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His disastrous marriage had left him emotionally drained and determined to never again enter into wedlock.
Now, his heart raced, heat flooded his body while gooseflesh marched up his spine. It was as if he was being born again. Blythe’s father had willingly granted permission for their union. Her twin had given his blessing. A new and happy future lay in store for him and his motherless son. It struck him full force his determination not to remarry had selfishly deprived Johann of the chance to have a loving mother.
“I appreciate the difficulties ahead,” he said, signaling for the servants to bring food. “Blythe will be far from her family. You will miss her.”
She put her hand atop his. “I will miss them, but my home is here with you now.”
Caedmon nodded, tucking into the smoked ham. “I can’t deny it’s hard for a father to let his children go out into the world, but that’s what life is all about. The important thing is that you love each other. Few married couples can say that. I’ve been blessed in my marriage and I am elated Blythe has found her soul mate.
“I hope Aidan will be as fortunate.”
Blythe’s brother bristled. “I have lots of time before I have to think about that.”
Sensing Aidan was uncomfortable with the topic, Dieter asked, “I hope you will both stay for the wedding. I intend to speak to the archbishop today about arranging the ceremony as soon as possible.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Caedmon replied. “It’s important my little girl have family present at her wedding.”
“Thank you, Papa,” Blythe replied, tears welling.
“And I will arrange for my father to bring Johann from Wolfenberg.”
He hoped he sounded confident about his son’s arrival, but he hadn’t seen Johann in more than a year. There was no telling how his mother’s erratic behavior might have affected him. Dieter prayed fervently he would come to love Blythe as much as he did.
* * *
Happiness blossomed in Blythe’s heart. Her father and her twin would be present at her wedding. She would have married Dieter with or without their permission, but their support boded well for the future. She would miss her family in England, but recognized Dieter was her destiny.
She couldn’t deny she was nervous about Johann. She had no experience relating to little boys, though dealing with Ragna’s temperamental outbursts was something she’d learned to handle.
Johann was destined to be Dieter’s heir, but she trusted her betrothed was an honorable man who would provide for all his children.
She sensed his dead wife hadn’t been a good mother, again a circumstance with which she was completely unfamiliar, having grown up in the bosom of a loving family.
Dieter spoke with confidence about his son’s arrival, but she detected a note of uncertainty in his voice. “I will love Johann as my own son,” she promised.
