Chapter Nine
If Gunn’s friendscould see him now, they would be hitting him with jabs and insulting him incessantly. He didn’t ken what overcame him. It just felt natural that he kiss the lass goodbye. It wasn’t aught he’d thought about doing beforehand.
It felt like a habit. And while he had to admit to himself, that was one habit he would gladly divulge in.
Groaning at what he’d just done, he scrubbed his face with his hands. On a positive note, she wasn’t revolted at his actions. She seemed shocked but not disgusted.
That was a good sign, surely.
Thankfully, his friends hadn’t arrived yet and weren’t due to be here for several days. There was no one here to bear witness to what he’d done.
Save Lizzie.
Gunn groaned again. Hell, Lizzie would tell Gwen, Clarissa, and Willamina what he’d done within minutes of seeing them.
Mayhap he should feel shame for what he’d done. Or guilt. But he felt far from it. As a matter of fact, he wanted to march right back in there, sweep her up in his arms and kiss her properly. He wanted to see her lips swollen from his kisses.
Should he? The thought was tempting. If Lizzie weren’t there, mayhap he would have. Though why he was allowing her presence to stop him he had no idea. From the looks of things, she would be well in favor of it.
He sighed, pushing his hands through his hair. Everything he’d done since Jocelyn arrived was against the norms of society. They were constantly alone. No chaperone in sight. Aye, Jocelyn kept saying she didn’t need one, but to others watching them, they didn’t ken that.
He tried to walk away, but an invisible force kept drawing him back. It was as if he was tethered to Jocelyn, and he couldn’t be more than a certain distance away from her.
He was going mad. That was the only conclusion to be drawn from this situation. Was it so bad that he only wanted to make the lass smile? To see her eyes crinkle with happiness.
Happiness that he was the source of.
*
Jocelyn could barelycontain her excitement as she and Lizzie made their way to the modiste. She had no right to be this happy. She’d been floating in the clouds since Gunn had kissed her.
She fought a giggle. She couldn’t really call it a kiss. It was a quick peck and one-sided. And then Gunn disappeared before she could even react.
“What has ye smiling as if things canna get any better?” Lizzie asked as she looped their arms together.
“It’s nothing. I’m just happy to be going to the modiste.”
“’Tis fun, isna it?”
Jocelyn shrugged. “I believe it will be. I haven’t been to one in quite some time.”
Lizzie frowned, but the look was fleeting, and she quickly replaced it with a smile. “Ye will love the modiste here. Madame Gossard is wonderful. Not quite as good as the one I use at home, but nearly. Ye will love her.”
“I feel guilty though.”
“Whye’er for?”
“It’s a big expense.”
“Pfft. Gunn contacted Madame Gossard already and let her ken there shall be no limit.” Lizzie clapped her hands. “We are going to get ye a whole new wardrobe.”
Jocelyn smiled, but guilt consumed her. She’d seen the status of Gunn’s finances and knew that he couldn’t afford to extend her such a luxury. Not only that, all the money that would be spent would be a waste in the coming weeks when the babe started to grow. Mayhap she could request the modiste add some extra yards so she could wear them throughout her pregnancy.
“We’re here,” Lizzie said excitedly, practically pulling Jocelyn through the door.
A woman that looked to be about Jocelyn’s age greeted them happily. She had rosy cheeks and kind eyes. Jocelyn liked her right away.
“Ladies, come in, come in.” She waved her arms to hurry them inside. “Lady Kennedy, ’tis lovely to see ye again.” She dropped into a curtsy. “And ye must be Lady Townsend. I’m happy to make your acquaintance.”
