A Wedding in Springtime (37 page)

Mr. Oliver glanced it over. “Yes, well, it all seems to be in order.” He looked back and forth between Grant and Genie, hesitating.

“I am ashamed to say it,” Grant whispered into Oliver’s ear, “but if you marry us, it would save me from sin tonight.” Grant gave the parson a knowing smile.

“Well, I suppose, in that case, I must proceed.”

Eugenie Talbot and William Grant were married by special license in the home of the Duke of Marchford. Several hundred guests were in attendance. The bride wore white, almost the same color as the pallor of the groom. Despite some last-minute bets made in poor taste by some of the young bucks in the room, the groom did recite his vows creditably and did not collapse in a dead faint. If his voice shook, it was only for a moment, and considering the occasion, no one could think the less of him for it.

Thirty-eight

“Bremmy, you sly dog!” An older, distinguished man walked up to Lord and Lady Bremerton, who were stoically standing next to their daughter and new son-in-law to the side of the ballroom. The dowager and Penelope stood with them in a rather vain attempt not to look awkward.

“Robby! Good to see you!” exclaimed Lord Bremerton, and he introduced his friend to the family. “This is Sir Antony Roberts.”

“What a surprise you had for me. I had no idea your daughter had married my nephew!”

“Your… nephew?” asked Bremerton.

“But of course!” Sir Antony gave Dr. Roberts a hug. “This is my great-nephew and heir. If I’d known about you getting married, I would have opened the London house for you to stay in. But of course, you must have already made your arrangements. Like to help if I can.”

“Yes, thank you, Uncle,” said Dr. Roberts. “But I did not know you were acquainted with Lord Bremerton.”

“Acquainted? He is the only reason I survived the war! A truer friend I never had,” declared Robby.

“But… well, I… this is quite…” Lord Bremerton took out a handkerchief and mopped his brow. “Well, welcome to the family dear boy.” He gave Dr. Roberts, his new son-in-law, a large hug.

“And who is this ravishing creature?” asked Sir Antony, surprising the company by addressing the dowager. “I beg you would introduce me.”

“This is the Dowager Duchess of Marchford. Your Grace, may I present Sir Antony,” said Lord Bremerton.

“Charmed,” said Sir Antony, bowing over her hand. “What an amazing hostess who has arranged for what must be the most highly talked about ball of the season!”

The dowager giggled regally, as only a duchess can do.

Lord Bremerton and Sir Antony walked off to find the card table, and the newly accepted Dr. and Mrs. Roberts took to the dance floor.

“Shall I assume you are pleased with the weddings?” the dowager asked Lady Bremerton, smug as a kitten with warm milk.

“How did you ever? Well, I never… how did Madame X arrange all this?” Lady Bremerton pulled out a silk handkerchief and blotted herself.

“Madame X has her ways,” declared the dowager. “The best part of Genie’s wedding is that it has completely eclipsed any loose talk about your daughter’s marriage to Dr. Roberts.”

“Yes, oh yes. For that I am eternally grateful.”

“Madam X wanted you to know that if you are pleased, you may provide payment to my solicitor. He will know what to do with the funds.”

“Yes, yes of course. This has been…” Lady Bremerton took a large swig of something Pen suspected was stronger than Madeira. “I must lie down now. My daughter married to Sir Antony’s heir, my niece wed to Mr. Grant. My, my, my.”

“Can we truly exact payment from her when you know we had little to do with all that transpired?” whispered Penelope.

“Fate is a fickle business, Penelope,” the dowager replied in a conspiratorial tone. “One must accept the loss of her favor from time to time, just as one should always accept her gifts.”

“I suppose I shall be forced to concede you are right.”

The dowager linked arms with Pen. “Naturally, I am correct. How odd if you ever gave credence otherwise. Now please escort me to my room. I am tired and need to lie down. I also want to go over a letter I received asking for the assistance of Madame X for an American.”

“An American? But how could anyone in America know of Madame X?”

“Lady Bremerton is known far and wide for her gossip. If you thought she could keep something like a matchmaker for the
ton
a secret, you are very much confused.”

“So you wish to stay in business?”

“Business? Of course not. What a thing to say. No lady manages a business. But naturally, we will continue to support the calling of Madame X.” The dowager gave her a smile. “You did well tonight, orchestrating things.”

Penelope smiled in return. “Thought we pulled it off nicely. Genie is a sweet girl and deserves happiness. With your permission, I’ll invite the newlyweds to stay here for their honeymoon night. Grant’s family has been lovely but will not give them peace and I can’t think of sending her back to her aunt.”

“A good thought,” agreed the dowager. “Come along now, gel, and put an old woman to bed.”

***

“She married him in a big hurry,” whispered a lady to her companion.

“Makes you wonder what they had to hide,” said the Comtesse de Marseille with a knowing rise to her perfectly sculpted eyebrow.

“Indeed, why would anyone feel the need to marry with such haste?” asked another.

“Marry quickly?” asked Genie, walking up behind them and taking the gossips by surprise. “Well, if Mr. Grant proposed to you, wouldn’t you?”

The gossips were left speechless.

A well-dressed, large man began to laugh, louder and louder, until the hall turned to note the laughing man. “Yes indeed, Mrs. Grant. You have done well to marry as soon as one can. With Grant, one must seal the deal as soon as can be once he has been made to come up to scratch.”

“Your Highness.” Grant gave a bow. “May I present my wife.”

“Delighted! You are a welcome relief to my ennui. Grant, you must promise to bring her to Brighton. I hope I can rely on you to provide a diversion from these trying days.” The man turned and walked away, his stomach leading the way.

“Who was that?” whispered Genie.

“Our success in society,” returned Grant. “That was the Crown Prince, whose mother you so insulted at your presentation.”

“So all is forgiven?”

“In my opinion, there was nothing ever to forgive,” said Grant. “Come now. It is getting late. No one expects the newlyweds to be the last to leave the ball.”

“I suppose I should go home to pack a bag.” Genie sighed. “I do not even know where we are going.”

“Not far,
Mrs
. Grant,” said Grant in a slow tone, more reverent than seductive. She blushed just the same.

“I cannot believe this is true,” said Genie. “I am so tired with all that has happened, I think perhaps this is a dream.”

“Then by all means let’s get you to bed.” He led her up the main staircase by the hand, and she followed him to a grand bedroom with tall doors.

Penelope stood outside. “I have taken the liberty of requesting a bag be packed for you and brought here from your aunt’s house,” said Pen. “The Duke and Dowager Duchess of Marchford invite you to spend your honeymoon night as their guests.”

Penelope opened the door for them and revealed a graciously appointed bedroom awash in candlelight. The large white bed was covered in red rose petals. Genie walked in with a smile, then turned back to give Penelope a warm embrace.

“I know you had a hand in this, all of this, and I thank you,” said Genie.

Penelope’s face relaxed into an honest smile. “You are welcome. I wish you every happiness. And, Mr. Grant, I sincerely wish you every happiness as well.”

“Thank you, Miss Rose,” said Grant with a bow. “I greatly appreciate your sentiment.” Grant led Genie in and shut the door behind them.

One glance at the flowered bed and her stomach fluttered with nerves, which she had not anticipated, considering all they had already shared. Perhaps because this time, Grant was looking at nothing but her, his eyes black in the soft candlelight.

“This night I will not forget,” he murmured. “I do hope you will be gentle with me, since it is my first time.”

Genie laughed. “I am certainly not the first lady you have taken to bed.”

Grant gazed at her unblinking. “But you will be the last. All this time, I was only looking for you.”

Genie swallowed on a dry throat. He could elevate her pulse just by looking at her.

“And I have never been bedded by my wife,” he added.

Genie smiled. Somehow knowing there was something reserved just for her made it all the more sweeter. She took off her long gloves, one finger at a time. Grant watched her with interest as if she was doing something sensual.

He opened the trunk Penelope had packed and rummaged through the gowns. “Aha!” He held up the gauzy wrap. “Put this on!”

“With what?”

“Nothing but you,” he said with a mischievous grin.

“You have requested that once before.”

“Did I? Must have had some wits about me.”

Genie needed to remove her gown, but it was the type of fashionable garment that could not be put on or off without assistance. Grant graciously volunteered his services. As he undid the laces, she felt ridiculously embarrassed. Grant was sober now and watching every move she made. Still, after everything she had survived that day, she would not be a coward.

Her gown hit the floor, followed by her chemise and stays. Cool air shocked her skin as she reached once more for the wrap and pulled it on.

Grant sat heavily in a chair. “I have never seen such beauty.”

“Perhaps you could oblige me by doing the same.”

“You want for me to wear your wrap?” asked Grant.

Genie laughed at the idea, her skin prickling with the cool air and the need to be touched.

Grant removed his coat, waistcoat, and cravat. Genie’s heart skipped faster with every piece of clothing he removed. Soon, the shirt was gone, and he was naked save for his breeches. With these, Genie felt compelled to help.

“Would you care to join me on the bed, Mr. Grant?” she asked.

A dazzling smile lit his face. He walked to her and she put her hands on his hips and drew him to her as she sat on the bed. She slipped her fingers under the waistband of his breeches and slowly undid the fastenings. Grant groaned.

He closed his eyes and put his hands on her shoulders more to support himself than to caress her. He actually trembled when she slid his breeches and unmentionables down. She breathed in the power of making such a man vulnerable before her.

He opened his eyes and Genie gasped at the strength of raw desire within them. He bent down and kissed her, soft, hard, fast, tender, until her toes curled and her breath came in gasps. He raked her with his eyes, and wherever he looked, his fingers followed, caressing, smoothing, messaging, teasing, until it was simply impossible to sit up any longer.

She moved back with a smile and slipped under the soft covers. He followed with hungry eyes. He joined her under the covers and took her hand, kissing her wedding ring. “It does not have large jewels, but it is from my family. The three bands represent you and me and God.”

“God?”

“Biblical. Cord of three strands. What God has joined together… something like that.”

“Last time I came to you. I wanted you, but I knew in my heart it wasn’t right. Tonight…” She lifted her hand with her ring and pointed to the three intertwined strands. “To be joined with you in matrimony before we are joined together in bed, that is perfect.”

“The ring is only meant to be given to one’s true love. That is what you are to me. My one and only love.”

“I have been afraid to love you,” whispered Genie. “But I confess, I have loved you ever since you made me laugh before the queen.”

“Shall I ever be forgiven for that indiscretion?”

Genie shook her head. “I fear you shall have to do penance every night for life.”

“And what shall my penance be?” This was the seductive Grant. He snuggled next to her on his side taking full advantage of exploring her body.

“You shall be required to make me smile every day and every night.”

“Let me see what I can do to bring a smile to your face.” He covered her with his own body like a blanket and kissed her until she felt a tightening in her stomach. She wanted more. With deft hands, he massaged places that brought a wide smile to her face.

“I see I am doing my job. Let me see what I can do to increase that smile.” With gentle movements, he joined with her, man and wife. Her smile did increase as he gradually increased his speed and pressure.

Something coiled within her, and she moved with it, searching for release. She held him close, urging him faster. He responded with a growl and then a groan as his body clenched. The coil within her released sending waves of pleasure spinning through her.

He collapsed next to her, still holding her in his arms, unwilling to let go. “Did you smile, my love?”

“I doubt I’ll stop smiling for a week,” breathed Genie, still trying to catch her breath. “But do not think for a moment I will allow you to shirk your duties.”

“I shall accept my fate with abandon.” Grant closed his eyes and his breathing began to steady.

Genie rested her head on his shoulder. “Oh dear!”

Grant was jarred awake. “What? What is it?”

“I just thought of something. Where are we going to live? Your parents are home now, and we cannot live in bachelor’s quarters. Perhaps we could rent a cottage in the country?”

Grant relaxed back into the pillow. “A cottage? My dear, my family has multiple country estates. We may visit them all and you can choose your favorite.”

Genie was silent for a moment. “Are you very rich?”

“It is ‘we’ now, and I suppose so.” Grant yawned.

“Then we can provide housing for all the urchins,” said Genie happily.

“Yes, yes, I told you one of our estates actually provides a home for orphans.” Grant closed his eyes and snuggled closer. “The boys will go there.”

“Yes, but there are more orphans in London. We could take care of them all!”