discerning her thoughts. She glanced away, suddenly occupied with the passing scenery and the plucking of a nonexistent speck of lint from her gown. Beneath the clatter of the horses’ hooves she heard him chuckle.
Well, two can play at that.
She tipped her head and sent a heavy-lidded look in his direction. When she swept the tip of her tongue along the edge of her upper lip, his eyes narrowed. The smile he sent her promised retribution. She thrilled at the thought of what that reprisal might entail.
Although her plans had not changed, what harm could there be in a light flirtation? Admittedly, she found his about-face suspect, but she enjoyed the delicious feelings he could invoke with just a mere touch. And his lips . . . Her face heated at the memory.
They arrived to find other carriages and buggies lining the long drive to the Johnson house. Many were already parked beneath the huge shade trees that dotted the grounds. Guests wandered through the gardens, visiting with each other and sipping various types of beverages.
Instead of the stigma of attending a wedding in black or gray, Angeline chose a gown of sprigged muslin. Tiny blue flowers lined the neckline and hem and perfectly matched the confection of blue cornflowers encircling the brim of her straw bonnet.
Adrian offered his arm and smiled warmly at her. “You look quite charming, Angel, but then you always do.”
“Why thank you, Adrian.” She flushed with pleasure.
“I’m only speaking the truth. It would be remiss of me not to tell you.”
Hmm.
The gardens of the Johnsons’ home had been transformed into a fairyland for the upcoming event. Hundreds of lanterns hung from the large, oak trees, and continued to the lake below. The sound of music drifted through the afternoon air, adding to the hum of men and women’s laughter.
Joel and Virginia were seated at one of the long trestle tables when Adrian and Angeline finally joined them. Mounds of pork sat in a place of prominence at each table, along with bowls of vegetables, beans, various fruits and cheeses and a selection of fruit pies. Loaves of fresh bread and tubs of churned butter had been placed at each end.
“My goodness.” Angeline gaped at the feast set before them.
“Choose what you like, but you must at least taste the pork.” Adrian took a tiny piece between his thumb and finger. Leaning toward her, he placed it against her lips.
Surprised by the intimate gesture, she nevertheless opened her mouth to take the offered bite. Her lips closed around the tips of his fingers. His heated gaze locked with hers.
Virginia coughed lightly.
Her cheeks flaming, Angeline narrowed her gaze on Adrian. “You’re drawing attention to us and people are staring. You know what they will think.”
An easy smile played at the corners of Adrian’s mouth. “Let them think what they will. Tongues started wagging the moment we arrived.”
“Why should they?” Angeline asked with a frown.
“My esteemed brother never attends any gathering in the company of a woman. You can be sure public speculation is rife,” Virginia explained. “And with that small display, gossip will reach epidemic proportions before we get back to town.”
Angeline eyed him. “What do you think you’re doing?”
He flashed a devilish smirk. “I would think that obvious, my dear. I’m merely stating my intentions.”
“Don’t gammon me, Adrian. We both know that is not true.”
Adrian raised a brow. “No? We shall see, my sweet.”
“I do not give a fig for what people may believe. If you think to compromise me—” Angeline began, her ire rising.
“Make no mistake, Angel.” Adrian leaned toward her, his voice lowering. “If my desire was simply to compromise you, you would find yourself flat on your back and most thoroughly and enjoyably ruined.”
Virginia gasped.
“That will never happen, my lord. And should you even try, you may find some of your most vital parts missing,” Angeline hissed
Well, two can play at that.
She tipped her head and sent a heavy-lidded look in his direction. When she swept the tip of her tongue along the edge of her upper lip, his eyes narrowed. The smile he sent her promised retribution. She thrilled at the thought of what that reprisal might entail.
Although her plans had not changed, what harm could there be in a light flirtation? Admittedly, she found his about-face suspect, but she enjoyed the delicious feelings he could invoke with just a mere touch. And his lips . . . Her face heated at the memory.
They arrived to find other carriages and buggies lining the long drive to the Johnson house. Many were already parked beneath the huge shade trees that dotted the grounds. Guests wandered through the gardens, visiting with each other and sipping various types of beverages.
Instead of the stigma of attending a wedding in black or gray, Angeline chose a gown of sprigged muslin. Tiny blue flowers lined the neckline and hem and perfectly matched the confection of blue cornflowers encircling the brim of her straw bonnet.
Adrian offered his arm and smiled warmly at her. “You look quite charming, Angel, but then you always do.”
“Why thank you, Adrian.” She flushed with pleasure.
“I’m only speaking the truth. It would be remiss of me not to tell you.”
Hmm.
The gardens of the Johnsons’ home had been transformed into a fairyland for the upcoming event. Hundreds of lanterns hung from the large, oak trees, and continued to the lake below. The sound of music drifted through the afternoon air, adding to the hum of men and women’s laughter.
Joel and Virginia were seated at one of the long trestle tables when Adrian and Angeline finally joined them. Mounds of pork sat in a place of prominence at each table, along with bowls of vegetables, beans, various fruits and cheeses and a selection of fruit pies. Loaves of fresh bread and tubs of churned butter had been placed at each end.
“My goodness.” Angeline gaped at the feast set before them.
“Choose what you like, but you must at least taste the pork.” Adrian took a tiny piece between his thumb and finger. Leaning toward her, he placed it against her lips.
Surprised by the intimate gesture, she nevertheless opened her mouth to take the offered bite. Her lips closed around the tips of his fingers. His heated gaze locked with hers.
Virginia coughed lightly.
Her cheeks flaming, Angeline narrowed her gaze on Adrian. “You’re drawing attention to us and people are staring. You know what they will think.”
An easy smile played at the corners of Adrian’s mouth. “Let them think what they will. Tongues started wagging the moment we arrived.”
“Why should they?” Angeline asked with a frown.
“My esteemed brother never attends any gathering in the company of a woman. You can be sure public speculation is rife,” Virginia explained. “And with that small display, gossip will reach epidemic proportions before we get back to town.”
Angeline eyed him. “What do you think you’re doing?”
He flashed a devilish smirk. “I would think that obvious, my dear. I’m merely stating my intentions.”
“Don’t gammon me, Adrian. We both know that is not true.”
Adrian raised a brow. “No? We shall see, my sweet.”
“I do not give a fig for what people may believe. If you think to compromise me—” Angeline began, her ire rising.
“Make no mistake, Angel.” Adrian leaned toward her, his voice lowering. “If my desire was simply to compromise you, you would find yourself flat on your back and most thoroughly and enjoyably ruined.”
Virginia gasped.
“That will never happen, my lord. And should you even try, you may find some of your most vital parts missing,” Angeline hissed
Similar Books
