“If you tell me that, then I will only ask you for more things,” she said, grinning at him.
They reached the lighthouse, the enormous stone building rising into the air beside them. Here, the sea stretched out endlessly, nothing in its wake. Sebastian looked down at her, patient amusement on his face.
“I’ll grant you this,” he said, “but I can’t be certain the world will accept me as easily.”
“Then we will deal with that as it comes.Together.” She took his hand, linking her fingers through his. He glanced at the contact, a tiny frown between his brows. Her heart gave a nervousthump; she had not expressed herself directly and told him how she felt, but she was fairly certain he felt the same.
Still, the fluttering feeling didn’t ease until he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her body against his, kissing her with a blind disregard for whether they could be seen. The wind tugged at her hair and bonnet strings, and she wrapped her arms around his nape, allowing the tiny voice of worry to dissolve.
If he didn’t want her, he wouldn’t kiss her like this. And so long as he wanted her, they would beall right. They were married, after all; he could hardly change his mind about her now. They workedwelltogether.
And so, Aurelia released all her anxieties to the breeze and concentrated her attention on kissing him back.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The musical recital took place in London, and Aurelia dressed with special care. This would be her first public outing as the Duchess of Ravenhall. That wasn’t her primary reason for being seen—although it did matter to her that everyone knew she and Sebastian were husband and wife—but it certainly was an excellent reason to look her best.
Perhaps she would even see the Duchess of Fenwick? This was precisely the sort of event the duchess would attend.
She wondered if the duchess even knew about her. No doubt she knew Sebastian had married, but did she know to whom? There had been an announcement, but it had been vague, and would the duchess connect Aurelia with theMiss Dufortreferenced?
If she did, things might get messy.
Aurelia squared her shoulders. This mattered. If they were ever to show their faces in public, they would have to face suchrisks at some point. And repairing the damage that Sebastian’s reputation had endured was Aurelia’s priority.
No matter how unpleasant it might be.
Sebastian came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, disturbing the rose chiffon Jane had carefully dressed her in.
“Careful,” she cautioned, giggling a little as he pressed a kiss to her cheek. “You’re going to ruffle me before we even leave the house.”
“Mm.” He inhaled, taking in the scent of her perfume. “You look stupendous, Aurelia.” Turning her, he kissed her. “Do we have time?”
“No!” She pressed a finger to his lips. “There isdefinitelyno time if we want to be on time.”
“I have conceived a dislike of being on time. We could be late and make an entrance.” He nuzzled her neck under her ear. “Or, better still, let us not go at all.”
She laughed. “Sebastian.”
“Let us pretend you dressed up for my sake and allow me to remove this delectable dress from you.” He slid his hand down to her derrière, squeezing and pressing her against him, where she could feel that, regardless of his motives, he wasmostdefinitelyinterested in this course of action. “The recital will go on whether we attend or not…”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. She felt his smile curve his lips.
“So?” he asked. “Is that ayes?”
“No, but I do think it’s sweet that you’re nervous.”
He scowled. “I’m not nervous.”
“Yes, you are, and it’s all right. I know it’s been some time since you were last in London.”
“Aurelia,” he said with the air of wearied patience. “I’m not nervous.”
She beamed up at him. “Of course you’re not. Come, then. The carriage will be waiting for us.” She paused only to take a wrap from where it had been laid out for her. She also had a cloak for the journey, which Sebastian helped fasten around her shoulders. Arm in arm, they went downstairs and to where the carriage waited out front for them. An hour ride, and they would be at the concert.
Aurelia’s stomach fluttered with nervous anticipation and excitement.
Her hand instinctively found Sebastian’s as they sat together, side by side on the seat. A heated brick had been placed on the floor, along with some blankets, and he spread one over her lap. Her dress, she reflected, would be very unlikely to survive.
