“Thank you,” she said, her cheeks radiating heat.
“You are blushing again.” He chuckled.
He loved the way her cheeks pinkened in his presence, and he never wanted it to stop.
As the priest started his speech, Rowan grasped Alice’s hands, looking her in the eye, his smokey gray eyes boring into her icy blue ones. He could not wait for even a second to marry her, and getting through their vows was a difficult task, as Alice kept having to silently scold him for moving closer.
Eventually, they made it through the ceremony, and then Rowan swept Alice into a swoon-worthy kiss, dipping her and making her giggle.
The entire room roared in applause, and as they filed outside, everyone congratulated them and wished them well.
“You two look so beautiful. All my happiness to you,” an old woman muttered, her shaking hands catching Rowan’s as they walked down the stairs of the cathedral to the carriage that awaited them.
He nervously grinned at her, and Alice thanked her
“What would you say if I told you that I wanted to marry you as soon as humanly possible, Miss Snow?” Rowan said, turning to the girl in the white dress who had climbed into his carriage.
Seeing her as the Earl’s bride had made the urge to arrange the ceremony almost unbearable, and he sent out invitations and chose a venue as quickly as he could. She looked so beautiful now, with her blonde hair pinned up, the sleeves of her dress draping down her arms, her soft lips beckoning him?—
“Rowan,” Alice said, pushing down a smile. “You are staring at me but not speaking to me. I am concerned for your well-being.”
“I am so utterly distracted by you.” He sat closer to her as the vehicle began to move and shudder. “You make such a beautiful bride. I cannot believe you are mine.”
“You truly know what to say to make a woman blush.” She looked down, and Rowan hooked a finger under her chin, tilting her head up.
“Alice, I would like to make you blush with more than just my words.” He leaned closer and kissed her, ever so softly as first and then with more urgency. “I missed you.”
“It has hardly been a week, Your Grace.” She giggled against his lips. “What would you have done with yourself if you let me marry the Earl?”
“I would have gone mad, surely,” he explained. “You would have found me drinking at the mansion, never leaving like my friends. I would have shunned Society, unable to bear it without you.”
“I’m sure you would have managed, eventually.” She rolled her eyes. “You must not be so dramatic.”
“I would not.” He could not decide if he wanted to look into her eyes or her lips, and his eyes darted between the two, attempting to imprint them into his memory, as if she could disappear at any moment. “Alice, you are my lady. Forever.”
* * *
Alice and Rowan met everyone at Grafton Mansion for the wedding reception, and she stood in the foyer of her new home, greeting each guest as they entered and thanking them for their well wishes.
Before she could even think about what to do, Rowan’s mother walked through the doors, standing uncomfortably as she looked around. She caught Alice’s eye, and stepped forward hesitantly, both of them curtsying.
“Congratulations, Duchess. I wanted to come here and… Well, the ceremony was just so beautiful.”
Alice was not surprised that the woman refused to apologize, but her just being here and being kind was enough for tonight. There was no reason to make a big deal out of nothing. It was a time for celebration.
“Thank you so much for being there. Even if he does not show it very well, I am sure Rowan was happy you were there. Despite everything.”
“Do you know where my son is?” his mother asked, a light smile on her face that made her look younger, and happier.
“I am actually not sure, but there are refreshments in the parlor. I am guessing you know your way around,” Alice said sheepishly, and the woman laughed, nodding and heading in that direction.
As she saw Cain and Xander enter through the form doors, along with all of their artist friends from their party, Alice smiled. “It is so wonderful to see you all once again. Thank you both for coming.”
“We could not miss something so revolutionary as Rowan Salvator getting married. You must be a miracle worker.” Xander chuckled. “He is so infatuated with everything about you. I do hope you are happy.”
“I truly am.” She smiled.
As if summoned, hands snaked around her waist, and her new husband whispered in her ear, sending a chill down her arms, “The Duchess is requested in my bedroom immediately.” He grinned. “These two can take care of the festivities for a bit.”
