Page 40 of A Lover for Lady Jane (The Welsh Rebels #5)
“Yes. ’Tis perhaps a good idea.” She could not go to the altar smelling of the man she loved, could she? Or… She shook her head. Of course she could not, and she was a fool for even entertaining the possibility.
Soon she was dressed in what Griffin had called “all her finery.” The dress was new, a wedding present from Branwen’s mother, Carys, and a stunning creation of pale pink velvet embroidered with stars along the hem and collar.
In it, she did look like a lady about to be presented at court, so Jane could not help a moment of trepidation when she thought of what Griffin’s reaction would be.
Would he love it, or would it remind him that they did not belong to the same world?
Well, there was only one way to find out.
“Here,” Sian said, handing her a bunch of snowdrops tied with a ribbon the same shade of pink as her dress.
“Oh! They are beautiful! Where did you find them?” She was touched at the thought, all the more so that was not easy to find flowers so early in the year.
“I didn’t. Christopher did, this morning, at the foot of the ramparts. He wanted to?—”
Sian didn’t get to finish her sentence because at that moment Jane dissolved into tears.
“I cannot believe I ever thought this man a rogue. I’m so sorry for not understanding before how right you were about him, and how wonderful he really is.
” This delicacy was the mark of a good man.
Not to mention that he had not hesitated and saved Griffin’s life.
For this alone, she would have opened her heart to him.
“Yes, he is wonderful. As is your husband. We can only hope Gwenllian, Rhys and Seren will be as lucky in their choice of spouses. For Bethan, unfortunately, it is too late.” Sian gave her hand a squeeze. “Now, let us go. I assume you don’t want to keep your groom waiting?”
“No.” Causing him to worry because he feared she had changed her mind was the last thing she wanted to do.
After one last hug, the sisters made their way to the great hall, where the rest of the family was waiting.
Jane thanked Christopher for the flowers, and he surprised her by rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment, mumbling that it was nothing.
Her mother was the first to hug her, then Gwenllian and Seren both threw themselves into her arms. Having just turned twelve, her brother, Rhys, merely gave her a manly nod.
Once everyone had left for the chapel to join the waiting Griffin, her father placed a kiss on her forehead.
“My Jane. It feels like yesterday I first held you and your sister in my arms, and here I am, about to entrust you to another man.” His voice had gone hoarse and his eyes were shinier than usual.
He, too, was thinking of Elspeth, who should have been here with them.
“I wish for you and Griffin all the happiness Esyllt and I found in our union.”
Jane tilted her head, too moved to speak. It was all she wished for as well.
“Come,” Connor said, straightening his spine. “It’s time to go.”
Wiping her cheeks, she took his arm, and they crossed the sun-filled bailey to the little chapel on the northern wall.
Twenty-two years ago, her father had married his first wife in this very place.
Less than a year later, she and Elspeth had been christened there.
Only a few weeks ago, Sian had married Christopher in front of the marble altar.
Now her sister was with child and it was her turn to marry a man she loved.
It was perfect, another piece in the family history.
When she walked in through the door and saw Griffin waiting for her, Jane’s heart exploded.
He had not fled, plagued by last doubts, he was here, and his eyes shone with love and pride.
He was magnificent in a tunic of blue velvet that showed his muscular physique to advantage.
Jane had to force herself not to break into a run and throw herself into his arms.
Once her father had given her one last kiss, she took her place by his side. This was it. By the time they left the chapel, the lover she had chosen for herself would have become her husband, and her life would never be the same.
The ceremony was over in the blink of an eye.
The banquet, however, seemed to last an eternity.
Had wedding feasts always been that long?
Jane didn’t seem to remember it going on so late into the night for Sian and Christopher.
But right now, all she wanted to do was leave and be with her new husband—alone.
“Let us leave now, wife,” Griffin said in her ear, as if he’d read her mind. “People will understand. We still have a marriage to consummate.”
“Griffin! We…we already have!” she said in a scandalized whisper. “No later than this morning, mind you.”
He arched an innocent brow. “Have we? I cannot recall a thing.”
A giggle escaped her lips. How could he tease her so? “We had better leave then and do it again. This time I’ll make sure you remember every single moment, every single kiss, every single thrust. And I won’t stop until you have begged me to put an end to your suffering.”
Sapphire eyes darkened. “Is that a promise, my lady?”
“Yes. A promise.”