A low chuckle escaped her, causing another jolt of pain. Abigail did her best to relax her features. “Either way, Toby’s feelings—”
“Would you please stop calling him that!”
“Fine.” Abigail hadn’t wanted to get annoyed with James, but his overbearingness coupled with her headache was starting to be an unbearable burden. “Mr.Chesterfield’sfeelings hardly matter since I am not in love with him.”
“It matters when he’s making eyes at my fiancée in public,” James grumbled.
“Honestly, I think you’re imagining something that isn’t there.”
“Am not!”
She shot him a look that she hoped would inform him of just how childish she thought he was being. “You are the man I want to marry. Isn’t that enough?”
He glanced at her and finally smiled. “Of course it is.” Raising her hand to his lips, he placed a kiss upon her gloved knuckles.
“So then you’ll agree to forget about everyone else and just focus on the two of us?”
“Your wish is my command,” James assured her.
His answer lifted her spirits and banished all her concerns.
#
FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS, James did his best to put the uncomfortable encounter with Mr. Chesterfield out of his mind. After all, as Abigail had correctly pointed out, it shouldn’t matter if he had feelings for her since the only feelings that mattered in this case were hers. And after everything she’d told James, he knew with absolute certainty that he was the man she desired. And if her words didn’t prove it, the two additional kisses they’d managed to share in secret this past week did.
Fervent and eager, Abigail left no doubt in his mind that their union would be a passionate one. And nothing thrilled him more. Which was probably why he arrived at the church on Saturday morning half an hour before the service was set to take place.
Having chosen to spend the last night of his bachelorhood at the house he’d be sharing from this day forward with his wife, he’d risen especially early on account of the restless excitement bubbling inside him. The clock on his dresser had shown only ten after five, so he’d tried to go back to sleep, only to fail. Deciding to read for a bit, he’d picked up the book he’d recently been keeping on his bedside table. Abigail had recommended it, a fascinating account of Captain Cook’s travels to New Zealand.
“Never in a million years would I have supposed that this is the sort of literature you enjoy,” he’d teasingly told her.
“Why? Because I’m a woman?”
“Of course not,” he’d said while considering the leather bound tome with interest. “It’s because so much of it takes place aboard a ship.” When she’d looked puzzled, he’d said, “If I’m not mistaken, you told me just last week that you don’t like sailing.”
Her laughter had brightened her eyes and squeezed at his heart. “Reading about it is not exactly the same.”
“Hmm. Miss Austen’s novels take place on land though. Would you not prefer them instead?”
She’d placed both hands on her hips and regarded him suspiciously. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that this is your way of trying to figure out why I prefer informative narratives rather than romantic nonsense.”
He’d smirked. “My sisters seem to enjoy what you claim to be romantic nonsense. And if you must know, I’ve actually read a couple of Miss Austen’s books myself.” When Abigail’s eyes had widened with disbelief, he’d leaned toward her and told her smugly, “I even happened to enjoy them.”
Her gasp of surprise had made him grin. “I’ll tell you what. If you readEmma, then I’ll read this. Once we’re done we’ll exchange opinions.”
She’d agreed, much to his delight, and they’d decided to allow two weeks for them both to finish their respective books.
It was seven by the time James decided to rise. He called for his valet, who brought him a much appreciated cup of hot coffee to start the day on, and then helped him dress. By eight o’clock, James was downstairs having breakfast and reading the morning paper. He was just about to get up from the table after finishing off a second slice of toast when the butler brought him a letter.
Recognizing the writing as Abigail’s, he felt a rush of unease dart through him, but this was soon banished the moment he read her message.
My dearest James,
I thought I should let you know that the funeral is off, just in case you need to cancel any caskets you may have ordered without my knowing. Instead, I look forward to many long years of happiness by your side.
Yours always,
Abby
