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Epilogue
Six months later
“Welcome,” the Archbishop of St. James Cathedral nodded to the seven gathered in the front rows of the cavernous church. The seven: Esther’s mother and brother with Felton’s sister, mother, and friend—now his witness, Lord Camden, looked out of place in the large church.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God to join together this man and this woman in the act of holy matrimony.”
All Esther noticed was that Felton had worn the white cravat she had given him so long ago, the silver pin holding the Napoleon Knot together and the silver cufflinks winking from the dark sleeves of his wrists. His eyes were warm and loving, and Esther was on the edge of sinking into them.
“…if any man does allege and declare any impediment, why they may not be coupled together by God’s Law, or the Laws of this Realm, please speak now or forever hold your peace…” his voice again faded as Esther, locked in Felton’s gaze, lost all that around them.
She read his look—I love you, I adore you, I am sorry that I hurt you, please stay with me, I will never intentionally hurt you again.
Silence permeated the air as no one uttered a word. Then, gladly, the priest spoke, “Felton William Gale, Earl of Colborne, wiltthou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will,” Felton said.
“Lady Esther Charity Harewood, wiltthou have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”
Happily, Esther said. “I will.”
They were instructed to exchange rings and instructed to kiss. Felton laid a soft kiss on her lips, while she could see a flash of heat in his eyes—he wanted to ravage her.
“I now pronounce, Lord and Lady Felton Gale,” the bishop nodded stately. “Please, convene in the rectory to sign the registry.”
While the two witnesses, Lord Camden, and Lady Harewood, moved off, Esther stood still and cupped Felton’s cheek, “You’re so handsome, My Lord.”
“I am hardly as handsome as you, My Lady,” Felton grinned, then leaned in to kiss her cheek and whisper-growled in her ear. “I cannot wait for this wedding breakfast to be over. I want you all to myself.”
Resting her ringed hand on his chest, Esther smiled, “Let us pray that the day goes quickly.”
****
“Esther, please open your eyes, sweetheart,” Felton’s knuckles tipped up her face, just as he lowered his head to hers, and laid a soft kiss on her lips. “Are you scared, love?”
They were in his bedchamber back at the Colborne Estate, newly returned from their wedding and breakfast—one who had stunned all of them as Rawdenhad taken a knee and asked Catherine to marry him. Thankfully, he had drawn all the attention to him, giving Felton time to whisk Esther away.
They had separated for an hour to clean up and prepare for the next few hours, and now, Esther found herself fretting.
Felton studied her eyes as if searching for truth, and Esther did not even contemplate hiding her emotions from him, “In some ways, yes; you have been with women before—I feel that I might be lacking.”
Felton smiled, “Nothing you will do will disappoint me, Esther. I love who you are, and note that I do not know how to please you. We shall learn each other together, but tonight, I need to make you mine. Agreed?”
Instead of speaking, Esther wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Felton dropped his arms to her hips and covered her lips with his, kissing her softly, then it grew to a possessive and all-consuming caress.
His hands moved between them, pulled the tie of her frilly white wrap away, and softly urged it over her arms. When it dropped, the silky nothing of her nightdress brushed across her tightening nipples, and she saw him swallow tightly.
“Now you,” she whispered.
Moving to his robe, Felton pulled the tie, and with an eager hand, Esther pushed his robe from his broad shoulders. When it fell to his elbows, Esther ran her hand over his hot, ruddy skin. She smoothed her palms over his chest covered with dark hair, and his rigid stomach, the muscles beneath stiff and locked.
He stood in his loose trousers while she did her exploration of his body until her hand strayed lower to his groin, causing Felton to grasp her hands, “You are straying into dangerous waters, love.”
Smiling mischievously, Esther slid the thin strap of her night rail over her shoulders and stood still as the silk slid down her body to pool at her feet. Felton cursed and scooped her into his arms, before depositing her on the bed. Kneeling between her legs and groaning, Felton kissed her deeply, exploring her mouth with wild desire, one of his hands cupping her bottom, while his tongue plundered her mouth, leaving her with a massive aching need.
When he pulled away, Esther licked her lips, wet and swollen from his kisses. As she lay naked before him Felton got on his knees to admire her body. Esther blushed when his eyes traced from her dark red hair to plump pert breasts tipped with dark, dusky-pink nipples. His gaze slid down her flat stomach and the soft curves of her waist, hips, and the soft groomed hair between her thighs.
Just as Esther was about to ask him if he liked what he saw, the expression in his eyes changed, and she knew what was running through his head.
