Page 27 of A Kiss to Stop a Wedding
‘Because it amused me. I want to show Talacre I am not to be trifled with.’
‘Is that wise, my lord?’
‘The man is a nonentity,’ he said dismissively. ‘If he challenges me, I shall squash him. Like an insect.’
‘Quentin!’
Flora could not quite hide her repugnance at this callous response and he quickly replaced his sneer with a look of concern.
‘Have I shocked you, my dear?’ He reached out and cupped her cheek. ‘Really, Flora, you should not be surprised. Can you not understand that my dislike of the man is borne of jealousy?’
She stepped away, saying coldly, ‘I have given you no reason to be jealous, Quentin. If you mistook my friendliness towards Mr Talacre as anything more, then I am sorry for it. I have never been in the habitof flirting with other men, whether or not you are present.’
‘Ah, I know it, my love, I know it,’ he said, catching her hand and pressing a fervent kiss upon it. He continued to hold her fingers between his own as he gave her a rueful smile. ‘You must make allowances for a man who is impatient to make you his wife.’
Flora was tempted to say she had seen little sign of that impatience in the past two years, but held her tongue.
Receiving no response, the Viscount moved closer, pressing her hand against his heart and saying ruefully, ‘Dear Flora, I am a brute to doubt you and I cannot leave for London until you tell me you forgive me for being a jealous fool!’
His words and manner disarmed her.
She smiled, ‘There is nothing to forgive, Quentin.’
‘Angel!’ He kissed her cheek. ‘I wish I did not have to leave you again so soon.’
‘Perhaps I will come to London,’ Flora suggested. ‘Aunt Farnleigh and I can go there to buy my bride clothes and we might meet. What could be better?’
‘Oh, my love, if only that were possible, but alas I shall be extremely busy.’
She laughed. ‘So shall we, Quentin! I am sure we can find some time—’
‘But how can I concentrate on my business, knowing you are in town and going into Society withoutme? I should be in a constant state of anxiety that one of my rivals will steal your heart!’
‘Surely not!’
‘I think you will find your aunt agrees with me. Once we are married I shall take you to London myself and you may shop at all the most fashionable haunts to your heart’s content. But consider, my dear: we agreed, did we not, that this wedding is to be a very quiet affair. I am sure you will be able to find everything you need without making the long and exhausting journey to the capital.’
‘But, Quentin—’
‘No, no,’ he interrupted her. ‘I give you carte blanche to invite any modiste you wish to come to Birchwood House and dress you—you may send the reckoning to me!—but I should far prefer you to remain here in Whilton while I am in town. That way I shall rest easy, knowing you are safe.’
‘Safe?’ She frowned at the word, but he shook his head and continued.
‘And I shall be returning to Whilton in a few weeks, for the Condicotes’ ball.’
‘Really?’ She blinked at him. ‘Why have you not mentioned this before?’
He beamed and flicked her cheek with a finger. ‘It was to be a surprise. But you must see how our returning in three weeks’ time for the MidsummerBall would greatly curtail your shopping expedition to London.’
‘It would, but I should not mind missing the ball, just this once. After all, we can attend routs and dances in the capital.’
‘Ah, my darling, I see what it is, you crave a larger society! You told me you had lived very secluded here and it is beginning to prey upon you, is it not? But that will change when you are my Viscountess.ThenI shall make sure you go to all the best entertainments that London has to offer.’
He was smiling at her, but there was something in his voice and his face that told her everything was arranged and further argument was pointless.
‘If I am to stay here, perhaps I might go to Whilton Hall and make preparations? It has been a bachelor establishment for so long I am sure some changes will be necessary.’
‘You may look at it, by all means, but Whilton Hall is an ancient house filled with my family history. I would not have it changed, except to install you as its mistress.’ He laughed and squeezed her hand. ‘You will be the jewel, in a perfect setting.’
