The Rake and the Recluse REDUX (a time travel romance) (69 page)

The only thing Francine knew about the ceremony was that instead of a Saturday morning wedding, as was customary, they would have a Friday evening wedding, followed by a full night of dancing and dining. Twenty cases of sweet, thick, Lindisfarne honey mead awaited the traditional toast that sent the newlyweds off to honeymoon. She’d no idea what Gideon had planned, but as with every dinner he’d orchestrated with Chef—on the balcony, in the maze, on the roof—she couldn’t wait to find out.

The entire household rested that afternoon, so as to be ready for the night’s festivities, and after that Francine was not allowed out of her room.

Mrs. Weston fussed over her while Gelema, Alice, Maryse, and Amélie helped. The gown was a beautiful, creamy white silk, the skirts long and full, creating a train that flowed out behind Francine like moth’s wings. The bodice was cut low and close, with a silk georgette scarf across the neckline. It was trimmed in blue, as Roxleigh had asked that she wear her sapphire necklace for him. He had also sent her a matched set of sapphire earrings that had belonged to his mother. The gesture touched her deeply, and she felt like a princess as the ladies fussed, meticulously pinning her hair up and securing a long, flowing net at her crown.

“Ah, milady, you’re a vision,” Mrs. Weston said, clasping her hands together as tears welled in her eyes. She smiled and turned to help the sisters who crouched behind Francine, giggling, as they straightened the folds of her skirts. They flounced the fabric so it would breathe and move with her.

Francine hugged Mrs. Weston. “I love you as I would love a mother. You are so dear and precious to me.”

Mrs. Weston’s tears fell.

Gelema took Francine’s wrist and clasped a sapphire and diamond bracelet around her long glove.

Francine looked down. “Oh my, Gelema, I simply cannot—”

“This too was Melisande’s. She gave it to me as a wedding gift. I already spoke with Roxleigh, and I am giving it to you with his blessing. The set will once again be complete.”

Francine’s eyes stung and she stared into the gaslights on the wall, trying to stave off the threatening tears.
I need to at least make it to the altar before becoming a sobbing mess
.

Gelema took her arms and kissed her cheeks as a loud knock came at the door.

“Is everybody decent?” came Perry’s booming baritone.

“Perry,” Francine screamed as she ran across the room toward him, snapping her train from the hands of her sisters.

He stepped around the last panel between them, and his breath caught in his chest.

She launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek. “Oh Perry, I am so glad to see you! Are you well? Does Gideon know?”

He laughed and lowered her to the ground. “There is rarely anything that happens at Eildon without his knowledge, though I may just have one surprise that has slipped his notice,” he said with a smile, taking her hand in his and kissing her knuckles.

She watched him carefully, his hand on hers, then gasped. “Perry!” she yelled, drawing the attention of the room, “is that a wedding band?”

He grinned devilishly, then bowed. “My lady, there will be much time to chat. For now, as your guardian, it would be my honor to escort you to pledge
your
troth.” He put his gloves on and held out his arm.

Francine smiled and took it.

“Ladies, you have just enough time to find your seats,” he said with a wink.

The countess gathered her skirts, rushing past Francine with a kiss as she headed out of the passage with Lady Alice and Mrs. Weston. Maryse and Amélie were left behind to tend the train.

Francine assumed that the ceremony would be in the ballroom, so when they turned down the passageway in the opposite direction she was confused. She saw the beginning of the sunset breaking through the transom window, the brightest streaks of light across the horizon just threatening to unleash their vibrant glory.

Perry led her down the hall and through another passage, then down a set of stairs that she thought led to the passages behind the dining room.

She shook her head. They were on the wrong side of the manor, but Perry simply smiled down at her. When he opened the passage, they were standing at the front of the manor just beyond the great entrance. The grand table had been moved out and hundreds of chairs were filled with guests who began to stand, turning to look at her as the door opened.

She smiled at her sisters as they billowed her skirts behind her, then she took a deep breath and crossed the threshold.

There were chains of lavender hanging from the doorways, lining the aisle of chairs, and wrapping around the balustrade that led up to the first floor and—and her duke. She exhaled when she saw him at the top of the grand staircase, waiting for her, inconceivably handsome, gazing down upon her.

He wore a perfectly pressed black suit, a crisp white shirt and neck cloth, and a sapphire blue waistcoat that matched the trim on her gown. He also wore his royal blue garter sash adorned with medals, garter stars, and badges denoting and honoring his heritage and position as a peer of the realm.

It struck her then, looking upon his decorated chest, how very important this man was to the kingdom. Without being led or looking for permission, like the first time they’d met, she was drawn forward.

Perry steadied her as they climbed to the landing. He stood momentarily between Gideon and his bride. Bowing and kissing her hand, he turned to his brother and embraced him, then moved to stand next to him. Her sisters followed quietly, standing next to her.

As the ceremony began, the golden streaks of sunset blazed through the high windows above the family parlor into the great entrance, catching the crystal of the giant chandelier and emblazoning the walls in rainbows of color. The beams of light caught on her jewels and his, forcing her eyelids to flutter.

Francine was overcome. Her hands trembled and Gideon turned to her, holding them tightly before pledging his troth. She looked into his deep green eyes which were swimming with emotion, and repeated everything said. She slowly removed his gloves, then he hers, and their bare skin sparked at their first touch as husband and wife.

Gideon grasped Francine’s left hand in his and slid a perfect, deep blue sapphire onto her finger—the fourth piece of the matched set she wore—and her eyes grew wide and filled with tears.

She looked up at him in time to hear the priest say “
Husband
and wife.” It was then her tears fell.

The ripple of words rushed through the crowd at the impropriety of the proclamation, and Gideon stepped closer to her, his bejeweled sash pressing against her as he bent, running his hand up her nape into her hair, gently pulling her head back to meet him. He smiled, his lips descending to hers. He kissed her, pulling her closer still, for a scandalously long time.

Even for a married couple.

Over the past year I have received an incredible amount of support. This book would not be what it is today without the help of every single one of you.

Elise Rome
, an amazing author who provided mentoring as well as stellar copy and content editing for this new edition.

Kati “McSquee”
and Jamie Lynn of
Romancing Rakes for The Love of Romance
for their undying devotion to my story and my images and her never ending promotion.

Rita Jett
of
Not Another Romance Blog
for a good bit of fun anytime, as well as the coolest
book trailer
ever made.

Danielle
of
Ramblings From This Chick
round out the crew, and make for insane late nights on twitter.

A special thank you to Mr. LeBlanc, for continuing to support me.

Cora, Auberry and Fallon, thank you for all of your help in studio.

Sarah Clark
for her incredible hair and makeup.

Mary Cates for her dedication to my little project.

Derek, my hero, there wouldn’t be this book without you.

So many people helped to make the original edition of this book a success. So many that there is no possible way for me to thank everyone here. But I invite you to visit my
website
and check out the
links
for all the places I’ve been, these bloggers have made this year the most exciting one yet.

The Right Honourable, Peregrine Afton Trumbull, Viscount Roxleigh :
Derek Hutchins

Lilly Steele :
Mary Cates

His Grace, Gideon Alrick Trumbull, 10th Duke of Roxleigh :
Derek Hutchins

Francine Adelais Larrabee : Cora Kemp