Devil in Spring (The Ravenels 3)

“Agreed,” he said readily.

Pandora’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really?”

“You’ll have to replace it with some other word.” Gabriel bent over her, the tip of his nose touching hers. “A good one.”

It was hard to think with his mouth so close.

“Fondle?” she suggested breathlessly.

He made a sound of amusement. “If you like.” As he tried to kiss her again, she strained her head back.

“Wait, there’s another condition. About your mistress.” Pandora felt him go still, his gaze encompassing her. “I wouldn’t like—that is, I can’t—” She broke off, impatient with herself, and forced the words out. “I won’t share you.”

The glow in his eyes was like the innermost heart of a flame. “I said, ‘only you,’” he reminded her. “I meant it.” His lashes lowered, and his lips came to hers.

And for a long time after that, there was no more discussion.

The rest of that day was a colorful blur in Pandora’s memory. Only a few moments stood out in the dreamlike haze. First they went to share the news with her family, who seemed delighted to the point of elation. As Kathleen and Cassandra embraced Gabriel by turns and inundated him with questions, Devon took Pandora aside.

“This is what you want?” he asked softly, staring down at her with those black-rimmed blue eyes so much like her own.

“Yes,” she said on a faint note of amazement. “It is.”

“St. Vincent came to talk with me this afternoon about the solicitor’s letter. He said that if he could persuade you to marry him, he would do everything possible to encourage you in your business, and refrain from interfering. He understands what it means to you.” Devon paused to glance at Gabriel, who was still talking with Kathleen and Cassandra, before continuing in a low tone. “The Challons come from a tradition in which a gentleman’s word is ironclad. They still honor tenant agreements that were made a century ago over a simple handshake.”

“Then you think we can rely on his promise.”

“Yes. But I also told him that if he doesn’t keep it, I’ll break both his legs.”

Pandora smiled and leaned her head against his chest.

“. . . we’ll want it to occur soon,” she heard Gabriel saying to Kathleen.

“Yes, but there’s so much to plan—the trousseau, the ceremony and reception, the wedding breakfast and honeymoon, and of course things like flowers and bridesmaids’ dresses—”

“I’ll help,” Cassandra exclaimed.

“I can’t do all of that,” Pandora burst out anxiously, whirling around to face them. “In fact, I can’t do any of it. I have to submit two more patent applications, and meet with my printer, and look for factory space to lease, and . . . no, I can’t let the wedding stand in the way of all the important things I need to take care of.”

Gabriel’s lips twitched at the comparative importance of the wedding to her board game company.

“I’d rather elope, so I can go right to work,” Pandora continued. “A honeymoon would be a waste of time and expense.”

She was well aware, of course, that a honeymoon had become traditional for upper- and middle-class newlyweds. But she was terrified of being swallowed up in a new life while all her plans and dreams fell by the wayside. She wouldn’t enjoy going away somewhere, thinking about all that awaited her at home.

“Pandora, dear—” Kathleen began.

“We’ll discuss it later,” Gabriel said in a relaxed manner, and sent Pandora a reassuring smile.

Turning back to Devon, Pandora muttered, “Did you see that? He’s managing me already. And he’s good at it.”

“I know the feeling well,” Devon assured her, his sparkling gaze flickering to Kathleen.

In the evening, the Challons and Ravenels gathered in the family parlor before going down to dinner. Champagne was brought out, and toasts were made to congratulate the betrothed couple and celebrate the union of their two families. Gabriel’s entire family received the news with a warmth and ready acceptance that almost overwhelmed Pandora.

Taking Pandora lightly by the shoulders, the duke smiled and bent to press a warm kiss to her forehead. “What a welcome addition you are to the family, Pandora. Be forewarned—from now on, the duchess and I will consider you as one of our own children, and spoil you accordingly.”

“I’m not spoiled,” Ivo, who was standing nearby, protested. “Mother thinks I’m a jewel.”

“Mother thinks everyone is a jewel,” Phoebe said dryly, as she and Seraphina came to join them.

“We’ll have to wire Raphael right away,” Seraphina exclaimed, “so he can come back from America in time for the wedding. I wouldn’t want him to miss it.”

“I wouldn’t worry about that,” Phoebe said. “A wedding this large will take months to plan.”

Pandora lapsed into uneasy silence while they continued to chatter. None of this seemed quite real. In a mere week her life had changed entirely. Her head was full of commotion, and she needed to go somewhere quiet and sort out her thoughts. She tensed as she felt a gentle arm curve behind her shoulders.

It was the duchess, her blue eyes radiant with kindness and a hint of concern, as if she understood how frightening it was to have made the most important decision of her life based on a few days’ acquaintance. But there was no way this woman would understand what it was like to face the prospect of marrying a virtual stranger.