughed, and then quickly covered his mouth lest the maid hear him. He had been crawling up the trellis to her room several times each week. “I am just happy that the trellis has remained sturdy. I should applaud the gardener for his construction, perhaps he can pass his knowledge on to the makers of chairs in London.”
“Miss?” Anna was now walking down the path.
“I hate to disappoint you, Your Grace, but the trellis has been repaired several times.” At Nick's look of surprise, Jemma continued, “I caught Rowan telling the gardener to reinforce it. He’s known the entire time and never said a word.”
