Adelaide shook her head, sputtering. “Just like a man. I shall try for simple elegance. And if we are talking of a gown she might wear to our wedding, it would also be suitable for evening wear, if not a ball, yes? Why am I even asking you? Consider it done, Basset. And knowing now that you have a sister, I shall purchase her something with my own money, not yours. It would mean nothing at all if I were to give her something that you purchased.”

“Whatever you think is best, Miss Dyer,” Basset replied with the same detached manner he had used the whole of their previous conversation. But now he wore a smile she could actually count as a smile. And heavens, did that change the man’s features for the better.

“Stop smiling at me,” Adelaide spat before she could let the effect of such a thing weigh on her. “My greater favor is marrying you, I can assure you. If you’ll excuse me, I must make the most of my remaining time as a free woman.” She turned on her heel and tugged her hand out of his hold, belatedly recollecting he had held it.

And how comfortable that had felt.

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Harrison had every reason to believe he would die before he ever took vows in a church.

The agony of anticipation was one possible cause of death; not because he was beside himself with the pains of delay, or because he was perishing by thoughts of what joys marriage would bring. It was simply because he was bored out of his mind and just wanted the thing over and done with. What point was there in having banns read three Sundays consecutively? Why not just one week and have done with it? If someone had an objection to the match and was not in the Sunday service where it was read, that should be on their own head, not the parties being wedded. Four weeks was interminable, and no one would convince him otherwise.

The other potential mode of his premature departure from mortality would be by the hands of his bride.That one, he took a little more pleasure in.

Adelaide Dyer was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his entire life—and the most venomous. Certainly the most spoiled, and without a doubt the most unpleasant. He could not give her the title of most outspoken simply because he happened to know his sister bore that mantle.

She would box his ears if she knew he had called her shy, even if it was only the simpler excuse for her absence from his wedding.

And his bride. . .