Page 67 of To Break the Rules

Dharani grinned and leaned into the man, making very sure to look Silas in the eyes as she stage-whispered, “Tell me everything.”

Aashini turned to her new husband and held up her hand, pointing to the ring finger. “You can’t change your mind,” she said. “Before God and everyone.”

Silas snorted and took her hand in his bringing it to his lips. “I couldn’t be happier, and don’t worry; I have your grandmother’s measure,” he said with a wink, before adding with a rueful smile. “The only trouble is, I think she has mine too.”

Aashini laughed, feeling her heart expand as Matilda bent her head to listen to her grandmother, her expression eager as Dharani held her new audience captive.

“Are you happy, love?”

She turned then, beaming up at Silas and wondering how he could possibly ask such a ridiculous question.

“I feel like I’m dreaming,” she admitted, staring at him in wonder. Goodness, but he was handsome. Not like St Clair, it was true. He wasn’t refined—his features and manners were too harsh, and his way of speaking too direct—but that was what she loved about him. Silas Anderson was a good man who knew what it was to face adversity and overcome it. Her husband was a man who would always respect her wishes, and never bully her or make her feel less than his equal. That was a rare thing. She knew it, and she would never, ever take it for granted.

“When can we make them leave?” he murmured in her ear, making her blush and a strange, coiling heat unravel in the pit of her stomach.

“Not yet,” she replied, scandalised and delighted all at once.

“Are you sure?” he grumbled, even though he knew the answer very well.

“Perfectly sure.”

She laughed, delighted by his mutinous expression and couldn’t resist leaning into him and allowing him to steal a kiss. “Until later,” she murmured.

It did seem an interminable time before the party broke up but, thankfully, Matilda and St Clair both needed to prepare to attend the fireworks at Green Park.

“I’m sorry I can’t accompany you tonight,” Aashini said to Matilda, who just snorted.

“Liar,” she said, laughing and making Aashini blush.

“Well, yes,” Aashini admitted. “But I’m leaving you with Montagu.”

“No, no,” Matilda replied, with an airy wave of her hand. “I have my companion: Mrs Bradford for propriety, and Kitty for moral support. The marquess holds no terror for me, I assure you.”

Aashini sighed, privately wondering whether she’d be less concerned if Matilda was terrified.

“You will take care, won’t you, Tilda,” she said, taking her friend’s hands and holding them tight. Matilda rolled her eyes.

“Of course!” she exclaimed. “Stop worrying.” Moving closer, she whispered in Aashini’s ear. “You’re the one with a wedding night ahead of her not me.”

“Oh, hush!” Aashini protested, and then waved her friend off.

St Clair had departed a few minutes earlier and she looked up to see Mr Davis escorting Dharani up the stairs to her room, deep in conversation with her charismatic grandmother.

“Don’t worry, it’s a big house,” Silas murmured as he slid his arms around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. “And her maid is awaiting her in her room.”

“You’ve thought of everything, Lord Cavendish,” Aashini said, turning in his arms and feeling suddenly rather shy.

“Indeed, I have, Lady Cavendish,” he said, making her breath hitch.

“Oh,” she said. “That’s the first time I’ve heard it said. Lady Cavendish.”

“It suits you very well, love,” Silas said with a smile, his eyes warm.

“Yes,” Aashini said, grinning despite the fact her nerves were all on end. “It does rather.”

Silas looked as though he would kiss her, but there was the bustle of activity as his staff cleared away the wedding breakfast, so he held out his arm instead.

“Come with me,” he said, a wicked glint in his eyes that made her stomach do the most peculiar flip. “I have something to show you.”