Chapter 3
‘Isn’t it just the perfect day?’ Lizzy tilted her parasol so the soft spring sunshine could warm her face. ‘The sun is out, the tea and cakes are delicious and I won’t have to fend off boring bachelors at the ball tonight.’ Now that the arrangement had been made, she looked forward to simply enjoying the evening and for the first time would feel no guilt in declining dances.
‘Don’t let your mama see you inviting freckles like that. She’ll be dosing you with Milk Of Roses the minute you get home.’ Dianna reached out and pulled the parasol forward, shading Lizzy’s face. ‘If you want to keep your husband happy, keep the sun off your face.’
‘I fear it will take more than a fair complexion.’
“I’ve been thinking about that,” Dianna shuffled her seat a bit closer to Lizzy and dipped the parasol down further to conceal their faces. ‘If you want to be sure to keep your husband happy…you need to know what to do.’
‘I know what to do. What happens. We’ve talked about it,’ Lizzy whispered. There had been hushed conversations about snippets they had picked up about marital responsibilities. ‘Everybody does it so it can’t be that difficult.’
‘But we also know there are many disgruntled husbands and wives so there is obviously more to it than just…being compliant.’
‘Have you and James...’ Lizzy had wondered before but hadn’t directly asked.
‘Heavens, no. No more than just an occasional stolen kiss. Not for lack of trying but mama’s hawk-eye has become even more alert since I became engaged.’
‘You and James are a love match and that should stand you in good stead to make each other happy…in every way. That is of no help to me.’
‘I know, that is why—’
‘Cousin Dianna, is that you hiding behind that parasol?’ A deep voice came from the other side of the pink fabric. Lizzy lifted the parasol to reveal a tall, broad-shouldered man with a strong jawline and a smile that also shone in his very, very blue eyes. ‘Is this the lovely friend you told me about?’
‘It is indeed.’ Dianna refused to meet Lizzy’s eyes. ‘Lizzy, please meet my cousin, Aaron.’
‘So very pleased to meet you, Lizzy.’ Aaron bowed a little exaggeratedly. ‘Dianna has told me much about you.’
Why was Dianna not using their full names as etiquette required? Heat flooded her neck as realization began to dawn as to her friend’s discretion.
‘What have you done,’ she whispered tersely to Dianna.
Lizzy closed her eyes and drew a deep breath. She hadn’t met Aaron before, but his name was known to her. Known as one of the notorious rakes from the club where they, not so secretly, entertained more than a few of the bored wives of the ton.
A man who ensured that the women he entertained got whatever they weren’t getting from their husbands. A man who had obviously honed his bedchamber skills. Surely her friend hadn’t apprised him of her dilemma? The heat from her neck rose to her cheeks which were no doubt now the same pink hue as the parasol.
She inclined her head to acknowledge him, but she had no words. It was no coincidence he was there only days after her conversation with Dianna, but why? His interest lay in dissatisfied wives, not…ignorant debutantes.
Lizzy stole a glance as he sat and chatted amiably to Dianna and the heat in her face flared when he glanced in her direction and caught her looking. Perhaps his appearance was coincidental, but instinct told her that something was afoot. It wouldn’t be the first time her friend had instigated an audacious plan, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to be a part of it. Whatever it was.
Her mind was a jumble of thoughts. It would be the height of rudeness for her to simply get up and leave but it would be worth the embarrassment. If Dianna had appraised this ridiculously handsome man of her…predicament…
She was about to pick up her reticule and make her escape when Dianna tapped her on the hand.
‘We should take advantage of the lovely day and enjoy the gardens. Aaron has kindly agreed to escort us.’
‘Ladies.’ He was standing, holding out his arm and Dianna took it, looking expectantly at Lizzie as he proffered his other elbow.
She looked to where her parents were busily engaged in conversation with Dianna’s, no doubt discussing her impending marriage to a man they were yet to meet. She had no interest in being part of that discussion. Neither did she wish to sit alone at the table like a wallflower.
Reluctantly, she stood and took his arm, conscious of the softness of the fabric of his coat and the strong wrist and fingers coming from the sleeve.
The three of them headed out across the lawn and Lizzy’s heart thumped in anticipation of what scheme Dianna had concocted. They strolled past the bloom-laden flowerbeds, Dianna chatting animatedly about family. Too animatedly.
They reached the end of the flowerbed and turned into the next row, out of sight and earshot of those taking afternoon tea at the tables. Lizzy was about to ask Dianna what she was planning when a bee veered from the head of a blowsy pink rose and danced in front of Lizzy’s nose.
She swatted at it ineffectually, then Aaron stood in front of her, blocking its way and it veered away.
‘Thank you.’ Lizzy allowed herself to look up into his face and was met by a smile and warm blue eyes. Heat rose in her neck once again.
Dianna had walked ahead of them and even though she couldn’t have planned the bee to bother her, she would probably have somehow found a way to leave them together.
Lizzy had voiced her concerns about becoming a good wife, and now she suspected she would be presented with a way to achieve that. If she was serious about her intentions, this was no place to be a blushing maiden.
She gave Aaron what she hoped was a coquettish smile. ‘Thank you for coming to my rescue.’ If Dianna had indeed appraised him of Lizzy’s dilemma, he would understand her intended meaning.
‘It is my pleasure to help a lady out when she needs it.’ He gave her a knowing look before they started walking again and the heat that had flushed her neck now pooled between her thighs. Lizzy drew a quiet breath at the unexpected sensation.
‘That is very chivalrous of you. I need to ensure you are on hand when next a bee decides to harass me.’ She was enjoying this banter, so different from the forced niceties she indulged in at social gatherings. They were exchanging innocent words, yet they shared the knowledge of a deeper meaning.
‘Nothing would please me more than to be of further assistance, Lizzy.’ His hand momentarily brushed the back of Lizzy’s and the sensation between her thighs intensified. If such a simple, brief touch elicited such feelings, she couldn’t even contemplate what more there could be. ‘My dear cousin will be sure to let me know if you require my assistance.’
They approached the end of the flowerbed where Dianna waited for them with a knowing smile. The group walked back across the lawn to their table where Aaron saw them seated.
‘It has been a most pleasant afternoon,’ he addressed them both. ‘Thank you for inviting me, cousin. I must pay my respects to your parents before I head home.’
He had barely turned his back to walk away when Dianna grabbed Lizzy’s arm and whispered urgently, ‘So tell me everything.’
‘We had a conversation.’ She wasn’t being deliberately vague. Very few words had passed between them, but those words had been laden with meaning. ‘He has offered his assistance, if I so desire.’
‘And you do, don’t you? Or have you changed your mind?’