Page 34 of Starlight and the Duke (Cherish and the Duke #5)

T he door to Rob’s guest chamber opened as Gawain’s valet entered to assist him in preparing for his wedding day.

It had taken only two days to get everything in order, allowing the ceremony to take place on the morning of this third day, which was filled with sunshine, soft white clouds, a gentle breeze, and the bluest sky.

All was moving along smoothly until Rob heard Fiona’s shrieks resounding through the halls of Northam Hall, where they were all still staying, since the house party had yet to draw to a close.

“What the…?” He tore out of his bedchamber and raced to hers.

“Your Grace! You are not dressed!” the valet cried, running after him.

Perhaps not fashionably dressed, but Rob had on his trousers and shirt, although the shirt was not buttoned. Fortunately, his trousers were. And what did the state of his attire matter when Fiona was in danger?

He reached her bedchamber slightly ahead of Gawain, Reggie, and several other guests. Her door was open and she was seated beside her vanity, her little derriere perched on the vanity’s stool.

She looked quite lovely, wearing only her robe, which hugged her every delightful curve, and her hair was in a riotous tumble down her back.

Cherish’s maid stood in the center of the room, wringing her hands. “I don’t know what’s wrong, Your Grace.”

Rob nodded and looked around the room. Nothing appeared amiss.

His heart was still in his throat as he strode forward and knelt beside Fiona. “What in blazes has you so overset?”

“Can you believe it?” she wailed, holding up her hand.

He had to peer closely to notice the lone strand of hair snared in her fingers.

A mouse hair?

A rat hair?

“No! It’s mine!” she exclaimed when he dared mention those rodents.

Rob scratched his head. “Yours? So what?”

“Look!”

He was staring at it and still had no idea what she was talking about.

“Can you not see? It is a gray hair!” She closed her eyes and sobbed again. “It isn’t even a pretty silver color, just drab, and how soon before my entire head is covered in gray and I look like an old charwoman?”

“You are never going to look old or like a charwoman,” he said, relieved the issue was not Milbury’s deranged sister escaping and coming after Fiona. “You will always look beautiful to me.”

“You’re just saying that because you love me.”

He laughed. “How is that a bad thing?”

She allowed him to wipe the tears off her cheeks with his thumbs. “It is awful because you are so young and fit. I would not mind nearly so much if you were dumpy and had warts. But just look at you. There is no one handsomer.”

He had rushed in with his shirt undone, and she was now staring at him and muttering something about his perfect chest and rippling muscles.

“Is this in any way fair, Rob? Your hair is freshly washed, too, and…” She traced a finger along his skin, following the trail of droplets sliding down his neck, onto his shoulders and chest.

“It’s my wedding day. I thought I would wash up for my blushing bride,” he said with a grin.

Fiona brushed away the last of her tears and laughed. “Your deranged bride, is more like it.”

“No, she’s my fairy princess,” he said in a whisper, then turned to the others. “No cause for alarm. Merely a mad countess on the loose.”

Reggie rolled his eyes and then took charge of dispersing the crowd. “Rob, can I leave you to deal with Fiona? I have my own problems.”

“What’s wrong, Reg?” Rob asked.

“Nothing serious. Margaret’s stomach is in upheaval. I’ve left her moaning on the bed with her face over the chamber pot. She might have eaten something that did not agree with her.”

Did Reggie not realize yet Margaret was carrying his child? Hadn’t she told him?

Well, that was not Rob’s concern at the moment.

He knelt beside Fiona. “You do realize that was a completely insane and hysterical response to finding one gray hair on your head? I already have a dozen, and you do not find me shrieking and blubbering about it.”

“Because you are perfect and have an old soul that makes you wise and sensible instead of mindlessly hysterical like me,” she said, now cracking a genuine smile. “It caught me by surprise and I handled it poorly. But I am approaching forty and…they’ll call me the Silver Duchess.”

“First of all, you appear nowhere near forty yet. You look beautiful and magical, just as you have always done and will always appear in my eyes. No one would ever guess you were above the age of twenty. You have a very young face.”

She laughed again. “It is a good thing your eyesight leaves much to be desired. But I like that you see me through the eyes of love.”

“Always, Fiona.”

She nodded. “I know.”

“Ready to get married?”

“Yes.” She cast him one of her captivating smiles that reached her eyes and made them sparkle. “If you will still have this deranged countess.”

“Never a doubt. Come on, get dressed or we shall both be late to our own wedding.”

Rob finished dressing and headed downstairs to join his friends in the entry hall while awaiting the ladies.

The house party guests had all been invited to join them at the local parish church for the ceremony, after which they would all return to Northam Hall for the wedding breakfast Cherish had organized with the assistance of Margaret and the wives of the other Silver Dukes.

Reggie appeared particularly bemused as he stood among the men.

Rob frowned as he walked over to his friend. “What’s wrong? Is Margaret still feeling ill?”

Reggie let out a breath and raked a hand through his hair. “Yes, but she still insists on attending the wedding and claims it is nothing of concern.”

Rob arched an eyebrow, uncertain whether to give his friend a hint. Reggie looked so perplexed that he decided to take pity on his friend and give him a slight prodding. “How long has this been going on?”

“Oh, about two weeks now. Mostly mornings, and then she’s suddenly fine and back to her beautiful self.”

“Are you finding her particularly beautiful lately?”

“Of course, because I love her more each day. What are you suggesting?” Reggie paused a moment and stared at Rob.

“Gad, are you that dense? Has she been glowing lately?”

“Yes, now that you mention it. A lovely glow about her. I…” He inhaled sharply. “Rob, I have to go!” He tore up the stairs.

Rob watched him, smiling.

“What’s with Reggie?” Bromleigh asked, coming to his side.

“He’s checking on Margaret.”

Bromleigh grinned. “You’ve figured it out, haven’t you?”

“Figured what out?”

“Margaret’s condition. I spotted it immediately, since this is what Cherish has been going through. Was that Reggie just catching on?”

Rob chuckled. “Yes. A happy day all around.”

But Bromleigh frowned. “How will Fiona take the news?”

“She knows already,” Rob said, letting out a heavy breath. “Margaret confided in her when she first arrived at your house party.”

“Oh, blast. Then she’s been aching this entire time?”

“She’s happy for her friends, genuinely delighted. You know she hasn’t a malicious bone in her body. She would never resent their good fortune.”

Bromleigh nodded. “Still, it has to be hard on her.”

“It is,” Rob said quietly. “But she’ll have me now, and I hope that will be enough for her.”

“It will. I’m glad she’s marrying you.” Bromleigh gave him a friendly clap on the back. “You’ve always understood her better than anyone else. And love goes a long way toward healing wounds, doesn’t it? This is what she deserves, a true love match.”

All conversation ceased once the ladies came downstairs.

Fiona looked stunning in a gown of blue silk that flattered her youthful figure. Her hair was drawn back in soft waves and fashioned in an intricate chignon at the nape of her neck. The simple style seemed to enhance the graceful beauty of her face.

She wore no diamonds or other sparkling gemstones, only the lapis lazuli necklace and ring Rob purchased for her on their day in Brighton. She must have chosen this particular gown because it was the exact color of that ancient stone and held significance for both of them.

He still had the chunk of stone he’d purchased as an afterthought. It was buried amid his undergarments in his bureau drawer.

He had no idea what he would do with it. Perhaps it was enough to be in his possession, quietly bringing him good fortune wherever it was needed.

Their gazes locked.

Her smile stole his breath away.

She was happy.

And she loved him.

Within the hour, they were at the church and standing with the vicar before the altar.

Rob’s heart pounded harder as the time drew near for their exchange of vows.

He had never felt more content or at peace as when Fiona said, “I do,” and he said the same in turn.

“I now declare you to be husband and wife under the eyes of Our Lord and in his house,” the vicar intoned.

Cheers resounded and belfry bells pealed as they marched out of the church.

Everyone now climbed into their carriages to ride back to Northam Hall for the wedding breakfast.

Fiona’s entire staff had been invited to attend the ceremony and the breakfast that immediately followed. There was not a dry eye among them, for they truly adored her and wished her every happiness.

“We’ll be returning to Shoreham Manor this evening,” Fiona told her housekeeper within earshot of her staff of maids, who tried to be discreet as they ogled Rob and giggled.

Blessed saints. Were they still mooning over the sight of him shirtless?

All he cared about was Fiona finding him worthy to ogle, and he hoped she would never tire of his presence in her bed.

The day was filled with good news as Bromleigh and Cherish formally announced they were expecting a child, which prompted several other newly married couples to do the same.

Reggie and Margaret, for one, although they made clear it was very early days yet.

Ramsdale and Ailis also announced they were expecting their first around Christmastide.