With His Ring (Brides of Bath Book 2) by Cheryl Bolen

her arms around Glee. "I'm truly happy for
you."
    The door to the morning room opened and the
gentlemen entered. George went to stand behind his wife and
lovingly put his hands on her shoulders. "I am, too," he said,
looking at Glee. "You've made me a very happy brother."
    To her utter surprise, Blanks came to stand
behind Glee and, obviously taking a cue from George, put his hands
on her shoulders. "Me too, my love," Blanks said to her.
    Glee's heart melted. She didn't know which
made her the happiest. His hands on her or hearing him address her
as my love . Even if such actions were nothing more than a
sham, she relished them. She fully realized, albeit with
disappointment, he didn't care a fig for her. But Glee Pembroke,
soon to be Mrs. Blankenship, had a great deal of confidence in
herself. I will make him love me. A pity Blanks was so very
stubborn.
    "When is the date to be?" Diana asked.
    "Four weeks from Sunday," George said. "In
our village church."
    Diana looked puzzled but said nothing.
    "In the meantime, love," Blanks said to
Glee, "you have much to do. You must select a house for us in Bath
and set about furnishing it."
    "And you'll need a trousseau," Diana
reminded Glee.
    Glee bit at her lip. "I don't suppose,
Diana. . ."
    "Georgette will be fine with her nurse and
wet nurse," Diana finished. "I'll be delighted to accompany you to
Bath."
    Bless Diana! "You're a jewel," Glee said to
her.
    Blanks bent and kissed Glee on the top of
her shining auburn hair. "It pains me to tell you, love, I return
to Bath within the hour."
    Really, he could have made his fortune on
the stage! He sounded so convincing. To think, he even kissed her
on the top of her head! The odious man avoided her lips! She very
strongly desired to receive a real kiss from her
betrothed.
    * * *
    That afternoon Blanks returned to Bath. The
three others paraded through the manor's impressive front doors to
see him off as the groom brought around his horse. Before he
climbed on the mount, Gregory took both of Glee's hands. "I shall
miss you dreadfully, my love."
    She smiled up at him. "It won't be but three
days until we're reunited, my darling."
    As Blanks stood there gazing upon her with a
decidedly forlorn look, Glee's heart fluttered. Then he bent to
kiss her, and her stomach vaulted as she rose on her toes to taste
him. The touch of his lips was magical. It was as if the birds
chorused louder when their lips came together, stopping her pulse.
She quite forgot there were any other creatures on earth, save
Blanks and her and perhaps the happily singing birds. She delighted
in his musky scent and the sturdy feel of him. The man was a
positive paradox. So very large and so excruciatingly tender.
    Then she nearly unraveled when his arms came
around her. She felt unbelievably feminine. And ripe with
womanhood.
    He managed to terminate the kiss but
continued to hold her—even more tightly. "I'll miss you," he said
throatily.
    He sounded so convincing! I shall miss
you too . She wanted to say the words but found she had lost her
voice.
    Then he pulled away and mounted his bay. He
tipped his hat to George. "I thank you and Lady Sedgewick for your
hospitality—and for making me the happiest of men." Then he rode
off without a backward glance at Glee.
    Look out, Edmund Kean , Glee mused.
The greatest actor in England now undoubtedly was Gregory
Blankenship. Anyone watching that parting scene would be thoroughly
convinced of his deep affection for her.
    * * *
    During the next few days Glee was so busy
with wedding arrangements and packing for Bath that she had little
time to dwell of Blanks. Until her last night at Hornsby Manor.
Exhausted from her preparations, she sank into bed, fully intending
to sleep, but she was unable to do so. Blanks kept intruding on her
thoughts. It was hard to believe she would be Mrs. Blankenship
before the month was out.
    She was fully aware that marrying the man
she adored would not guarantee any happily-ever-afters. She knew
the