His voice had taken on a seductive, throaty quality as he had moved closer and closer to her on the sofa, and he now raised his hand to brush one of her breasts. "The amplitudes of a goddess should not be exposed to the eyes of mere mortals."
Her cheeks flamed, but she leaned into the caress. A goddess… He was such a handsome young man. And it had been so long….
She batted her eyelashes coyly. "My sister will be going out shopping shortly. Would you care to keep me company for tea and crumpets?"
"Most certainly," Adam said with a suave smile. "I adore crumpets. I hope you have plenty of butter and jam."
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Blake and Arabella endured the frenetic activity of the wedding preparations as good-naturedly as they could considering everyone was so determined to help that they could have screamed.
They scarcely had a moment alone together except at night. Even then it was well past midnight by the time they got everyone out of Arabella's room, and seven in the morning when they came back in again to start going through lists as though they were generals launching an invasion of the Continent.
There were the trips to Bath for a trousseau, jewels, trips to hothouses for the flowers, and dozens of invitations to send out, the order of service to be decided upon, rehearsals, visits from all their well-wishers, and so on.
"We should have eloped to Gretna Green," Blake muttered when they finally fell into bed exhausted on Wednesday night, Arabella having pushed Ellen Jerome out into the hall one last time. "By the way, I'm sure she knew I was behind the door."
"I don't care if she did," she said, snuggling into his arms. "I adore you, and I don't care who knows it."
"Delighted to hear it, Mrs. Sanderson."
"Good, because you'll be hearing it every day of your life, Dr. Sanderson."
"Don't chat, love. Just kiss me."
Her bones began to melt as he teased her tender flesh with his fingers. She flipped him over on his back and slid onto him with a sigh. "You have no idea how much I needed that."
"I think you can see I do," he said through clenched teeth.
He let her give her passion free rein, and soon they were soaring to the heavens and floating back down to earth as gently as a feather.
"I love you," she whispered, sinking onto his chest with a fully sated sigh.
"And I you." He rolled her onto her side and got up out of the bed.
She frowned at him as he picked up his jacket. "Surely you're not leaving, my love?" she exclaimed.
"Not at all. I just want to do this properly now." He knelt by her near the bed, and took her hand.
"My dearest, darling Arabella. I have never loved, nor ever will love, any woman as much as I love you. I would like to make so bold as to request your hand in marriage. Please make me the happiest of men by accepting my poor humble self."
He opened the ring box and she gasped at the spectacular engagement ring between two wedding bands. It was a perfect marquise cut diamond, and easily had to be two full carats. The pair of wedding bands flanking the engagement ring were finely engraved, and set with diamonds and rubies.
"Oh, Blake. You really didn't need to-"
"I wanted to. Rubies for love, diamonds for eternity. Do you like them?"
Happy tears glittered in her deep blue eyes. "They're perfect. Thank you."
"Does that mean yes?"
She beamed. "A hundred times, yes. You know it's always been yes."
He kissed her and sat on the edge of the bed. He slipped the ring on her left finger, and stroked away the tears which had begun to fall unheeded on her cheeks. He was surprised to find his own eyes damp and cuffed away the moisture awkwardly with the back of his wrist.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of. Being happy is a good thing." She stood up and strode over to her dresser. "As long as we're exchanging presents-"
"Oh, no, really-"
It looked like a watch case, but inside was miniature of her and a lock of her hair "It's a bit rough and ready, but we didn't have much time. Geoffrey Parks did it for me yesterday when we were all sitting in the drawing room. He did one of you as well for me. I hope you don't mind my asking him. I was afraid you might be leaving. But I knew I loved you, wanted you to have a picture of me. There is also space to put in other pictures and locks of hair, when we are so blessed."
"Believe it or not there's a place here in my fob pocket for it." He grinned. "Thank you. It's lovely."
He left the ring on her finger and returned the ring box containing the wedding bands to his jacket pocket. He placed the locket in his waistcoat pocket, and came back to the bed.