Page 84 of Love Wasn’t Built in a Day

Damian snorted. “And don’t you forget it.”

Gideon watched with his heart still hammering as Hetty lifted her veil and turned to look at him. He took her hand as though he stood on the precipice of something grand and marvellous, holding on for dear life. It was a sensation he expected to feel often during their future together.

They all turned their attention to the Reverend Honeywell, whose face lit as he regarded the small gathering around him.

“Dearly beloved—”

Hatherley Hall, Little Valentine, East Sussex, 11th August 1816

A great cheer went up as Hetty and Gideon thrust the knife into the beautiful bride cake, a splendid confection that Gee-Gee’s French chef had outdone himself with.

Gideon still had the strangest sensation that he was living in a dream, but the day had been so wonderful it was hard to believe it was really happening.

“Congratulations, my dears,” Grandmama said, bustling up and allowing Gideon to kiss her cheek. “Oh, I am so happy for you, and I cannot wait to tell your father. Gideon, be a dear fellow and don’t put the announcement in the papers for a day or two. I want to tell him myself,” she said with undisguised glee, returning a touch unsteadily to her place at the table.

“She’s had rather a lot of champagne,” Hetty murmured apologetically.

“She’s as wicked as you are,” he remarked with a low laugh.

Hetty smiled at him a little sadly. “I know, but Papa does rather deserve it, I’m afraid.”

Gideon turned to look at her, wondering how the man could be such a blind fool. He had long understood that her father was a hard man, an unloving father, and he found he pitied the fellow now. If he should be so fortunate as to have a daughter like Hetty, he would relish every moment with her and leave her in no doubt of his love for her, even if she gave him fresh reasons for heart failure every day. With a jolt, he realised that if they did have a daughter, this was all too likely.

He gave a slightly hysterical bark of laughter.

Hetty shot a concerned look at him. “What’s wrong?”

Gideon shook his head. “Too much champagne,” he said dryly and took her hand. “Do you think it safe to leave yet?”

“Perhaps, but—oh, we must speak to Gee-Gee, she’s coming over now.”

Gideon bowed deeply as the Dowager Duchess of Hawkney approached them. He rather liked the sharp-tongued old lady, but she still made him nervous.

“Your grace, thank you so much for allowing us to celebrate our marriage in such a beautiful location,” he said politely.

“And where else would you celebrate it?” she said tartly, and then softened, reaching out and patting his arm, smiling fondly at Hetty. “And I am delighted to see such a happy event under my roof. Besides, Helena is delighted, and I have not seen her so pleased in an age. I also believe you will deal nicely together, even if it is not always calm seas, eh, Hetty?” she remarked, chucking her under the chin and then retreating with a merry little cackle of laughter.

“Well, that was ominous,” Gideon said with a frown.

“Oh, don’t be silly, it’s no more than you expect, I’m sure.” Hetty grinned at him, surveying the room with interest. “Howard is bringing more champagne, I vote we run now, before they begin toasting us again,” she said, giving his sleeve an urgent little tug.

“Seconded,” Gideon replied earnestly, guiding her out of the room.

They had almost made it to the door when a sardonic voice reached them.

“You cannot possibly expect your bride to spend her wedding night in that vile little room over a cheese shop, for the love of God.”

Gideon turned to see his brother lounging indolently against the staircase. Hetty glowered a little.

“I’m rather looking forward to it,” she said stoutly. “I think it’s… snug.”

Damian rolled his eyes and tossed something at Gideon, who caught it instinctively. “The keys to my rooms at The Mermaid. I’ve had my man move everything about and the staff were most accommodating. I’ll take the hovel. Consider it a wedding gift.”

Gideon stared at him. He had never known Damian to give up his own comfort for the sake of another, but then, Damian was doing a lot of unexpected things these days, and not the kind that made him want to tear his hair out.

“I don’t know what to say. That’s… that’s very thoughtful of you, Damian.” He turned to Hetty, who smiled, understanding what the gesture meant to him.

“I truly was looking forward to the cheese shop rooms, for it would have been something, er… different, but this… this is wonderful, and so very kind. Thank you, Damian.”