He only nodded. It had seemed like that to him as well. “I trust between the two of you, our home will be a much nicer place to live.”

“To be sure it will be.” She followed Eleanor into the music room. “How long will you be away after your wedding?”

“Three weeks.” Eleanor had been gazing out the window, where climbing rosebushes were just starting to show their buds. “I would like to bring the colors of the flowers into this room.”

Mrs. Rollins made some notes. “I will ask the head gardener what flowers were used for the bed under the roses.”

They finally ended up in John’s bedroom. He could already see how much brighter the house would feel when it was finished.

“Where do you want the bathing chamber?” Mrs. Rollins asked.

His betrothed frowned. “We forgot to discuss that part.”

“We will need to know by tomorrow.” She put her pads in a large satchel. “I shall leave you now to work it out. Ideally, it should be near the servants’ stairs for the access to the kitchen or cellar.” He must have looked confused because she added, “Pipes.”

“Of course. Shall I walk you out?” John asked

“Thank you, my lord, but that is not necessary.” She picked up her bag. “I will be in and out of here a great deal. It would be a nuisance for both of us if I had to be escorted around.”

“I see what you mean.” She left the room, closing the door behind her and leaving him alone with Eleanor. “What shall we do now?”

She smiled slowly. “I think I might have an idea or two.”

Good Lord. Was she really thinking what he was?

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

So far, things were working out better than she had expected. Eleanor had had her dresser put her hair up in a simple knot and worn a gown with buttons down the back. She took off the light spencer, laying it across the back of a wooden chair. John stared at her and swallowed. “Where is your valet?”

“I gave him a half day off. He won’t be back until it’s time for me to dress for the ball.” He sauntered over to her as she reached up to take the pins out of her hair. “Allow me. I’ve been wanting to touch your hair since the first time I saw you.”

This was the thing that kept drawing her to him. The passion that sizzled between them. “Do not lose the hairpins.”

Bending his head, he pressed his firm lips to hers, and she opened her mouth. Their tongues tangled as he walked her back toward the bed. Tress by tress, her hair fell over her shoulders and down her back.

He threaded his fingers through her hair. “Beautiful and so soft. I want to see the rest of you.”