“I told Madame Bomfrey to simply adjust whatever leftover dresses she had from previous seasons and add the necessary parts.”
It took considerable will to keep the grin from lifting his lips. If she thought a bit of pigmented exoskeleton would put him off, she’d forgotten who had talked her into collecting worms by the river when they’d been eleven.
“I wait with bated breath to see your wedding wardrobe,” he said. “Should I expect knitted butterfly wings? Bronze-coated ants?”
“A hive-full of wasps stitched in hundreds of rows.” Her eyes narrowed. “With all their stingers still attached.”
He’d pay good money to see that.
“Attempting to keep me at a distance, General?”
“A reminder I won’t be easy prey for your bumbling efforts at seduction.”
“You acknowledge my efforts, then?” Jackson raised her hand to his lips and kissed her lace-gloved knuckles. “I am honored, my dear.”
She smiled up at him while subtly wiping the back of her hand on her dress. “You really shouldn’t be,my dear.”
Jackson chuckled as she walked away, stalling his desire to chase after her. Prickly, strong-willed, wearingbeetle husksfor dress adornments for goodness’s sake; he must thank God in his prayers tonight for such an entertaining betrothed.
Everyone else—with their backhanded speech and obsequious manners—paled in comparison to her straightforward hostility.
“You’re smiling, Your Grace,” Viscountess Tisway said, her cane striking the wooden floor as she stopped in front of him. She glanced across the room where a certain hostile bride-to-be stared down anyone foolish enough to approach. “I’m glad to see you and your intended have friendly feelings for one another.”
“Yes,” Jackson agreed. “Friendly.”
Like a hungry falcon and a field mouse.
“Will you settle in the country after the nuptials?” Lady Tisway asked.
“Don’t ask such silly questions,” Viscountess Holloway came up on Lady Tisway’s right. “A man like the duke would go mad to be kept in such easy comfort. Isn’t that right, Your Grace?”
“But he will have a duchess to keep him entertained after tomorrow. Surely, Miss Greene will desire a reprieve from society as she acclimates to her new position?” Baroness Febass completed the trio, taking up position on Lady Tisway’s other side.
Boxing Jackson in where he stood in the corner.
All three turned to him, their expressions expectant.
“No, yes, and I highly doubt it,” he answered in order.
“Ha!” Lady Tisway said. “You should discuss such things so there is no doubt. A husband should never assume when it comes to his wife. Not with one so high-spirited as Miss Greene.”
They had no idea.
Jackson nodded his head. “I will keep that in mind, my lady—” His words cut off, his agent’s instinct stirring awake before his conscious mind at the unnatural silence that filtered through the room.
The Widows turned the same time Jackson did, to see the room’s attention on Anna... and the look of pure fury on her lovely face.
“Stop sulking,” thedowager duchess snapped at Anna’s elbow. “If you cannot make basic conversation, then at least smile. If we’re fortunate, people will think you simple but passably pleasing to the eye.”
“Like a doll or a dog,” Anna said.
“Do not mumble, either.” The elder lady smiled as she caught the eye of a nearby couple. Keeping her voice low, she said, “It is unholy witchcraft that has tempted my son for him to tolerate that tongue of yours. He’d do well to take a leather strap to you, if you are to be cured of such blatant disrespect.”
“Jackson wouldneverhit me.”
The words were out of her mouth before Anna could comprehend the instant fire in her belly at such vilified recounting of the duke’s character.
It was the same reaction she’d had when Eloise had questioned Jackson’s intentions in the park. Much as she wished to let lie any lingering feelings of affection, being around him again had stirred from sleep old memories of the boy he’d once been. And allowed new feelings to awaken for the man he’d become.
