Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78100 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78100 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
His friend pretended to sound light, but there were worlds of ache in those words. We’ll see. We’ll see if I ever get over Felicity and move on.
“We’ll find you someone when we return to London.” He nudged Townsend. “Won’t we?”
Townsend shrugged. “Or you can bumble into a marriage due to crisis or poor behavior, like the rest of us.”
“At least all of you are happy,” said August, laughing. “However you got there, it all worked out.”
Marlow sobered. “I hope it will all work out. I’m worried about going back to London. I didn’t care when the gossip was about me, but Rosalind…”
“My wife endured her share of gossip in the beginning, with all her animals,” said Townsend. “I recommend her method of dealing with it, which was not to care.”
“Rosalind will care.” Marlow’s voice tightened just thinking about it. “And I’ll care if she becomes upset and feels hurt.”
“Then you must take on the ton in her defense.” Townsend leaned against a marble column, regarding him. “If Rosalind can stand up to my father on your behalf, you can stand up to the gossips. All that matters is that you love her. The rest will work itself out.”
“I love her beyond bearing,” said Marlow.
“Beyond bearing,” echoed August. “I can’t say I’m not envious.”
“You’ll be next,” said Townsend with conviction. “Once we get Marlow and Rosalind settled back into society, we’ll find someone for you to love beyond bearing.”
“I don’t know whether to be excited or terrified,” August joked.
Terrified, thought Marlow. No joke about it. But Rosalind was worth the terror, of that he was sure.
*
Rosalind woke to soft kisses and intimate caresses the morning of her royal wedding. Marlow lay beside her, already her husband. Though their marriage was young, he knew her body to a startling degree and drew her into lazy, languorous lovemaking. She surrendered completely, caressing his muscular frame as he moved into her. The maid had left the window open to admit warm, fragrant breezes from the palace’s vineyard, and Rosalind drifted in blissful sensation, running her fingers through his now-short curls.
When she reached her satisfaction, it was like another warm wave of sensation, of fullness and contentment as he drove into her. I love you, Marlow. I love you so much. He moaned and came to rest, his face buried against her neck, kissing her, always kissing her.
“Beautiful wife,” he said. “I’m glad we’re having a proper wedding today. If anyone deserves a royal wedding, it’s you.”
“It’s us.” She tugged his curls again, what was left of them after he’d sold the rest for her sake. “Both of us, after all we’ve been through.”
“My love.” He sobered. “How strange it will seem to be married before so many people, after our first wedding was such an intimate affair.”
“How strange to be married after we’ve already been…so married…”
He caught her stray hand before she became too naughty with it. “I believe your mama has an army of women waiting to primp and pamper you this morning, and I need to bathe and shave and put on my fancy new clothes so I’ll look fine enough to stand beside you at that altar. Not an easy endeavor. I fear you’ll outshine me no matter what I do.”
He kissed her on the forehead and rose to enter his adjoining chamber, leaving her to glow in her heart, and to miss him. Her mother arrived soon after, bringing a breakfast tray adorned with bridal flowers. She had no time to linger over the fresh fruit, cakes, and wedding buns as servants began to appear bearing a bath, more flowers, and her pale pink wedding gown of embroidered Catania silk.
“Oh, Mama,” she said, astonished. It was the first time she’d seen it. It was fine and flowing, with a full, lace-embellished skirt and train. “I can’t believe how lovely it is.” She frowned, tracing the round neckline. “Perhaps I don’t deserve something so lovely.”
“Now, we won’t talk like that. This is your special day, and brides deserve everything.”
“Even wayward ones?”
“Wayward? Darling, you’re home. It’s time to move past all that happened and look toward the future.”
Rosalind tried to emulate her mother as she prepared for her royal wedding, tried to be calm, beautiful, and serene. When the maidservants were done with her clothes and hair, they settled Felicity’s veil upon her head, attached to a diamond encrusted tiara on loan from Tuscany’s royal vaults. It was quite a bit grander than the veil she’d borrowed from the elder Maria Regina. When she looked in the mirror, she hardly recognized herself.
“Oh, Rosalind.” Her mother seemed close to tears. “Forgive us for insisting on another wedding, but you deserved to be married this way. How beautiful you look. Wait until Marlow sees.”
He will not care, she wanted to say. He’s seen me look like a drowned rat and still loved me. She stared at the sparkling diamonds in the mirror as her mother sent the servants away. “He will make me a good husband, Mama,” she said when they were alone. “I don’t want you and Papa to worry. I promise he’ll take care of me and make me happy.”