Good heavens! How much money did England plan on spending for him? First the grand wedding, then there was this over the top estate, and finally he opened the present for Ms. Abbott. All the money that the queen and the parliament were pouring down its little secret service department was overwhelming. It made him feel more than just a bit anxious as to what his superiors’ expectations were. But that was a topic better discussed with Mr. Lawrence Bennett.

For the moment, Nick reveled in the surprise that registered in her face upon seeing his gift. Her eyes, those eyes he would most certainly adore, went wide and her lips produced a single syllable. [i]”Oh…”[/i] His lips curved at the ends. He was possibly as surprised as she was when he saw the expensive piece of jewelry, but Nick had mastered the art of looking confident and all-knowing.

[i]“Nicholas, I don’t understand. I agreed to marry you, there’s no reason for this,”[/i] she said, running her dainty fingers on the shining stones. He would have had a witty or a charming come back, but Ms. Abbott had it her way. Without waiting for him to explain the gift, the lady tip toed and quickly, but gently covered his lips with hers. It caught the gentleman off-guard, he nearly dropped the necklace. He was surprised by her boldness, but that was not to say that he was not pleased. Her lips were soft and she was undoubtedly a beautiful lady. She might not be his red-headed crush, but then again Bennett could have had set him up with someone worse. 

She pulled away as quick as she had engaged with the kiss, then turned around and requested for him to help her put on the necklace. Claire didn’t give him a chance to recover. She pulled her hair to one side, exposing the creamy complexion of her nape and the bare skin of her back and shoulders. Blasted jewelry! Was she deliberately seducing him? Well, two can play her game.

While she talked about the wedding, he freed the necklace from its box then asked her to hold on to it for a while. Nick stepped closer to her then reached around her to carefully place the jewelry over her chest. She smelled like flowers blooming in spring. “Is the length alright with you?” He whispered from behind her right ear. “I told you I intended to court you before we wed. It was not part of my plan to reveal to you that like you, I was also forced into this situation. Besides, somebody once told me that the key to a happy life is a happy wife.” 

After securing the clasp at her nape, his gloved hand traced a trail from the nape to her right arm and down to her hand. Warmth radiated from her skin through the material of the gloves he most specially wanted to get rid of. Nick closed his hand around hers raised it over her head and, before she could protest, twirled her around so that she was facing him

“Miss Abbott,” he said, diving in the pools of her bright eyes. "I will not blame you if you desire the company of another. I know you don't love me. However," he lowered their joined hands. At the same time his other hand found the small of her back and pulled her ever so close against him. The gems were momentarily forgotten, he was aware of only her presence. The knuckles of his right hand touched her cheek, caressing it lightly. "I intend to change that."

He leaned in into the softness of her lips, damning all the society’s rules about propriety and proper conduct. The kiss was polite and gentle, but not lacking in passion. Nick wanted her to know, without using words, that he was as willing as her to try and make the relationship work. He wanted her to understand it, and believe in it. This was still part of his work, and this was his cover. She was now one of the people he had to decieve.

Nicholas pulled away reluctantly, though he kept an arm around her. “How very inappropriate,” his smile was sheepish. “But then again, the worst that could happen if we get caught is to be forced into marriage. So what the hell. But I’m afraid I must return you to your father’s house. I will be in constant contact.”

He wasn’t. In fact, he didn’t show his face again to Claire until the very day of their wedding.