“I can get you the special license easily enough,” Andrew said, the sole voice of reason.
“Excellent. See, we are on our way already.” Jack dug into his eggs, his appetite returned now that things were settled.
“Well, if you are going to get married in three weeks, then we must start planning all the arrangements,” Lady Garrison said briskly.
“What, today?” Vivian exclaimed.
“Yes, today. Three weeks…” Lady Garrison stood up, muttering to herself. “Come along, Grace.” As the pair quit the room, Vivian lowered her eyes to her lap and bit down on her lower lip.
“Maybe your aunts wouldn’t mind if we went for a ride this morning before thinking about wedding plans?” He lifted one of her hands and kissed her fingers, gratified to see the worry fade from her face.
“My aunts will take forever to organize themselves. I am sure I can slip away.”
The world around them receded until he only saw Vivian. Her eyes heated, her lips parted slightly, reminding him it had been hours since he had last tasted their sweetness.
A loud cough from Andrew broke their reverie. “You’re making a scene, you two,” he said out of the side of his mouth. Jack found he still had Vivi’s fingers clasped in his, just an inch from his mouth. She turned a charming shade of pink as she snatched her fingers back from him.
“Yes, er, well, I will just go get changed. I will meet you out at the stable in a half hour.” Vivian moved to scoot her chair back, but she caught her foot on the leg and pitched right into his lap.
Her face flamed even brighter as guests twittered. He wrapped an arm around her waist then stood. Pushing the chair out of the way, he set her back on her feet.
Leaning over he whispered, “I will always be there to catch you, my love. I promise.”
****
Vivian rode with Jack out of the stable yard in happy anticipation of their time alone. Not a single cloud dared to mar the blue sky. She rejoiced in the warmth of the sun on her face.
“Jack, will you take me home to the islands for the winter? I cannot face another winter in England.”
“Yes, I’d like that. There is nothing I would like more than to have you all to myself on the island. We can share meals on the terrace and listen to the fountain gurgling. We can make love with the warm island breeze blowing through the open windows of my bedroom.” For a moment, his eyes were smoky with desire. “But perhaps we can stay until after Christmas. I did promise my family to stay for a while this time.”
Clearly torn, his hesitation showed on his face. She pulled her horse to a walk beside him.
“Jack, it’s all right. Family is important. We can stay as long as you need to set things right with yours. I love them too, you know.” She offered him a smile of encouragement.
He reached out for her hand and squeezed it. “I have somewhere special to show you today. Follow me.”
They rode for a short while before he turned onto a path through the wood. The shadows of the trees cooled them a little, and they slowed the horses down as they rode through dappled sunlight. All of a sudden, the trees cleared, and they were in front of a small pond. Trees surrounded the pond except on the far side, where a large outcropping of rocks towered above the water. Water trickled down the rocks from a small stream above.
“Care for a swim?” He swung down off his horse, tying the reins loosely around a low tree branch nearby. Vivian dismounted as well.
“I am not dressed to go swimming, if you hadn’t noticed.” Her eyes flitted to the pond. She longed to get in the water.
Jack began to undress. He sat on a flat rock and removed his riding boots first, then his jacket and vest, followed by his shirt. Her breath caught as the muscles in his back rippled when he pulled the shirt up over his head.
“Who needs to be dressed at all?” He grinned at her over his shoulder.
“Jack, I can’t undress out here. What if someone came along?” She crossed her arms. Her mouth went dry as he took off his pants. The firm muscles of his buttocks flexed.
“Nobody is coming by this pond. It’s very secluded.” He turned and stepping onto a large stone, executed a shallow dive into the water. “The water feels wonderful.” He cocked his head.
She felt stiff and prim standing on the bank while he swam back in forth in front of her.
“What did they do to my wild island girl? Too proper to come in and swim with her betrothed?” he challenged.
He dared call her proper? Humpf. She began disrobing. It took her a little longer because she carefully laid out her riding habit neatly on a nearby rock. Jack treaded water, obviously enjoying the view as she undressed. But then she hit a snag.
“You’ll have to untie me if you want the rest of my clothes off.” She smirked. Men never considered the practicalities.
