spotted the jug of lemonade sitting on the ground. He had asked for casual, but perhaps this was too unrefined. Most courtships began with hothouse flowers and strolls through the park, not a meal better suited for peasants. But an extravagant dinner would have meant having footmen present, and he wanted Vivian alone their last night together.
He removed the stopper from the jug, poured lemonade into a glass, and held it out to her.
Her arched brows lifted and she teased him with a smile. “No wine tonight, Your Grace?”
“None for you,” he said with a wink. “I’m unprepared for further inquiries about the gap between my teeth.”
Her face flushed bright red, but she laughed. “I shall never live that down, I suppose.”
“Never.”
Nor would he forget discovering her in the spring or sharing the most amusing meal with her wearing that ridiculous wig or her attempting to milk a cow. Every moment spent with Vivian became a happy memory. And in truth, he needed that in his life.
By the time they had finished their meal, twilight had settled over his land. “Soon everything will be different for us.”
Her eyes appeared large and luminous in the fading light. “How—” She cleared her throat. “How so?”
“I may have to behave like a stuffy old duke when everyone is looking. But I’m encouraged that you will know I am pretending.”
She laughed softly. “And I must behave myself.”
He reached for her hand and squeezed it. “Only when someone is watching, but I’ll know what no one else does. Behind your polite words and charming smiles hides an adventuress. My kindred spirit.”
“Truly?” she murmured.
“Truly.” He climbed to his feet then helped her to stand. “What do you think about one last swim before we have to put on our masks?”
“Oh, I don’t— I’m not sure we should.”
“I promise not to look,” he coaxed. Not touching was harder to promise.
In the dark, he couldn’t read her expression, but he knew her well enough to know she was working her bottom lip and fighting against the urge to give in.
“It’s dark, Viv, and I know how you love the water. This will be our last chance to just be ourselves. Please, don’t make me swim alone.”
She blew out a noisy breath and he knew he had won. “You are a bad influence, Your Grace.”
Seventeen
A chill chased down Vivi’s back when Luke gently turned her away to unfasten her gown. She attempted to will her rapid heartbeat to slow, but it thundered on.
He slid her still-damp gown from her shoulders. “Raise your arms, darling.”
Although it appeared she had won, he had yet to say he wanted to marry her. A voice inside her screamed for her to come to her senses. Surely he would recover his soon enough and realize he’d made a mistake.
He brushed a kiss against her shoulder. “Have you changed your mind, Viv?”
Heavens knew she should raise a fuss and play the put-upon lady, but she wanted to stay with him.
She hesitated, then lifted her arms. The removal of her petticoats followed her gown and fell away from her body, landing in a heap around her feet. Luke would take the honorable path if they were discovered together, she reassured herself. It was what gentlemen of noble birth did in those circumstances. At least the gallant ones. Nevertheless, she didn’t want to win him that way. Did he desire a match between them?
When Luke’s fingers moved to the laces of her corset, she twisted around and planted a hand against his chest.
Her throat refused to work properly. “If someone finds us…” Her voice sounded tight and thin.
He swept a lock of hair behind her ear. “No one will bother us. But if they do, I promise to accept responsibility.”
“I’m aware of the risks. I can’t let you…”
“So am I. And I am prepared to accept them.” His hand made soothing passes from her shoulder to her waist and back again. When she couldn’t find the correct words to respond, he sighed. “It’s all right, Vivian. I understand. I’ll help you dress then escort you back to the house.”
He bent to retrieve her gown, but she urged him to stand.
“I don’t want to leave you,” she whispered.
His quiet laugh came out on a breath and stirred a strand of hair at her cheek. “I don’t want you to go either.”
When he hugged her, she snuggled against him and savored the feel of him surrounding her. Longing pulled at her heart, threatening to steal it from her and