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Ariana sagged with relief, shrugging her slim shoulders in apology. “It’s just that I’m dreadfully unprepared to answer to anyone, let alone have dozens of people answer to me. At Winsham it was only Baxter, Theresa, myself, and a few other servants. Baxter was rarely home and I spent most of my time in the stables or the gardens. I’m much more accustomed to a simple life … one I can hardly expect to continue living as your duchess.”
“I see.” For the life of him, Trenton couldn’t think of another thing to say to her astonishing admission.
“I will try to adapt,” she continued, taking his silence to mean displeasure. “But remember, this marriage was your choice, not mine.”
Trenton’s lips twitched. “I remember.”
The conversation was cut short as the carriage pulled up to the entranceway door and halted.
Unorthodox to the last, Trenton waved away the footman and descended first, extending a hand to help his wife alight.
Ariana placed her fingers in his.
Even the fine material of her glove could not deflect the spark of electricity that passed between them, blazing through his blood to hers like wildfire. Stunned, Ariana froze in place, staring at their joined hands. Slowly, she turned her face to his.
Trenton gave her a slow, dark smile. “Ah, misty angel, I’m beginning to share your preference for an uncluttered household. Already I’m eager for the privacy you were just describing.” He brought her gloved hand to his lips, turning it over to kiss her trembling palm. “There are some aspects to this marriage that I promise you will find infinitely more pleasurable than you expect.” He kissed her fingertips, one by one. “Infinitely.”
He released her hand and caught her by the waist, lining her from the carriage and lowering her to the ground. For the briefest of instants he pressed her against him, his eyes twinkling wickedly at the soft flush that inadvertently stained her cheeks. “Your innocence is bewitching,” he murmured. “You are bewitching.”
“The guests are arriving,” she whispered inanely.
He chuckled. “Very well. We’ll act the dutiful bride and groom. But later, when I have you to myself, we are going to stoke the flames of this fire that rages between us.” He brushed her chin with his thumb. “Tonight, misty angel.”
Totally dazed by the exchange and drowning in a deluge of unfamiliar sensations, it took Ariana a few minutes to realize that Trenton was guiding her, not into the house as she had expected, but along the path that led around Broddington’s magnificent manor.
“Where are we going?” she asked faintly.
“To receive our guests.”
Ariana gave him a quizzical look. “But …” Her question ended in a soft gasp as she beheld the magical picture that unfolded before her. The conservatory doors were flung open, and countless servants were scurrying about, carrying trays of everything from cold lobster salad, roast duck, and meat pies to wine jelly, lemon cake, and coffee cream, and placing them on dozens of miniature tables scattered across the grounds as far as Ariana could see.
“Does it please you?” Trenton asked brusquely.
Ariana turned enchanted eyes to his. “It’s beautiful! How did you ever manage to do all this?”
He fought the pleasure her joy evoked. “I didn’t. Dustin arranged it all, and the servants did the rest.”
She gave him a radiant smile. “Thank you.”
Another unwilling tug at his heart. “You’re welcome.”
“Broddington is massive!” Ariana peeked into the conservatory. “Oh … how lovely! Geraniums, heliotrope, violets, poppies, honeysuckle …” She paused to catch her breath. “Goldenrod, heather, bluebells …”
“You know the names of all those flowers?” Trenton asked in amazement.
“Of course! I told you, I’ve spent most of my time in Winsham’s gardens and stables. I adore the blossoms that thrive in summer, and the animals that emerge from their winter’s sleep. And—”
“White owls?” Trenton teased.
Ariana flushed. “You remember.”
“I remember.” He grinned as she flitted around, pausing to sniff a bud here and there. “Your ankle appears to have fully recovered.”
Ariana laughed. “It has.” Curiously, she peaked through the inner conservatory door. “Where does this lead?”
“Into the drawing room. It’s
designed so you can look out into the conservatory and enjoy its beauty, winter or summer. Beyond the drawing room is the library, and beyond that, the chapel.”
