He’d expected to be mocked. But he wasn’t. Ashmore had nodded, which took the wind out of his sails. “I know.” Then he’d gotten up and slapped him on the back. “You’d better make her happy.”
And that had been that. They’d re-joined the company after five minutes, where everyone congratulated him.
Philip was in a daze.
Footmen were serving champagne now, to celebrate the occasion.
“I say, Ashmore, are your political suppers always this entertaining?” asked the Viscount of Wilmore. He was the man with the burgundy waistcoat who was the Dowager Duchess’ table partner.
“I try my best, Wilmore. Though I must say, this was one of my tamer affairs.” He took the snuff that Wilmore offered him. “We once had a live squirrel entertain us.”
“Egad. A squirrel!” Wilmore broke out laughing.
A smile crossed Ashmore’s face and he met Lucy’s eyes.
Philip decided that Ashmore was a man of unknown depths. Maybe they’d be able to get along, after all.
After she’d washedher face, dried it, and rearranged her curls, Arabella re-joined the company in the drawing room, where the guests had assembled. Strained conversation filled the room. Arabella’s heart leapt when she saw Philip talk earnestly to her grandmamma. She went to him and stood next to him. Philip broke off and smiled.
“Let’s take a walk,” Arabella suggested.
They stepped out on the terrace. The cool night brushed her skin, but she didn’t shiver.
“I should’ve asked you long before, of course. I was such an oaf.” Philip turned to her. “Do you mind that I didn’t propose the traditional way? Getting down on my knees. Rings and all that. You know I never do things the way one ought.” He pulled his hand through his already mussed hair. “I’d mangle it up hopelessly anyway.”
Arabella laughed. “That is why I love you so.”
He took both her hands. “You are my world. I must have fallen in love with you since I found you half-drowned under that tree.”
Arabella chuckled and leaned her head against his shoulder. “I knew since that time at the lake. No. Probably before.” She pointed up. “Oh! Look!”
The night sky exploded in fireworks.
“Blast.” Philip tensed up immediately. She shook his arm gently and murmured soothing words.
He relaxed.
“Ash trying to celebrate the occasion, I suppose,” Arabella said wryly.
“One day I will invent fireworks that don’t boom,” Philip vowed.
Arabella laughed. Then a thought occurred to her. “Do the children know? About us, I mean.”
He nodded. “They badgered me to death. If I don’t send them a positive message, they will come and storm the house.”
“It would be lovely to have them here.”
The fireworks tuned down, with a few remaining glimmers lightening up the night sky. It was magical.
Philip bent down, cupped her face in his hands. Arabella’s entire body tingled.
His lips came coaxingly down on hers. She quivered at the sweet tenderness of the kiss. The entire world receded, and there was only him.
Afterwards, he held her in a tight embrace.
Arabella chuckled.
“What, my dear?” She felt his lips brush the fine hair on her temple.
