“Then surely it wouldn’t be too much of an imposition to work with my charming future sister-in-law, would it?” Daniel smiled.
“Of course not, Your Grace.” He bowed and turned to Rose. “I will be in touch, my lady.” He walked briskly out of the study.
* * *
Lily let Rose help her bathe and dress in one of her best dinner gowns, and then she waited patiently for Daniel to arrive. Lily had been on the mend for over a week, and Daniel had arranged for them to take a private meal together. He strode in a few minutes later, dressed formally in his burgundy velvet coat, a dark grey cravat, and snug black trousers. His hair was freshly washed and hung in gleaming waves at his shoulders. Lily’s breathing became shallow and hurried as she stared at him. He took her breath away.
He walked toward her, his green eyes full of smoke, took her hand, and kissed her upturned palm. He drew her to her feet and captured her lips with his. They hadn’t shared a kiss—a real, honest to goodness kiss—since before her accident. How she had missed it! She let her tongue wander into his mouth, tasting his masculine sweetness.
“I’ve missed you.” Her voice was a breathy rasp.
“I’ve missed you, too,” he said, “and I love you.” He slid his tongue down her neck, between her breasts. “God how I love you.” He caught her face in his hands and took her mouth again, until several servants interrupted them, ready to serve their dinner.
They started with Swiss potato soup and olive-and-oyster canapés, and then feasted on vegetable marrow stuffed with shrimp, French stewed quail, and spinach Alsace. Lily was stuffed but forced down a few bites of cheese and fruit. She asked Daniel if they could save their lemon cream cake for later.
“I couldn’t eat another bite. Really, I don’t think I’ve consumed this much since I’ve been here.”
“That’s fine, love. Would you like some more wine?”
Lily giggled. “Maybe just a little. I feel lighter than air tonight, Daniel, despite the amount of food I just put away. I’m so happy to be here with you.”
“You read my mind, as usual,” he said, as he poured her wine. “Tell me, what would you like to do with the duchess’s suite? My mother has several decorators in Bath whom she uses. I could bring them out for you to meet if you’d like.”
“I feel terrible kicking your mother out of her rooms,” Lily said.
“You’re going to be the duchess. She understands that.”
“Still, you and I could be perfectly comfortable here.” She looked around the sitting room. “This suite has grown to mean a great deal to me.”
“My mother wouldn’t hear of it. She wanted to move out of her suite right after my father died, but I told her to stay. I didn’t want to move into the duke’s suite then, but now I do. I want to be the duke, Lily, and I want you to be my duchess. It all seems within the realm of possibility with you. It never did before.”
“That’s sweet of you to say.”
“It’s the truth. I want you to stay in this suite until we’re married. I’ll move into the duke’s suite. But I’ll continue to spend my nights here with you, if that’s all right.”
“I’d love that. But shouldn’t I return to Hampshire with my family prior to the wedding?”
“No, I’ve already arranged for you, your mother, and Rose to stay here after the house party ends, to help plan the wedding. Your aunt and cousins also.”
“Really? That sounds wonderful. But couldn’t we…”
“Yes?”
Lily fidgeted. “Would you mind terribly if we…postpone the wedding for several weeks? I…I want a real wedding night, Daniel. I don’t want to be cheated out of it.”
He smiled. “It’s already arranged, my love.”
Her heart hammered and she grasped his hand. “That’s wonderful. Thank you.”
“I thought you would be pleased. I hope you don’t mind being married here. Since my title is above your father’s socially, he and I both thought it would be best.”
“Goodness. I don’t think I’ve considered that before.”
“What?”
“That I will be above my parents socially. I’m not sure I find that at all comfortable.”
“I find titles as a rule uncomfortable, but I possess a powerful one. One I never thought I’d have, that’s for certain. Your discomfort won’t keep you from marrying me, will it?” He winked at her.