“This is terribly unseemly, my lord.”
“Excellent,” Evan replied, grinning wickedly at Sophie. “I find I rather like being unseemly.”
Sophie pressed her lips together, but couldn’t hold back a smile to save her life. Especially considering the fact that she was sitting rather firmly in her betrothed’s lap. “Thank goodness,” she said, slipping her arms around his neck. “I feel exactly the same way.”
Around them, the lanterns reflected against the labyrinth’s tall hedge, enveloping them in warm, beautiful colors. It was gorgeous, but not nearly as much as the love in his eyes as he chuckled. “Good, because if you think this is unseemly . . .”
He leaned forward and captured her mouth, tightening his arms around her as he kissed her within an inch of her life. She shivered with the pleasure of being so thoroughly kissed while wrapped in his arms. Desire spread through her like tinder catching fire, warming her from the inside out. She moaned and tilted her head, fitting their lips together that much more perfectly.
Her heart had never been so light and free, nor her mind so wonderfully at peace.
She still could hardly even believe how things had changed in such a short time. First, to awaken to Evan’s glorious proposal, then to learn of his tremendous news about his true father, and then to see the joy on the faces of all those she loved: Mama and Papa, May and Charity, and even Julia. Evan had proudly escorted her to event after event, introducing her as his betrothed to everyone they saw.
She sighed happily against his lips.
Ending the kiss, he pulled back and lifted an eyebrow. “What was that sigh about?”
Toying with the silky strands of his unbound hair, she smiled. “I was just thinking that I love being your betrothed.”
“Do you?” he said, then kissed her once more before guiding her to her feet and standing beside her. “Because I find that I don’t, really.”
She stepped back, startled. “You don’t? Surely you must be teasing me.”
He shook his head. “I assure you, I am one hundred percent serious. I loathe it, actually.”
Why would he say such a thing? One minute, he was kissing her senseless, and the next . . . “Are you saying you don’t wish to be engaged any longer?”
“That is exactly what I’m saying. Which is why I took the liberty of procuring this.” Reaching into his jacket, he pulled out a rolled piece of paper, tied with a slender yellow ribbon.
Cautiously, Sophie plucked it from his outstretched hand. He couldn’t possibly be breaking their agreement. No, she was sure he wouldn’t. She glanced back up at him. Yes, she was positive he was watching her with tenderness. Drawing a breath, she pulled off the ribbon and unrolled the paper. Her eyes skimmed over the words until she realized what she was holding. Gasping, her gaze shot back up to his.
“A special license?” she said, giddiness bubbling up from her core. “You got a special license?”
His smile was sweet and wide as he nodded. Stepping forward, he cupped either side of her face with his hands. “Sophie Marie Wembley, will”—he paused and kissed her right cheek—“you”—then her left—“marry”—her forehead—“me”—the tip of her nose—“right now?”
Her eyes widened as she gaped at him. “Now? As in right now? But there’s no one here to—”
He cut her off with a swift kiss to her lips, making her giggle. “Please just answer the question, Sophie Hood.”
Still laughing, she nodded, tears filling her eyes. “Yes! Please—the sooner the better!”
Evan released her face and wrapped her in a huge hug, lifting her feet from the ground. “I was hoping you’d say yes,” he said, his eyes dancing in the lantern light. Putting his fingers to his lips, he whistled, sharp and shrill.
Winking at her, he tipped his chin toward the path they had come down only minutes ago. Sophie turned and watched, and moments later she laughed in delight as Mama, Papa, and Pippa emerged from the maze, followed by Julia, Sir Harry, and Lady Evansleigh, Charity and Lord Cadgwith, May, and finally, a broadly grinning Mr. Wright.
Turning to Evan, she squeezed his hand, unable to believe he had organized this. Through the hedge, the sound of music drifted on the night air, making the moment absolutely perfect. “Is that an orchestra just for us?” she whispered.
“But, of course, my love. Where would we be without our family, friends, music, and most of all, each other?”
As the people they loved gathered around them and the vicar opened his small prayer book, Sophie let the tears of joy fall freely down her cheeks. She had risked everything she had—her reputation, her dreams, and her heart—and in return, she had received everything she ever wanted in life.