She wondered suddenly if he would ever do something like that to another woman in another drawing room one day. Was that how easy it would be?
No, Clara, she quickly chided herself. She had to stop thinking these things. He had told her he would try to be faithful. He had told her he wanted her more than he’d wanted any other woman in a very long time. She would be content with that and enter into this marriage with favorable expectations.
Clara swept all that jealous nonsense away. “I admit, I am looking forward to our honeymoon, too.”
“Then let us marry in September.”
“Your stepmother suggested the spring.”
“Yes, but she’s not thinking about what I am thinking about.”
Suppressing a chuckle, Clara replied, “I’m afraid to ask.”
“Good, because I don’t think there are words for it.” They walked leisurely around the room, aware of the others talking and laughing.
“October, then?” Seger asked.
Clara raised an eyebrow. “A wedding should not be rushed. There are things to plan, like flowers and music and food.”
“It can all be planned in a day if one is focused.”
“My gown must be designed and made. That can’t be done in a day.”
“It can be done in a week for the right price.”
“A week! You’d have me wear something plain or unoriginal?”
“I’d have you wear nothing at all if we could do it in private. Honestly, all that wedding business is just for show. I’ve never cared about what other people think and I would marry you tomorrow in the back garden with only the necessary number of witnesses if you would agree to it.”
She sipped her champagne and spoke with a teasing tone. “Are you afraid I’ll change my mind?”
He pressed a hand to his chest as if he had been shot. “Good God. I hadn’t thought of that. Now that you mention it, I suppose I must consider the possibility. How will I ever keep your interest through the winter, which is so dashedly long and cold?”
“I think the question of the hour is how I will keepyourinterest,” she replied.
He stopped walking and leaned in closer. “That will be easy. Just smile like that, wear more dresses like that, and every once in a while, send me a lewd letter.”
Clara laughed out loud. The others quieted and glanced at them, then resumed their conversations. Seger and Clara chuckled privately with each other.
“I would give anything to be alone with you right now,” he said softly. “I fear this proper behavior where you are concerned will be the death of me.”
“I wouldn’t want that.”
His gaze smoldered. “Then marry me in September.”
“You are very persistent.”
“When I want something, yes. September?”
“But it is now June. That gives us a little over two months.”
“That’s two months too long. Let’s tell everyone tonight. The wedding will be in September. I can make arrangements for our honeymoon immediately. Would you like to go to Italy? Or perhaps America? You choose, as long as it’s in September.”
She shook her head at him in disbelief. “Do you never give up?”
“Not when it comes to what I want. Will you agree?”
His tenacity was amusing and flattering and left her feeling warm and excited inside. Unable to resist his enticing, pleading expression, she set her empty glass down on a table and grinned wickedly. “Yes.”
