“And what, pray, do we do about this…” he pulled out slowly and then surged forward, gratified to hear her moan deep in her throat, “in the meantime?”
She sucked in a shuddering breath.
“You… you’re going to have to be...” he moved lazily out and then swiftly in again and she paused to savour it. “Creative,” she whispered.
Compromise was reached as Douglas very much liked the sound of that.
And creative he most definitely was.
* * * * *
With less than two months to plan the wedding, Julia was forced to create an event that was worthy of the nuptials of Lord Ashton, Baron Blackbourne.
Luckily, she had the worthy assistance of Charlotte Forsythe, Margaret Kilpatrick and Samantha Thornton (and the long-distance support of Patricia Fairfax). Further, being a rather dab hand at lists, Julia was able to get organised and have plans underway in short order.
Douglas, coming home earlier than normal, much earlier, creatively earlier (that is to say, hours earlier than the children would arrive home from school and with the knowledge that Veronika had taken Ruby to a movie, this knowledge coming from the fact that he told Veronika to do so and gave her a two fifty pound notes for her troubles) strode down the hall to Julia’s room.
What he found upon opening the door was of great surprise as well as a little alarming.
Julia, wearing nothing but a rather fetching pale pink bra and panties that was liberally dosed with delicate black lace was being fondled by a tall, rail-thin, impeccably (if dramatically) attired and immensely effeminate man who, for reasons unknown, had yards of ivory silk wrapped around his own body.
“Douglas!” Julia cried.
“Julia,” Douglas responded, his face setting dangerously, his arms crossing on his chest and his stance settling belligerently.
The other man stepped back and brought a fluttering, open palmed hand to his chest.
“Oh my,” he drawled upon looking at Douglas.
“This,” Julia motioned to the man and then grabbed her cashmere robe and shrugged it on, “is Gregory.”
Douglas didn’t move, didn’t utter a noise, he simply glared.
“Oh my,” Gregory repeated, his eyes never leaving Douglas.
“Gregory will be designing my wedding gown,” Julia explained, hastily tying the belt of her robe.
Douglas, again, had no response.
Except he quirked a brow.
Julia went on. “He designed the dress I wore to the ball.”
This caused a slight softening of Douglas’s features.
Very slight.
“And,” Julia continued meaningfully, “I’m hoping to introduce him to Tony at the wedding.”
Douglas digested this information then nodded and, with unmistakable intent, strode toward his soon-to-be wife.
“Gregory, as delightful as it is to meet you,” Douglas’s voice was even and determined, his arm sliding around Julia, hauling her resisting body to his side, “I do think it might be time for you to have a break from your worthy endeavours and seek some refreshment.”
“Douglas!” Julia screeched, her voice high with mortification.
Gregory looked from Julia to Douglas, quickly read Douglas’s meaning and asked affably, “How much time do you need?”
“Fifteen minutes,” Julia quickly responded.