Page 34 of Against the Wind

The vows were said quickly. Martin placed a ring on her finger. Kit looked down to see a red cabochon ruby set in a wide band of gold between two sparkling diamonds, but before she had time to admire it properly he was kissing her.

Soft, warm lips gently touched hers. How she loved his lips. He lifted his head and she thought he was finished, but then he looked into her eyes and whispered, “Oh, hell,” and kissed her again, this time taking her fully into his arms. Only when the guests began to cough and chuckle did he pull back and, without letting her go, he smiled.

“You are mine now, Kitten. Lady Katherine Powell.”

Kit felt the heat of her blush at his words and returned his smile. She knew little of him, but she would learn. Their life together would bring that knowledge. Mary had told her it would be an adventure. This marriage was rash, she knew. Foolish, perhaps. But she wanted him, and she knew he wanted her. When they finally did consummate their marriage, at least their nights would not be cold.

She was suddenly pulled from his arms and embraced by Mary and kissed on the cheek by Ormond. The marchioness handed back her bouquet and whispered in her ear, “That second kiss tells me all will be well, Kit.”

“You are such a beautiful bride,” gushed Pen from nearby.

“Congratulations, Martin, old man!” Ormond enthused to his friend, slapping him on the back. “You have made a wise decision—finally.”

“Thank you for inviting us, Lady Egerton,” said Pris, who was the next to congratulate them. “We were ever so pleased to attend. You are like an older sister, you know.”

And, Abby…Abby just tilted her head to the side and smiled, tears running down her cheeks. “I am so happy for you, my darling child. And to think, the two of you met in my home.” With a slight wince she added, “Well, I guess I won’t be saying much about that. But it does my heart good to have played a small part.”

It seemed her new friend the marchioness had gone to a great deal of trouble. Inside the townhouse there was a wonderful meal waiting, followed by a large tiered marchpane cake decorated with white roses like those Kit carried. Kit thought the cake would serve many more people than attended. Perhaps the servants would enjoy it this evening.

Champagne was passed around freely, and many toasts were uttered congratulating the newlyweds and wishing them a fruitful union, the latter causing Kit to blush, though Martin looked pleased. The toasts reminded Kit again that she had always loved children and wanted her own. Her eyes drifted to her bridegroom. What kind of father would he be? She had seen him at ease holding baby Henry. Would he one day hold their child like that? The thought of a dark-haired boy with Martin’s grin brought a smile to her face.

After the toasts, Ormond asked them to raise a glass to another event that had occurred the day before. Azor, the chestnut colt out of his favorite stallion, had won the Epsom Derby.

“Three cheers for Azor!” said Martin enthusiastically. “And three cheers for my good friends Lord and Lady Ormond!”

Kit was amused to see Mary roll her eyes and say, “Now there will be no living with my husband.”

Pris and Pen giggled, each having consumed a glass of champagne and sneaked glances at John Spencer, seated between them, who seemed delighted with the attention. Among the gifts Kit and Martin received was one from the twins, a new device called a kaleidoscope that had become all the rage in London in the last few months. The guests passed it around, remarking on the world of color it spun before the eye. Kit truly thought it a marvel, and her new husband had just picked it up when Abby turned to Mary.

“Your husband seems quite fond of horses, my lady.”

“We both are, actually,” the marchioness replied. “A friendly rivalry. I think my black stallion Midnight is much more the horse than my husband’s chestnut that sired Azor, but Ormond will have none of it. It was the horses that brought us together, you see. It is no wonder he thought of Azor today.”

Ormond chimed in, “Among our many shared interests is a love of horses.” When he reached over and kissed Mary’s temple, Kit smiled. The love the two had for each other shone on their faces. Would she ever share such a love with her husband? Would she want to? Such a love was dangerous. Such a love could be lost. Sighing deeply, she returned her mind to the guests.

Martin grinned at her. “We will find common interests, Kit, I am certain. Do you like the sea perhaps? Ships?”

Kit did not have to think long before answering. “I have always yearned to see faraway places.” When she and Anne were young children their mother had often read to them stories of distant lands. She had dreamed of countries she had never seen, of tropical isles and exotic faces she would love to draw. Her father had been a dreamer, too. She supposed she had inherited his wanderlust.

Martin reached for her hand and grinned broadly, a lock of ebony hair falling onto his forehead. Kit thought he looked rakishly charming, indigo eyes sparkling, and she fought the urge to reach up and sweep the lock of hair from his forehead. “One day we shall see all those places together, wife.”

The reminder of her new status made Kit’s cheeks warm, and she hurriedly took another drink of champagne, certain a blush had crept into her cheeks.

Martin leaned over and whispered, “You look lovely, Kitten. Absolutely beautiful.”

The afternoon was an island of celebration in what Kit knew was a sea of uncertainty, so she was determined to fully enjoy the respite. She had the feeling her life in the future would not be so tranquil.