can’t get the latch of my necklace to hold. Would you do it for me?”
Handing him the jewelry, she turned her back. Her hair was already swept atop her head, so he should have no trouble. Standing very still, she waited.
“Got it,” he said.
She felt for the necklace even knowing it wasn’t there. “No, you haven’t.”
He laughed. “No, I meant I figured out how this thing works. Now hold still and I’ll rope it around you.”
She felt his warm fingers work the lock at the back of her neck. Then his hands drifted down, smoothing the chain along her throat. She didn’t move as his long fingers fanned out over her bare shoulders and gently held her still. She could feel his breath against her cheek, but he didn’t move.
“Are you finished?” she asked, waiting for him to let go of her shoulders.
“Yes.” His voice was oddly low. “I’m just enjoying the view from here. I think I like it better than I do the one of you walking away. You seem very nicely rounded in several places.”
She turned preparing to snap at him, but he was even closer than she thought. They were almost touching. The warmth in his eyes shocked her, as did the honesty. He wasn’t flattering or playing with her, he was simply telling her how he felt. He had no reason to play games with her. They both knew the bargain between them was already set.
She raised her chin slightly. “It’s time to go downstairs.”
He took her hand and put it in the bend of his elbow, then led her down the steps to a dozen people waiting to see the newlyweds.
Cozette smiled when she saw them. Most of the women had been friends of her mother’s from years ago. She remembered them coming to visit when she was little, but they’d stopped dropping by after her mother died. Uncle Raymond would have to be on his best behavior. Even if he was furious about the marriage, he couldn’t afford to let on in front of them or the powerful husbands who stood at their wives’ sides.
Michael remained near, smiling but saying little. He asked where each guest’s land was and if it bordered San Louise, then talked of the weather, but little else.
Her mother’s friends seemed to tolerate Raymond more than like him. By the time dinner was served it was plain they came to see her and the man she’d picked to marry. Judging by their smiles, the neighbors liked her new husband just fine.
The only thing Michael did out of order was pull up her chair beside his when they walked in to dinner. The guests laughed and kidded him about being a new husband. One lady even commented that it was the dearest thing she’d ever seen.
About the time the main course was served the talk turned to books. Cozette tried to shield questions meant for Michael. She wasn’t sure he was well read and she didn’t want these people to hurt his feelings. But, after a few moments, she realized they were united in their mission to get to know him.
When she glanced at her uncle she knew that somehow he was behind their curiosity. He must have planted a seed that her new husband was not good enough for the princess of San Louise.
Finally, a man on their left asked Michael, point-blank, what he thought of Moby Dick.
Michael set down his fork and said simply, “I think it’s a wonderful study on social status and it makes you speculate on your own personal beliefs as well as your individual place in the universe.” He fought down a smile, probably proud of himself for remembering most of a review he’d read. “I also think, at over eight hundred pages, it’s a bit longer than it needed to be.”
The room was silent for a moment, and then everyone talked at once. He’d somehow passed the test and been accepted. For the rest of the meal, no one bothered even to look at Uncle Raymond.
“You read,” she whispered near Michael’s ear when she got a chance.
“Yes, dear.” His hand moved over her skirt and brushed her leg. Then, without hesitation, he kissed her lightly.
Cozette blushed and pushed his hand off her skirts. He might read, but as far as his manners, he would barely be considered housebroken. No man, not even a husband, would touch his wife’s leg in public. Thank goodness they were at the end of the table, where no