Page 82 of Under the Seductive Ladys Charm

“We shall be right on time, Love,” Graham assured her.

Charlotte softened at the pet name and gave him a smile. “I hope she is happy. I want her to be as happy as we are.”

Graham came over and placed a kiss on her cheek. “Let us get her married first.”

He ushered Charlotte downstairs and noted Amanda pacing nervously. “Do stop that.”

Amanda gave him a pleading look. “I am not making a mistake, am I? Is this rash?”

Charlotte took Amanda’s hand in hers. “You have known Lord Allerton for quite some time. No one thinks that a two-month engagement after your length of acquaintanceship is rushing things, Amanda.”

“What if he changes his mind?” Amanda was fretting. She had been fretting for days before the wedding.

Graham sighed. “He is not going to change his mind. The man was very firmly set on you. Not that I have the faintest idea why.”

The glare Amanda sent him told Graham he had achieved his aim. Her mind was now squarely off the wedding. “Do you hear how he speaks to me?” Amanda had turned her gaze on Charlotte.

Charlotte nodded. “He is an ogre. Contemptable.” Despite her words, Charlotte’s eyes twinkled with merriment. She knew exactly Graham’s game and she seemed to be playing along. “I think it might be best if we rode in our own carriage.”

Graham started to protest but Amanda had already agreed and the two of them turned towards the door, arms linked against him. Charlotte looked over her shoulder and gave Graham a smile that made him chuckle.

He made sure the ladies were in the carriage safely and he followed them to the local church. By the time they arrived, Charlotte had somehow calmed Amanda’s nerves. She was a little jittery, but that was to be expected.

Charlotte gave him a kiss on the cheek as she took her seat. Graham took his position with Amanda. “Relax,” he told his sister, which only earned him another glare.

Graham escorted Amanda down the aisle and handed her over to Lord Allerton with a dip of his head. He then took his place with Charlotte. Graham watched his sister and Lord Allerton going through the same ceremony that he and Charlotte had not so long ago.

He had not expected to feel a sadness at the idea of his sister moving on with her life. Yet there was sadness mingled with the pride he felt at the good man she had found. Charlotte’s hand on his made him look at her. They shared a smile, remembering their own wedding day.

When Amanda and Lord Allerton were presented as Lord and Lady Allerton, Graham rose with Charlotte at his side. He prayed that Amanda would be happy. If anyone could tame his sister, it might just be the firm and yet soft-spoken Lord Allerton.

Graham certainly did not envy the man the task, but he wished them well all the same. He and Charlotte fell into step behind the couple. As they left the church, Graham pulled Charlotte out of the throng of people celebrating and guided her to the carriage he had waiting.

Charlotte laughed behind her hand at him. “Graham, I know we do not need to stay, but it is your sister’s wedding.”

“Yes, and they are quite happily almost to their carriage,” Graham assured her. She let him help her up into the carriage with a shake of her head.

At the manor, Graham exited the carriage first and turned back to offer aid to Charlotte. She giggled and he swept her into his arms instead of simply helping her down. “Graham,” she scolded. “The staff.”

“The staff are aware we are married. I am sure they think nothing of it. Is that not right?” Graham asked the doorman as the man stood to hold the door open for them.

The doorman nodded. “Quite, Sir.”

“There now,” Graham said.

Charlotte gave him an indulgent smile. He carried her through the halls and up the stairs. “Where are we going?” She gave him a suspicious look.

“To our rooms,” Graham said frankly. He set her down outside their door and held his hand out for her to go inside once he had the door open.

Charlotte chided, “It is the middle of the day, Graham. We have to host a wedding dinner for your sister tonight.”

“Tonight is not right now,” Graham reminded. He grew tired of waiting and scooped her back up into his arms. She protested weakly, but Graham could see the smile even as she scolded him.

He kicked the door closed and gave Charlotte a kiss which she returned with a whimper. “You are right. I suppose we will not be missed for a little while.”

“Yes,” Graham said coaxingly. “Just a little while.”

Charlotte giggled and said, “How come I get the impression that we shall be missed?”

“Because I may keep you longer than I let on at first,” Graham admitted. He whispered, “The ceremony reminded me of how you looked in that wedding dress.”

“Ah, I see,” she whispered back as he let her slide to the floor. She let her arms stay around his neck and leaned up on her toes to press her lips against his. Graham could hardly say no to an invitation like that.

They fell onto the bed in a heap. “Let us make you mine, yet again Lady Easterly.”

“I have always been yours, Lord Easterly,” Charlotte whispered.

THE END