Page 39 of An Unforeseen Kiss (Captivating Kisses #4)

Val took the ring and slipped it inside the pocket which held the special license.

He could not believe in but a few more hours, he would be a married man.

He would not miss his carefree bachelor days one whit.

He was in love with the most wonderful woman in the world and could not wait to make her officially his.

He finally came across Eden at the games being held for children.

He heard the squeals and laughter and watched her, seeing how much she enjoyed herself.

She would make for an excellent mother. He had spoken to her of Ariadne’s idea to bring children to town for the Season.

Val realized he would not need to go to many social events, just enough to show off his gorgeous duchess.

What he did look forward to was spending time with his family.

His siblings. His cousins. His niece and extended family, as well all the babes who would make their arrivals as more of his cousins wed.

He decided he would have to take Eden on a trip very soon, so that she could meet Penelope, Ariadne, and Julian. Lucy and Huntsberry, as well, since they resided nearby.

Approaching Eden, he asked, “How has everything gone so far?”

“The children are so happy. Have you been through the section where all the stalls are?”

“I have, and I only purchased one thing.”

“What was that?” she asked.

“I will show you later. For now, I am starving. Would you like to accompany me to one of the food stalls?”

“I am famished myself. That sounds heavenly.”

They stopped and purchased several meat pies and two tankards of ale. He led her to a large oak tree, and they wound up sitting on the ground. Eden rested her back against the trunk, while he sat in front of her.

“You haven’t changed your mind, have you?” he asked.

“No.” Concern filled her eyes. “Have you?”

“Not at all,” he declared.

“There you are!” a voice called, and Val looked up, seeing Con coming toward them.

His cousin took a seat on the ground with them. “The axel is fixed. Your carriage and team are safely back at Millvale. And good day to you, Miss Snow. It is good to see you again.”

“I am delighted to see you again, Lord Dyer. It is so nice that you were able to come to the fete.”

Con pointed to Val. “My cousin insisted that I come. He said it would be a most interesting time.”

“You obviously know more than you are saying, my lord,” Eden said. “You know, don’t you?”

“Know what?” Con asked innocently.

“Do not act a simpleton with me, Lord Dyer,” Eden teased. “Val told me that you accompanied him to Doctors’ Commons yesterday to purchase the special license.”

“Thank goodness,” Con said, looking relieved. “I did not know how much longer I could keep up the farce. I was not certain if Val had spoken to you yet. I suppose by that silly grin on his face that you have accepted his offer of marriage.”

“I did, but no one knows. Except for you.”

“If you can keep a secret for a few more hours, we are to wed at the end of the fete,” he told his cousin.

“You devil! Aunt Alice will be shocked—but pleasantly surprised.” Con glanced to Eden. “And Aunt Agnes will need to start looking for a new governess for her daughters, I suppose.”

“I will help her do so,” Eden said.

Con sniffed. “Those meat pies look quite tasty. I think I will go purchase a few for myself.”

“I will leave you gentlemen together,” Eden said. “I must walk about some more to see that everything is going well.”

Val quickly came to his feet and assisted Eden to hers. “Will you be at the horse events?” he asked casually.

“Yes, they are the last two competitions to be held. The obstacle course will come first, followed by the race. Then both winners will report to the judges’ dais and be awarded their prizes.”

“Then I will see you there,” he said cheerfully.

The moment she was out of earshot, Con turned to him. “I know you too well, Cousin. You are up to something.”

“I am glad that Eden is so busy because she would probably have guessed something was afoot herself. Thankfully, she is too distracted by seeing to the fete.”

Briefly, he told his cousin about entering his betrothed in the horse race, explaining why she had not done so herself.

“She may be too angry with you to wed you,” Con remarked. “But seeing her on Andromeda as I did, I know Miss Snow is destined to win.”

“She has worked too diligently and deserves the recognition. I will stay with you while you finish eating, and then we can walk around a bit.”

The time passed quickly, and soon others began gathering to observe the first of the two horse competitions. Val asked Con to return to the house and escort his mother and aunt so they would not miss out on anything.

“And not a word about the ceremony,” he cautioned.

“Trust me. My lips are sealed.”

After some minutes, he saw Miller arrive and met the groom, asking that he step out of sight so that Eden would not see Andromeda.

When Eden joined him several minutes later and said, “You should take your place on the dais with the other judges. I will also be there announcing each contestant.” Then she smiled. “Your Grace. Lady Traywick. I was not expecting to see either of you.”

“We did come earlier this morning,” Lady Traywick said. “We were most curious about the competitions for the adults, though.”

“I know we already missed the archery contest. I spoke to Lord Arden and learned that he won it,” the duchess said.

“He did,” Eden said. “His daughters were cheering him on. There is room for you on the platform if you wish to observe the contest from there. The height will give you an advantage in watching it.”

“Thank you, Miss Snow,” Her Grace said. “We will take your advice.”

The four of them went to the stairs, Val handing all three women up, and then he joined them atop the platform. The crowd had grown quite large by that time. He saw Con, his sisters, and two cousins together. Con nodded at him, and Val returned the nod.

Eden explained the rules of the competition, how contestants would be timed and then gain or lose points, based upon the number of successful jumps and whether or not they accrued penalties on the course.

It took three-quarters of an hour for a winner to be determined, and the crowd cheered loudly as Rollo was proclaimed the winner.

Eden said, “You must wait for your prize, Rollo. It will be awarded at the same time the winner of the race receives his—or hers,” she said, causing the crowd to chuckle.

“If you will head toward the meadow,” she told those gathered. “The first race will commence in ten minutes.

Val walked her to the meadow, glancing over his shoulder to see that Miller followed at a discreet distance. On the way, she explained to him how the groups would race until the final two contestants would face off, showing him her lists of racers when he asked.

He pointed to the last group of four. “I only see three names in this last grouping. It seems it would give those racers an advantage. A one in three instead of a one in four chance.”

She shrugged. “It could not be helped. It is as fair as I can make it.”

“Whatever the outcome, you have done a superb job in planning today,” he complimented. “I promise that I will not abandon you next year. I plan to be by your side every step of the way, down to planning the smallest detail.”

“It will be much easier, having done so once. I will have all my notes to refer to.” She smiled saucily. “Perhaps I should have you plan the fete next year. Then I could help you in the following years.”

“I would kiss that wicked smile off your face if I could,” he declared. “But that would give away too much.” He paused, looking at her heatedly. “Be ready to kiss me for hours, Eden Snow. And then be prepared for me to kiss every inch of your lovely body.”

“I will hold you to that, Your Grace,” she said pertly.

They reached the area where the starting line was and parted, Eden busy gathering up the first group of racers.

Val watched her, thinking of the night ahead.