Page 12

"Happy is the bride the sun shines on," Cassie said.

The two young ladies stood just outside the door of the chapel of St. Wendolyn's Church. Laurel did not know if the old wives' tale held any power over actual events, but she would take any good omen she could get.

"Certainly a contrast to the last time I tried to get married," Laurel said, gripping her bouquet tightly in order to still the shaking of her hands.

"I am so glad Lady Katherine was able to arrange for the wedding to take place here rather than..."

"Yes," Laurel said. "It would have been too awful to return to St. Agatha’s after what happened the last time."

"I know that was a horrible experience," Cassie said, smoothing out the skirt of her gown, "but I cannot help but think it all is working out for the best."

Laurel gazed at her friend, afraid to say anything.

"Oh, Laurel, please do not look at me like that. I know this is not all roses and romance, but I believe that Lord Ashford is a man of good character. You have ample evidence of that."

"That is true," Laurel said, sneaking a glance around the opening of the vestibule then letting out a relieved breath when she saw her groom standing at the altar.

Cassie moved close to Laurel and the two of them took a moment to observe what was happening inside the nave of the church. Unlike the last time, there were very few guests. In fact, other than Lord Ashford and his best man, the Baron of Darlington, only Lord and Lady Winchester sat in the pews.

Julian adjusted the cuffs of his coat in a gesture which Laurel had noticed before as a nervous habit. Somehow, knowing he was as anxious as she was made her feel better and a tiny bit of warmth formed in her chest. Maybe they could be happy together.

"The Baron of Darlington is quite handsome," Cassie whispered as they watched him lean down to whisper something to Julian. Julian shot his friend a look meant to convey annoyance, but Laurel saw that the corners of his mouth twitched as though he was trying to maintain his decorum.

The Baron of Darlington must have heard their whispers because he looked in their direction and winked. The two friends jumped back so as not to be seen any more until it was time for them to make their entrance.

"Did he just wink at me?" Cassie's face flushed and her eyes were wide.

"I believe he did," Laurel whispered. "He has quite the reputation as a ladies’ man. I was a bit taken aback when Jul—er, Lord Ashford, said he was to be his best man."

"They do seem an unusual pair," Cassie said, stealing another glance at the gentleman standing next to Julian.

Laurel grabbed her arm and dragged her back. "It's nearly time," she said. "D-do I look all right?"

Cassie took a moment to gaze at Laurel. She adjusted Laurel's veil so that it fell over her face and straightened her skirt. "You look stunning. This gown is even more beautiful than...well, you know what I mean. And, if I dare say it, you look...happy. Nervous, of course, but happy."

Laurel sighed. "I do not know if I am happy, but I am certainly relieved. I hate the way my reputation has affected you and the Winchesters who have been nothing but kind to me."

"Hush," Cassie said. "That will all blow over soon enough. The important thing is that you will be married to a kind man."

The clock in the church tower struck once.

The two friends stared at each other. It struck again and they moved into position in the doorway.

The music started on the third strike and Cassie began her slow march up the aisle.

For a moment, Laurel stood all alone. Heart pounding nearly as loudly as the bells of the clock as it continued to ring the hour.

Glancing up, her gaze met Julian's. His previously nervous expression softened and he gave her a slight nod as the corners of his mouth turned up in a small, nearly secret, smile.

She stepped onto the aisle, her eyes focused on the man waiting for her at the altar.

Julian adjusted his coat cuffs again and then chided himself for the nervous gesture. There was nothing to be nervous about. This was what he wanted. A marriage of convenience to a woman who needed a husband as much as he needed a wife.

He watched as his bride approached, his heart in his throat.

She was stunning. As he knew she would be.

Her gown was simple yet elegant. The veil over her face could not obscure her beauty.

The only sign of nerves was the death-grip she had on her bouquet.

He was relieved to know she had some wedding day jitters as well.

"She is lovely," Maxwell whispered next to him.

Julian had forgotten that anyone else was in the church with him, his attention was so focused on his soon-to-be wife.

Wife.

Until death did them part.

Or his grandfather turned the mine over to him.

As Laurel neared the altar, he took a step toward her and held out his hand. She loosened her grip on the bouquet and put her right hand in his left. Small and delicate, there was a bit of a quiver in her fingers, and he instinctively closed his hand over hers to offer support.

Their eyes met through the thin fabric of her veil and the vulnerability he saw there touched him.

Regardless of how this business arrangement turned out, he would see to her well-being. Keep her safe. He owed her that much at least.

They stood next to each other, hands still clasped, and turned to face the vicar.

Julian felt a strange sensation in his chest.

Was that happiness?

Outside the church the Winchesters and Cassie, as well as a grinning Maxwell, watched as the newlyweds moved toward the Ashford family carriage.

They had agreed that a wedding breakfast was hardly necessary for such a small group of people and since there was no reason not to get on with things, they headed to Julian's home, Hazelden.

He was about to assist his new wife into the carriage when she stepped away and turned toward their guests.

Had she changed her mind already? Panic rumbled through him. Rejected before he had even been given a chance?

He started after her, but she stopped and turned back toward him, then tossed her bouquet over her shoulder to be caught by Cassie.

Laurel hurried over to her friend and gave her a hug, then kissed Lady Winchester on the cheek, shook Lord Winchester’s hand and gave Maxwell a smile and a curtsy before rushing to the carriage, her cheeks flushed and her eyes bright.

"I’m ready now," she said, and his heart soared.

He touched her elbow and assisted her into the carriage.

Laurel took a seat and Julian faltered for a moment wondering if he ought to sit next to, or across from, his new wife.

Reminding himself this was a business arrangement, a contract so to speak, he sat upon the bench opposite her. Better to see her face as they got to know one another.

Once they were settled, he tapped the ceiling and they rolled away, their next stop would be Hazelden House. His home.

They rode in silence for a few minutes. Laurel’s gaze focused on the window, her hands clasped in her lap. The veil, now tossed back to reveal her face, seemed like a halo around her.

Bloody hell, he chastised himself. This was business. A transaction for mutual benefit. So why the blazes was he thinking like a blasted poet?

He hated poetry.

Following her lead, he gazed out the window as well, though he could not help but steal a glance in her direction every few seconds. He hated to think she was distressed. Or harboring regrets.

Once they were outside of London, Laurel seemed to finally relax.

"I am glad to leave the city behind," she said, gazing out the window.

"I'm sure you can imagine the level of gossip my stepbrother’s arrest has created.

No, I have no desire to stay in London, nor do I suppose London has any desire for me to do so either. "

The level of hurt and humiliation she had endured was evident in the tone of her voice and the hint of tears at the corner of her eye.

"Did you truly mean what you said? About needing a wife for only a short time? And then I would be free to go on my way, however I chose to?"

"Yes," he replied. "I did." He gestured to the patch on his eye. "This is as much a deterrent to finding a spouse as having a stepbrother who has been arrested."

She blinked and then began to laugh. It was a brief chortle and she quickly covered her mouth.

"Oh, my apologies," she said, her cheeks pinkening.

"There is nothing humorous about your injury or my situation, but somehow it simply struck me as funny.

Here we are, the two least desirable spouses in all of London. " Another giggle escaped her pink lips.

Julian did not know which startled him more, the fact she saw humor in their respective situations or the delight he felt at hearing her laugh. It was infectious and he laughed as well.

When he caught his breath, Julian leaned down and looked under the seat. "Ah, Kenley, I shall have to give you a raise."

Laurel looked at him, brows raised.

He pulled out a picnic hamper and opened it. Inside he found a bottle of champagne, a pair of glasses, as well as some bread and cheese.

"Oh mercy, I could use a bit of a drink," Laurel said.

Julian worked the cork loose on the champagne bottle and it popped, hitting the wall behind Laurel. She gasped and ducked, then they both laughed again.

"Tell me, if you will, what you plan to do when you have completed your part of our agreement?" Julain asked.

"I am not certain," she said. "I would like to return to London, but I am not as confident as Lady Katherine that my reputation will be restored and all will be forgotten by the time … well by the time I am free to head out on my own."

"Is there nowhere else you would like to go?"

Somehow, Laurel felt a pang of hurt that he did not encourage her to linger at his home. But of course, this is what they had agreed to. What Lady Katherine had encouraged.

"Well," she said, "I have always dreamed of going to Paris. I am a great admirer of fashion and the idea of visiting all the best fashion houses in the world…" Her voice trailed off.

She braced for him to mock her.

"I think that is a wonderful idea and I would be happy to sponsor such a trip as soon as you would like to go."

Laurel gaped. "Truly?"

"Yes, truly," he said, giving her a shy smile.

"Have we lost our minds?" she asked when he handed her an empty glass to hold while he poured.

"I believe it is entirely possible," Julian answered, topping up her glass and then filling his own. He held his glass out to her. "A toast, to our business arrangement."

She touched her glass to his. "Strictly business."

The champagne tickled her nose and she giggled. It was as though the effervescence of the beverage had infiltrated her entire being. Could this all really be true?

She snuck a peek at her new husband—that was certainly a stunning thought, a husband. Regardless, she looked at him and could hardly believe her luck. More laughter erupted and she wondered if perhaps the stress of the past few weeks had finally broken and now she was near hysterics.

She finished the champagne in her glass and held it out for a refill. Julian put the cork back in the bottle and tucked it away in the hamper. "I believe that is enough champagne for you," he said.

"You are rather bossy. I suppose you think that is your right as my husband." She grinned at him and tilted her head in a rather flirtatious manner.

The champagne, no doubt, was to blame.

"I am simply looking out for your well-being. Which is my duty, as your husband. And as a gentleman."

"Of course," she said, and he couldn’t help but think she might have displayed a tinge of hurt in her tone. "All business. Duty and obligation and all that."