Chapter 32

Both Jeremy and Sarah were delighted by the prospect of marrying Lori and Fast in their village church.

Sarah, not unnaturally, wanted Lori to wait for at least a week so that all their friends in the neighborhood could attend. Fortunately, Fast stepped in while Lori was scrambling for an answer that wouldn’t spell out just why she had no interest in inviting all their neighborhood friends. He explained that the reason for the small ceremony, as well as the haste, was because of his grandfather’s uncertain health.

That was enough to make Sarah relinquish her dream of a large wedding, but she still remained attached to the notion of hosting a big wedding breakfast.

This time it was Lori who spoke up. “Right now, there is only conjecture in the village about Fast’s identity, Sarah. But the minute anyone knows he is here for certain, he shall be a target for nosy newspapermen and gossips. It is terribly important that the Marquess not learn of his grandson’s marriage in a scandal sheet.”

“Of course, it shall be just as you wish,” Sarah agreed, and then laughed. “To be honest, I am delighted that you are marrying at all,” she added, cutting Fast an arch look. “You should know this is all something of a miracle to Jeremy and me, my lord; Lori has always been a staunch opponent of marriage for women.”

Fast smiled. “I do know that. I count myself extremely fortunate to have convinced her to change her mind.”

Dinner that evening was a relaxed and lively affair. It was clear to Lori that both her brother and sister-in-law were thrilled by the match, regardless of what either of them might have read in various newspapers about his raking past. If Lori accepted Fast, that was good enough for her family.

After the meal Fast and Lori were able to snatch a few minutes alone in the garden.

“Are you sure such a modest wedding will be acceptable to your grandfather?” Lori asked, more than a little concerned that he was engaging in a tiny wedding for her sake alone.

“It would have been his preference to have a large affair at St. George’s,” Fast admitted. “But, in truth, he is so delighted that I am marrying that the size and grandeur of the ceremony is no longer as important as it once might have been.”

“You believe he means that? That he is not only saying it to please you?”

He chuckled. “You will have to meet the marquess before you understand why I find that question so amusing. It is not what he would prefer, Lorelei, but he did assist me in procuring the special license. We will not have to face recrimination on that score when you meet him.” He turned to her, tilting her chin until she faced him. “Are you sure you don’t wish for a larger ceremony? At least one that includes all your teacher friends?”

Lori had been thinking about that. “I would prefer to have a party later to celebrate our marriage. Perhaps next year, when most of them have already said they will be coming to town.”

“That can be easily done.” He smiled and kissed her lightly before asking. “So…shall we marry tomorrow, then?”

Lori felt a grin take possession of her face. “We shall.”

And so it was that Lori and Fast were married the following day in a tiny ceremony with only Jeremy, Sarah, and all five of Lori’s nieces in attendance.

The brief sacrament passed in a hazy blur and Lori felt like an observer for most of it, watching from outside herself in amazement as she spoke the vows she had never believed would pass her lips.

She was getting married. She would be a wife and have a husband.

You will be Fast’s chattel, just another of his many possessions, for the rest of your life.

The thought did not strike fear into her as it had in the past. She loved him and living without him had felt empty and…incomplete.

Marriage would be an adjustment, but being with him would be worth it.

And so when Fast leaned toward her at the end of the ritual to deliver a brief kiss it felt surprisingly natural for Lori to meet his delighted—and slightly smug—smile with an answering smile of her own.

A few hours later the four of them were relaxing in the sitting room after the tiny wedding breakfast.

Sarah’s father and mother—Sir Nigel Smith and Lady Smith—lived only a half-hour’s drive away and had sent their carriage to collect the five girls. Jeremy and Sarah would shortly join their daughters, giving Lori and Fast some privacy on their wedding night.

Tomorrow, Lori and Fast would leave for Grandon Castle, where Fast’s grandfather was awaiting them.

It was all happening so fast that it was difficult for Lori to believe it was real—that the gorgeous, clever, fascinating man sitting beside her was her husband.

“I do wish you could both stay more than just one night,” Sarah said, breaking into her thoughts.

“I am eager to meet my new grandfather,” Lori said, sparing Fast from having to answer. Sarah was a dear but could be persistent on some matters and this wasn’t the first time she’d mentioned them extending their visit.

“We will come back for another visit whenever you invite us,” Fast assured his new sister-in-law.

Sarah opened her mouth—probably to extend an invitation right then and there—but Jeremy stood and held his hand out to his wife. “Come, my dear. We had better be off if we want to get to your parents’ house by dinner.”

It took another quarter of an hour to talk Sarah toward the door and into the waiting carriage.

As Lori waved them on their way, she said through her smiling teeth, “Thank you for being so patient with her.”

The carriage disappeared around the corner and Fast turned to her. “It took no effort at all to be kind to her, Lorelei. Sarah is a wonderful woman who loves you very much.” Fast offered her his arm and led her back inside the house. “I don’t suppose we could go to bed now?” he whispered in her ear as they walked past Mrs. Gerber, the housekeeper, and Betsy, the maid of all work, both of whom appeared to be busy doing nothing in particular, having obviously positioned themselves for another look at Fast.

Lori laughed. “No! I’d never be able to look Mrs. Gerber in the eyes again.”

He heaved a sigh of regret. “Well, then how about some exercise to help digest our enormous wedding breakfast?”

Sarah had indeed out done herself, especially on such short notice.

“I would love a walk,” Lori admitted.

“Go fetch your hat and cloak and you can show me where you used to wander and gain inspiration for your writing.”

A short time later they were both hatted and gloved and heading out through the vicarage gate.

“Where are you taking me?” he asked as Lori’s feet naturally turned in the direction of her favorite walk.

“There is a small wilderness near a lake—although it is in truth more of a pond—and some lovely old growth trees.”

They strolled in companionable silence before Lori said something that had been weighing on her mind since Fast’s arrival.

“I know it is not precisely on the way, but I would like to stop in London to check on Freddie before we head to Grandon Castle.”

“Of course we have time to do that. Are you really so worried about her?”

“Freddie never goes anywhere, so this is sudden trip is extremely unusual.”

“But the two of you have friends all over, don’t you—the other teachers—maybe she went to visit one of them?”

“Maybe.”

“You sound doubtful.”

“It just isn’t like her. It sounds like she left not long after I did, but she never mentioned taking a trip anywhere.”

“We shall certainly check on her so that we can put your mind at ease. We can stay a few nights at Severn House, and you can go speak to W.H. Newcastle and sign your contract. Or did you forget about that in the excitement of the wedding?”

“No, I have most certainly not forgotten.”

“I thought as much. A mere husband cannot hold a candle to a book contract,” Fast said with exaggerated self-pity.

“Well, to be fair, I have been seeking a book contract for years. Now a husband, on the other hand…”

He clutched his heart. “ Ooof !”

Lori laughed. “Poor, poor Severn.” She paused a moment. “You, er, want to stay at Severn House?” she asked, not sure how to raise the subject on her mind.

“Why not?”

“Won’t it have been closed up for the summer if your grandfather has gone?”

“There will still be plenty of servants in residence to see to our needs.”

“Yes, of course.”

They walked in silence as she squirmed and tried to come up with a subtle way to remind him about his threat about the Queen’s Chambers.

The sound of a low masculine laugh made her turn. “Why are you snickering in that odious way?”

He grinned. “Because it is both amusing, and charming, to watch you try to conceive of a subtle way to say that you want to go back to the brothel and do unspeakably naughty things with me.”

She bumped him with her shoulder, but it was like bumping a warm brick wall and he didn’t budge. “I was not thinking that!”

“Were so.”

Lori laughed. “Oh, very well. So, I am curious. Is that really so dreadful?”

He stopped, turned to her, and slid his arms around her. “It’s not dreadful at all. It’s delightful. Wonderful. Lovely. Kiss me.”

“Here?”

“Yes. Here.”

Lori looked about, but they were alone except for the birds, insects, and summer sunshine. She slid her arms around his neck and stood up on her toes while pulling him lower.

His mouth was hot and tasted of good black tea with a hint of sugar.

Lori relaxed into his arms, pressing her breasts against his chest, earning an approving growl. He tilted his head and opened wider so she could explore him. When she paused to catch her breath, he was smiling down at her, a hungry glitter in his eyes.

“I cannot wait to get you back to the Queen’s Chambers,” he said in a husky voice.

“Oh? Why is that?”

“If I told you, it would spoil all the fun.” He lightly ran his fingers up her side, from her waist to her ribs.

Lori shrieked and jerked away. “Don’t!”

His lips curved into a truly evil smile and his eyes widened. “What is this? Is my new wife ticklish ?” He reached for her again, but Lori darted away.

“Where do you think you are going?” he demanded. “Your lord and master wishes to tickle you, it is your duty to submit like an obedient, proper”—he lunged like a blur and almost caught her.

Lori bolted, laughing as she plunged off the trail into a thicket, purposely heading toward an area she knew would be too low for him to easily follow.

“Come back here this instant, Lorelei!”

She laughed.

The sound of muttered threats and breaking branches came from behind her.

“You’ll never catch me!” she taunted breathlessly, and then shoved her way through a narrow gap where two hedges met.

Once she was on the other side, she hurriedly looked around for somewhere to hide so that she could leap out and pounce on him when he came through. But a sound pulled her attention away from the hedge and trees; Lori had to bite her tongue to keep from cursing when she saw the four riders, immediately recognizing the first two as Dorian and Daniel. The other men were strangers.

They must have noticed her before she’d seen them because Dorian had led his horse off the path and the other three had followed.

Lori had seen Dorian in church, of course, but this was the first time she’d been so close to him in over seven years. He was just as handsome as ever and his full shapely lips pulled into a smirk that told her he was remembering other times they’d encountered each other in these very same woods.

“Well, well, well, look who we have here!” he said, his grin insufferable. “Daniel claimed that you never left the vicarage unless you were with your brother or sister-in-law. And yet here you are, alone. It is almost as if you were looking for me.” He leered down at her.

“You flatter yourself, my lord,” Lori retorted coolly.

Dorian laughed. “I see your tongue is as sharp as ever.”

“I have looked for you in these woods every day, Lori,” Daniel piped up behind Dorian, the hateful glitter in his eyes telling her that he had neither forgotten nor forgiven the scratches she’d given him all those years ago.

Lori did not justify his comment with a response.

Dorian gave an ugly laugh. “You appear to have forgotten that it was me Lori was so fond of, Dan. Naturally she could not resist seeking me out—as was always the case.”

Before Lori could open her mouth, Fast’s voice came from behind her. “What is this?” he demanded, needing to employ brute force to shove his big body through the narrow gap in the thicket.

Lori immediately went toward him.

“Who the devil are you?” Dorian demanded as Fast broke free of the last branch and strode toward them, leaving a trail of leaves and twigs in his wake.

Before Fast could answer, not that he looked like that was his intention, one of the two men Lori didn’t know quickly brought his horse closer.

“Lord Severn! How grand to see you, sir,” the younger man shouted in obvious delight, scrambling off his horse in such haste that he fell to one knee, and then quickly popped up again like a jack-in-the-box and bowed low in Fast’s direction.

“Who is your rude friend, Rawley?” Fast asked, his piercing gaze fixed on Dorian.

Dorian’s eyes had widened when the other man used Fast’s title, his mind visibly racing to make sense of this new development. Lori recognized the very instant when he came to the most repellent conclusion and chuckled. “So, Lori, up to your old tricks, are you? I guess you decided to add another title to your collection.” His gaze flicked dismissively over Fast and his sneer deepened. “A little long in the tooth, isn’t he?”

“I say, Dor!” Lord Rawley exclaimed in an appalled, overly loud voice that made the horses restless. “That’s not quite—”

“Get off your horse.” Fast did not raise his voice, but his menacing tone was enough to raise goosepimples on Lori’s skin.

Dorian frowned. “What did you just—”

“Get. Off,” Fast growled, closing the distance between himself and the other man in a few long strides.

Dorian laughed. “I’ll do no such— aaarrrgh !”

Fast moved with the lightening-fast speed that Lori had seen him display on more than one occasion and grabbed Dorian’s horse by the bridle with one hand while his other hand closed around the younger man’s booted ankle, and—in a show of brute strength that was both awe-inspiring and arousing—he yanked Dorian out of his saddle.

The horse reared and whinnied, and chaos erupted. For a few moments there seemed to be a dozen horses and men as the other men struggled to keep their mounts from bolting.

But even in the midst of the pandemonium, Fast did not release his grip on Dorian, who was frantically clawing at his saddle.

“Move back, Lorelei! Now !” Fast barked, shaking Lori from her stunned gaping.

She didn’t hesitate to obey. Not only was it safer away from the flailing man and rearing horse, but it provided her with an excellent view of Dorian hitting the path hard enough to send up a puff of dirt.

He yelped piteously as Fast grabbed the back of his clawhammer coat and dragged him to his feet. Before Dorian could catch his breath, Fast caught him by the throat and pinned against a nearby tree.

He easily held the thrashing peer. “Choose your second, boy , and I’ll meet you—”

“No duels!” Lori shouted. “You promised me, Fast,” she reminded him, scrambling toward her husband and grabbing the arm that wasn’t holding Dorian in a death grip.

Fast glanced down at her, his expression shifting from murderous to baffled annoyance. “Surely I did not say—”

“You promised, me,” she repeated, the words barely able to get past the lump in her throat.

He must have tightened his grip on Dorian’s neck because the younger man gave a strangled yelp, his limbs spasming.

“Fast, please. He is not worth it,” Lori begged quietly.

Her husband’s chest swelled as he inhaled and then held his breath a moment before exhaling in a noisy rush. “Fine,” he snapped, and then turned back to Dorian. “I promised my wife that I wouldn’t engage in any duels.”

Hope leapt in Dorian’s bulging, watering eyes.

Fast crushed it immediately by taking a step closer and saying through bared teeth, “That means I will just have to kill you here and now.”

“No killing either!” Lori yelled, yanking on his arm as if to pull him away. Naturally he did not yield so much as an inch.

“I don’t recall promising that,” he shot back.

“Please, Fast… it is—it is my wedding day.”

Finally, after what felt like years, he grumbled and released Dorian, who slid to the ground for the second time in less than five minutes, holding his throat and coughing.

“No killing. Today ,” Fast amended. He looked as if he was going to turn around but then suddenly lunged for the other man. “But maybe you would like to challenge me to a duel? I didn’t promise not to accept a challenge.”

Dorian cowered away, muttering something too soft for Lori to hear.

“What’s that you say?” Fast demanded, grabbing him around the neck again and jerking him to a sitting position. “Speak up!”

Dorian’s voice was squeaky, but loud, “I’m terribly sorry for my behavior, my lady!”

My lady ?

It took Lori a second to realize that was her. Lori smiled. She was Lady Severn.

She slid a hand around her husband’s bulging biceps and said, “Please, Fast. I want to go back to the vicarage.”

He hesitated only a second, and then leaned close to Dorian, who tried to flinch away but only managed to bang his head against the tree in the process. The low rumble of Fast’s voice filled the silence for a few seconds and then he barked, “Understood?”

“Yes, my lord!” Dorian shrieked.

Fast grunted and then released him.

Lori experienced an almost crushing feeling of exultation when Dorian fell to the dirt like a broken doll. Was it petty to enjoy the moment? Yes, but she didn’t care. It reminded her of that day all those years ago when she had been at his feet. Dorian should be grateful that she had stopped Fast from killing him.

As for Daniel…

When Lori looked up from Dorian, she saw that the squire’s son had slunk away while her attention had been riveted elsewhere. She felt a mild pang of regret that he did not get his comeuppance but then recalled Fast did not know that he had physically attacked her all those years ago. If he had known, she feared she would not have been able to stop him from killing Daniel.

“My love?” Fast held out his arm and she lightly set her trembling hand on his sleeve.

There wasn’t so much as a peep as he led her away from the silently staring men.

Not until they were out of the woods and the vicarage was in sight did the excitement of the last few minutes hit her.

A flush swept her entire body—as if her clothes had been set on fire—and she began to shake, her teeth clacking audibly. For a second, she feared she might faint from sheer, overwhelming emotion.

“Lorelei?” Fast asked in a gentle voice that was all the more powerful when contrasted with his menacing tone of only moments before. “Is aught amiss, love?”

With all the strength she could muster she launched herself at her husband, wrapping her arms around his neck and legs around his waist, and not caring if her skirt was hiked to her thighs.

“What’s this, sweetheart? Not that I’m not delighted to have you in my arms,” he said, sliding both hands beneath her bottom to lift her a bit higher. He pulled his head back just enough that he could meet her gaze. His brow was furrowed with concern and his pale eyes blazed like magnificent sapphires in the sun.

“It’s—that was—” It felt like her tongue was made from lead. She swallowed and tried again, “I l-l-love you so much, Fast!” Her voice was so raw that it didn’t even sound like her. A confusing medley of love and amazement and gratitude roiled inside her. She had never wanted anyone to rescue her before—not her parents or her brother or her friends—but what Fast had just done, and the way it had made her feel so cherished—felt…exquisite. For the first time in her life, Lori desperately wished that there was an even stronger word than love.

“Ah, sweetheart,” Fast murmured, pulling her close. “That’s what I’ve been longing to hear. I love you, too, Lorelei. More than you can imagine.”