After what seemed like an excruciatingly long time, Hugh stood. His jaw was tense and his eyes in the lantern light glowed with an unholy fire.
“That was exquisite torture,” he murmured hoarsely before placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
He turned and took the lantern from the footmen then sent them inside with his thanks.
Louisa thanked them too then turned excitedly to see Hugh holding out his hand to her.
“What on earth is going on?” she asked as she took his hand.
“You’ll see. Have some patience,” he scolded.
He was enjoying himself immensely, so it seemed.
Deciding to just enjoy it, Louisa fell into step with him, a smile of excitement hovering on her lips.
HUGH FELT LIKE A child on Christmas morn as he led Louisa through the darkened gardens.
He had left very specific instructions with the army of footmen he’d commandeered from the wedding party, so he could only hope that everything was ready.
He’d almost given up the ghost entirely and just ruined her on the steps to the house when he’d bent to change her shoes.
Her legs were as perfect as the rest of her.
He should be bloody sainted for holding out as long as he was.
Hugh glanced down at his companion and was pleased to see an excited little smile on her lips.
She was enjoying herself, even if it was freezing.
It wasn’t much farther though, and she should be warm soon.
Finally, he could see the flicker of the lanterns ahead and he started to get nervous.
He desperately hoped this would work.
They walked a little farther and the gazebo came into view.
Louisa stopped dead beside him and gasped, pulling her hand from his to clasp over her mouth.
He watched closely for her reaction and saw tears fill her eyes.
Were they happy or sad tears?
He felt a moment of blind panic before she turned and looked at him.
Hugh’s heart stopped at the look in her eyes.
If he wasn’t very much mistaken, that was the look of someone in love.
He could only hope he was right.
LOUISA TRIED DESPERATELY TO keep the tears at bay but still they came.
She’d been worried that Hugh had taken leave of his senses altogether when she started to see the flicker of lights.
When they’d finally come to a stop at the gazebo she thought she’d died and gone to heaven.
The gazebo was covered in lanterns. There were lights everywhere. On the floor, strung along the roof. It was incredible.
She turned to look at Hugh and saw that he looked unsure of himself.
How could he not know that this was the most perfect thing in the world? That he was the most perfect man in the world.
“Hugh,” she breathed when she could trust herself to speak.”This is — it’s wonderful.”
He looked so relieved, and her heart positively melted.
Without giving it a second thought she reached up and threw her arms around his neck, nearly toppling him.
He chuckled in surprise before dropping the basket he held and lifting her clean off her feet and devouring her lips in a soul searing kiss.
When she finally needed to come up for air, he broke the contact, settled her on her feet and retrieved the basket before grasping her hand and pulling her the final few steps.
She saw now that there was a blanket spread on the floor of the gazebo and even some cushions scattered about.
Her eyes widened at the sight.
This was unbelievable.
“My lady.” Hugh swept a dramatic bow before helping her to sit amongst the cushions.
Louisa giggled and sat as daintily as she could.
He sat beside her and proceeded to empty the contents of the picnic basket onto the blanket.
There was, she was thrilled to see, a flask of hot cider which he promptly poured into mugs.
He handed one to her, and she wrapped her hands around it gratefully.
Next came two slices of what looked suspiciously like wedding cake.
She gasped in mock outrage.
“Why, you’re nothing more than a common thief Lord Mayford.” She grinned.
“Don’t tell or I shall say it was all your idea,” he said.
Louisa didn’t think she’d ever been this happy. Never in her whole life.
They sat and drank their cider, and Hugh fed her little bits of wedding cake since she refused to remove her hands from the warmth of the cup she clasped.
As they talked and laughed, Louisa fell more and more in love with him.
Finally, the flask was empty and the cake and cups cleared away. Hugh grasped her about the waist and hauled her onto his lap.
Louisa giggled then moved to place a steadying hand on his chest.
“Thank you,” she whispered softly. “Nobody has ever done something like this for me, and I shall never forget it.”
For a moment, he didn’t move, just stared into her eyes, then slowly, he moved her hand from his chest to place a soft kiss on the palm.
Even through her evening glove she felt its impact.
“Louisa,” he said, his tone gravelly and low. “If you would let me, I would spend my whole life doing things like this for you.”
Louisa felt her jaw drop at his words.
He couldn’t possible mean what she thought, could he?