“This is a wonderful surprise!” Emma breathed against his throat.
Lucas wrapped his arms around her and felt the amazing glow of warmth streaking through him. Reluctantly he eased his hands to her waist and lifted her back to the ground, his hand up and finger tapping off her nose.
“And this is a delightful surprise,” his fingers brushed the short dark strands of hair above her ear. “I can easily picture you sitting on a toadstool with fluttering gossamer wings behind you, Emma. It’s beautiful and suits you,” he said honestly, the bright light in her eyes sending his ego bursting with delight at her reaction to his words.
“Thank you, Lucas. I’m more accustomed to wearing my hair this way, especially in the summer,” Emma looped her arm with his and hugged him close. “I thought you had work to do?”
“I finished early and decided as a reward, I should be with you,” he told her with a smile. “I will send Brock and Nancy to the house. I brought the smaller carriage and we can explore to your heart’s content this afternoon.”
“I would really like that,” Emma tipped her head against his shoulder. “People have been staring. I don’t want to embarrass you, Lucas. Nancy says it’s because people consider me an original…which I believe means they find me amusing.”
“I find you delightfully amusing, my sweet,” Lucas assured her, patting her hands lightly. He met Brock’s gaze and tipped his head slightly. “Thank you, Brock. You may return to the manor now with Nancy. Be certain to check with the others on the grounds for me, would you?”
“Certainly, sir.” Brock nodded once and gestured for Nancy to come with him.
“Thank you, Brock, Nancy.” Lucas was about to speak to Emma when another voice intruded.
“St. Christopher?”
Lucas turned at the familiar voice. “Howell? Good lord, it’s been years since University.” He accepted the palm that had been thrust toward him.
“A great big world out there to explore,” deep grey eyes appraised first his friend and then his partner. “Silas Howell,” he said softly, tipping the hat on his head as he allowed his gaze to appreciate the woman on Lucas’ arm.
“Emma Carstairs,” she responded with a smile.
“Silas and I spent many tedious hours absorbing the laws of engineering, chemistry and some physics,” Lucas told her. “What brings you to Eastbourne?”
“Escorting my mother and sister to spend the remaining bits of summer at seaside,” he responded. “You know Marissa asks about you. I had intended to hunt you down but was told you no longer reside at the estate.”
“You know my father, Silas,” Lucas said simply.
“I am going into the bookshop,” Emma announced in the lull. “You stay and talk to your friend. I think you have things to catch up on,” she said with a smile, going to her toes and kissing Lucas on the cheek. “It’s perfectly safe in the shop.”
“Take your time, Emma,” Lucas nodded and released her fingers.
“American,” Silas remarked, his gaze following the brunette into the shop. “Unusual.”
“My father wagered with hers and won,” Lucas said after a long pause, stepping to the side and nodding at an older passing couple.
Silas raised an eyebrow. “A gambling debt?”
“My fiancé,” Lucas corrected simply, appraising the man standing at his side. Black hair and deep eyes that seemed to attract a share of women like flies, they’d been opposites as they traveled, learned and grew up together.
Silas lifted the corner of his mouth in approval. “You always did favor the unusual.”
Lucas laughed. “Emma is beyond anything our imaginations could create.”
“Would you accept an invitation to dine with us? I know how fond you were of social gatherings.”
“Your humor is still above the pale, Silas,” Lucas chuckled. “But I believe with Emma at my side, I could even suffer a dinner with boring, status grabbing individuals that make my teeth ache.”
Silas laughed and clapped his friend on the shoulder. “I’ll have the invitation sent round this afternoon when I return home.”
“Have you acquired the veterinarian degree?”
“I’ve actually set up practice just outside Eastbourne, along the coast to the west,” he gazed around at the passing women traveling generally in pairs as they eyed the bachelors. “I’m relocating my mother and sister to the area for the winter.”
“And your father?”
“Took a fall from a horse a year ago,” Silas shrugged absently. “I’ve bought a large estate adjacent to the practice. I’ll be working on establishing some hardy breeds of cattle, horses and sheep in the area. Part of the breed improvement I used to chase when we were in University. I’ve a shipment of mixed animals arriving from America, as a matter of fact. Part of what will become my seed stock, if you will.”
“I’ll have to come inspect. I can easily help you with laying out proper sewage and drainage,” Lucas nodded to himself. “As well as some modernization of the internal plumbing in the house and out buildings. I’m designing an interesting room for a walk in bathing shower for Emma.”
“You know, it’s conversations like this that revive my brain, Lucas. Lord, I miss them. I’ve listened to my father and mother harping for the last few years about attending the bloody events to find a suitable brood mare,” Silas joined with Lucas in his laughter. “And listening to the simpering talk about nothing topics has driven me to the brink of madness. I’ve taken to spending hours in libraries and lecture halls until this past month. I believe I’ve concocted every imaginable excuse to avoid the social whirl.”
“It has to be invigorating to establish a practice,” Lucas smiled at the young girls walking past them. “They seem to be getting younger every damn year.”
“I have workmen at the house, cleaning and doing repairs. I have an amazing amount of supplies and furniture being brought down from London,” Silas told him, following his gaze into the shop window and then at the pocket watch he slipped from his vest. “I have females to retrieve from the medicinal spa over on Abrams Street. I’ll send that invitation around tomorrow. I’m glad we met up again, Lucas.”
“Equally, Silas. Rest easy, we’ll find brains to keep us stable,” Lucas promised with a chuckle, watching his friend stride off down the lane. It didn’t surprise him that many people stared at them. He could almost hear the whispering of anxious mama’s trying to find an established, prosperous husband for their daughters.
“Lucas?” Emma stood in front of him with a paper bound collection of books in her arms.
“I’m sorry. I was…” He shook his head. “Off somewhere.”
“People have been staring,” she noted, sliding easily beside him when his hand settled on her waist. “I liked your friend but I think he’s lonely.”
“I rarely notice the staring,” Lucas told her with a shrug, guiding her along the lane to some of the more expensive shops. “I have a stop to make and I need your help.”
“Me?”
“Perhaps the proper word is co-operation,” he amended with a tip of his head at the puzzled expression on her face.
“Where are we going, Lucas? I bought what I needed to make some bath salts and…” Emma’s voice trailed off when the tinkling bell above the door she was going through alerted the proprietor inside that he had company. That’s when she looked around. “Oh…”
Lucas laughed softly at the almost non-existent sound of her voice. “I want you to select a ring, Emma.”
“Lucas…I don’t need a fancy ring.”
“Good afternoon, Mr. Franklin,” Lucas greeted the tall thin man with white hair who came from the back of the store. “We’d like to view your engagement rings, if you’d be so kind.”
“Of course, sir,” his hand lifted a set of keys from inside his pocket.
“No. Please. Wedding bands,” Emma said quickly, looking up at Lucas. “That’s what I would like, Lucas. Please.”
“Your fiancé seem
s to have a mind of her own,” Mr. Franklin said with a patient smile.
“Then wedding bands it is, please,” Lucas carried her hand to his lips.
“So this was your plan all along,” Emma teased, her head shaking.
“Why does a man need to plot to buy his fiancé a gift?”
“Oh, please, don’t pretend that hurt look,” Emma laughed, the sound abruptly ending when the man lifted a piece of black velvet from a tray he had set on the glass counter top.
Lucas watched her as the man moved a lamp closer to the collection lying on the soft fabric. Her fingers hovered only a moment before lifting a hand about one and quarter centimeters wide. On each end, the front was lined in tiny diamonds. A basket weave effect connected the two diamond bands with larger stones in the center of each small weave. But what drew your attention, he thought, was the unique rose color of the gold.
“This one,” Emma lifted it, her fingers shaking slightly when Lucas took the band from her. She held as still as possible when he took her hand and slid it onto her finger.
“Not quite the correct size,” Mr. Franklin lifted her hand and appraised the difference. “Allow me to check my vault. Shall I bring a tray of bands for men?”
“Please,” Lucas responded, removing the ring and laying it on the velvet cloth. “It’s perfect for you. I like it. Now we shall select one for me and we’ve finished our first purchase as a couple.”
“Are you teasing me?” Emma swallowed and looked up at him.
“I’m not sure I knew how to tease until I met you.” Lucas ignored all the proper behavior he’d ever learned, framed her face with his hands and kissed her softly. The fingers of one hand drifted along the side of her face, spearing into the soft, short strands of hair.
They parted reluctantly when the sounds of footsteps broke into their private world.
“I took a guess at your size, sir,” Mr. Franklin lifted the cloth and nodded to himself at the selection he’d brought for them to examine.
“Chose one for me, Emma,” Lucas told her softly, following her gaze to the tray of rings lying spread before them.
Her hand never moved until she saw the one she liked, lifting the two tone ring from the tray and holding her other palm out for Lucas’s hand. She slipped it into place and admired it.
“That one. It has both elements of gold and silver and it suits you nicely,” Emma said with a nod.
“Might I ask when the wedding is to be?”
“Soon,” was all Lucas offered, his hand out and fingers flexing. “It’s a good fit. You have a very precise eye, Mr. Franklin. We’ll take them both, please. If you’ll quote me the full price, I’ll have a cheque brought to you as soon as I return home.”
“I have money,” Emma said with a happy smile, opening her little bag and lifting a handful of gold coins out.
“Emma? You’ve been carrying that around town with you?” Lucas stared, stunned.
“I was shopping.”
“You could have bought most of the town with that,” he chided, his head shaking.
“Is it enough for the rings?” She held up her hand to Mr. Franklin, smiling when he took two of the gold coins. “There. See? Our second decision as a couple.”
Lucas could offer nothing but a laugh as she tucked away the coins once more.
“A small box will do nicely, Mr. Franklin. Thank you,” Lucas told him, still staring at Emma. “Would you do me a favor, please, Emma. Don’t carry that money with you. The merchants will apply your purchases to an account and deliver me an invoice for payment.”
“I suppose it was a little careless,” Emma admitted slowly. “I’m just not sure what it’s worth and I wanted to pay for my own things.”
“Then I shall present you with the invoice and you can make the payment when the time comes,” Lucas answered, knowing full well he’d manage to care for her, including her purchases.
“I suppose I feel safe here and I know it’s the same as anywhere,” Emma reluctantly handed the little bag to him and watched him slide it into a jacket pocket.
Lucas took the box from Mr. Franklin and slid it into an inside pocket of his jacket before shaking the man’s hand. “Thank you for your help, Mr. Franklin.”
“Yes, thank you so much,” Emma smiled at him, her gaze drifting around the other glass cases as she wandered around the wide space. “You have some beautiful baubles here.”
“And what do you consider beautiful baubles?” Lucas asked curiously.
“I…oh, no,” Emma met his gaze. “I don’t even have my ears pierced.”
Lucas raised an eyebrow. “Would you want them pierced?”
“Yes…for at least a nice pair for gold hoops or a pretty stone. Just one in each ear. I have friends with a dozen…that’s far too many for me,” Emma confided, smiling at her memory. She turned to him and held out her palm, her other arm wrapped around her books. “Shall we go? Have a great day, Mr. Franklin! And whoever made that ring, tell them it’s gorgeous!”
“Yes, miss, thank you, sir,” Mr. Franklin’s head bobbed happily.
Lucas followed behind Emma, thinking how very different she looked from all the other women around and how glad he was for it. Although he did almost laugh at the expressions that would pass over people’s faces. He watched her interact, the smile on her face when she talked to a young constable handing out flyers and the children playing outside the sweet shop where she dug into her pocket for coins and handed them to them.
Chapter Sixteen
Emma glanced at the flyer she’d taken. Big “REWARD” letters jumped at her as she folded it and slid it into her pocket. No photo, she almost laughed at herself. Photos probably weren’t around yet, she thought. Stopping and watching the children all get large cookies with the loose coins she’d given them. She’d found all the things she was after and turned to wait for Lucas to end a conversation with an older couple.
He really was quite handsome. Weak sunshine fell over the dark blond that was streaked with shades of the color that ran the spectrum. She wondered if he kept it long on purpose or it was because he would forget to have someone trim it. She didn’t care. She loved it the way it was, soft and not quite altogether straight. It tickled when he made love to her.
Lucas quirked an eyebrow at the flush of color that flooded her cheeks when he bid the Wenchell’s farewell and met her gaze. She definitely appeared far younger than her twenty-four years with the new hair style and unconventional dress. He approached, watching her fold a sheet of paper and slide it into her pocket before holding her hand out to him.
“People are staring,” she whispered dramatically, dark eyes darting around in a way that made him laugh.
“They’re stunned by your ethereal beauty,” he whispered back, kissing her temple softly.
“I must warn you, I’m quite unconventional,” Emma said. “I really dislike bustles.”
“Thank God,” Lucas laughed aloud.
“And I’m not overly fond of hats and petticoats just seem to get in the way.”
“Neither am I,” he agreed quietly, guiding her down the walkway. “And I prefer you without the petticoats.”
“I sometimes say things that others will be offended by.”
“It will make for lively dinner conversation,” Lucas said with a smile.
“Then I suppose you should consider yourself fair warned with regards to socializing with me at your side,” Emma nodded in satisfaction.
“Hmm…and should you become too outrageously impertinent, I shall surely have to punish you.” Lucas didn’t laugh at the fire that leapt into her eyes when she stared up at him, surprise in her eyes. “I might even need to practice,” he continued casually.
“Practice?” Emma barely got the word between her lips.
Lucas leaned his lips close to her ear as they walked. “I wonder if you’ve become wet for me at the thought, Emma.” His cock hardened beneath his trousers when she nodded slowly. “I believe we should go home.”
“Yes,” Emma agreed instantly.
Lucas wondered if memories of their night were playing in her mind as they were in his, further igniting the fires inside him. He led her quietly down the street to where he’d left his carriage. His hands lingered on her waist at the side of the carriage, pulling her back hard against the length of his cock.
They both groaned. Her head fell back onto his shoulder and his mouth covered hers in mid-gasp. Lucas slanted his mouth over hers, his tongue surging forward to taunt and arouse while his hands pressed along her ribs to each possess one of her breasts with a tantalizing squeeze. He flicked the hard little pebbles that responded and pulled his mouth from hers before things completely became a spectacle.
“Inside the carriage, Emma,” he ordered gruffly. His hands returned to her waist, lifting her quickly to the seat and rounding behind the carriage to swing onto the cushioned surface. He flipped a coin to the young man holding the reins for him and guided them carefully from the area where the carriages were left waiting. “Are you wearing drawers?”
Emma giggled at his side, her arms tightening on the bundle of books she’d bought. "You told me to, Lucas, remember?” She cleared her throat. “Girl, would you put some clothes on already?”
Lucas laughed at her attempt to imitate his lower and decidedly British cadence.
“I do not sound like that,” he returned, deliberately slowing the horse and setting into a comfortable pace with them.
“I’ve never been good with accents,” she admitted with a little chuckle. “Then there was the comment about the laws of decency and this isn’t the wilderness of America.”
“Hmm…I do have a sad recollection of those words,” he admitted, wishing he’d brought a driver so they could be alone in the back of the carriage.
“Words have a way of coming back to haunt us.” She looked out toward the water churning lightly against the rocky shore. “Have you gone swimming?”
“Often. It’s quite exhilarating.”
Red Crystal Romance: #1 Emma Page 16
