Page 108 of Lady Waldrey’s Gardening Almanac for Cultivating Scandal

Candace raised her eyes in time to see the information take hold. Instead of the wavering smile she expected, Vera grinned at her.

“How wonderful, Candace! That’s excellent news—the best news.”

“Truly?” Candace asked. “You think so?”

“Of course. Don’t you?” she added, looking suddenly concerned. “Certainly you wouldn’t have agreed to the courtship if you weren’t excited at the prospect.”

“No. Yes.” She closed her eyes and shook her head, then opened them once more and confessed, “That is, I’m exceedingly happy. I love him, Vera.”

Vera’s answering smiled was soft, but there was a hint of sadness about her eyes. “I’m so happy for you, Candace.”

There were a few moments of silence while Candace gathered her courage once more. “Forgive me, but are you...are you very disappointed?”

Candace hated to put so fine a point on it, but she had to know. Besides, if their friendship wasn’t sturdy enough to survive the weight of such discussion, it wasn’t as strong as she’d thought.

“Disappointed?” Vera tilted her head. “Whatever do you mean?”

“That...that he chose me instead of you.” Candace winced at her terrible delivery. Surely there had been a more gracious way to put it.

“What?” Vera’s eyes twinkled in scandalized delight. A grin slowly poured over her face. “Candace, do you think I hold tender feelings for James?”

“You mean you don’t?”

Vera laughed in that warm, rough way of hers. “He’s my friend, nothing more. One would have to be a spectacular form of idiot not to realize the man’s been in love with you for, well...forever.”

Candace pursed her lips, wondering if her friend thought her a spectacular form of idiot, since she hadn’t realized James loved her until he told her to her face. And even then, she’d experienced several moments of doubt until he explained it thoroughly.

Vera flapped her hand. “Stop. I can read your thoughts. Of course you didn’t know, as he endeavored to keep it secret until you were ready to hear such a declaration. But I daresay the rest of us have been waiting with bated breath for weeks.”

“You have?” Candace shook her head and tried not to say anything else until she could formulate something more complicated than stupid repetitions of shock. She’d always considered herself a relatively intelligent conversationalist, but today, every interaction was making her doubt her former confidence.

Vera smiled and took Candace’s hands in her own. “I’m delighted for you both. He is your equal, Candace. He’s taken the time to truly know you, to become your dearest friend. He is among the finest of gentlemen, and I’m sure you will both be very happy.”

Candace fought back tears and gently squeezed her friend’s fingers. “Thank you, Vera.”

“Have you discussed a betrothal?”

Candace frowned. “James is going to wait until he hears back from Devonshire. In lieu of Percy’s approval, it seems he must have someone’s.”

“That sounds sensible and right.”

“It does, though I confess I’m a little anxious.”

“It’s no wonder, considering.” Vera trailed off instead of putting words to the obvious—Candace had no small amount of trepidation toward betrothals in general. She smiled and changed the subject. “If all goes as it ought, where do you think you’ll make your home?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t even thought of it. James has several estates that would be comfortable. I suppose London is the obvious choice.”

Candace chewed her lip. If she were being completely honest, she’d just as soon stay in Devon. It was so beautiful here, so peaceful. Then again, she’d never pictured herself the mistress of a country manor, so far removed from the bustle of city life and the social whirl of London.

“Ah.” Vera nodded, her smile wan.

Candace was too distracted by the contrast between what she actually wanted versus what she’d expected to want, that she failed to notice her friend’s distress.

CHAPTER 32- JAMES

From Where the Birds Sing: A Gardening Primer-

Though planting bulbs may seem complicated to the novice gardener, it is important to note that there are two kinds of bulbs—those that naturalize, and those that do not. Therefore, certain plantings are best suited to large fields and more rustic gardens, while some variety of bulbs will need to be dug up and stored each year.