Page 50 of The Governess’ Unlikely Suitor (The Dashworth Brothers #2)

B e careful of the frost,’ said Pete, sliding the sole of his boot over the paving slab to demonstrate to Kate how prevalent the ice was.

She bit the inside of her cheek to hide her smile.

Edward had instructed the boy to take care of her and Pete was taking that role very seriously.

She took the hand he held up to help her down from the carriage, marvelling at how strong he was becoming after a few months of good food.

She and Edward were trying all they could to get help for Pete and Silas’ mother, but gin had a heavy hold on the woman and she was finding it difficult to let go.

Edward had surprised Kate by suggesting Peter and Silas became their wards; if she hadn’t already loved him, that would have tipped her over the edge.

In the short time since that had happened, Edward had taken on a hero status to the two boys and today, of all days, Pete did not want to let him down.

Kate tugged on the end of her shawl, as a crisp breeze whipped around them. Taking a tentative step, she was glad for Pete’s hand. The ground was slippery and her white shoes were outrageously pretty, but not practical in the least.

‘Will you have to kiss him?’ asked Pete, his nose wrinkled.

‘I do not think I have to, but I think I should like to.’

‘Ugh. I am never getting married, kissing looks disgusting.’

Kate didn’t argue with him, he was too young to be thinking of such things and, besides, she was too busy imagining Edward’s mouth on hers to form words. It would not be long now.

The door was only a few steps away, but she tugged on Pete’s arm to bring him to a brief stop.

She’d wanted to get married in her late father’s church.

If her brother could not be with her, and neither she nor Edward wanted to wait any longer than they had to, then being here was the closest she could be to having her family with her on her wedding day.

She could just make out the rectory garden from where she was standing.

The tree she and Simon had climbed as children was covered in a slight covering of snow.

She gave it a small nod before turning to the big, wooden entrance.

It was time to start the next chapter of her life, and she was more than ready.

When the church doors opened, everything else faded away.

Edward could no longer hear Christopher making jokes at his expense or feel pain from Silas’ excited hops, which often ended up landing on Edward’s toes.

All he could see was his bride, her smile, the love in her eyes and the way she was moving towards him.

He did not care if everyone noticed his trembling fingers.

In no time at all this wonderful woman would be his wife and whatever the future held, they would handle it together.

By the time her hand slipped into his, he was calm once more; he was ready for their life together to begin.

The End