Chapter Twenty-One

Two years later…

T he tiny, stone-built chapel was sweet with the fragrance of spring flowers, which the bride had artfully tied to the end of every wooden pew. Peeping through the heavy arched entrance doors, Guy concluded that he had never seen so many villagers come together to celebrate a wedding. Excited murmurs of anticipation rippled through the congregation, for the families of both bride and groom were well-loved in the village of Rossfarne.

Guy's gaze travelled to the tall, confident man standing near the altar, who couldn't resist turning frequently to check if the woman he was waiting for had arrived. Guy flashed him a smile. She will come , his eyes imparted. She had been counting down to this day for many months.

The rumble of an approaching carriage caught his ear, and Guy pulled back from the chapel interior, closing the heavy door behind him. Sunlight danced all around and it took a moment for his eyes to adjust after the cool shadows of the chapel. A well-groomed white horse made stately progress along the narrow country lane, pulling a smart but simple carriage behind him. Inside sat a lovely young woman clad in peach satin. She had roses entwined in her shining blonde hair and a posy clutched in her slender hands.

Guy smiled a greeting as the carriage rumbled to a halt beside him. "I have never seen you looking more beautiful, Rosalind."

She laughed, like a peal of bells. "Thank you, dear brother. 'Tis love and excitement for the day ahead."

He held out a hand to help her down and kissed her proffered cheek.

"Are you ready?"

She took his arm, graceful as ever, and more like her older sister than Kitty would ever allow. "Tell me, were you nervous on your wedding day?" she asked.

He paused for a moment to reflect on the happiest day of his life. Kitty and Guy had exchanged vows on a bright autumnal morning, when the glorious red and gold colours in the trees valiantly competed with the gleam of the polished carriage and the glinting highlights of Kitty's rippling hair. "No," he answered decisively. "I was filled with joy from sunrise to sunset." He cleared his throat and smiled down at the young woman in his charge. "I may be more nervous today."

"Thank you for giving me away in the absence of my father." She walked lightly around a puddle caused by last night's rain. A quick, heavy downpour, which had left the countryside looking washed and clean, ready for blue skies and bird song on this long-awaited day.

Guy was momentarily lost for words. It was typical bravery of Rosalind to confront a matter most would ignore. The truth was, Owain had taken up with a young widow who owned an inn near Dun Holme. Rumours had reached Rossfarne not long after his and Kitty's wedding, and Guy had ridden south himself to see if there was any truth to them. The charmless man he had once faced over a gaming table seemed little changed; still drinking, still gambling, and inexplicably still exerting some mystical hold over a hard-working woman of genuine worth who really should know better.

Guy had bought a drink and observed Owain for a while, one hand clenched around the bag of coin he had brought with him as a bribe. He was tempted to leave without making his presence known, but Kitty and Rosalind's instructions had been clear. Now Owain received regular payments on condition that he stayed away from his daughters.

Guy swallowed down his revulsion at the memory. Today was not for dwelling upon such times.

"The honour is mine," he declared, giving Rosalind a short bow, which made her laugh in surprise. Guy couldn't help his lips curling up into a smile. Kitty had broken through his barriers and as a consequence, he had both the love of a good woman and the wider family he'd never known. A younger sister, loyal retainers and soon the clever and kind young man named Richard Erkine.

He nudged open the chapel door and the congregation rose to their feet as a swell of music rippled through the stone building and out to meet them. Guy glanced down once more to check all was well with Rosalind, smiling again at her bright eyes and obvious happiness. She settled her hand more firmly in the crook of his arm and together they walked down the aisle towards the waiting groom. The eyes of everyone they approached were drawn to the young bride, resplendent in her wedding gown, but Guy was looking for someone else.

There she was, in a pew at the front of the chapel. Her red-gold hair hung in rippling curls down the back of a green taffeta dress. She turned to see them both and Guy knew the now familiar contraction in his heart.

His wife.

There were days when he could not believe his good fortune.

Kitty treated her sister to a wide, beaming smile and then flicked her eyes to his with a private message of approval.

Guy and Rosalind paused by the altar and Richard Erkine stepped forward to greet his bride. As Guy placed Rosalind's gloved hand onto Richard's arm, a shaft of sunlight burst through the stained-glass window like a blessing.

"Well done," Kitty whispered to him, when he had taken his place next to her in the pew.

He placed his arm over her shoulders and knew a flash of desire as she moved imperceptibly closer to him. If he lowered his gaze, he could see a glimpse of creamy flesh where the embroidered bodice of her gown met her clavicle. Kitty bit down on her lower lip; no doubt aware of the direction of his thoughts.

His fingers beat a gentle rhythm on her arm. "You look beautiful in that dress," he murmured.

She looked up at him with dancing eyes. "I thought you'd like it."

He leaned closer and whispered directly into her ear. "I'll like it even more when I can take it off you."

He heard her breath quicken in response, but the look she shot him was one of calm admonishment. "Behave yourself."

"I'll try," he growled, obediently rising to his feet to sing the first hymn.

The bride and groom faced one another for their vows, both promising to love and care for one another until death should part them. Their voices were young and strong, their faces eager for the life ahead of them. At one time, Guy would have been uncomfortable with such unencumbered optimism, but now his smile was wide and genuine. He was happy. And he wanted happiness for those he loved as well.

The service ended with the couple proclaimed man and wife. Kitty squeezed his hand, and he brought her knuckles to his lips, remembering that pivotal moment in their own wedding. The day had carried an autumnal chill and Kitty had worn a gown of lace trimmed with fur, to stand beside him in the great hall of Rossfarne Castle and receive her countess's coronet. Candlelight had danced all around them and Guy had thought he might well dance for joy as well.

They followed the rest of the congregation out onto the sun-dappled village green to congratulate the newly wedded couple. Kitty flung her arms around her sister and Guy shook Richard's hand.

"Am I not the luckiest man in all of Christendom?" the young man demanded of him.

Guy smiled widely in return. "Mayhap you are, although I would contest you the title. Tell me, was it worth the wait?"

"At times, no," Richard laughed. "I thought the repairs to Shoreston would never be completed. These past two years passed with terrible slowness. But now I have a beautiful bride and a beautiful home to start our married life in."

"I know Rosalind is thrilled to be staying in the house where she grew up." Guy watched Rosalind and Kitty laughing excitedly together. "And Kitty is delighted that you shall both be near us." He clapped Richard on the shoulder. "Time now for feasting," he declared, pleased to be opening up Rossfarne Castle for such a joyous occasion.

Carriages were waiting to take the wedding party across the causeway to the castle. Once Guy had helped Kitty into theirs, and fastened the door closed behind them, he could wait no longer. The desire he'd held at bay throughout Rosalind's wedding surged in his veins, blurring his thoughts and making speech impossible. Kitty leaned back against the plush velvet, divining his intentions.

"Do we have enough time?" she asked, a smile flitting around her lips.

"Not to do what I want to do with you," growled Guy.

"Then we shall have to make the most of the time we have," Kitty smiled, a smile that would be his undoing. "But first, close the blinds." His hands trembled so much he struggled to secure the fastening. Kitty pushed him back onto the seat with a bejewelled hand. "Stay where you are," she ordered.

Guy had longed to take her in his arms, but her natural air of authority was impossible to resist. It made his desire for her even stronger. Kitty sank gracefully to her knees and ran her fingers down from his waist, dancing around the ties which only just constrained him. Her rings flashed in the narrow bands of sunlight filtering through the blinds. Guy leaned back his head and felt delicious desire ripple through him.

"Kitty," he whispered. Her name a caress. She didn't answer. Her fingers were busy with the fastenings of his breeches. He gripped the edge of the seat as she released him. Then came her tongue, small and warm. He wanted her. Needed her. His hands went to her hair. "Don't make me wait," he begged.

He was powerless to act. All he knew was how much he wanted her. She pushed aside her skirts and straddled him, her mouth coming down to meet his own at the same time as he slid easily inside her. Her body was all around him, taking him deeply into her core and holding him a willing prisoner. She rocked her hips once, twice, and he was done for.

"Forgive me," he said, his lips pressed against her creamy flesh.

"Forgive you for wanting me?"

"For wanting you so much it strips away my self-control."

She laughed. "That was my plan all along."

"But now I must give you the same pleasure." He rained kisses down her neck, but Kitty reached out to lift a corner of the blind and shook her head.

"We are almost at the castle."

"No matter." He was focused only on her, on the dress that clung to her curves and must be removed. "We can send the driver round again."

"It is my sister's wedding feast," she admonished. "And we are the hosts. Besides," she bit her lip provocatively, "what I want from the Earl of Rossfarne can't be rushed."

Reality asserted itself. He was lord of the manor and must play the part. "Later then," he promised, his hand still caressing her curves.

"Later," she agreed, kissing him deeply. "I have something of a surprise for you."

*

Rossfarne Castle had been transformed over the last year. Gone were the gloomy shadows and ghosts of its unhappy past. In their place hung glittering chandeliers, colourful tapestries and the soft light of hundreds of candles which illuminated comfortable furnishings and sparkling silverware. A band of musicians played from the dais in the great hall and the celebrating villagers spilled through the ground floor chambers, dancing, chatting and greeting one another gleefully. Guy's hand was grasped so many times he began to lose count. None could remember the previous Earl of Rossfarne opening the doors of the castle. None would have come even if he had, but now a new era dawned.

The older Erkines were a kindly couple who could hardly believe their son's wedding feast was being held in such a grand setting. Guy waved away their thanks.

"It is I who am grateful," he told them honestly. "This castle has been quiet and empty for too long. It needs life and merriment within its walls."

Rosalind claimed him for a dance and all stood back as he spun her around the room, his awkwardness on the dancefloor more than compensated by her bright smile and natural grace. Mead flowed, goblets were raised in a toast to the new couple and servants carried around platters of sweetmeats on groaning trays held high above their heads.

Guy scanned the crowd, desperate for a glimpse of his wife. He had barely seen her since they disembarked from the carriage. A journey he would have extended, if only Kitty had given him the chance.

A bright flash of auburn caught his eye. The Countess of Rossfarne was amidst a happy group of locals, all dressed in their finery. She stood by the fireplace, illuminated by candlelight, radiantly beautiful. Guy couldn't stay away from her for a moment longer. He left Rosalind in the careful attention of her new husband and crossed the stone-flagged floor. Kitty spied his progress and excused herself from the group.

"My lord," she greeted him with a show of formality.

"My lady," he returned the bow, then swung her into his arms with a chuckle.

"Are you taking me for a turn on the dancefloor?"

He groaned quietly, breathing in her citrus fragrance. "I would rather not. I have already suffered that fate once, with your sister."

"I know, I was watching." Her fingers danced along his shoulders. "I thought you made a fine couple."

"She's a beautiful woman," he agreed. "Although not nearly so lovely as her older sister."

"Is that so?" She raised an eyebrow up at him.

"That is so." He spanned her waist, enjoying the sleekness of the taffeta beneath his fingers. "When can I get you alone?" he whispered.

"Not for many hours, I'm afraid."

"You torture me."

She raised herself up onto her tiptoes so her lips were inches from his. "It will be worth the wait," she promised.

"I already know that." Guy abandoned his scruples and pulled his wife towards him, swaying in time to the music.

"We're dancing," she said.

"Happiness will get me doing all kinds of things." He dropped a kiss onto her shining hair.

"Are you truly happy, Guy?" she pulled away from him, a haze of apprehension clouding her green eyes.

"Of course." He stilled his feet, puzzled by her sudden wariness. "Aren't you?"

"I'm so very happy." She returned to his arms, resting her head on his shoulder and half-closing her eyes as they danced together. A now-familiar feeling of peace and contentment settled over him.

"I have all I could ever want," he declared.

"Everything?" She looked questioningly up at him, and his stomach clenched. In truth, there was one thing that would make his happiness complete, but he didn't want Kitty to guess how he longed for it.

"Everything," he answered firmly. Kitty gave a sigh and leaned against him. He folded his arms around her as his heart thudded against his ribs. "What more could I possibly want?" he whispered into her ear.

He closed his eyes as the answer burned in his mind. There was something missing. An extra, wondrous gift that would take his present joy and elevate it into something even greater. It was something he had always wanted, but as the months of their marriage passed by, a nugget of doubt had seeded into his heart. Maybe it would never happen.

Maybe he would never hold a child of his own in his arms.

Sorrow darted through him, but Guy clenched his teeth and chased the thought away. He had already been blessed with more than any man deserved. How could he ask for anything more?

Kitty was in his arms, his life was full of love and light. It was more than enough.