Page 53 of Lady Waldrey’s Gardening Almanac for Cultivating Scandal (Love from London #3)

Candace barely knew what she was saying. She was remembering that day at the garden folly, when she wondered what it would feel like to be held in James’s arms, what it would feel like to be precious to him. Now she knew, and it was better than she ever could have dreamed.

He grinned down at her, not releasing her. “I shouldn’t have kissed you before I even announced my intention to court you. I’m sorry.”

“I don’t care,” she said breathlessly.

She didn’t, not in the least. What was the proper order of things next to the happiness in her heart that overflowed into laughter? What was following rules next to the thrill of being held in his arms?

“How did you come to the conclusion that it was Vera I wanted?”

“I thought you invited your friends to get their approval of the match.”

He chuckled. “I invited several of my single friends to see if any of them were interested in courting her.”

Candace blinked. “Oh. ”

James kissed her once more, swiftly this time, then set her back, picked up the basket in one hand, and clasped hers in his other.

“I don’t know how to say this without sounding like an abominable cad—especially since I just kissed you—but I cannot ask you to marry me yet. Not until I hear back from Devonshire on the matter.”

“What does he have to do with it?”

“He’s looking after your brother’s responsibilities while Percy’s gone. I wrote him, informing him of my intention to court you and eventually propose. I don’t think he’ll have any objections, but I feel we should give him a few more days to reply, in case I’m wrong.”

Dread settled low in her gut, for the only objection Devonshire might have against the match had to do with her .

Candace stopped suddenly, halting him. “James, I have to tell you something.”

He shook his head. “No, you don’t.”

She tugged at his hand. “I really do. It’s about Shelbourne. My...my engagement to him. How it came to happen.”

He looked at her. “Candace, you don’t have to say anything further on the matter. In fact, I fervently hope you won’t.”

“But...”

“I already know,” he said gently. He stroked his thumb over her knuckles.

“You do?”

She didn’t know what she felt. Panic? Relief? Some odd combination of the two and seven other emotions she couldn’t name?

“Devonshire and I had...an awkward conversation before I left London.”

“He’s...he’s told people?” Her eyes were round with shock. She’d never thought that Edward would be the type to gossip, certainly not when the topic could destroy her reputation, her entire future...

“He’s only told me.”

“But why?”

“Because even then, he knew I loved you.”

“You did?”

The last few moments had robbed her of cohesive reason; shock had turned her into a repetitive moron. She clasped her mouth shut to keep the rest of her idiotic questions at bay.

James smiled at her, tenderness clear in every line of his face. “Candace, I loved you before Shelbourne, and I love you still. I love you so much that I’m almost grateful to the bas— to the man. If he’d had a shred of honor, or even a shred of intelligence , I might have lost you forever.”

She tilted her head. “That’s one way of looking at it, perhaps.”

“It’s the way I choose to look at it.”

“So you truly can forgive me for...for kissing another man?”

“Of course. I don’t like it—and please refrain from doing so again in the future—but it doesn’t affect my feelings for you one way or the other.

” He frowned down at her. “I’m a little confused as to why you think I’d be shocked at this information.

You told me yourself that you and Shelbourne kissed, weeks ago. ”

“ What ?”

James tipped his head back and laughed; Candace tried not to get distracted by his tanned throat.

“The day you got into the gin.” He grinned down at her. “You truly don’t remember?”

“Of course not! I never would have been able to face you again if I had.”

He laughed and tugged her back into motion. “At least I know what to do if I ever suspect you’re keeping a secret—I’ll just ply you with drink.”

She shook her head. “That’s a scandalous idea. Besides, I don’t have any other secrets, other than the two we’ve already discussed.”

“What other secret did you have, other than your terrible kiss with Shelbourne?”

“My love for you. Though I suppose one shouldn’t compare the two secrets, as one filled me with utter despair, and the other will now only warm my heart forever.”

“I’ll admit I was quite gratified to hear that the man was a lousy kisser. I sincerely hope that I’ve done better.”

She blushed and shoved at his arm. “A gentleman wouldn’t ask such things.”

“A future husband definitely would.”

“True, but certainly you know that the heart overcomes trifling matters such as a lack of talent. You could be the worst kisser in all of England, and I’d still be thrilled you were mine.”

He arched an eyebrow. “ I hope I’m not.”

“How would I know? That would require a great amount of experience that I have no desire to obtain. Does your ego truly demand an answer on the subject?”

“It does.” His solemn answer was slightly marred by the smile still crinkling the corners of his eyes.

“Very well, then. You are by far the best kisser of my albeit limited experience. Though I hardly think it’s fair for you to ask such things when I cannot, in good conscience, ask you for the same reassurance.”

“Ah,” he said, taking her hand in his and dusting a kiss across the knuckles. “Fair enough. Then let me say that from now until death, there is only you, for me. And any lack of experience on either of our parts will be rightfully remedied once we’re wed.”

“A shocking declaration, indeed.” Her cheeks reddened even as she smiled. “Shall I pretend to swoon?”

“If you must.”