Page 102 of Lady Waldrey’s Gardening Almanac for Cultivating Scandal

Candace nodded thoughtfully and returned her attention to the puzzle. He couldn’t help but notice that every time his future houseguests came up, she seemed to grow a bit morose. He supposed it was only natural that might be the case—she’d come to Devon to escape society, and now he was bringing a slice of it to her doorstep.

Still, the men he’d invited were all single men of good fortune, who were ostensibly in the market for wives. None of them enjoyed gossip, and James felt that the benefit of possibly finding a husband for Vera far outweighed the slight possibility that one of them would say something to offend Candace.

His butler entered the room and placed a silver tray with a letter on top upon James's desk before retreating. James slid an engraved letter opener beneath the wax seal and glanced over at the puzzle table, making sure that Candace and Arthur were fully engrossed.

Your Grace,

Please accept my apologies, but a design such as this will take time to complete. I will send it along as soon as I am able. You may expect the delivery by special courier. I am well confident that the project will be completed within two months at the latest, though it may very well be much sooner. Thank you entrusting this item to our care; we will handle it with the utmost discretion.

Sincerely,

Howard P. Rotherton, Jeweler

James gave an irritated huff through his nose despite himself. Candace glanced up in question but quickly redirected her attention back to the tedious problem of sails versus sky.

Perhaps he wouldn’t wait for Rotherton to craft the idea he’d worked so hard on. Or perhaps the ring would just have to wait until after the nuptials.

James frowned at the thought. If he were being honest, he wanted to do things the right way. He and Candace had both been betrothed before. He wanted this engagement to erase her memory of the one with Shelbourne completely.

That man had seemingly picked the first ring he’d come across. The gaudy ruby had looked nothing like Candace; it clashed with her in every way. James wanted to get on one knee and give her a ring that looked like it had been made for her, because it had been.

He glanced up once more to see Candace smiling softly down at Arthur. She touched his shoulder and pointed to a piece on the far side of the table. Arthur went up his knees on his chair to reach it.

Adding to his frustration over the ring was the fact that Devonshire had yet to respond to his letter. Though James knew that the post between Devon and London was a fickle system, he was more than impatient to hear his answer.

James had already thought of how he’d arrive on Candace’s doorstep, bouquet in hand, to ask her the all-important question. He’d already picked out which suit he’d wear and he hadn’t even officially started courting her yet.

Two months? He didn’t want to wait two months. He looked over at the lovely redhead bent close to his son. He didn’t want to wait two hours, let alone two months. Still, perhaps there was a solution closer by.

CHAPTER 30- CANDACE

From Gardening for the Estate-

Many decorative objects can be added to increase the beauty or whimsy of a garden. Some, such as sundials and armillary spheres, should be carefully placed according to direction and in full sun. Others, such as grecian urns, lattice obelisks, and trellises, can be positioned according to the dictates of style alone.

The following day’s weather endeavored to prove why everyone should desire to live in the English countryside. It was the perfect temperature—just a hint of coolness, softened by the glorious sunshine. Birds twittered in the green branches of every tree; wildflowers dusted the edges of the road. Conditions were ideal for a walk down to the village, and Candace took full advantage.

She wanted to check on the progress of the quilts she’d ordered from Mr. Harris. They’d received most of them, but three were still outstanding, and he’d promised them today. Hortense followed her down the street but broke off to check the post at the inn the moment they entered the town.

Candace suspected that more than efficiency was afoot—Hortense seemed to be avoiding Thomas, though Candace hadn’t the faintest idea why. She knew better than to ask, however—her maid scowled every time she brought the issue up.

The bell of the shop jangled merrily overhead.

“Good morning!” Mr. Harris called in the direction of the front door.

He’d added another shelf that prevented him from being able to see who was entering. When Candace stepped around the divider, she was surprised to find James at the counter, bent over an open display case of rings.

Her stomach dropped. She whirled toward the nearest shelf and picked up the first thing her eyes landed on—the blasted fruit clock. She blinked down at it, barely seeing its odd shape and clashing colors through the sudden moisture in her eyes.

Her heart thumped painfully within her chest. Candace thought she perhaps had more time—after all, James’s friends hadn’t visited to give their approval yet. But apparently his mind was already made up.

When she finally mustered the courage to turn back around, the rings had disappeared from the countertop, and James studied her closely, as if trying to ascertain whether she’d seen anything.

“James!” she cried, infusing surprise into her tone. “Fancy seeing you! What brings you to the village today?”

“Nothing of note.”

He shoved his hands into his pockets, the picture of nonchalance. If she hadn’t just seen what he was doing with her own two eyes, she never would have guessed it.