Chapter Two
“I’ll wait for you in the drawing room.” The Honorable Caroline Ives twirled about in front of her fiancé as she smoothed a hand down the front of her gown.
Some of the anxiety ahead of the dinner that night had been ousted by that coupling.
As always, the major was quite good at what he did, and she adored his carnal attentions.
“Is my appearance acceptable?” It was such fun to tease the major.
“It is. No one will suspect what we’ve done.” Even after their rushed coupling, a wicked gleam returned to his eye. “But if you wish for such a look…”
“Mmm, tempting.” Unable to help herself, she raked her gaze over his body as he stuffed his flagging shaft back into his breeches and did up the front falls.
“About that naked swim, we could do it tonight…” For whatever reason, her need for him had grown exponentially, so it was a good thing they were to marry tomorrow.
After that, she planned to spend the first week of their honeymoon period in bed with him.
And what her mother thought of that didn’t matter.
“Absolutely not.” The major vehemently shook his head. “No scandal before we’re married. I can’t afford to have your father ring a peal over my head again.”
A delighted chuckle escaped her. “No scandal? Wasn’t what we just did scandalous?” When a mottled wash of color raced up his neck over his collar, she winked. “Or did you mean further scandal?”
“You know exactly what I meant, sweeting.” A touch of grumpiness threaded through his tone. “Don’t push it.”
“I do know what you meant, but it is so much fun to see you bothered.” She gave him a smile. “Don’t overthink the issue, Felix. My father didn’t like any of the men I favored, even the ones I’d hoped would ask for my hand. For some odd reason, he thinks no one is good enough for me.”
The major nodded. “In that I’ll agree with him, but I am good enough for you, and you’ll want for nothing. This I promise you.”
Was he still worried about that? “I know.” Closing the distance between them, Caroline cupped his cheek, then she leaned in and kissed his lips. “I know, darling.”
“So if things prove heated and chaotic tonight, just know taking care of you, making certain you’ll be happy, are my top priorities.”
“I know that also.” There was something about the major she couldn’t deny.
From the first day she’d met him—which was after spying on him bathing nude in a pond—a connection had formed between them.
Strong but delicate, it had been unbreakable in the year since she’d partnered with him on that first case.
And he was everything she’d ever wanted in a husband. Odd that she hadn’t found that in men from the beau monde.
“I won’t let them belittle you on the eve of your wedding, Caro—our wedding.” He held her face between his palms as he met her gaze. “You are wanted, you are desired, you are loved; you are everything wonderful. Do you believe that?”
“Yes.” She nodded as tears welled in her eyes.
“I can’t wait to be your wife, Major.” Her smile felt remarkably calm, which was the direct opposite of the turmoil going on inside her being.
“Listen, either after dinner or at some point tomorrow morning before our ceremony, I’d like to speak with you privately.
” There were things they needed to discuss which could change the whole course of their plans.
He searched her face with his gaze. “Is all well?” Concern immediately lined his expression.
“Yes, of course.” With care, she swallowed around the lump of emotion in her throat. “It’s just that I intend to marry once, so don’t cock it up, hmm? Also, I enjoy talking to you.”
There was a secret she’d been keeping for a bit, and it was finally time to tell him.
In fact, she hadn’t told anyone yet, for obvious reasons.
Also, she didn’t quite know what to do about the news, for it was quite shocking.
Would he still marry her once he knew? The major wasn’t exactly keen on starting a family…
Her mouth began to fill with hot saliva that usually signaled the need to cast up her accounts, but she quickly swallowed a few times in succession to keep it at bay.
“Very well.” Slowly, Felix nodded, but the concern lingered in his eyes. Would he suspect? After all, he was a good investigator. “Hopefully we’ll be afforded a break in our schedules. And if we’re not, I’ll make the time.”
“Thank you. Once we return to London from our honeymoon, I have an appointment with one of the publishers I’d told you about to see if they would have an interest in publishing the book I wrote.
” And hopefully they would ask her to write more.
That way, she would have something to keep her occupied when the growing babe made it too difficult for her to get out and investigate cases with him.
“If fate is kind, the meeting will be fruitful.” Forcing a bright smile to hide her insecurities, she backed away from him and then headed toward the door.
“That’s wonderful, Caro. If I know you and your work, they’ll fall all over themselves to offer you a contract.”
With a nod, she opened the door. “Don’t dawdle with your toilette, and wear your silver waistcoat tonight. It suits you, and it’s one of my favorites.”
“Already a managing baggage and we’re not even wed yet?” he said with a hefty amount of teasing in his voice.
“Well, someone has to manage you.” Caroline shot him a smile.
“And I just want you to look your best.” Then she left the room and softly closed the door behind her.
As she made her way down a level, she pressed a hand to her midsection.
Would it be bad form to order a quick cup of tea to soothe her stomach?
Once she arrived, she happened to pass the housekeeper in the corridor and did ask for a cup of tea without accompaniments or additions.
Afterward, she went into the small drawing room, where she sat near the window and took a book in hand.
Reading never failed to soothe her frazzled nerves or calm her racing heart.
And she desperately needed a distraction.
Not long afterward, a maid brought up the tea Caroline had requested, and then a few moments later, Felix’s sister entered the room.
“Hullo, Felicity,” she said in what sounded like an overly bright voice. “You look lovely and sun kissed.” A tiny stab of envy went through her chest to be so carefree and not weighed down with worries.
“I never knew how much I needed some time away from Mama.” The other woman’s grin was without guilt or guile.
Where her brother was taciturn and oftentimes grouchy, his sister was bubbly and optimistic.
They both shared the same hue of blond hair and deep brown eyes, but where he had a sharp jaw and a bit of a cleft in his chin, his sister had a rounder face and a dimple in one cheek.
Honestly, she’d been very much like a best friend during the engagement period.
“I don’t even feel any shame for that, and it’s been wonderful spending time with my husband and boys. ”
“I can just imagine.” Which set off another worry Caroline hadn’t considered.
If Felicity struggled with spending time with her children—she had four—as well as her husband who was a former military man and a friend of Felix’s, would that same fate fall to her?
She often partnered Felix in his cases. Having a child would hinder that, wouldn’t it?
“The boys had the best time playing in the sand and walking through the surf. There is something about seeing my husband walking with them that did wonders for my heart.” Felicity perched on the edge of a low sofa.
The cotton dress in a sky-blue color complimented her skin and windblown hair while hints of sand clung to her ankles above her shoes.
“Have you had a pleasant afternoon? Your last as an unattached woman?”
A bit of heat filled Caroline’s cheeks. “I did. Felix and I spent time together talking about tomorrow as well as our honeymoon week.”
“If I know my brother, I rather think it will be for more than a week.”
“Oh?” Surprise went through her chest as she took a large sip of tea.
“Of course.” Felicity nodded. “He has been looking forward to this holiday for quite a while.”
“Thank you for telling me. I’ve been looking forward to it as well.”
Her soon-to-be sister-in-law nodded. “Everything in place for the ceremony?”
“I believe so. Mama has been planning it since the engagement was announced.” At least it kept her busy and out of Caroline’s hair, so to speak. “I didn’t mind, but I did tell her that I wanted full control over my gown and the location.”
“I wish my mother respected my wishes.” A sigh escaped Felicity as she played with the ends of her unbound hair. “Are you excited or nervous? Marriage is quite the commitment.”
“I’m excited, mostly. And I suppose there are a bit of nerves.” She lifted her teacup. “Which is why I’m trying to remain calm.” It wouldn’t do to spill her little secret before she’d told Felix. “No doubt it’s what most women feel on the eve of their weddings.”
“Oh, please don’t worry.” Felicity leaned over and briefly grasped Caroline’s free hand. “Felix is tip over tail for you. I’ve never seen him so happy or content, which is saying something, because he’s not one to show emotion.”
“No he is not.” Caroline hid her grin by taking another sip of tea. “However, he hasn’t said it in so many words.” Today, of course, was the exception, but then, he had been engaged in an intense bout of coupling.
A chuckle left Felicity’s throat. When she smiled, a pretty blush was evident on her cheeks from the sun. “That’s not the type of man he is, though. You know that.”
“I do.” She nodded. “And he does show it through his actions.” That had always been the case, and she was grateful for it.
“Things will change once you’re married. You’ll have no distractions. He’ll thrive in that environment and having you around. It will also help keep him social more.”