Page 49 of The Reckless Love of an Heir (The Marlow Family Secrets #4)

‘Well, then…’ Her father lifted his elbow out towards her.

‘A week ago I did not imagine for one moment that this week I would be giving one of my daughters away, but I am not sorry for it. Henry is a good man despite all this, Susan. You will be happy, I am sure. He will make sure you are, that I am certain of.’

She looked at her father. ‘But Alethea…’

‘Will find another candidate for her affections. We are returning to London tomorrow so she might enjoy the rest of her season and resume her search.’

Susan felt a chill, a fear of being separated from her family – but she would have Henry with her.

‘Here.’ Her father began walking, and she walked, her feet skimming over the medieval tiles. Her father’s hand lay over hers as she held his forearm. The flowers trembled in her other hand.

In the pews at the far end of the aisle, people stood and looked back, not only Henry’s father and mother, his sisters and brothers, but Uncle Edward, Aunt Ellen and his cousin Rob and his wife Caro, and Harry… Of course, she remembered, Harry, and his mother and father were staying with Rob.

Henry stepped out of the pew and turned around to watch her progress along the aisle, smiling, smiling wholeheartedly as if he were not weighed down by grief.

She smiled back.

When she reached her position before the altar she mouthed, Hello , to Henry.

Hello, you look beautiful.

‘We are here today…’ The minister began the service.

Susan’s father squeezed her hand gently before he passed it to Henry. When Henry received it he squeezed it gently too. She looked into his brown eyes. His lips mouthed, I love you.

Had he said that before, in that manner? She could not remember. So much had happened. I love you too .

They spoke the vows that bound them together and committed them for life. Then he had to give her a ring. He withdrew it from his chest pocket. He must have bought one here in York, yesterday.

‘Here.’ He smiled, holding the gold band in his fingers so he might slide it onto her finger. ‘And now you are snared,’ he whispered when it was in place .

She looked up suddenly and a sound of amusement escaped her throat as the minister gave him more words to repeat.

Today he was the Henry she had always known – or not known. She had never really known him until this spring when he came home with his injury.

‘With this ring…’ he said.

Her heart raced as Henry made the declaration. His beautiful eyes looking into hers.

‘I thee wed…’

‘I now pronounce you man and wife!’ The minister spoke as though the minster were full of people, and the words echoed about the great columns and into the choir stalls.

‘Man and wife,’ Henry repeated, for her ears only, then he ducked slightly as she lifted her head, and snuck beneath the rim of her bonnet to press a kiss on her lips. ‘I love you, my wife,’ he said, when he pulled away.

She rose onto her toes and wrapped her arms about his neck. Her posy of flowers brushing against the back of his head as the rim of her bonnet struck his cheek.

He squeezed her body for a moment then let her go.

‘Congratulations.’

‘You do make a beautiful couple.’

‘You are a husband then, Henry…’

They were surrounded by members of his family.

‘Come and sign the register,’ the minister requested.

When that was done they walked down the aisle as husband and wife, and outside climbed into his father’s carriage. His parents travelled with hers, while his brothers and sisters used a secondary carriage.

Henry’s arm lifted, encouraging her to come beneath it. She pressed against him, as his arm settled around her shoulders. His free hand pulled the bow tying her bonnet, slid it off and threw it onto the far seat. Then his lips pressed against hers.

When he broke the kiss, she said, ‘The bonnet is Alethea’s, she sent it for me to wear. Do you think that means she will forgive me?’

A rumble of amusement sounded in his chest. ‘Either that or she wished to have an element of control over you and I today.’ He smiled.

‘I have seen how she manipulates you, and yes, I know how she manipulated me too when I played along with her whims. But now, I do not care for her manipulation. But, yes, I believe she will forgive us, and most particularly you, because for all her tricks to have you at her beck and call, I know she cares for you as I do.’

‘Henry, it was a kind gesture…’

‘Perhaps. But either way, we will leave the bonnet in the carriage and have a footman take it back to Alethea, or it may become an excuse for her to interfere in some way. Let us be selfish for a little longer.’

‘She will not interfere. She is going to London with Mama and Papa tomorrow.’

‘Then that I am glad of, but she is still having her bonnet back.’ His palm cupped her cheek and he kissed her endlessly until the carriage turned onto Farnborough’s drive.

‘Is my hair falling from its pins?’

‘A little. It looks adorable.’

‘Henry.’

‘I swear you look beautiful and not untidy at all, only loved.’

‘Henry!’

He laughed, probably at her expression of horror.

‘Not in that way, Susan, darling.’ He laughed again.

The carriage rolled through the arch with the old medieval portcullis and into the noisy cobbled courtyard, where it turned about the fountain and drew to a halt, rocking as the footman jumped down from a perch at the back to come around and open the door.

‘My lady,’ he said, opening the door wide. She had not been called that before.

‘No, Frank.’ Henry climbed out before she could rise. ‘This is my prerogative.’

Henry did not hold out a hand out to help her, instead she was swept up into his arms.

She squealed and clasped his shoulders. ‘Henry!’

‘A wife is to be carried over the threshold of her new home, and for now this will be yours.’

He crossed the cobbles with her in his arms and entered the house. Davis held the door wide for them, smiling broadly.

Henry smiled back. ‘Good day, Davis.’

‘Congratulations, my lord, my lady.’

‘There is a bonnet in the carriage to be sent over to Lord Forth’s, but pray, save my hat from the carriage.’ He looked at Susan. ‘Now I believe we are to have a small wedding breakfast in the dining room, but first of all champagne in the drawing room and so I shall carry you there.’

He did so, then dropped her on a sofa. ‘Ahhh! Henry!’

He laughed once more. leaning over her and kissing her lips before rising. ‘Happy, Lady Marlow?’

Lady Marlow… How odd that sounded. ‘Yes.’

‘Champagne, my lord…’ A footman stood at the open door.

She shared a look with Henry, a look that said they might have been caught kissing.

He straightened up. ‘Thank you.’ Then walked across the room to take two glasses from a tray full of them.

‘My lord…’ Davis’s voice echoed in the hall as the others arrived .

Susan stood as Henry brought the glass of sparkling wine to her.

‘Now swear to me you will not rebel and run off to the library. This is our wedding day,’ he said quietly.

She shook her head and made a face at him, but in truth she was glad of his humour. It was holding her together. ‘I promise.’