“My mother wrote to tell me about Andrew’s wife passing, and how she worried about him. She reminded me she and Caroline missed me. Your basic motherly guilt. I decided I could no longer merely send money home, that the time had come to become part of this family again.”
She turned to look at him. “Well, being at sea for a living makes it hard to visit. I know sometimes we wouldn’t see my father for months at a time. Which is why he always took us with him when he could.”
“Yes, but I also used my business as an excuse to keep away.” He sighed. “My relationship with Andrew was strained, and I was sick to death of all the ton’s snobbery. But since I have been home, I think Andrew and I are getting back to being friends again, and that makes me happy.”
“He deserves some happiness.” Vivian bit her lip, should she be honest? “I’ll just say it; I didn’t care for his wife at all. She was the worst sort of snob. Always nice in front of company but spoiled and petulant to her family. Is it horrible of me to speak ill of the dead?”
“No, you are right about her. I didn’t care for her either.” His expression shuttered. “Now that my business is thriving, I find I have the ability to delegate to trusted employees. I’m hoping to split my time between here and Nassau so I can see my family more regularly.”
“You know, Jack, the better I know you, the more I like you.” She smiled at him.
“Good, because I like you too.” He ran a finger down her nose. “Especially your freckles,” he teased.
“How can one enjoy the sunshine properly with a bonnet on?”
Jack’s eyes changed from teasing to sultry as he languidly traced one fingertip across her cheek. Her breath caught. He was going to kiss her. She needed him to kiss her. She let her eyes flutter closed.
He sat up abruptly. “We best be getting back.”
“What?” A surge of disappointment washed through her. “But it’s such a lovely morning.”
“I don’t want a whole houseful of guests seeing you and me arrive back without a chaperone. I don’t want to ruin your reputation.” His eyes avoided hers as he packed up the food and blanket.
Vivian stood up slowly. The man had the annoying ability to throw her off balance. He was actually determined to be well-behaved.We’ll have to see about that. Jack packed up the picnic, while she enjoyed a glimpse of his taut rear. She had two weeks to ruffle his feathers. She looked forward to having some fun.
****
Jack slid a discreet look at Vivian. Truthfully, he couldn’t care less about what the others thought, but he couldn’t trust himself to lie near her on the blanket any longer without ravishing her right here in this open field. He meant to be a gentleman, damn it.
They arrived back at the manor before any guests appeared to be about. Vivian went up to her room to change. He wandered into the breakfast room. Only his mother sat at the large table, drinking her tea and reading the paper.
“Mother, you’re up early.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
“With so many guests in the house, it will be the only time I will have to myself all day. You’ve been out for a ride?” The look she shot him meant he was in trouble. He took a seat next to her.
“I am not used to sleeping in,” he hedged.
“Riding with Miss Vivian, I saw. And where was Miss Gabrielle?” His mother frowned.
“Sleeping?” He took a sip of coffee.
“Jack, you know better than to take a young lady out alone without a chaperone. Is your interest in Vivian serious?”
“Yes, I believe it is, Mother. Don’t you like her?” He dared to meet her eyes.
“I adore her, you fool. Do not trifle with her, young man!”
“I’m not. I promise. I want to take my time with her. She is important.”
His mother huffed. “If you had let me know earlier, I would have sat her next to you at dinner last night instead of that insipid Miss Fairly. Let me rearrange the groups for today’s games. I put Vivian in a group with several eligible young men because she is looking for a husband this season. Mark my words, don’t take too much time to convince her you’re the right man for her, or she may well accept someone else.”
Jack frowned into his cup, but before he could quiz his mother to which gentlemen she referred, several guests came into the room, including the ever-charming Count Moreau.
“Lady Gilchrest, good morning. What a beautiful day to spend at your lovely estate.” Moreau bowed. “Captain.” He nodded in Jack’s direction.
“Moreau.” Jack nodded back. “Where is your friend? Hollister?”
“Ah yes, Lord Hollister had a bit too much fun last evening. He won’t be up for a while, I expect.”
