Suzette set the gown over the end of the bed with a pleased little sigh and then bent to search through the chest again, her behind once more bobbing before his eyes as she said, “I suppose I should take at least three or four dresses, don’t you think?”

Daniel growled what might have been agreement as he watched her behind bobble about. Damn, the woman was driving him crazy.

“What is Woodrow like?” she asked suddenly, her voice coming muffled from inside the chest.

“I—It’s nice, I guess. Lots of farm land and trees, a small pond for swimming. Of course the house still needs some repair,” he answered, his voice and mind distracted by her behind.

“Will we live there or in the city, do you think?”

Daniel raised his eyebrows, the question actually garnering his full attention. Last night Suzette had said she wanted the right to live separate lives if she wished, but that question sounded as if she didn’t wish to after all. That was encouraging, he supposed. Well, it would be if he’d decided to marry her. Clearing his throat, he said, “Woodrow mostly, though I shall have to travel to town on occasion for business.”

“Oh, I’m so glad you said that!” Suzette smiled at him over her shoulder. “I grew up in the country and it’s much nicer than town don’t you think? The air is so sooty here, and it’s so crowded and . . .” She shrugged and turned back to the chest. “I would just rather raise children in the country.”

Daniel blinked slightly at the words as her behind bobbed into the air once more. Children? Of course were they to marry they would eventually have children, he realized and suddenly imagined a small Suzette with pigtails and sparkling eyes and a mischievous grin like her mother. The image was a charming one and Daniel found himself smiling.

“I should like to have a couple of boys as well as a daughter I think,” Suzette said happily, speaking into the chest.

An image of two serious young boys rose in his mind, one standing protectively on each side of the mischievous girl and his gaze shifted back to Suzette as she added, “I suspect you were a handsome boy when young. I wish I could have seen you then.”

Daniel tilted his head slightly, wondering if he’d imagined the wistful tone of her voice as she said that, but merely asked, “You won’t mind missing town life?”

“What is there to miss?” she asked, rising up to glance over her shoulder again.

Daniel shrugged. “Balls, soirees, the theater.”