She tossed her arms around his neck and planted a big kiss on his lips. “That is spectacular news. Thank you.”
“I thought that might make you happy.”
“You make me happy.” She kissed him once more before returning her hands to her lap and silently admonishing herself to behave. “What about the special license? Were you able to obtain one?”
“It took a little doing, but the Earl of Ellis had connections he was willing to speak to on our behalf. We could marry today if we wished it, assuming I could convince a clergyman to do the deed.”
She screwed her mouth to the side, uncertain how he would take her news. “There is a slight problem with marrying too soon. Olive came to visit a while ago, and she is insisting on hosting a wedding breakfast for us. I can’t imagine she would be able to arrange anything before the end of the week. Do you mind terribly delaying the ceremony?”
“Lady Eldridge wants to host a celebration? Does she know whom you are marrying?”
“Of course she does, and she is thrilled for us.”
Sebastian’s eyes narrowed, as if he didn’t quite believe her. “As long as it makes you happy, I can withstand a couple hours of the countess fussing over you while glaring daggers in my direction.”
“She will not. She is going to adore you once she knows you better.”
“I think adore is stretching it, my dear.” He smirked, took a swig of his drink, and placed the tumbler on the side table. “There is one other happy piece of news to share. Eve received an offer of marriage from Sir Jonathan Hackberry. He requested an audience this morning.”
“How splendid. Is she over the moon?”
He shrugged. “She seems content. I told her she mustn’t feel pressured to accept his suit, but she assures me that she is fond of him.”
Helena’s high spirits fell a little. She wished for something more for Eve. She wanted her new friend to feel as overjoyed and in love with her bridegroom as Helena was with hers. Yet, people married for different reasons, and a sound friendship was a good basis for a loving relationship. Perhaps someday there would be more than fondness between them. “I suppose if this is what she wants, I am pleased for her. Have you told her about our betrothal?”
“Of course. Whether I want to confide in her or not, she has a way of wheedling information from me, but I was eager to tell her and Mother. I am under strict instructions to convey how thrilled Eve is you will be her sister. Mother is happy as well.”
Sebastian could come home with a beaver as a bride and his mother and sister would think it a marvelous development. He could do no wrong in their eyes, and she was beginning to feel very much the same about her future husband. Granted he didn’t in fact replace her with a beaver.
She chuckled at the image.
“What’s so funny?”
“Oh, I don’t know. You and a bucktoothed animal.”
He looked at her as if she’d gone mad. “I’m sure I have no desire to know what thoughts are swirling in your head at the moment.”
And because he looked so perplexed, she laughed again.
He grudgingly smiled and tugged a lock of her hair. “Someone is in a playful mood.”
Memories of their recent night of play drove all silliness from her mind. She held out her hand. “Come with me, sir.”
He placed his hand in hers and allowed her to lead him from the drawing room, up the curved staircase, and to her bedchamber where she turned the lock. Pivoting, she leaned back against the door. She crooked a finger and he went to herwithout hesitation.
Even though they had only been apart two days, it felt like an eternity. They tore at each other’s clothing—day gown, coat, cravat, petticoats—until Helena was only in shift and stockings and Sebastian was down to shirt and buckskins. He lifted her to the side of the high canopied bed and unfastened his trousers. Shoving her shift high on her hips, he grasped her bottom to pull her to the edge and filled her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and held tightly as their lovemaking became a frenzied need. He urged her to lie back then found her sweet spot, circling it with his finger as he thrust.