This evening, they would commence with some cherishing…
“Lady Winterbourne?”
Who?
Oh yes, and she swivelled.
“My lord?”
Her husband smiled and Tamsyn saw all the joy ahead of her.
Jack grasped his wife’s hand. “I merely wanted to say those words aloud.”
Indeed, he’d speak them all morning, shout them to the world this afternoon, whisper them along her naked skin tonight.
She shook her head and, with a laugh, skipped off to hug her father, who stood with Lord and Lady Rainham discussing the last known whereabouts of Napoleon’s missing drinks cabinet.
Jack’s superior had accepted his resignation with a firm handshake and declared he’d assessed the probability of that request to be one hundred per cent. Rainham had also confided that, with a peace treaty being negotiated, he was hoping to step back a little himself.
“She’s delightful, Jack.” He swung to his best man, the Earl of Rookdean, his childhood friend who’d been with him through many a traumatic day.
“Thank you, Rook. And I’m overjoyed you could come…all of you.” As behind him stood his wife, Clara, chatting to the Duchess of Rakecombe, whilst their twin babes crawled around the ladies’ silk slippers. As one decided to investigate the duchess’s petticoats with a chubby fist, Rook dashed off with a wink. “Takes after his wicked godfather…in your salad days, needless to say.”
The entire scene of friends and family caused Jack’s heart to swell, that same heart which he’d thought to be unstirred and untouched.
Absurd.
They could have married in London, of course, avoided all the travel, but he’d so wanted to return to this place where it had all begun, surrounded by the luminosity of an autumn Cornish sky.
A stout Goonhilly pony had pulled the wedding cart, led by Benjamin, whilst Mrs Mildern had sprinkled herbs on the seats and given Tam a sixpence to place in her slipper. The day had been perf–
“Peregrine.”
“Yes, that’s what I heard the vicar say too.”
“Well,Peregrinekept that quiet.”
“I wager thatPeregrineis actuallyPeregrine’sgiven name and he swapped them around.”
“Hmm, and would you believe, that samePeregrineclaimed he’d never feel love and had the gall to meddle inmyromantic affairs?”
Twisting, Jack chortled as the Duke of Rakecombe and the Earl of Kelmarsh – another erstwhile spy, friend and his second wedding success – stood nattering like old hens. Last night, they’d all descended upon the Treloor Inn for a drink and the ragging had been relentless. It would seem they weren’t finished with him yet.
Jack patted Kelmarsh on the back, grinning. “Give Sophie my warmest regards. A rattling coach to Cornwall is no place for a woman six months with child. And no doubt you are agog to return.”
“First light,” he replied sheepishly. “But it’s a wonderful wedding. You once told me you never believed yourself capable of love.” He placed a hand to Jack’s shoulder. “But all of us believed for you – because no one deserves it more.” Jack’s eyes smarted as Kelmarsh and the duke strolled off to join the Rainham clan.
He snagged a glass of champagne from a passing tray and joined a beaming Oliver, an even-more beaming wife possessively held before him. “Congratulations, my brother.”
“Also to you, brother.”
“Mrs Miggens.” He raised her hand for a peck. “A joyous future to you both. I wish you every happiness.”
“Oh, thank you, Lord Winterbourne,” gushed the glowing bride. “And, well, perhaps now is not the time, but nevertheless I wanted to say that I will be happy to do anything within your household, anything at all, as long as I can be with my husband.” She blushed like a pippin apple but Jack frowned and threw a questioning brow at his brother.
“Ah, er…Lowdy,” stuttered Oliver. “There is something I’ve been meaning to ask you. Maybe we could step this way, my love?” And he led his wife to the shade of a shedding yew tree.
With a slide of silk, a loving arm linked through Jack’s, delicate fingers twining with his own. He clutched them close, brought them to his lips and kissed their joined hands. Almonds and warmth. Resilience and love. Never to be alone again on a beautiful sunlit day.
