Page 72 of A Knight for Gwenllian

At her entrance, all heads turned to her. But Gwenllian only saw one person, the knight standing by the altar, looking at her with burning eyes.

Gwenllian had a little gallery of images of Alexander that she liked to go through in idle moments. One was the dark stranger holding her in his arms that day by the river, her savior. Another was the fiery lover tied up to the bedpost, at her mercy. A third one was the rogue asking her to marry him from his scandalous position between her thighs.

Now she had another one, one she would cherish forever.

The one of the groom watching her enter the chapel, buttercups in hand. This man took her breath away.

She stopped in front of him. Her father let go of her, and someone started to speak. The priest, probably. Gwenllian barely heard him, her whole attention was on Alexander, who appeared equally fascinated by her.

You’re so beautiful, he mouthed. I love you.

You’re mine, she mouthed back. I love you too.

The ceremony started without her paying much attention. After a while, the voice to her left stopped, and as if by sheer strength of will, Alexander wrenched his gaze from hers.

He was required to answer the priest.

“I will,” he said, his voice deep and confident.

Then it was her turn. In her impatience, she almost spoke before the question was over. “I will.”

It was over. Or rather, it was starting at last.

Alexander drew her into his arms.

“Come, Lady Rathbone,” he murmured into her ear. “Audley awaits. No one has more right to it than you.”

Epilogue

Gwenllian opened her eyes and stared at the necklace nestled in her hand. It was stunning, a cascade of gems as bright as the joy lighting her heart, as red as the blood racing in her veins.

“Rubies?”

Alexander had told her that morning that he had a present for her, but she had not imagined she would be given something anywhere near as precious when he had asked her to close her eyes.

“I commissioned the necklace the day we agreed to get married, thinking I would be able to give it to you for the wedding. Alas, the goldsmith proved to be as unreliable as he is talented, and it was one delay after another. But finally, it is ready.” He gave a slow, wicked smile. “I’ve wanted to give you rubies from the moment I met you, you know. I thought it would be the gems that suited you the most.”

“Did you? People have always told me emeralds would be best for me.”

He made a dismissive gesture. “People have so little imagination. They likely say emeralds because your eyes are green. But your inner fire is what counts, as well as the flush of your skin when pleasure overcomes you.”

Of course, he would know all about that. She kissed him with all the inner fire he had just mentioned. How wonderful to be married to someone who knew her so well and wanted to please her.

“I love it, thank you. And I, too, have a gift for you, as it happens.”

“Oh? Do I have to close my eyes?” Alexander asked, arching a brow.

“Yes, that is a good idea. I will put it in your hand, like you did with me.”

With those words, Gwenllian took his right hand and placed it on her stomach, where she was now certain a new life was growing. She had been told that the baby would be born less than seven months after their wedding, which was why she thought it had been conceived the day in the rose garden, when they had told one another that they were in love and agreed to get married.

When she had ridden him so scandalously and welcomed his seed for the first time. It seemed very fitting.

“What are you—” Alexander’s eyes snapped open. “Wait. Are you?”

“I am.”

Gwenllian had no time to say more. Her husband swept her into his arms and lifted her so that her face was level with his.