Page 27 of The Chef and the Countess (The Duke’s Bastards #2)

The next two weeks flew by, and with the rental of an omnibus, the staff traveled to Bow Church and witnessed Celia and Liam exchange wedding vows.

To Liam, everything seemed surreal, like something out of a fairytale that he’d never believed in—until he met Celia. She showed him what happiness truly was, but most of all, love—unfettered, joyous love.

After the exchange of rings and the final blessing, they were off. Due to the restaurant’s demands, a honeymoon trip was out of the question, but Liam had tentative plans for a few weeks in the coming summer. Drew had graciously offered them the use of the cottage where Mitchell and Corrine currently were staying in Pevensey Bay on the southern coast of East Sussex. With a few months of intense training, he could leave Morrigan and Fiona in charge and not worry about it.

They arrived at the restaurant, and Liam swept Celia into his arms and carried her across the threshold to the cheers of their friends and people on the street. Once inside, he kissed her as he lowered her to her feet. Liam’s breath was taken away when they entered the staff dining room. His friends must have been up most of the night decorating. There were numerous pine boughs with hawthorn and holly winter berries on the wall, including one on the table, with cream-colored candles, which Bruce and Paul were lighting. Surrounding the pine bough display were dried rose petals. Everything looked exquisite, and Liam was genuinely touched that his restaurant family had gone through such trouble.

The table was immaculately set with white china and crystal goblets. Liam cast a glance at Drew. He must have supplied them because Liam did not own such fancy table settings.

Mr. and Mrs. Eckley entered the room, carrying a two-tier cake on a silver stand. It was covered in marzipan with red and pink marzipan flowers.

Celia grabbed Liam’s arm in excitement. “It is absolutely beautiful!”

They placed it on the sideboard. “We have more, Mrs. Hallahan. We brought treacle tarts, scones, mince pies, and sugar biscuits.”

Celia giggled. “Mrs. Hallahan. Oh, my. How wonderful that sounds.”

Liam kissed her hand. “Wonderful, indeed.”

“And so are your baked goods, Mr. and Mrs. Eckley. I am so pleased you could join us today,” Celia added warmly.

“Now, bride and groom, take your seats here, at the head of the table. Thankfully, it’s wide enough for you both,” Fiona said. “Enya, Morrigan, Tommy, and Timmy will prepare the wedding breakfast. First, we have cheese, biscuits, fruit, and a lovely apple cider. I will fetch that.”

Animated conversation broke out around the table as they passed around cheese and fruit platters. Then, the breakfast was brought forth and laid upon the sideboard: pork sausages, rashers of bacon, scrambled eggs, toast, roasted potatoes and onions, and baskets of pastries.

“Bride and groom first,” Fiona announced.

Liam held out his hand to assist Celia in standing. She wore a lovely lavender gown decorated with lace and pearls. Never had he seen her look so beautiful.

Soon, everyone was seated, eating, and conversing. Toward the end of the sumptuous meal, Liam stood, raising his goblet of sparkling apple cider.

“To our family and friends, thank you for your tireless effort in preparing this wedding feast and making all the other arrangements. Celia and I are deeply touched and very appreciative. We have plans for The Crowing Cock. One of the priorities in the spring is enclosing the outside staircase—” Vigorous applause broke out. Liam laughed. “I know, it’s deuced cold this time of year. Next, we will renovate the third floor as a living area for Celia and myself. My present living space will be part of it, consisting of a parlor, a small kitchen, and a room for Tommy.”

There was more applause, and Tommy blushed at his name being mentioned.

“Timmy will move upstairs into the second-floor empty room next to ours, as he indicated he’d like to stay with us for the long term. Celia and I will be his guardians until he reaches the age of majority. That makes him part of my immediate family and our family.”

Liam paused as everyone broke out into excited chatter, and congratulations were given to Timmy. He was proud of the lad. Timmy stated he wished to keep his last name of Cagney because it had belonged to his father, and he had loved him. Liam admired that. Timmy also wanted to learn everything about the business and work alongside Tommy, his best friend.

“We plan to be here a few years yet,” Liam continued, “And while we are, we will do all we can to make it an even better success!”

Everyone rose to their feet, their cheers echoing in the hall, a symphony of joy and celebration.

“Thank you to my brother, Drew, and my son, Tommy. I am pleased you are part of the family. Lastly, to my lovely bride, Lady Celia Hallahan. You brought sunshine, warmth, and love into my life. For that, I am yours, body and soul. You already have my heart. Cheers to us all!”

Mr. Eckley brought the cake before them, and Liam touched Celia’s hand as they cut into it.

“Hope you made a wish!” Hannah cried. Everyone laughed.

Liam looked down into Celia’s smiling, lovely face. “My wish already came true.”

Celia caressed his cheek and pulled him down for a passionate kiss to more cheers and applause. As they cut the fruit-filled wedding cake and served tea, Liam couldn’t wait for the wedding night to commence.

******

Celia cried out as she reached her peak, then, after catching her breath, climbed off him and curled up into his embrace. “You have me near worn out already,” she gasped.

Liam chuckled. “All we have to do is rest for a while, and I will be ready again.”

“It appears I married an unsatiable man.” She sighed happily. “Thank goodness.”

Liam laughed. “And I married a thoroughly passionate woman. Thank Jaysus.”

A knock sounded at the door. “Sorry to disturb!” Fiona said loudly. “A telegram arrived from Italy. I’ll slip it under the door. Carry on!”

“Italy?” Celia wrapped a sheet around her and she hurried to the door to pick up the telegram. By the time she returned to bed, Liam had turned up the gas lamp by the bed. She scanned it, and then gasped.

“What is it?” Liam asked.

“Shinwell has been seriously injured at the steel mill. He is paralyzed from his midsection downward. He is not doing well, and my aunt is returning to London immediately.” Celia looked up from the telegram.

“Shinwell is in America already?” Liam couldn’t believe this turn of events.

“The Atlantic crossing takes only a few days and it has been over two weeks since he left. Shinwell must have gone right to work in the mill.” She paused, and shook her head. “Paralyzed. What a turn of fate. I feel terrible.”

“Love, you have a kind heart. Your cousin is a villain, and justice has been meted out. Even if he survives, he will never father children, which means there will be no heir for your uncle. Unless the villain managed to get his new bride with child already.”

“It is a possibility, but a slim one, I assume.”

“Is there anyone else to inherit?”

“I don’t know much about my uncle’s family, but I don’t think so. There must not be, because Darrington always mentioned that Shinwell was the only chance for the earldom to carry forward.”

“Then your uncle will also pay a price for his criminal life. The earldom dies with him. Good. Do not give those loathsome men another thought.”

“You’re right, of course.” Celia folded the telegram and placed it on the nightstand. “I wish—”

“What do you wish, love?” Liam murmured as he pulled her into his embrace.

“I wish Corrine and Mitchell were here, and I miss Selena. I’m worried about her, Liam. Who knows where she is?”

“First, it’s nearly February. Corrine and Mitchell will return to London on March 1 st . No time at all. As to your other friend… When Drew and I were in the Devil’s Acre, he swore he saw the duchess lurking about the dark alleys.”

“What?” Celia cried.

“He chalked it up to extreme fatigue. Let’s be honest: why would a duchess be in such an infamous neighborhood? It makes no sense.”

“It does sound incredible. But it would be a good place to hide. Who would look for a runaway duchess there?”

“I have a feeling we will discover more, and sooner than you think. Meanwhile, let’s sleep, love. We have the rest of the afternoon and night before us.”

“Liam?” Celia said softly.

“Hmm?”

“I love you so very much.”

Liam’s heart soared. He’d never tire of

hearing it. “And I love you most desperately.”

A future with Celia?

Liam, filled with hope and anticipation, was more than ready to live, love, and experience it all. The future was bright, and he was determined to embrace it with all his heart.