He growled. “Are you defying me already? Evangeline Jones, you shall have a gold ring. As your husband, it is my right to gift you one.”
His playful rebuke went straight to her heart. Gus already considered her his wife.
“I know you said we wouldn’t become one in the biblical sense until we were wed. But I want our marriage to begin here in France. That way we will always have this place as a part of our lives,” she said.
“I think that is a splendid idea.” He quickly removed his coat and brushed a hand over his hair. Then taking her hand in his, he raised it to his lips and placed a kiss on the band of ribbon. “You might need to go first, because I’m not certain of the vows that you speak in church or even the ones we use in England. I don’t make a habit of attending weddings.”
Evangeline cleared her throat. “I, Evangeline Bijoux La Roche, do hereby take you, Augustus Trajan Jones, to be my husband. For richer, for poorer. In sickness and in health. Forsaking all others. Till death us do part. I swear this vow before God.”
It wasn’t perfect, but it was from her heart.
Gus chuckled. “You left out the obey bit.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. When they managed to finally marry in front of a priest, she would be forced to say the word, but until then . . .
“And I, Augustus Trajan Jones, do hereby take you, Evangeline. Is Bijoux really your middle name? Doesn’t that mean jewel in French?”
She might well be a widow very soon if he kept this up.
Your wicked grin is the only thing which might save you.
“I, Augustus Trajan Jones, do hereby take you, Evangeline Bijoux La Roche, to be my wife. For richer, for poorer. In sickness and in health. Forsaking all others. Till death us do part. I swear this vow before God.”
Evangeline made the sign of the cross, and it was done.
“Now may I kiss the bride?”
“Please.”
Gus bent and placed a tender, almost chaste kiss on Evangeline’s lips. They might not be in church, but her new husband had clearly decided their first embrace as a married couple should be a socially acceptable one.
She wasn’t having any of it.
As he drew back, she grasped the front of his jacket with both hands and held tight. They might have forgotten theto have and to holdpart of the vows, but she was determined she would never let this man go.
“Now kiss your wife properly,” she said.
Evangeline loosened her grip as Gus bent his head. She held her breath, ready for the moment when he would claim her mouth.
Strong hands settled about her waist and spun her around. Her back was to him. Gus blew gently in her ear. “Since I am your husband, I believe I am the one in charge, Madame Jones.”
A shiver ran down her spine at hearing his heated words. Anticipation of what he might have in mind had lust, needy and hungry, coursing through her body.
She closed her eyes as Gus worked the rest of her braids free. He gave an appreciative groan as her long blonde locks tumbled out. The end of her hair sat just above her waist.
“Perfect. When you are naked, I will get to see both your golden mane and that deliciously rounded arse.”
She chortled. No one had ever spoken to her in such a lascivious and wicked way.
“Stay where you are,” he instructed.
Boots clumped to the floor. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a cravat being tossed onto a nearby chair. Jacket, shirt, and trousers quickly followed.
Hands appeared at her sides once more, bunching and lifting the hem of her gown.
“Time is of the essence today, but when we get to England and have longer afternoons to indulge, I plan to do thisdoucement,” he murmured.
And repeatedly, please.
