Author's Notes: Reviews are appreciated, it's nice to know that you're reading and enjoying the story.

Chapter 25

Samantha moaned against Jack's mouth as his hand navigated through her complex petticoats and found the soft flesh of her thighs just above her stockings. With each caress, his hand moved closer to her sex and she arched towards his hand. Twisting onto their sides to allow better access, they continued their explorations. Samantha stroked Jack through his pants as his hand cupped her wetness.

Locked in a tight embrace, Jack and Samantha were oblivious as her father entered the room and his outraged cry interrupted them, "Get your hands off my daughter!"

Dragging her mouth from Jack's, Samantha shot her father a venomous look and struggled to get up. Her skirts were thoroughly tangled as she had been moving against Jack. Jack tried to help her get untangled and the two fell off the settee and onto the floor in an undignified heap. Despite the frustration of being interrupted, the pair began to laugh at the absurdity of their position.

"This is no laughing matter!" Samantha's father spluttered.

Although irritated, Jack knew the man was acting the way any decent father would have in the 18th century. Forcing a contrite expression, Jack stood and apologized, "Do forgive us, we got slightly carried away."

Samantha's father offered her his hand to help her up and she ignored it, pulling herself off the floor. The hurt expression on his face made her feel guilty. As far as he was concerned she was his innocent daughter and he was merely trying to look after her. While the interruption was frustrating, she knew it had been out of care and concern.

Laying a hand on his arm, she said gently, "I'm sorry, I'm just very anxious to be married to Jack."

The man's face changed instantly and he kissed Samantha's cheek as he mused, "Well the wedding is tomorrow."

Seeing the smoldering glances his daughter and Jack exchanged, he admonished, "However I will ask that you restrain yourselves until after the wedding."

The couple sighed and nodded reluctantly.

"Perhaps you should both see about changing for dinner," Samantha's father suggested. Then added, "Separately."

Jack and Samantha headed upstairs to change and paused to exchange a lingering kiss in the hallway before heading to their rooms. As they broke apart, Samantha's ladies maid spotted them and drug Samantha away scolding her as she did. While she helped Samantha changed, she continued to scold her until Samantha felt like snapping the woman's neck. Having someone to help her dress was a regrettably necessity due to the complexity of her clothing, but she resolved to have Jack hire someone else as soon as possible.

When Jack entered his room, he found Phillippe waiting for him, though his usually formal valet had abandoned his cravat and had a glass of brandy in hand. As soon as he saw Jack he apologized, "Sorry, Viscomte."

Smiling, Jack laughed, "It's quite all right, Phillippe. Things don't have to be formal between us in private. If you're agreeable, I'm much more interested in having you as my advisor than my valet."

"Yes, sir."

"Jack," he corrected.

"Jack, it's just that-"

"You have a million questions and cannot decide which to ask first?" Jack ventured.

Nodding, Phillippe agreed, "Exactly."

"I will answer what I can Phillippe. But try to understand, some things I will not be able to answer for your own peace of mind and to preserve the way things are in my time." Jack told him as he began to select clothing. As he began to undress, he added, "And until the wedding is over and certain tensions are resolved, my patience level is rather low."

"Quite," Phillippe commented with a grin as Jack fought to get his knee breeches fastened over his partially aroused manhood.

Once Jack finished dressing, he went downstairs where Samantha was waiting with her father and her ladies maid. Over dinner, Jack and Samantha exchanged longing glances across the length of the table as they sat through the myriad of courses. The estate's informal dining room boasted a table that was twenty feet long and it kept them far apart. Once they were married, things would be done a bit differently, Jack decided.

Married! Tomorrow he was going to marry his Samantha! The surrealness of their surroundings and their situation had been eclipsing the wonder of the fact he was going to marry his Samantha. As they rose from the table, Jack abandoned any attempt at propriety as he strode towards Samantha and kissed her. Ignoring the loud squawks of her ladies maid, Jack held Samantha tightly. When he raised his mouth from hers he shot her father an apologetic glance.

"What was that for?" Samantha asked breathlessly.

"It just hit fully hit me that we're getting married tomorrow," Jack murmured, continuing to hold her tightly.

"And a good thing too," Samantha's father grumbled.

Remaining in Jack's embrace, Samantha offered, "At least you can rest easily knowing I'm marrying well and that I'm happy."

Samantha's maid demanded, "Release my charge immediately."

Ignoring the maid, Samantha's father dismissed her and sent her upstairs. With a sigh he inquired, "If I allow you two an hour to take a turn about the garden, will you promise to restrain yourselves?"

"Thank you!" Samantha smiled and kissed his cheek.

Hand in hand, Jack and Samantha practically ran from the room and headed out to the gardens. In the rose garden, they sat down on a bench and gazed at the reflecting pool in the fading light. Neither said anything for several minutes as they sat in silent communion holding hands and staring at the water. Basking in being close and no disapproving chaperone near by, they watched the sunset.

Finally Jack remarked, "It's very different from Atlanta."

"Yes it is," she agreed.

"Are you- that is could you ever be happy here?" Jack hesitated softly.

Turning to Jack, Samantha countered, "What do you mean, could I be happy here? I am happy here."

"Life is different here."

Placing a brief kiss on Jack's lips, Samantha confessed, "In some ways I think I like life better here."

"And why is that?" Jack whispered as he gazed into her eyes.

"Why do you think?" Samantha breathed softly.

"Us?"

Wrapping her arms around Jack, Samantha answered him by pressing her lips to his, drawing him into a languid kiss that seemed to go on for hours...