Page 93 of The Duke Who Loved Me (The Duke's Estates 1)

“Nothing like that!” James was half-laughing, half-insulted. “I really think you might trust me.”

She had promised to have and hold, to love and cherish, but not actually to trust him. She met his blue eyes and nearly lost herself in them. She supposed that trust was implied in those other vows. In this case, she had no other choice. “How far is it?”

“Three hours from London. Probably a bit less with this team.”

She nodded and settled back.

“You’ll like it, Cecelia. I promise.”

It was a day of promises. And after all, she had never known James to break his word.

He reached under the seat and pulled a large basket from behind his feet. “I have not forgotten the wedding breakfast.”

He set the basket opposite them, opened it, and began pulling items out and unwrapping the napkins that held them like a magician performing tricks. “Bread rolls, ham and hard-cooked eggs, a flask of tea and one of lemonade, strawberries.” He set things in the upturned lid of the basket so that they wouldn’t fall. “And of course a wedding cake.” He unveiled a small round cake with white icing, slightly smudged by the covering.

His triumphant expression made Cecelia smile. “Where did you get all this?”

“I ordered it from Gunter’s.”

“They have a set wedding breakfast basket?”

“Not at all. I carefully chose each and every item. Give me some credit.”

He had planned. She hadn’t trusted him to, but he’d obviously taken some care on arrangements.

“You adore strawberries,” he added.

This was true.

He held one out to her by its stem, wiggled it a little.

Cecelia leaned forward, took the berry in her teeth, and bit down. It was sweet and a little tart and completely delicious. She licked her lips. “Perfect.” She looked up and found James staring. Not into her eyes. Was he looking at her mouth? The heat in his gaze made her flush. They had habits of talking, and disputing, built over the years. These fell into place automatically when they were together. But after this morning, they had a new relationship as well. He might sweep her into his arms. Now, if he wished to. And his expression suggested that he did, very much. Then tonight…

James smiled—lazily, teasingly—as if he knew exactly what she was thinking.

Cecelia’s pulse quickened. She’d married him for this, too. She cared about him. But no other man had ever roused her as James did—his presence, his wit, the paltry few kisses they’d shared. She would demand many more ofthose. She met his gaze with that certainty.

He blinked. His smile widened, becoming more warmly appreciative. He gave her a small nod before saying, “Perhaps a bit of ham on a roll?”

Cecelia had a moment of acute disappointment. Then she realized that embraces in a moving carriage were probably awkward. Particularly with a basket of viands ready to spill. She had a sudden picture of the two of them, wildly entwined, crusted with bits of wedding cake and crushed strawberries. That would certainly enliven their arrival at his friend’s home. The idea was ludicrous, and strangely stimulating.

“Does ham amuse you?” James asked.

“Not ham.” Perhaps she would tell him her vision, later. When carriages and clothing were irrelevant. Her breath caught. “I should like some, thank you.”

He sliced the roll with the knife provided, added ham and a dab of mustard from a tiny china pot that closed with a ribbon tie, and held the result out to her. Cecelia took it and bit down. “Good.” She was hungry.

James served her a neatly sliced egg, more strawberries, lemonade from the flask. Gunter’s had foreseen all their needs, providing small cups without handles.

“We must have the cake,” said James. “It’s bad luck not to eat a wedding cake.”

“I have never heard that.”

“Well, perhaps it’s not true. But it should be.” He cut a morsel of the cake and held it out as he had the strawberry.

Cecelia leaned closer and took it, feeling his fingers on her lips as a shivery caress. The confection was dark and chewy, dense with dried fruit. “Aren’t you having any?” she asked when she’d swallowed.

He gave her the knife.

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