“There is still much to do for the wedding. Have you thought about what kinds of flowers you’d like?”
“May we have wildflowers?”
“Of course. You may have whatever you like,” her sister said.
“I’ll help you pick them,” Mia said.
“Thank you, dear. That would be most helpful,” Grace said.
“Where is Lady Kathryn? Has she already broken her fast?” Audrey asked.
“I believe she’s in the garden. I’ll let her know we’ll be leaving for the modiste’s around ten.”
“Good. Lady Devon said she would be happy to join us as well when I told her of our trip last evening.”
When Kathryn left the dining room and headed to the garden in search of Sam, she found him pruning the roses. “Good morning, Mr. Clifford.”
He turned with a big smile on his face. “Good morning, Lady Kathryn.”
Kathryn rushed to him and asked, “Would you sit with me for a moment? I have news.”
“Of course,” he said, holding out his arm and leading her to the bench. “Are you well? You seem upset.”
“I hardly know how I am. Last evening, I spoke to my parents about us.”
Sam’s happy smile immediately disappeared. “I knew they wouldn’t approve. I’m so sorry, my love. There’s nothing more to be done now.”
“No, no, no. You misunderstand. While my father raged on for a bit about how inappropriate our union would be, he did not outright forbid us from marrying.”
“I don’t understand. What does that mean?”
“My brother and I believe my mother supports our union, so there’s hope yet that she will persuade my father to allow us to marry.”
“I don’t know what to say. That fills me with joy that we may yet be together.”
“My father said he wanted to speak with you, although I don’t know when that will happen. It may be today or in a fortnight.”
“I see. Well, then, I shall do my best to prove myself to him.”
Kathryn looked around to make sure they were alone before she pressed her lips to his.
Sam pulled her into his arms and kissed her, tasting every inch of her mouth. “You are magnificent, my darling, but I’d best get back to work. I wouldn’t want your father to come upon us in a compromising situation.”
Kathryn stood. “Until later, then. Goodbye, my love.”
Sam tipped his hat, and that small gesture warmed her heart.
As Fletcher, Easton, andLord Devon raced across the meadow, there was no doubt that Midnight would win the day. There wasn’t a horse in Fletcher’s stable that could match the stallion’s speed or stamina.
When they stopped at the stream to let the horses drink and cool down, Lord Devon said, “Fletcher, a word if you please.”
“Of course,” Fletcher said, walking a short distance away with Devon while Easton stayed with the horses. “Devon, is something amiss?”
“I’m not sure. What do you know of this Mr. Clifford?”
“He is the cousin of my stablemaster and has agreed to help with the garden design. I know that he’s worked closely with Miss Parker and Lady Kathryn on it, and he’s always been most respectful in his interactions with them from what I observed.”
“Do you know that my daughter and he have developed atendrefor each other?”