'This is exquisite, of the highest quality, your mother must have come from a very good family.' He held it up to her face and his smile was blinding. 'The stones match your eyes exactly; I couldn't have found anything better at the best jewellers in London.'
'Will you keep it for me? I'm not comfortable carrying something so valuable.'
'Will you wear it on our wedding day whenever that is? Do you have something suitable amongst your second-hand wardrobe?'
'James, that's a horrible thing to say. My garments are unworn by anyone but me. They were ordered by someone else but never left madame's premises.'
He chuckled pleased with himself for having got her to rise to his teasing. Deliberately she shuffled to the far side and looked out of the window as if he wasn't there.
She held her breath waiting for his reaction. Seconds later he pounced and she was somehow sitting on his lap, her new bonnet hanging drunkenly over her shoulder, and being thoroughly and quite disgracefully kissed.
If they hadn't been approaching a tollgate where they could be seen she dreaded to think what might have occurred.
The coachman blew his horn as they arrived but as there were several carriages in front of them they had to wait their turn. Fortunately, she was already sitting demurely on the other side of the carriage trying hard not to look at him as she knew that with the slightest encouragement he'd continue his lovemaking.
