Page 98 of To Spark a Match
She arched a brow Gideon’s way. “And ... why have you given me this?”
He moved closer to her, took the wig out of her hands, plopped it on her head, and nodded. “Perfect, but just so you know, that’s actually a gift from Sophia. She’s apparently still feeling contrite over almost getting you killed, which was why she didn’t hesitate to give me her very favorite platinum wig when I went to inquire where she purchases them.”
“And you thought I needed a wig because...?”
“It seems as if there’s an aristocrat in England who may be dabbling in trading American secrets. This man is married to an American whose father is often courted by English gentlemen because he possesses a very large fortune. From what little we know, this aristocrat stole sensitive information from hisfather-in-law and is even now searching for a buyer. He’s hosting a costume ball three weeks from now and ... you’ll need a costume.”
Adelaide forgot to breathe for the briefest of moments. “You’re going to take me out in the field with you?”
“And make you an official associate of the accounting firm.” He smiled. “I thought it might be a wedding present you’d enjoy.”
A laugh escaped her before she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him close. “It’s the best wedding present you could have ever given me.”
“Better than the diamond necklace I sent over last night?”
“Indeed.”
“What about the building I purchased for you a few doors down from this very shop that you can now turn into a sanctuary for cats?”
“That was an amazingly sweet gesture, but yes, even better than that.”
“What about—”
She placed her finger over his lips. “You’ve overindulged me tremendously since I told you I’d marry you, which means we could be here all day discussing how much better your officially making me an associate of the accounting firm is compared to everything else you’ve lavished on me.”
“Why do I get the distinct feeling you’d rather spend the scant few minutes we have left before Camilla returns doing something other than talking?”
She smiled. “You do know me well, my darling Gideon, because yes, I have something else in mind.”
His lips curved. “And that would be?”
“An experiment, so to speak, one to make certain that the sparks between us are increasing with time, not diminishing.”
“I don’t believe it’s possible for them to diminish.”
She leaned closer. “I’m sure you’re right, but no sense losing an opportunity to put that theory to a test.”
As Gideon settled his hands around her waist, Adelaide drew his head closer and pressed her lips to his, realizing in that moment that she’d been completely wrong in her belief she was meant to remain a spinster because Gideon was certainly the spark she’d needed in her life, one she knew would never be extinguished.
