“I had not realized we were on quite such familiar terms.” His voice was silky.
“Well, we are getting married, are we not? I assumed the level of familiarity was a given.” Vivian tried to sound more confident than she felt, ignoring the way her hand shook as she poured the tea. “Was it not you who said we should at least seem to be inlove if we are to make my previous fiancé jealous? Calling you by your Christian name would help sell the illusion.”
“I can see your logic, though there is no one currently here to pretend to.” He gestured around them. “Not even a chaperone.”
There was an edge in his voice that Vivian could not quite place. Given the way he had maneuvered her into confessing her trick at the ball, she had little desire to push things further.
Imagine admitting that my mother has orchestrated this time alone so that I might—no focus.If she thought too hard, her face would flush so deep a scarlet that the whole game would be given away.
“Practice makes perfect. Besides, you have a very…” Vivian tried to think of something flattering to say about his name. “Pretty name.”
“Pretty?” He took a step toward her and canted his head. “I do not think anyone has ever said anything about me was pretty.”
Damn it, can I not do anything right?
“I mean, handsome. No, strong. You have a strong name. A powerful one.” Vivian forced herself not to move away from him, even as the smell of amber washed over her. “Like the rest of you.”
“Flattered as I am by your… unusual compliments, we should return to the matter at hand.” He gave her a smile that made her heart swoop.
How is he so handsome? Would this be easier if he were not?
“Namely, our wedding. Now that it is in the press, we need to act quickly. A special license would be the best course, and I have a connection to the archbishop that should make obtaining one easy.”
“Oh.” A special license would speed things along, meaning she would have less time to try to win him over.
Thomas continued speaking. “We will still marry in a church, but this will give us the option of choosing a time that suits us, and it will speed things along. The wedding breakfast will be at my London estate, unless you object?”
“Of course not.” Vivian saw his eyebrows arch just slightly and wondered if it was the wrong thing to say.
Should I object? Is that what he wants?
“Good. I expect you will wish to have a new dress commissioned for the wedding, and of course, you will charge me for the rest of your bridal wardrobe.” He ran a hand through his short black hair.
“A whole wardrobe? I do not need such extravagance.” Too late, Vivian realized that this was not the sort of thing a woman trying to flatter a man should say, but she could not help herself. “A wedding gown will be more than sufficient.”
“If you were marrying a mere viscount, perhaps. But I am a marquess, and more to the point, I am the grandson of one of the richest women in theton. They will be expecting all the finery money can buy, and I intend to exceed those expectations.” Thomas shrugged as though such extravagance was barely worth thinking about.
It was all Vivian could do not to gape at him.I suppose, at the very least, I will be able to sell some of the dresses if he decides to call the whole thing off. Not that it would be enough to live off.
“That is very generous indeed, Thomas. Thank you.”
“Think nothing of it.” He made a dismissive motion with his hand. “Of course, we should probably discuss plans for travel back to the castle, and there are some other matters relating to the wedding that I will need to speak to your parents about.”
His words reminded Vivian that she was supposed to be flirting with him.How much longer until Mother returns?
“There will be plenty of time to talk about the logistics. And as my parents are not yet with us, why not take the time to get to know one another a little more? You could tell me about your interests, your hopes, your de… dreams.” Vivian could not quitemanage to make herself say desires, not when Lord Elington was studying her with those appraising blue eyes. “I scarcely know anything about you.”
“As you said yourself, we only met yesterday,” Lord Elington replied.
“You see? Come, please. Tell me a little bit about you.” Vivian took a steadying breath and closed the distance between them, peering up at Lord Elington as she brushed a finger against his sleeve, as her mother had shown her moments before.
What am I doing?
The smell of amber washed over her, making her almost dizzy. She swallowed as she realized just how close she was to him. She could see the barest hint of stubble on his jaw and, without thinking, she reached up her hand to touch it. He caught her hand in his. His eyes were dark as he shook his head, and Vivian felt her stomach twist.
“I thought I had made the terms of our arrangement clear.” His voice was firm as he took a step away from her, letting her hand drop. “This marriage is a matter of practicality and convenience, nothing more.”
“But what about an heir?” Vivian forced herself to ask even as the words sent a spike of panic through her.
