Laughing, he shook his head, reaching out just in time to wrap his arms around her and pull her back to himself.

“It's not too late to pull out, you know?” She sighed.

“Hm...” he said, his gaze running over her beautiful face. She was right; next to a prim and proper lady, Gretchen would possibly come out looking very bad. But as he stared at her, he realized he loved her imperfections —he loved the fact that she could breathe into his face, he loved her smile and her ability to kiss him in any given occasion, he loved her compassion and dedication to Elizabeth, and he absolutely loved the freckles on her nose and the way they seem to come together in unison when she's nervous.

“I can't pull out, my love, I simply shall not survive it.” He admitted, smiling at her.

She returned his smile and leaned further into him. “Are you certain about the wedding? We have only been engaged for a week.”

“I'm fully certain.”

“Great then! The first thing I want to do is to send out invites to my family and friends in America. My invites will take a few weeks to get to them and it most certainly will take them a while to get here.” She turned to him, a bright smile lighting up her beautiful face. “I simply cannot wait to be your wife, Lord Williams.”

He opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Jacob's appearance at the entryway to the private parlor he now shared with Gretchen.

Jacob bowed his head in embarrassment at the sight of Gretchen seated atop Ethan's lap.

Gretchen made to rise to her feet at the sight of Jacob but Ethan didn't feel like being proper today so he tightened his hold around her waist, holding her captive.

“Is there a problem?” he addressed Jacob.

“Visitors, my lord.”

He frowned; he hadn't been expecting visitors and had earlier given Jacob the instruction not to disturb his time with Gretchen unless it was important. But with the stricken look on the butler's face, he imagined that the particular visitor was most likely quite important.

“Have them wait in the drawing room then. I shall be there shortly.”

“Of course, my lord,” Jacob bowed at the waist, before turning around and leaving the room.

Gretchen turned to him then, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. He raised a brow in question and she shook her head, rising to her feet instead. “I will busy myself with other things while you see to your guests.” She said, before leaning down and brushing her lips against his.

He moaned, desiring to pull her further into his arms and kiss her properly, but he was quickly reminded of his unexpected guest.

Straightening, she gave him a teasing wink and turned to walk out of the room, swaying her hips dramatically as she did so.

Laughing at her antics, he rose to his feet as well. He wasn't exactly happy about the intrusive visitor who hadn't bothered to send word before showing up, and whose lack of decency was costing him his quality time with Gretchen.