Page 39

His heart had chosen well.

Statue still, her countenance pale as the scalloped lace edging her fashionable spencer, Miss Milbourne peered around.

Blinking slowly, as if someone had whacked her upon the head with her frilly parasol, she murmured, “Excuse me. I see an acquaintance I must speak with.”

Head held high, she spun about and glided toward the pond, where nothing but a few ducks napped in the sun.

Taken to chatting with ducks, had she?

“Ho, what have we here?” Sutcliffe gave them a jaunty wave from across the green, and ambled their way accompanied by Pennington. Brow furrowed, he turned and watched Miss Milbourne’s progress.

Jules shook his head and rolled his eyes toward the greenery overhead.

“My God. Did someone extend invitations unbeknownst to me?”

“Invitations? Is there a special occasion I’m unaware of?” Sutcliffe’s attention veered to the departing uncles, Miss Milbourne, and lastly Jules. His grin threatened to split his face in two upon greeting Jemmah.

“Miss Dament.” He bent into an exaggerated courtier’s bow. “May I say how delighted I am to see you taking the air with Dandridge?”

“As am I.” Pennington clasped a hand to his waist and bent low, too.

Jemmah canted her head, and eyes sparkling, offered them a bright smile. “Thank you, your graces. You’re exuberance is... refreshing.”

“Is there any special reason you’re visiting the pleasure gardens today?” One hand on his hip, Sutcliffe, as subtle as a nubby toad on a pastry, attempted a nonchalant expression.

“I intended to propose, if you must know, you two interfering tabbies. But they,” Jules jabbed his thumb in the direction of his uncles’ and Miss Milbourne’s departing figures, “ruined the occasion.”

“By Jove, that’s the best news I’ve heard in ages!” Pennington pumped Jules hand while Sutcliffe bent over Jemmah’s. “Not that they ruined the occasion, but that you’ve at last declared yourself.”

“I wish you the greatest happiness, Miss Dament,” Sutcliffe said. “Now, we’ll take our leave and let our friend be about this most important business.”

Rubbing his thumb across the back of Jemmah’s hand, Jules remained silent as the pair strode away. Everything he’d planned to make the day romantic and memorable had been quashed.

“Jules?”

He met Jemmah’s slightly disconcerted eyes. “Yes, my dear?”

“Why is everyone staring in our direction?”

Jules raised his head and took a casual glance around.

She was right, though several people hastily looked away, finding either the sky or the ground profoundly fascinating.

Damn, the news of his intentions had travelled faster than the wind in sails, thanks to Jemmah’s bitter sister.

Hmm, perhaps not a bad thing at all. With a few dozen witnesses...

He withdrew the ring box from his pocket.

“Jules?” This time Jemmah’s voice went all soft and melty, as did her eyes. “Here?”

“Indeed.”

Raising the lid, he folded to one knee.

His valet would scold him soundly for getting grass stains on his pantaloons. But this was right in its simple, unpretentiousness.

Just like his precious Jemmah.