Chapter 33

The church bells rang overhead as Marie Harding, the Duchess of Wiltshire stepped into the bright afternoon sun. The ceremony had been a simple one, yet more people than they had bargained for had shown up to watch the matchmaker extraordinaire tie the knot.

Her smile was bright as several young girls fixed her train behind her. The white and gold dress that her grandmother had chosen for her with champagne trimmings trailed behind her as she and Dominic approached the large cluster of guests that had gathered to wish them well. She clutched a bouquet of white roses close to her chest as she looked up at the man she had married with pride.

Dominic had chosen a navy jacket with gold buttons and cream breeches for the occasion, donning a top hat that made him look rather smart.

"Finally, I thought I would die before the two of you eventually realized your love for one another," Elizabeth complained loudly as Elaine led her over to the pair.

"That is quite an exaggeration, Grandmamma. It wasn't that long." Dominic rolled his eyes, yet Marie could tell that he was finding it impossible to hide his smile.

Elaine laughed and shook her head before kissing Marie on both cheeks and drawing her in for a hug. "I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see you like this; your parents would have been so proud of the woman you have become. Never forget that my strong little Marie." She pulled back with tears in her eyes before touching Marie's cheek.

"Don't hold them up now, you old goat; there are plenty of people waiting to wish them well. You'd swear the king and queen were in attendance with all of this fuss!" Elizabeth groaned and tapped Elaine on the shoulder with her cane before ambling off.

Shaking her head, Marie's grandmother turned to Dominic with a bright smile as she narrowed her eyes. "Now you listen to me young man, you treat her right or you will have me to reckon with. I can make people fall out of love just as easily as I can make them fall in love. Mark my words, you're one mistake away from getting one of my special tonics. You've made her cry once; let that be the only time."

"Grandma, let's not threaten my new husband just yet," Marie intervened when she saw where the conversation was heading.

"Fine, fine, I was just looking out for you." Elaine chuckled and threw her hands in the air, walking away.

Dominic leaned closer and whispered to Marie. "She can't really make people fall in love, can she?" He jumped when Elaine suddenly appeared at his side again.

"I don't know, Your Grace, you tell me. How are you liking the sweet scent of vanilla?" Elaine shot him a cheeky grin before practically skipping after the dowager.

"Can she really?" Dominic seemed panicked as he stared after her.

"Let it go. Does it matter if she had a hand in bringing us together?" Marie laughed and placed her hand over his, lowering the finger that had been pointing at her grandmother.

"I suppose it doesn't." Dominic shook his head and laughed, his shoulders dropping as he relaxed.

Marie smiled at him before looking up and gasping in surprise.

"Congratulations, Your Grace!" A long line of men and women congratulated her in unison, and she recognized most if not all of the men and women who had comprised the bulk of her successful matches over the years.

Nicholas and Emma Galloway stood in front of Margaret and Evan Sutherford, who had brought Sophia and Anthony Atwood as well as Augusta and Jason Meyer.

"I can hardly believe this; you all came here today to wish me well?" Marie began to feel the tears pricking the back of her eyes as she placed her hand on her chest and gulped. "The only people that are missing are…"

"Violet and Greyson Stone, Your Grace?"

Marie and Dominic turned around to see the beautiful young couple with the daughter cradled tightly to her mother's chest.

"You didn't think that we would miss seeing the woman we owe our happiness to get married, did you?" Violet shot her a cheeky grin, causing the tears to fall down Marie's cheeks.

"I can't begin to tell you all how grateful I am to see you here. I feel like I've walked a journey with each and every one of you," Marie's voice became choked with emotions.

Emma Galloway stepped forward and handed her a gift. "It is you that we need to thank, Your Grace. None of us would have been here today if it hadn't been for you."

Looking down at the red, velvet box, Marie opened the lid to reveal a stunning green pendant in the shape of a heart.

"It is a gift from all of us. I chose it, of course. I think it will go wonderfully with your eyes." Emma practically beamed before returning to her husband and allowing him to place his arm around her shoulders.

"May I?" Dominic asked with a smile, taking the pendant from her hands before fastening it around her neck.

"I will cherish it for the rest of my life." Marie smiled brightly at all of them. She felt as if she were looking at the years of her hard work, smiling back at her like a badge of honor.

The crowd began to disperse as Marie turned to see Janey standing beside the chapel in the shadows. They hadn't had much time to come to a conclusion, but Marie felt it was time to put things right. "Will you go on ahead and greet the rest of the guests? I would like to have a word with Janey?" She looked up at Dominic and offered him an encouraging smile.

Looking from the girl to Marie, Dominic leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "I know you will do the right thing, but don't be too long," he lowered his voice and whispered in her ear. "I've asked the driver to take an extra long route to the mansion, if you know what I mean."

Marie felt herself blushing despite the fact that they had already made love to one another. She watched her husband stride away before turning back to the maid who seemed to be hiding in the shadows.

She was about to head over to Janey when her path was suddenly blocked by two rather unexpected guests. "Lady Arabella!" Marie stopped and took in the sight of the lovely young girl who had her arm looped into that of a dashing young man with tanned skin, deep blue eyes, and mahogany hair.

"I didn't mean to surprise you, Your Grace, Anthony and I just felt like congratulating you. We owe a great deal of our happiness to you." She looked at the man on her arm with such fondness that Marie couldn't help but feel her heart being enveloped in warmth.

"Anthony Dougherty? It's such a pleasure to meet you at last." Marie offered her hand and shook his when he accepted hesitantly. Although she knew that her new title meant a different form of greeting was owed to her, she felt as if Anthony would be more at ease with a handshake.

"Thank you, Your Grace, I have heard many good things from Arabella." Anthony seemed to relax a little in her presence.

"Did your mother come with you?" Marie enquired, glancing over their shoulders as she noticed Lady Arrindell's absence.

Arabella took a deep breath before forcing a smile. "Mama hasn't quite come around yet, but we are hoping she will soon. I am staying with Anthony's parents before we get married. We want to avoid any further scandal until the wedding."

Giving the young couple a sympathetic nod, Marie reached out and touched her arm. "Hang in there, I'm sure she will come around in time. Love always conquers all in the end."

The young couple gave her thankful smiles before wishing her well and disappearing into the thinning crowd.

Looking up, Marie breathed a sigh of relief when she spotted Janey still lingering beside the chapel.

A look of panic came over Janey's face when Marie drew closer.

"I'm glad you could make it; I wasn't sure if you would come." Marie gave her a smile that she hoped would put her at ease. She had spoken to Dominic at length about what had happened with Janey, and he had ultimately decided to leave her fate in Marie's hands.

"I couldn't say no when your grandmother came to tell me that you wanted me here." She glanced around nervously before focusing on Marie.

"How are you finding your new position with the dowager? I hope she isn't giving you too much grief," Marie noted the paleness of her cheeks. It would take a while for the girl to recover entirely, but at least she seemed in better health than she had before.

Janey gave her a sad smile. "She's not you, Your Grace, but I am thankful to have a job. I will not complain when you could have cast me out on the street without a penny."

Marie shook her head before looking up with a smile. "We all make mistakes, Janey; I would never have thrown you out on the street without a penny.

Understanding bloomed between the women as they exchanged a meaningful look that seemed to put the past behind them without needing any further explanation.

"And what of the shop, Your Grace? Do you know if you will be opening again or not?" Janey asked with a warm smile. "Not that I ever expect you to hire me again, but it would be nice to know if the old red door will be put to rest or not."

Marie glanced over her shoulder at the many matches she had made in the past. "Oh, I don't know. I don't think I will open any time soon, but you never know. I want to focus on starting a family first before I consider dabbling in matchmaking again."

"You will when and if the time is right, Your Grace." Janey reached out and gave her arm a gentle squeeze before walking off to assist the dowager duchess.

Watching the girl leave, Marie realized that she would never truly be able to give up on her matchmaking endeavors. Even if it was just to ensure the happiness of her former maid and friend.

The Duke looked at her with a cheeky smile before reaching up and pulling the blinds of the carriage shut.

"Your Grace, do you honestly think this is the right time and place?" Marie felt her heart racing along with the wheels of the carriage as they made their way to the mansion they would be sharing for the rest of their lives.

"Anytime is a good time to pleasure my wife." Dominic's grin broadened as he lifted her dress, removing her shoes one at a time before working her stockings down her shapely legs.

Leaning her head back against the carriage seat, Marie shut her eyes and waited for the much-anticipated feel of his tongue between her folds. She didn't have to wait long before the hot sensation sent shivers of pleasure up her spine.

Her moans started low as he licked back and forth, paying particular attention to all the places that made her gasp. Placing her hands behind his head, Marie pushed gently, forcing his mouth deeper between her thighs as wave after wave of white-hot pleasure raged through her body.

She had just placed her legs behind him on the seat when he suddenly stopped, coming up with a cheeky grin that left more than just a cool sensation of longing between her thighs.

"And now, Your Grace? It's not like you to leave a job half-finished," Marie complained, narrowing her eyes at him as the ache between her thighs grew.

"Patience, my dearest wife. That was only the start of what I assure you will be a very riveting ride indeed." His eyebrow hooked into a smile as he unbuckled his belt and pulled his breeches down before taking a seat.

Realizing what he was trying to do, Marie leaned forward, kissing him with the same fire that burned her loins.

The Duke returned her kiss with equal amounts of passion as his tongue snaked into her mouth, searching the warm depths as if his life depended on it. Placing his hands on her thighs, he guided her body closer to his with each of her thighs on either side of his.

A soft moan of pleasure escaped her lips as she felt him entering her with a gentle thrust. The rocking back and forth motion of the carriage only proved to heighten their pleasure as Dominic guided her buttocks with his hands, moving her back and forth as their lovemaking increased.

"Dominic!" Marie gasped, placing her hands behind his head on the seat as her pleasure grew.

She watched his face closely as he shut his eyes and rode the waves of pleasure. Reaching out, he gripped her breasts, giving them both a gentle squeeze that grew in urgency as her moans increased.

Things heated up quickly when Marie leaned down and gently dug her teeth into his neck, wanting more of him.

Dominic let out a long moan that filled the air as he gripped her hips and picked up the pace.

Her breaths came in quick succession now as she found herself gasping for air. Her body began to spasm and shake as she gave herself over to the freeing sensation of her climax that ripped through her like a tidal wave.

It wasn't long before Dominic cried out and drew her closer, collapsing against her chest as he too reached the sensual point of his climax.

"I think carriage rides with you are one of my favorite things in the world." Marie breathed heavily as she came up straight, placing both hands on either side of his face.

"And I don't think we should even bother going in the house at all. We should just live in here for the rest of our lives." He dipped his head and playfully bit the top of her breast.

"I think that sounds good in theory, Your Grace, but it could prove to be quite uncomfortable. And I must admit that I am looking forward to making love to you in our bed." She looked down at him, realizing that all she ever needed in the world was right there in her arms.

It felt as if they had crossed a mountain and a valley just to be together, and she wasn't about to let go of him now for anything or anyone.

"I can't fault you on that logic. I think you will make quite a nice addition to my chambers," Dominic teased her, burying his head in her chest.

Rolling her eyes, Marie laughed and guided his head back up to look at her. "I will remind you, Your Grace, that I am not a possession but your wife."

‘All the more pity as you would make such a lovely possession in my treasure trove. I would place you behind a panel of stained glass and show you off to the world, heralding you as the most valuable gem that anyone on earth has ever possessed."

Marie shook her head and laughed. "Once you have stopped teasing me, would you care to answer a question?" She held his face in her hands, wanting to take in every inch of his being.

"Yes, I will instantly make love to you again just as soon as we enter our chambers," he spoke with conviction, allowing his lips to curl into a smile.

"Not that!" Marie laughed. "Are you happy?" She held his gaze, wanting every ounce of reassurance she could get.

Dominic's face grew more serious. "So desperately happy that I am afraid it will all vanish in the blink of an eye."

Leaning down, she kissed him again, savoring the moment she knew would last for the rest of her life. "I love you so much, Dominic. I promise to never leave your side or vanish into thin air. I will spend the rest of my life showing you that nothing bad is lurking around the corner. And if anything, bad does happen, I will be right there by your side, holding your hand."

His eyes filled with tears as he turned his head and kissed her palm. "And I promise to do exactly the same things for you. You saved me, Marie. I didn't know that I needed saving, but you saved me."