Chapter Twenty-Four
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here, in the sight of God —”
“STOP!”
Milli glanced over her shoulder and dropped her bouquet. A tall man stood in the doorway, his towering silhouette setting her heart on fire. “Marcus?”
His powerful form stalked up the aisle. “Were you expecting another suitor?”
She backed up when she saw how black his eyes were. She swallowed. “Now, M-Marcus . . . have a care.”
She glanced at Stephen who was smiling. Lizzie and Jane blinked in shock.
“Have a care?” Marcus said curtly. “Have a care?”
The icy gaze Marcus sent Lord Hughmont made Milli rethink her plans. But it was too late. Without any more warning, Marcus plowed her intended in the jaw.
Hughmont staggered back, holding his chin. He managed a glance Milli’s way, but his expression was anything but amiable. “This, Miss Millicent, is where I draw the line! And in church! By Jupiter, I will not have it!”
The vicar closed his prayer book and frowned. “I am in all astonishment, gentlemen. This is a place of worship, not warfare.”
Ignoring him, Marcus turned to Milli and yanked her into his arms. “You are not going to marry him!”
She lifted two delicate brows. “I am not?” she replied meekly.
“No.”
She curled her hands around Marcus’s neck. “And why is that?”
“Because . . . because, blast it, I love you!”
Her heart gave a thump. “You love me?”
His silver eyes glittered with emotion. “Thunderation, if you don’t know that by now . . .”
“I say, let her go,” Hughmont growled.
Marcus put a hand about Milli’s waist and scooped her into his arms, clutching her to his chest. He shot Hughmont a warning gaze. “Devil take it, do you want a death wish? A Clearbrook never likes a man invading his territory. Did you ever hear about a certain Mr. Fennington?”
Hughmont stood frozen, staring in mute horror.
Milli felt like laughing and crying. “Marcus, please, put me down.”
He did as she asked, but when her slippers hit the floor, he went down on one knee.
Milli let out a stifled sob. “You don’t have to do this. I—”
He gently put his hands over hers. “I do have to do this. I love you, Milli. I have loved you in a very special way from the first time I saw you as a little girl at fourteen. But as you grew into womanhood, my love for you has grown and changed. During the past year, it has grown into a love a man has for a woman. A husband for a wife.”
Tears spilled over Milli’s lids. “Oh, Marcus, why could you not say that before?”
He took her hand and kissed each finger. “It’s not too late. Forgive me for all the stupid things I said. Forgive me for being such a big oaf.” He brought her hand to his cheek. “I love you.”
Behind them, Jane sobbed into a handkerchief while Lizzie cried on Stephen’s shoulder.
Milli lifted a horrified gaze as Hughmont took a menacing step in their direction. “That is all well and good, Lord Marcus. But I demand satisfaction! I am no Mr. Fennington!”
Marcus sprang to his feet. “Any time,” he remarked, the threat in his voice sending chills down Milli’s back.
“Marcus—”
He picked her up with the gentleness of a lover and placed her beside Stephen. “In a minute, my little princess.”
He spun around, his face hard as he glowered at Hughmont. “I will meet you at dawn if you would like. But I will tell you this. You are not marrying my Milli.”
Hughmont turned beet red. “I daresay—”
Milli rushed between the two. “Gentleman, please.”
The vicar finally stepped in. “Millicent, do you wish to marry Lord Hughmont or not?”
Milli looked at Marcus, and her heart slipped to her feet. “I wish to marry Lord Marcus. I love him.”
Marcus pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
“Thunderation, Marcus,” Stephen snapped. “This is a church. I think you have done enough damage in here today. This is where I draw the line as well.”
Ignoring his brother, Marcus looked into Milli’s eyes with all the adoration of a man in love. “Will you be my bride, Miss Millicent Shelby, my little princess?”
She pressed her forehead against his chest, feeling the beat of his heart. A shudder ran through her. Marcus loved her.
He tipped her chin, caressing her with his silver gaze. “Are you crying?”
She nodded, letting the tears spill over her lids. “I’ve waited so long, Marcus.”
He laughed, looking at Hughmont over his shoulder. “Do you still want satisfaction?”
Hughmont clenched his jaw. “I want a word with Millicent.”
“Milli?” Marcus asked.
She felt her soul glow as she glanced at the man she had loved for years. “He deserves a few words. But my heart is yours. It will always be yours.”
Marcus’s silver gaze clung to hers with promises of things to come. “Two minutes.”
Milli smiled and walked about twenty feet away with Lord Hughmont. Standing next to the side pews, Hughmont frowned, lifting her hand in his.
But Marcus was watching with hawk-like eyes and would have none of that. “Drop her hand, or I will drop it for you.” His voice was low and threatening.
Milli looked up at Lord Hughmont and chewed her bottom lip as happiness bubbled inside her. “He is rather forceful, I’m afraid.”
Hughmont rubbed his jaw. “Forceful? That is an understatement, I daresay. Well, I suppose this will mean the end of our group meetings.”
Milli nodded, the smile in her heart growing. “I cannot thank you enough.”
He blushed. “I will miss you.”
She lifted on her toes and kissed his cheek.
Marcus was already heading their way. “Devil take it—”
Milli put out her hand. “One more minute, if you please.”
Marcus halted, his eyes flashing with determination. “I am watching you Hughmont.”
Hughmont grinned at Milli and lowered his voice. “By George, you have him in the palm of your hand.”
Milli giggled. “I love him with all my heart.”
“I know.”
“Thank you, John. I will never forget this.”
“Well, considering we were to be man and wife . . .”
She chuckled. “At least we didn’t end up like Romeo and Juliet.”
The teasing merriment in his eyes touched her.
“Spare me the details of that play, if you please.” His voice was a mere whisper. “Your plan worked, but I have to admit, I was quite skeptical. Pretending to marry you went above and beyond the call of duty, I believe. But we are actors, are we not?”
Milli shifted her gaze toward Marcus who stood far enough away not to hear their whispers. She smiled at him. He smiled back. She returned her attention to Hughmont. “Yes, we are true actors. Our plan worked. Um, how much do I owe you to pay off the vicar?” Her eyes danced.
Hughmont smothered a grin. “I shall take care of the matter entirely. Harry’s a friend from Eton. Likes acting too, if you didn’t notice. He’s off to the races after this.”
Hughmont gulped when he looked back at Marcus. “I am not very fond of the stories about Mr. Fennington, you know.
“You have nothing to fear.”
“But what if your intended discovers our ploy?”
Milli’s gentle laugh was one of pure joy. “Oh, I have my ways.”
Hughmont blushed. “You are quite the woman, Miss Millicent Shelby.”
She put out her hand, watching from the corner of her eye to make sure Marcus didn’t pounce. “We will always be friends.”
Hughmont sighed and took her sign of friendship. “I would have married you, if it had been real, you know. Why should that surprise you? My marriage proposals were true, my dear girl. You care for people and animals, and the love in your heart is genuine. Not many ladies like that, you know. But I finally came to the conclusion that you loved Lord Marcus.”
“You did?”
He shrugged. “I should have recognized it that night in London in the duke’s library when Marcus looked primed for battle. You were meant to be together. Be happy, Millicent.” He bent down to kiss her cheek when Marcus came marching their way.
“Your time is up!”
Milli rolled her eyes. “Marcus, please—”
Marcus slipped his hand about her waist. “You don’t have any more time with him.” He grinned in triumph as Hughmont turned down the aisle and departed from the Abbey.
“Now, little princess, let us go back home and discuss our wedding.”
They walked outside, followed by a mute duchess, a wide-eyed Lizzie, and a smiling Stephen.
“Do you want to marry here or in London?” Milli asked, her heart in her eyes.
“Here,” Marcus said gently. “I want you to be my Bath bride.”
“I don’t mind—”
He kissed her, stopping her speech. “We will marry tomorrow or the next, while everyone is here. And that’s all there is to it. A special license and that’s that.”
She looked up at him. “Very well.”
Worry filled his gaze. “I can see that you are going to be a very meek wife.”
She burst out laughing. “Of course dear. Anything you say.” She kissed him with all the pent-up passion she had been holding on for years.
He swallowed and pulled at his cravat. “Do you think the vicar could perform the ceremony today?”
Milli blinked. “Uh, you need the special license and that may take two days at least. Besides, I think the vicar is off to the races.”
“He gambles?”
Milli smiled. “Vicars are human too, you know.”
Marcus looked skeptical. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”
Milli batted her lids. She could not wait to marry this man. “I love you, Marcus.” She took her finger and traced it over his lips.
He swallowed, looking at the Abbey. “We have to leave. Now. Thunderation, I cannot make love to you beside a church.”
Her lips fell into a wide smile. “Not until we are married, dearest.”
“Blast it all. I aim to have that special license by tomorrow!”
True to his word, by some miracle, Lord Marcus Clearbrook married Miss Millicent Shelby at Bath Abbey the following day. Every member of Society in Bath attended the ceremony.
“I think you should buy her a hat,” Gabby commented as Milli and Marcus exited the church, heading in the direction of their carriage for their honeymoon.
Marcus had decided that they would have a large wedding reception after their trip to Italy and France. Milli didn’t mind at all. She was just happy that her entire family had been in church, watching her marry the man she loved. Elizabeth and Stephen, Lady and Lord Bringston, the duke and duchess, Clayton, Briana, baby Victoria, Emily, Stonebridge, little Richard and of course, Gabby, were all overjoyed to be there.
Marcus playfully pinched Gabby’s cheek. “I will buy my wife all the hats in the world.”
Milli bent down and hugged Gabby. “I think I will buy a pink bonnet just like yours.”
Gabby clapped her hands in glee. “Then, we can be sisters! Did you see the lady in church with the purple hat? She was with that prince that came to see you.”
Marcus stopped a foot before the carriage and glanced over his shoulder at the little girl, his brows dipping into a scowl. “What prince?”
“Prince Hughpont!” Gabby shouted, loving the attention.
“Hughmont?” Marcus asked, glancing at Milli. “I didn’t know he would be there.”
Milli avoided her husband’s penetrating gaze as she entered the carriage. “I, uh—”
Marcus leapt in after her. “Milli?”
Gabby ran up the carriage steps and tugged on Marcus’s jacket. “And there was another man too. He was talking to Hughpont about Milli getting married yesterday,” she said excitedly, noting the widening of Marcus’s eyes.
Milli scooted further into the carriage, grabbing her husband’s hand. “Marcus?”
He shifted his interested gaze toward her, then back to Gabby.
Gabby’s blue eyes grew with excitement when she realized she had Marcus’s undivided attention. “I knew you would not like that. There is only one prince for the princess. And your princess didn’t get married yesterday, she got wedded to you today. You saved her from the most evil dragon!”
Marcus’s silver eyes danced. “Indeed. The most evil dragon I have ever seen.” He sank back in his seat.
Gabby’s jaw dropped in awe.
Milli let out a sigh of relief.
But she jumped when the little girl vaulted into the carriage and tugged on Marcus’s sleeve once again. Gabby’s innocent blond curls danced about her head like a halo.
“Uncle Marcus, do you know what a fake vicar is?” Gabby asked, her eyes wide with delight.
Marcus stiffened and stared at Milli whose face became red as a rose.
Milli inwardly groaned, wondering if this was God’s way of telling her He was constantly watching her, and that truth would win out all the time.
Without a word, Milli picked up the girl, walked her out of the carriage and deposited the little darling beside Lady Emily and Lord Stonebridge who stood watching with curious eyes.
“We have to move along, dear,” Milli said, laughing. “Good bye, Gabby.”
Gabby waved, then played with her pink bonnet, which was slipping off her head. “Bye! Don’t worry, Uncle Marcus. I will ask my papa about a fake vicar!” She turned to Lord Stonebridge. “Is that like a bishop, Papa?”
Stonebridge caught Marcus’s eyes and winked. “Not quite, poppet.”
When the carriage door closed, Marcus turned toward Milli, his steady gaze making her squirm. “What the devil is a fake vicar? Some play you acted in?”
Milli licked her lips and looked up at him with big gray eyes. “Did I tell you about the school for young women that I want us to purchase? I found the perfect place—”
“Save that information for later.” Marcus yanked her onto his lap, his gaze glittering with mischief. “Now, tell me about this fake vicar, dear wife. I am simply agog with curiosity as I await your answer.”
Milli batted her eyelashes, hoping her flirting would work.
He raised his brows. “I am waiting.”
She burst out laughing when she detected the smirk in his eyes. So much for talking about the school for young women. “Oh, very well.” She curled her hands around his neck and leaned closer. “If you must know, I believe I will have to start from the beginning with the fake fiancé.”
He jerked. “Fake fiancé?”
She tipped her head, waiting for him to figure it out.
It took him three seconds. His face contorted. “Are you telling me, Lord Hughmont faked the wedding?
“Well, you see . . .”
“And that the vicar was fake as well?”
”Actually . . .”
He clasped her waist with two strong hands. “Why, you little actress!”
She looked up through suggestive eyes. “I am, am I not? ‘Though she be but little, she is fierce!’ ”
“A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream?” he asked, his eyes gleaming with mirth.
She leaned back and surveyed him with a scrutinizing gaze. “Why, sir. You are more educated in Shakespeare than I had thought.”
His mouth curved into a dangerous smile. “I am educated in many more things, wife.”
Her gaze locked with his. “You do love me, do you not?”
He leaned his head against the seat, closed his eyes, and took in a deep breath. He sighed, muttered something, and slapped a hand over his lids.
“Marcus?” She peeled his hand off his face. Was he regretting their wedding?
His eyes opened and he stared at her. She bit her lip when she saw two pools of silver laughing back at her.
“You little mischief maker. What the devil am I going to do with you?’
She leaned into him. “Kiss me?”
He laid her along the seat, gazing down at her. “I shall do more than that my mischievous bride.”
“Marcus,” she squeaked, trying to sit up. “It’s the middle of the day. We are on the road, in a carriage, for goodness sakes.”
He gently pushed her back against the seat. “I’m going to kiss you, then I’m going to make love to you.”
Milli burst into tears.
“Milli,” he said worriedly, dragging her into his arms. “I didn’t mean to bully you. If you don’t want—”
With a heart-rending sob, she wrapped her hands tightly about his chest, not letting him go.
He froze. “I never meant to push you. If you don’t want me—”
“Y-you silly man,” she sobbed. “I want you. I want you. I want you. And only you.”
He finally pulled back and wiped the tears from her face. “Then why are you crying?”
She looked up at him with blurry eyes. “I’m crying, b-because I love you.” She gulped back another sob. “And because you love me. Is that not the silliest thing you’ve ever heard?”
He groaned and slowly lowered her against the seat, kissing her long and hard. When he finally took a breath, he lifted his head, his charming smile spearing her very soul.
“Silly?” he said huskily. “No, my little princess. Love is not silly at all. Because if it is, I’m the silliest man in the world.”
Her heart burst with happiness as he held her lovingly in his arms. “Oh, Marcus. You are the prince I always wanted.” Tears of happiness slid down her cheeks.
He kissed her face. “I didn’t think loving you would make you cry. Should I recite poetry instead?” he asked with a lopsided grin. “I’ll do anything you want, sweetheart.”
She let out another happy sob. She never dreamed it would be like this. “I don’t need poetry. I just need you. You silly, silly man!”
“But,” he said huskily, kissing the tips of her ears. “I admit, you have found me out.”
Alarm skittered along her spine as she stared at him. “W-what do you mean?”
He brushed a warm kiss upon her neck. “Ah, you have discovered I am not the boring gentleman at all. You see, I am the silliest man in the world. My wife. My life. My love. And I am going to prove it to you right now.”
“But–”
He put a finger to her lips, his eyes glowing with tenderness. “Shhhh, my sweet.”
Milli shut her mouth as he framed her face with two powerful hands, sending shivers of passion flowing through her. Her blood surged with emotion as flames of love burned between them.
For the first time in her life, Milli was completely speechless, for the serious and sensible Lord Marcus Clearbrook quickly began to show her just how silly he was.
An hour later, Milli stared at him. His handsome profile nearly broke her heart she was so happy. He was hers until death do they part.
“I was wrong, Marcus,” she said shyly.
The clatter of wheels and rattle of horses’ hooves filled the carriage. Marcus turned with a frown. “Wrong about what, my sweet.”
Her gray eyes danced as she flung herself at him. She giggled into his ear. “Why, Lord Marcus Clearbrook, you silly, silly husband. You are an actor after all.”
“You think that was acting?”
She eased her way onto his lap and kissed him long and hard. “No, silly man. But you are correct. You are not boring at all! In fact, I find you breathtaking.”
His laugh was warm and rich, sending a rush of emotion through her veins.
“And do you know what else?” she asked.
He circled his hands about her tiny waist, his silver eyes glistening with delight. “What my mischievous bride?”
“Well, dear husband, I have to admit, I was wrong.”
A black brow lifted in question. “About what?”
“You are definitely no frog!”
He exploded with laughter. He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “I am going to show you more than silly, wife.” He thumped his other hand against the trap door above him, raising the attention of the driver. “James, stop at the next inn.”
Milli’s eyes widened. “But our honeymoon in Italy?”
His expression turned wicked. “Italy can wait. This silly husband of yours can’t.”
And for the next few days, Milli found herself locked in a room, at a quaint little inn, with the silliest man in England.
She smiled to herself. Even though she hadn’t been the best behaved female in the world, God was still watching over her after all.