Page 40 of Courting Scandal With The Duke

‘T he carriage is waiting, Your Grace,’ the butler announced when the wedding breakfast had been cleared away.

‘Shall we?’ Xavier asked his bride. Barbara looked radiant in a gown the colour of a summer sky. The diamond tiara gleaming on her brow did not sparkle as brilliantly as her eyes when she smiled at him.

Somehow, Xavier had managed to convince her that they had no need to run off to Gretna Green.

A wedding by special licence at Woodburn House, witnessed by only Julian, her aunt and a few of the servants was equally as scandalous.

After all, anyone who was anyone among the ton would expect to be invited to the wedding of the Season .

Fortunately, although a duke, he wasn’t a royal one, and he hadn’t been required to ask the King’s permission.

As they rose from the table, Xavier gazed into Barbara’s face and felt his heart stir at the joy he saw in her expression. A joy that infused his very being. He brought her hand to his lips. ‘I love you,’ he said softly .

‘I love you too,’ she murmured. ‘Husband.’

His blood ran wildly through his veins at the heat in her eyes.

On Xavier’s right, Julian groaned theatrically. ‘I see it is time we left you two to your wedded bliss.’

‘As soon as possible, if not sooner,’ Xavier replied, unable to pull his gaze away from his wife’s face.

Julian laughed.

Aunt Lenore pretended not to see or hear, but she too rose to her feet and fiddled with her shawl. ‘I am only sorry that your father was not here to witness your marriage, Barbara.’

Barbara tore her gaze from Xavier’s and smiled gently at her aunt. ‘I will write to him and let him know of it. He should receive the letter in about six months.’

And he would not return to England for five years if Xavier had anything to say about it. Which he actually did.

Barbara leaned forward and kissed her aunt’s cheek. ‘Please, do not worry about Father. He won’t come to any harm. And thanks to Xavier, you will be well taken care of despite his absence.’

Aunt Lenore’s eyes misted. ‘Duke, you have my gratitude. Your kindness—’

He raised a hand. ‘Please, call me Xavier. I do this because it makes my wife—’ how he loved saying those words ‘—it makes my wife happy. Please, be assured, you are as dear to me as you are to her.’

Aunt Lenore dabbed at the corner of her eyes with her handkerchief. ‘ Thank you.’

‘Julian,’ Xavier said, putting an arm around his friend’s shoulders as Barbara accompanied her aunt to the front door. ‘You will see Miss Lowell safely home?’

‘Of course I will.’

They shook hands. ‘I hope you will soon find yourself in wedded bliss,’ Xavier said, half joking, half not.

Julian gave him a horrified look. ‘God, no! What the devil would I want with a wife?’

It hadn’t been long ago that Xavier had had those same feelings, despite knowing it was his duty to marry. And look at him now. Perhaps Julian would be as fortunate.

The butler sheltered Aunt Lenore with an umbrella as she walked out of the front door and climbed into the carriage. Julian hopped in after her.

‘I am so glad you convinced me to marry you here at Woodburn,’ Barbara said, as they held hands and watched their guests’ carriage depart. ‘I know you love this house.’

‘So am I. I don’t think there is anything worse than northern roads, unless it is Scottish inns.’

‘Are you saying you wish to spend the rest of your wedding day in a comfortable bed?’

He looked at her sharply and saw a very naughty twinkle in her eye.

‘Did you have something else in mind?’ He took a deep breath. Whatever it was, he would do it, if it would bring her pleasure.

She laughed. A sound that made his heart sing with anticipation. ‘Oh, no, that is exactly what I have in mind.’

But there would be other days. And other nights. And other ideas of where to spend them. And he could not wait to enjoy them all, with his beautiful, exciting wife.

He swept her into his arms to the sound of her laughter and carried her up the stairs to their chamber.