She smiled so warmly that he raised her hand between them and kissed the back of it.
“I do not want to live without you either.”
EPILOGUE
Two Months Later
Aglass was tapped with a knife. The clinking sound rang around the busy hall, filled with people, all gathered for the wedding breakfast.
Gerard tore his gaze away from Charlotte’s with some difficulty. Ever since she had walked into the chapel earlier that day, dressed in a new gown he had purchased for her, he had found it troublesome to look elsewhere. The Pomona green gown contrasted her dark hair perfectly and accented the storminess of the blue eyes that he knew from today he would never have to part from.
As others tried to hush their drunken chatter, Gerard stole a quick opportunity to lift Charlotte’s hand to his mouth and kiss the back of it softly.
“Behave,” she whispered, and he winked at her. He could see her eyes widen.
“I rather like it when ye reprimand me, lass.”
She giggled at him and urged him to be quiet again as they shifted their attention to the man who had tapped the glass. Her father stood a short distance away at the far side of the top table. His wife was on one side, his son and daughter on his other side. Dressed grandly for the day, Lord Winchester’s cravat was perhaps a little older and discolored, but otherwise, he looked smart for his daughter’s wedding.
From today, her family willnae have to worry about money again. I just need to assure them of that.
“Thank you, my friends, for gathering here today to celebrate the marriage of my daughter to the Duke of Rodstone.” Lord Winchester began.
Gerard smiled at Charlotte, though he saw she looked elsewhere briefly. She glanced toward her good friend, the Duchess of Stotbury, with a brief sadness in her eyes. The duchess was now so swell with child that everywhere she walked, she had a hand on her stomach. Gerard knew the reason for the glimpse of sadness in Charlotte’s eyes. There was one of Charlotte’s friends who could not be here today, Lady Frederica.
Charlotte had confessed everything to Gerard a few weeks ago, about the need for Lady Frederica’s escape and how she was now in hiding down in the west. It was simply impossible for poorLady Frederica to come to the wedding, out of fear of discovery from her parents.
“We’ll send her some weddin’ cake,” Gerard whispered in Charlotte’s ear. Her smile grew once again.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“Your Grace.” Lord Winchester turned and addressed Gerard in the middle of his speech. Gerard sat as straight as he could, showing he was giving the Earl his full attention. “I wish you the greatest happiness with my daughter. You are marrying a woman with a wonderful heart, great care and loyalty for her family. I thought I could not be prouder of my daughter, but that was until she met you.”
Charlotte flinched in surprise at Gerard’s side. Beneath the cover of the table, Gerard took her hand, softly, assuring her with silent comfort that all was well.
“Charlotte, you have chosen a good man to marry. You have chosen with your heart.” Lord Winchester addressed her directly now. “In a world of theton, where position matters so much to so many, I cannot tell you how happy I am that you have elected to choose with your heart.”
They smiled at one another. Around the room was a collective sigh of contentment.
“Now, if you will all join me in congratulating the two of them.” Lord Winchester raised his glass of champagne high in a toast. The gentlemen around the room stood too, as the ladies took their glasses and raised them high. “To my daughter and her husband, Charlotte and Gerard.”
“Charlotte and Gerard!” the sentiment was repeated around the room.
Gerard nodded his thanks to Lord Winchester across the space between them. He was more grateful than he could possibly communicate to his new father-in-law that the toast was made in their Christian names and not in their titles.
As people fell back into their own chatter again and returned to their seats, Gerard felt Charlotte lean into his side. He raised his arm and wrapped it across the back of her chair, for the opportunity to be that bit closer to her.
“Happy, lass?” he whispered. She smiled, her eyes lighting up at the nickname he used for her.
“Very,” she murmured.
“Excellent. Ye daenae mind then that we shall have to go to Scotland soon for business? I’ll keep me promise. We can travel back and forth. I warn ye though. Scotland can be bleak at times, especially in the winter.”
“I am looking forward to seeing it,” she assured him, sitting forward with excitement in her every move. “Besides, if I am with you, then I know I shall be happy.” She leaned forward and whispered in his ear. “Just promise me that we can visit Cornwall at some point too, please.”
“Of course, we can, lass.” He brushed the back of her shoulder with his fingers, an intimate yet brief touch in this busy room.
“Thank you.” Her smile was so great that Gerard had a feeling he would give her anything she ever asked for.
