A Dangerous Masquerade (34 page)

             
She had been uncertain who would give her away but now the problem was solved, for her uncle had claimed the privilege.  Sister Helene would stand as her maid of honour and Lady Gillian’s children were both dressed in pretty pink gowns and would be her bridesmaids.

             
It was perhaps an odd wedding by society standards but for Constance it was perfect.  Moraven had arranged everything as she would wish, even supplying her lack of family and friends.

             
As she walked down the aisle on her uncle’s arm, she saw Jane and Doctor Morgan amongst the congregation.  Moraven was waiting for her.  He had chosen Jim to represent his faithful comrades as his best man and she saw that the others were sitting in the front pew in the place of honour.  Most of the church was filled with people from the estate, servants and a handful of close neighbours and friends, which made for a jolly atmosphere and quite a few whispers and giggles from children as the bride joined her groom before the altar.

             
As she stood beside him, Moraven turned his head to look at her and she read the question in his eyes.  She smiled in reassurance and he nodded, looking pleased – and then the Vicar began to address the congregation…

‘And so, my darling,’ Moraven said as they stood hand in hand on the steps of the church and listened to the cheering of the villagers and the happy laughter all about them.  ‘Are you happy?’

             
‘Happier than I could have expected to be,’ she said and looked at him, all the love she felt inside welling over in the smile she flashed at him.  ‘This is a perfect day.’

             
‘The first of many I hope,’ he said and leaned forward to kiss her, which raised a rousing cheer from his men.

             
Then they were dashing for the carriage beneath an arch of swords.  Villagers crowded forward to shower them with rose petals and rice.  Inside, Moraven drew her to him, kissing her with tenderness and passion.

             
‘Last night was the longest of my life,’ he murmured huskily.  ‘I never want to leave you again, Constance.’

             
‘I pray that you never will,’ she said.  ‘You are all I shall ever want – my love and my life.’

             
‘Then we are of one accord,’ he said and smiled.  ‘But for now we have to make this a good day for our friends and people – one that will make them remember it for the rest of their lives.’

             
‘Yes,’ she sighed contentedly.  ‘As we shall – and then we have to do it all again in London…’

             
‘Do not look so anxious.  You have conquered my people’s hearts and you will have them falling at your feet in London.’

             
‘Not literally I hope,’ she said.  ‘It might be a little awkward, don’t you think?’

             
‘Behave yourself, Connie,’ he murmured.  ‘Or I might just have to take you upstairs before the reception and spank you…’

             
‘Promises…promises…’ she gurgled.  ‘But you are right.  First we have our duty to our friends…’

‘Did I not tell you that you would have society at your feet?’

             
Constance looked at her husband of just two weeks and laughed.  ‘I would not say they were exactly at my feet, dearest.’

             
‘Nonsense!  Had I not made sure of you first half the bucks in Society would have been proposing to you by now.  I am sure Connie might have a dozen proposals if she wished – and not all of them have marriage in mind.  Be careful of James Donaldson and Sir Henry Grant.  They are rakes of the first water and would have you into bed in an instant if you agreed.’

             
‘Well, I have no intention of agreeing,’ Constance said and smiled up at him.  ‘Do I detect a note of jealousy, Laurence?’

             
‘Perhaps – but I know them too well. I know what is in their minds, my love.’

             
‘Because you were a rake?’ she asked innocently.  ‘I have heard some whispers but no one has yet dared to tell me to my face.’

             
‘Give them time.  I have Prinny’s favour at the moment but when the novelty wears off they will remember.  And your court would use anything to turn you towards them.’

             
‘Well, since you are to take me on my wedding trip in two days I hardly think it matters.  By the time we come back I dare say things will have changed a little…’

             
‘What does that mean?’

             
‘It means that we anticipated our wedding night, dearest, and if I am not mistaken I am already carrying our first child.  I shall not come to town again until after the babe is born and by that time I shall no longer be the toast of the Ton.’

             
‘A child – are you sure?’  She nodded and he drew her to him.  ‘It is something I had hoped for but a little soon – you do not mind?’

             
‘Why should I?  Since I adore my husband and I am happy to stay in the country most of the time, I shall be pleased to give you a son or a daughter, Laurence.’

             
‘I should like a girl just the image of you.’

             
‘And I should like a boy who will follow in his father’s footsteps.’

             
‘Perhaps we shall have both – but not at the same time, for your sake, my love.’

             
‘We shall have whatever the Good Lord sends us,’ Constance said and leaned into him to place a kiss on his lips.  He caught her to him and the kiss deepened, becoming hot and hungry until she laughed and broke away.  ‘I think we should go down, dearest one.  The ball will start in half an hour and we have guests waiting.’

             
‘We could send them all away.’

             
‘Yes, we could,’ she agreed.  ‘But we shan’t because everyone has been to a great deal of trouble on our behalf.  Behave yourself, my dearest one.  The night will pass and then we shall have several weeks of travelling when we may do exactly as we please…and if I feel a little tired I shall not get up too early in the mornings.’

             
‘If we get up at all,’ he murmured and laughed as her eyes took fire.  ‘You are perfectly right, Constance.  We must entertain our guests – and we have the rest of our lives before us…’