LITMIR.BIZ

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      My hands fluttered before my chest until I clasped them together and brought them to my lips to cover a squeak of excitement. I couldn’t help but laugh at myself. “Forgive me, George. I’m as giddy as a schoolgirl.”

      “I can’t recall the last time I was this nervous.” He held the box before me and opened the lid to reveal a single round diamond in a setting of intricate gold latticework, studded with more tiny diamonds.

      I gasped. “It’s beautiful!”

      “Then you like it?”

      I tore my gaze away from the ring to look at his face. His brows were drawn down in concern. An uneasy smile played on his lips. “You truly are nervous,” I said.

      “I had it commissioned the very day after you agreed to marry me. Then we decided to wait to make a public announcement until after your sister’s wedding. I’ve had it for over a month and each time I look at it, I worry you won’t like it.”

      “It’s perfect.” I reached up to caress his cheek. “I can’t imagine anything more beautiful.”

      He blew out a breath of relief and, taking my hand, dropped a kiss into my palm, and another on my lips, then moved to return the ring to his pocket.

      I stilled his hand. “Wait. May I not try it on?”

      “No, you may not.” The box disappeared into his coat. “I know you can’t wear it yet, and I refuse to put it on your finger only to take it off again.”

      I stared in disbelief, my mouth drooped open. “What was the point of showing it to me only to put it back in your pocket?”

      “What is the point of a betrothal that must be kept secret?”

      I went numb. Had he torn off his clothes and jumped into the fountain, I couldn’t have been more stunned. “What do you mean?”

      He turned his face to the sky and let out a groan. “I shouldn’t have said that.” Taking my arm, he led me back to the house. “Let’s continue our tour. I think better when I’m moving.”

      We stepped back into the gallery and headed toward the north wing, side by side, our hands behind our backs. I was still too shocked to speak. After a few minutes of nothing but the sound of our heels clicking on the marble floor, he took a deep breath.

      “I well and truly mucked that up.” He snuck a glance at my face. “Since I have no idea when our betrothal can become public or when our wedding will take place, I’ve become somewhat anxious.”

      I cannot describe the relief I felt in that moment. Though he’d just presented a ring, I’d been almost certain I’d lost him. With relief, came anger. “Don’t ever frighten me like that again. If you objected to keeping our engagement secret, why didn’t you say so when I suggested it?”

      He pretended to grimace at my sharp tone as he opened a door and we entered a library. “I don’t mind keeping the news between us, but we’ve made no plans, we’ve set no date. I fear you’d be content to stay betrothed indefinitely. I, on the other hand, wish to marry you.”

      His words struck home. I’d been so caught up in Lily’s wedding plans, that I failed to make any of my own. But he spoke another truth, one I didn’t care to admit—I might very well be content to stay betrothed indefinitely.

      We left the library and moved throughout the house, but I have little memory of anything he showed me. We discussed how we’d tell Rose, (together), how we’d tell my mother, (I’d handle that), and how soon we’d marry (as soon as the banns were read). But we never touched on the topic that concerned me the most. What role would I play in this partnership? Before I could bring that up, Fiona arrived to collect me for our visit to the vicar.

      “Are you showing Frances where to find you, brother dear?” She rested her arm on the railing of an elegant staircase.

      I glance up its length. “Where does this lead? I thought we were in the working part of the house.”

      “On this floor, yes,” George said. “But upstairs is the bachelors’ wing. It’s an addition to the second floor, running over the kitchens and alongside the old nursery and schoolroom. It’s to keep the unmarried ladies of the house safe from those lecherous bachelor visitors. There’s a second staircase farther down the hall.” He waggled his brows. “In case you do need to find me.”

      “I see, but as family, why are you staying here? Surely your brother keeps a guest room for you in this house?”

      He smiled. “I usually stay in a large and beautifully appointed room at the back of the south wing, looking out over the maze and gardens. When I realized your mother would be joining us, I put her in that room.”

      Fiona rolled her eyes as I sighed and, I’m certain, took on the look of a lovesick puppy. “How kind of you.” Honestly, the man thought of everything.

      “That’s all very nice,” Fiona said. “But we really should be off, Frances, or we may miss the vicar.”

      “Where is Lily? Is she not coming with us?”

      “I believe she and Mr. Kendrick are exploring the grounds.” Fiona gave my arm a tug, but I kept my feet firmly planted.

      “What do you mean she’s exploring the grounds? She should be coming with us. It’s her wedding after all.”

      Fiona waved away my protest. “I suggested as much, but she feels you will make the right choices. It seems she’s happy for a few moments alone with her fiancé and doesn’t wish to go.”

      I heaved a sigh and considered dragging Lily off with us, but from the set of Fiona’s jaw I could tell she wanted no interference in the wedding plans, even from someone as consequential as the bride. Ultimately, I gave in.

      * * *

      Our visit with the vicar proceeded splendidly. The church was perfectly picturesque, seventeenth-century stonework, placed in a bucolic setting and enclosed by a stone wall covered in vines. Fiona assured me the greenhouse at Risings could provide flowers in abundance. Lily was sure to be thrilled with it.

      Once we showed the vicar the license, he became most accommodating and set the date for Saturday morning, six days hence. He was also helpful with his suggestions for decorating the church and where to find assistance for that task.

      I was confident our decisions would please my sister, but I decided to bring her out here before the wedding so she could see everything for herself and give her stamp of approval. Within two hours, Fiona and I had settled everything and were on the wooded path for the short walk back to the manor. The sun, shining through the trees, dappled the ground before us and dry leaves crunched underfoot.

      “You and George might consider holding your ceremony here,” Fiona said. “Have you discussed a venue for your wedding?”

      “We haven’t considered a venue, but we were making plans for the wedding just this morning.” I chuckled. “It was the first time we’ve discussed any details. George was worried that I planned to put off the wedding.”

      She examined me through narrowed eyes. “Do you?”

      “Of course not.”

      She placed a hand on my arm and came to a stop. “There’s something you’re not telling me. This should be the happiest time of your life. Something must be wrong, or you would have taken every opportunity to make your plans weeks ago. Now, tell me what it is.”

      “What could possibly be wrong?” I took a step to move on, but she tightened her grip on my arm and refused to budge.

      “Fine, if you must know, I’m a little shy of marriage in general. I’m worried I’ll be relegated to the role of wife and mother and deposited in the country to rusticate.”

      “George has no country home.”

      “You know what I mean.” Though I wasn’t entirely certain

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