CHAPTER8
TEA BEGETS A TUMBLE
“How do you take your tea?” Marian asked.
“A bit of milk is all,” David answered, joining her in front of the fireplace. He set down the plate he’d been holding next to the tea tray and helped himself to a lemon biscuit. Finishing it off in two bites, he went for another as Marian offered him a cup of tea. “Thank you,” he said. His gaze landed on the mantel clock when it began to chime.
Five o’clock.
By the time dinner was brought up at seven, he would be a thoroughly ruined man. But then, Marian would be a thoroughly ruined woman. There would be no choice for her but to marry him.
That last thought didn’t provide the sort of comfort he was seeking just then. That they were doing the right thing.
But she didn’t seem the least bit concerned with her new future. If anything, she seemed more committed to their marriage than she had any right to be.
Did betrothals always cause this sort of double-guessing? Questioning what was right versus what was best? Was a marriage to him Marian’s best option? Wasshehis best option?
Well, she was his only option. Now that they had kissed one another so many times, David couldn’t imagine doing so with anyone else. As for what they were about to do, they were on equal footing. Both virgins. Both about to give themselves to one another in an ancient act that had seen to the survival of mankind for thousands of years. He’d be damned if he didn’t do his part.
Besides, he needed an heir.
David ate the second biscuit and then drained his tea in two swallows.
Noting his anxiousness, Marian finished her first cup of tea and stood. “You looked terribly fierce just then,” she said, her voice suggesting she was impressed.
His resolve faltering, David dipped his head. “I didn’t mean to frighten you,” he said.
Moving to stand in front of him, she offered a hand to help him stand. “Oh, I’m not frightened,” she replied. “But I am intrigued by what thoughts caused it.”
David stared at her bare hand for a moment before his eyes widened. “I didn’t give you a ring,” he said, coming to his feet.
Before Marian could say anything in response, he made his way to the tall dresser on the long wall. Opening a walnut jewel box, he plucked a gold band from its velvet lining and held it up in the dim light. Apparently not satisfied, he used a finger to push around the other items inside the box before extracting another ring. “Ah, finally,” he said with relief as he regarded the jeweled ring in the palm of his hand.
Marian glanced over his shoulder. “It’s very beautiful,” she murmured.
He turned and captured her right hand in his. “I’m glad you like it, because this one is your betrothal ring,” he said as he slid the gold and gemstone ring onto her fourth finger. “And this one,” he retrieved the gold ring from the top of the dresser, “is your wedding band.” He slid it onto her left ring finger.
When he glanced up, he found Marian staring at her hands in awe. “They’re gorgeous,” she whispered. “Truly. How is it you have them?”
David felt relief. “Well, this one was my grandmother’s,” he said as he pointed to the ruby ring. “And this was my great-grandmother’s,” he added as he held up her left hand. “I suppose I should propose, don’t you suppose?”
Marian blinked. “I suppose,” she replied on a titter.
“Will you marry me?”
Marian blinked. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you,” she replied happily before she lifted her face to kiss him.
As their lips met, her fingers went to work on the fastenings of his topcoat, undoing the three jet buttons. Before they had finished the next kiss, she had his waistcoat open. She was in the middle of undoing the buttons on the placket of his breeches when he covered her hand with his.
“Boots first,” he whispered as he struggled to catch his breath. He cursed himself for wearing boots instead of shoes that day, but he was reminded that he had started this rainy day traveling in a coach.
Had that been only this morning?
He doffed his topcoat and waistcoat as Marian undid the knot of his cravat. “You make an excellent valet,” he remarked.
“Why, thank you, sir,” she replied. Marian stepped back and turned around. “Now we’ll see how you do as a lady’s maid,” she teased.
David froze. “What... what do I do?” he stammered.
