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“I—”
His heart began to speed as wonderful ideas popped into his head. He would make her blissfully happy, he’d make that a new occupation, one at which he could truly excel.
“Do you need me to sweeten the pot? I mean, you’re already getting new jewelry. Amethyst, I had them made for you.”
“Jay.”
“The ring is bigger than Victoria’s, but I didn’t want you to be top heavy so...”
“Jay.”
“What do you want, Urs? I’ll give you everything and anything.” Perhaps they could take a twirl around the floor. He’d love showing her off for just a few minutes.
“A repeat performance of the afternoon Hugo came to call in Philadelphia, as it was, and reversed.” She folded her arms.
Bloody Hell, she was the most perfect creature that was ever created. If there was a God, she was created for him, specifically for him and he for her. He swallowed.
“Provided we take a long enough break in between. I’m nearly as old as your father, you know?”
She reached up and cupped his cheek. “You’re closer to my age. Also, you still have a reputation to maintain.”
That he did. He licked his lips. “Is that a yes, Urs?”
Golden curls bounced with her nod. “It just might be. Though you’d best not disappoint me, at least until we’re married.” She frowned, those three thinking wrinkles marring her brow.
Jay’s heart stopped. “You haven’t changed your mind about marriage? Have you?”
“Not necessarily.” She tapped her chin. “Though, truth be told, depending on your interpretation of Talmudic law, you may already own the house so you wouldn’t need to worry.”
“What are you talking about?” He squinted at her. “I lost. You had the best hand. Also, what does my property or lack thereof have to do with anything?”
Urs shooed away the questions with her palm. “I’m not sure if you can be bound since you aren’t a Jew. Nevertheless, if we aren’t married yet, I won’t toss your parents out on the street, but I won’t guarantee the same treatment for you, so you better behave yourself until we make things more official.” She gave him a saucy tilt of her head, which froze his mind for another moment, until her words echoed in his ears.
“M-m-married?” His head spun. “We can’t be married. I’d remember that.” Wouldn’t he? Blast. Had he done permanent damage to his mind?
She wagged a finger and her entire bodice jiggled—delightful. “In the future, I’d refrain from signing documents you can’t read. Better yet, never sign anything without me reviewing it first. I’d prefer to leave our children some inheritance.”
“What did I sign?” He racked his memory. The only document he’d signed since he’d met Ursula was the one in her uncle’s office with the two men—no. Good lord. “Not the ‘betrothal contract’ or whatever your uncle called it?”
Urs gave him a rueful smile. “Under Jewish law, you can argue, that all you need to do is to sign that, give me a ring and poof...married.”
“Don’t you people do something in public?” Because his parents would want something in public. Bollocks, he’d want something in public. Something formal.
She rolled her eyes. “My uncle thought he was saving my reputation, but I’m confident that no Rabbinic court would uphold the marriage if challenged. We’re going to have to do some sort of additional ceremony, especially if you want to keep this house.”
His pulse galloped. Yes, another ceremony, one that he knew was happening. She could wear whatever expensive and fashionable and brilliant garment she desired with all the jewelry he’d commissioned.
Unless he wrung Bernard Levy’s neck first.
He wrinkled his brow. “How did you know you won the hand? Before I told you? Because you knew, didn’t you?”
Her golden curls pranced along with her pendant, blue eyes sparkling. She giggled so hard she snorted.
Odd, but adorable.
“Of course I knew. I know your tells, Jay, and I learned Mr. Middleton’s.”
Made. For. Him. And he was going to prove it, at least twice a day. He moved his second hand around her back. What did it matter if anyone saw? They were a bunch of provincials anyway. Dull, Delaware dull, hardly anyone’s concern.
