Page 40 of A Kiss to Stop a Wedding

S ummer was in full bloom when Matt and Flora drove into Bellemonte. From the carriage windows they could see the colourful flowers and the first berries adorning the hedgerows.

Matt reached for Flora’s hand. She was not wearing gloves and he raised it to his lips.

‘My wife.’ He pressed a kiss on the gold band adorning her third finger. ‘Happy?’

‘Oh, yes.’ She smiled and rested her head against his shoulder.

It was a full month since Matt had carried her away from Whilton Hall to live as a guest of Lord and Lady Dallamire. A month of busy days arranging her new life and blissful nights with Matt, when he had taken her to heaven and beyond.

The wedding had taken place two weeks ago, with only her aunt and uncle joining the Earl and Countess as witnesses.

‘It was very good of Rosina and Conham to allow us to be married at Dallamire,’ she said, ‘especially with such a new baby in the house. I enjoyed their company, but I confess I am now impatient to see my new home.’

‘And I am impatient to introduce my new bride to Bellemonte,’ said Matt, pulling her into his arms. ‘I know everyone will love you, as I do!’

She melted into his embrace for another kiss, which lasted until the carriage slowed and began to turn off the highway.

Matt raised his head. ‘Ah, we have arrived.’

Flora sat up quickly and straightened her bonnet.

‘Oh, dear,’ she muttered. ‘I must look thoroughly ravaged.’

Matt laughed. ‘You look ravishing!’

The carriage slowly moved around the square, passing the gardens where the black railings had been decorated with ribbons and bunches of flowers.

‘Oh, how pretty!’ exclaimed Flora. ‘Did you arrange this, Matt?’

‘I told them the date of our expected return, that was all.’

The chaise stopped outside the hotel, where several maids and footmen were hastily lining up along the path.

‘Welcome to your new home,’ said Matt, jumping down.

They had barely stepped through the gate when the manager hurried out to greet them .

‘Welcome home, sir, welcome, madam! I am sorry there aren’t more of our people here to greet you, but August is always a busy month and they cannot be spared.’

‘No need to explain, Mr Cripps, I am only too pleased to see Bellemonte is so full.’

Flora smiled at the assembled maids and footmen as she accompanied Matt into the hotel.

‘I see our baggage coach has arrived,’ he said, looking back. ‘Shall we let your maid and my man unpack everything before we go upstairs? We might take some refreshments in the morning room while we wait.’

Flora hesitated. ‘We have been sitting down for so long that what I should really like is to take a stroll in the gardens.’

‘A woman after my own heart,’ Matt declared. ‘How did you know that is just what I would like to do!’

She looked up at him with a twinkle in her eye. ‘I saw you looking longingly towards the gates when we arrived!’

* * *

It was deliciously cool under the trees.

Matt felt a vast sense of pride as he walked along the winding paths with his new bride on his arm.

They went up to the viewing terrace, from where it was easy to look down over the gardens and see how the new plantings were progressing, and he could point out the changes that had occurred since she had last seen the gardens.

Flora was the perfect companion, attentive, interested, eager to discuss future plans and put forward her own suggestions.

* * *

The afternoon was well advanced by the time they strolled back down to the main path, which was noticeably quieter now.

Flora said, suddenly, ‘This is where we first kissed.’

‘Aye. That was when I realised how much I wanted you.’

‘And I knew I couldn’t have you,’ she replied, wistfully.

Matt stopped and drew her into his arms. ‘You have me now, my love.’

Flora turned her face up for him to kiss her, clinging tight as the now-familiar desire began to unfurl deep inside.

‘We should get back,’ she said, between kisses. ‘Dinner will be waiting.’

‘And after that, bed,’ he muttered.

Excitement shivered through Flora at the promise contained in Matt’s words and the kisses he trailed along her jaw and over her neck. He raised his head and she heard him drag in a resolute breath.

‘You are right,’ he said, pulling her hand back on to his arm. ‘We must get back, but first, there is one more thing I want you to see.’

Her whole being ablaze with elation, Flora laughed and shook her head at him. ‘You are incorrigible! Very well, but let us be quick.’

They walked on a short way, then Matt stopped.

‘Close your eyes,’ he commanded.

Flora obeyed, clinging to his arm as he guided her onwards.

Soon they turned on to a new path, where the fresh gravel scrunched beneath their feet.

She guessed that the trees had been cut back here, because she was aware of the light on her eyelids and the air was fragrant with jasmine and honeysuckle. At last they stopped.

‘You can open your eyes now.’

They were on the edge of a sunlit clearing and at its centre were two creamy stone figures, facing one another. Flora turned to Matt, smiling.

‘Ares and Aphrodite!’

‘Yes. Reunited at last.’

She went forward and rested her hand against the god she had last seen adorning the garden of Whilton Hall.

‘You are right,’ she agreed. ‘He belongs here, with his lady.’

‘As we belong here, together?’ he asked her.

She heard the note of uncertainty in his voice and went over to put her arms around him.

‘Very much so,’ she said.

‘I have so very little to offer you, Flora,’ said Matt. ‘There is only the apartment at the hotel for now, but I shall build you a house, soon. It won’t be as grand as Dallamire, but—’

She stopped his rush of words with a kiss.

‘I don’t want anything as grand as Dallamire,’ she murmured, rubbing her cheek against his. ‘I love Bellemonte and I am very happy to be living here. In fact,’ she murmured, nibbling his ear, ‘you promised to teach me to swim in the ladies’ bathing pool.’

‘Then I shall do so. Starting tomorrow, if you wish.’ He stole another kiss before setting off back along the path. ‘But there are a few other matters to be dealt with first.’

‘Such as dinner, I suppose,’ she murmured.

‘ Not dinner, my wicked torment,’ he retorted. ‘I was thinking more about taking you to bed.’

Flora blushed and laughed. ‘That is what is on my mind, too. Perhaps we might walk a little faster…?’