“You know the land near Woodbine?”
“My brother doesn’t need to ask. The land is yours.”
“Of course, I would pay for it.”
“Consider it a wedding gift.”
Joshua nodded. He couldn’t speak past the lump in his throat. He sipped at his drink. “I think I’ll take Char up next week. I’m going to build her a home there.”
“So you’ve given up world traveling?”
“Oh no. I have my books—I can travel anytime.”
*
The wedding might have been the event of the year—a lavish wedding at St George’s, a large breakfast hosted by Sterling and an extravagant, year-long continental honeymoon.
But it wasn’t. Char was determined to have the wedding at the small chapel in Kemsing. She’d made her dress during the three weeks while the banns were posted, a lace and pearl concoction with a demure bust line, slightly puffed sleeves, and a sweeping train. The church was only half full, only family. Char had recited her vows with a mix of giddy joy and profound gratitude. To have found him at last. He wore a bespoke black suit with tails. His cravat was snowy white and only his smile shone brighter. When he said his vows, Char wanted to reach up and brush back the hair from his brow and press a kiss to his forehead.
She would care for this man as long as they breathed the same air. She would love him for all of her days.
Joshua had swept her up outside the chapel and kissed her soundly before whispering in her ear, “I have grand plans for this evening.”
Char’s mother insisted on preparing the wedding breakfast feast and Sterling did host a fabulous evening meal.
The room was lit with dozens of candles. The banquet which Eloisa, Char and the Sterling cooks arranged dazzled the guests. The servants began serving each course in turn.
“To the bride and groom,” Sterling toasted, smiling at his wife and family, undoubtedly pierced by the emotion of the happy day.
“Hear, hear!” There was a resounding cacophony of cheers for the newlyweds.
Char sat next to Joshua, his left hand resting on her thigh. When he turned to speak with her, there was a certain intimacy. She felt sure everyone in the room knew they’d already consummated their vows.
But it would be fun to do so again, once they were alone in Joshua’s room.
“When I get married, it’s going to be at St. George’s,” Kat said. “And at the very least, I will marry an earl.”
Joshua leaned toward Char and whispered, “I know an earl who may or may not have already seen your sister nude.”
She gasped and put her hand to her mouth. “Don’t say such things. Not here!”
The Dowager Duchess of Sterling sat next to Joshua. “Well, I admit that I am overjoyed by this turn of events. It really is too bad my other children could not bother to be here for such an event.”
“They missed our wedding too, Mama,” Sterling said.
“Then I am doubly thankful for you, Charlotte. Not only did I get a son back, he’s going to be close by.”
“Mama, Sterling and I see you all the time,” Joshua’s sister Candace said. Her husband and children had come a short distance for the wedding and were staying at Long Leaf for the week. Her children were similar in ages to Adam’s.
“Oh, the heartache of bearing sons. They are quick to leave the nest, ne’re to return.” The dowager duchess dabbed her linen, drawn from her dress sleeve, to her eyes.
There was more chatter from the young children. Kat and Prim were whispering together. Lady Carvelle had captured Sterling’s attention.
“How soon do you think we can escape their evil clutches?” Char asked her new husband.
“I could loudly yawn.”
“That will fool no one. Help me from my chair, sir. I am a widow and no longer embarrassed by the facts of life.”
“You were a widow. You’re my wife now.”
There was giggling at the other end of the table, then a fork was tapped against the glassware, a heavenly tinkling sounding in the room. Everyone joined them and Joshua turned to her to press a light kiss to her lips, which seemed to satisfy the raucous, demanding crowd.
The dining room door opened, one of the servants stepping aside to allow a tall man to enter.
“So I have not missed all the festivities,” he said.
“Roman!” Joshua said, squeezing her hand before he jumped to his feet. Adam was also standing and rounding the table.
Char heard their mother sob, a soft little sound, and she dabbed her linen handkerchief at her eyes in earnest.
Joshua hugged him. Adam shook his hand and then gripped him in a tight hug, patting his back.
“I shall kiss your bride in a moment, Joshua. And yours too, Adam, but I haven’t seen this beautiful lady in months.” He stooped next to his mother and pressed a kiss to her upturned cheek.
She patted his face. “My dear boy.”