He listened with half an ear, for his thoughts remained on Tulip.
“Come outdoors with me a moment,” he said, approaching her as soon as the men had rejoined the ladies.
He felt the need to be alone with her before the party ended, for he intended to talk to John and his brothers about today’s incidents once it did.
Things could get heated between him and her guardians.
If they were going to rescind their consent to the marriage, he wanted a taste of Tulip before they were forced to part.
Not that he meant to forget about marrying her.
He would simply wait the few months until she turned one and twenty, at which time she could decide for herself.
He took her by the hand and led her into Lady Dayne’s garden.
“Oh, no,” Tulip teased.“Another garden at midnight.”
Alex chuckled.“You are quite safe with me.”
“Safe?I hope not.”Her eyes captured the silvery glow of moonlight and sparkled with mirth.“I would much rather be in danger of being kissed by you.”
He laughed and gave her cheek a light caress.
The evening was warm and humid.
A light mist surrounded them as he drew her into the shadows of the lilac trees in Lady Dayne’s garden and placed his arms around her.
The scent of grass and late summer blooms filled the air.
Alex bent toward her, inhaling the lavender scent of her skin that he found irresistible.He brought his lips to her neck and kissed her lightly there.
She tasted so sweet.
“Tulip,” he whispered and brought his mouth down on her soft, plump lips with the desperate urgency of a famished soul.
She seemed to understand his turmoil.
And seemed to hold magic in her response, for she calmed him and at the same time excited him.
Was this real?
Could this last?
Or would their marriage prove cursed and destroy them both?
CHAPTER 8
“TULIP, YOU LOOKbeautiful,” her cousin Violet said, stepping back after helping her into her gown on the morning of her wedding.
“Davenport’s tongue will roll to the floor,” Marigold added, smiling in approval as she looked on.“Are you ready to marry that gorgeous man?”
Tulip merely shook her head because words failed her.
She stared at her reflection in the mirror, hoping her cousins were right and she might steal Alex’s heart when he set eyes on her.They were to be married within the hour at St.Mary’s Church, followed by the wedding breakfast to be held here, at John and Sophie’s house on Chipping Way.
The household was astir with activity.
Everyone had been up before dawn, including Violet and Marigold who showed up shortly after sunrise determined to serve as her handmaidens.
