37. Chapter 37

Chapter 37

T he day dawned warmer than usual, as if spring had finally decided to come. It was a perfect mirror of the joy in Melior's heart. Nathaniel smiled as he helped her into the coach that would take them to the church where her uncle would wed Lady Jillian. It was a happy day.

Al and Javenia chattered about the excitement that had transpired after they'd left. It seemed Edith's secret would be kept a little longer as her father had made a rush trip to the country depositing Edith where she could hide from the scorn of Society.

The grey stones of St. James Church came into sight and a bittersweet joy filled Melior's chest. They had made it. Uncle Percy would be married. Edith was no longer a threat. But it pained her to remember all the sadness that had transpired to get here.

Aunt Lucinda would always carry a special place in her heart and she hoped one day she would grow to love Lady Jillian just as much. But nothing could ever repair the damage Edith had done to Agatha and Lady Jane. They would most likely suffer for it the rest of their lives.

Melior could not hold Edith in complete contempt, however; after all, she had led her to the love of her life.

She glanced across the carriage at Nathaniel. His eyes sparked with interest and he raised his eyebrows. She ducked her head, her cheeks warming.

"Dear me," Javenia said. "They are flirting again."

Algenon shook his head. "And we still have to ride all the way back to Kent with them."

Javenia tutted, but a smile curved her lips. "I hope we arrive with our tender sensibilities unscathed."

People climbed the front steps of the church after they disembarked. Melior searched the familiar faces for her family, but none of them appeared. Moments before the ceremony started, Eddie slipped into the seat beside her. He peered at her in concern, but she smiled brightly back.

Eddie grinned.

The ceremony was beautiful, Lady Jillian resplendent in her light blue silk with yards of French lace trimming the neck and sleeves. It was probably the prettiest Melior had ever seen her.

At the vicar's words, Uncle Percy lifted Lady Jillian's veil and their marriage was sealed with a kiss. The love shining in both their eyes during the moment brought comfort to Melior's tender heart.

Aunt Lucinda would have wanted Uncle Percy to go on and live his life, not die along with her. It was the best way he could honor her memory. A tear slipped down Melior's cheek.

As the crowd gathered outside the church congratulated the happy couple, Eddie sidled up to her. "I do not believe I have ever been so happy for my own financial displacement in all my life."

A smile pulled at Melior's lips. "Yes. And what a hardship life will be with your measly ten thousand pounds."

"You know it is quite gauche to speak of money, sister." He bumped her shoulder and the smile she'd been fighting blossomed.

"I was not the one who brought it up."

Eddie chuckled, then lowered his voice. "I assume everything has been settled between you and Nate?"

The blush she'd been fighting all day made another appearance.

Eddie grinned. "I will take that as a yes."

Thankfully, Nathaniel swooped in to save her from her meddling brother. They said their goodbyes to her uncle and his new wife, then made their way to their own waiting conveyance.

"I did not see Lord or Lady Kendall," Nathaniel said by way of conversation.

"Nor Osborne," Melior added, casting a glance at Eddie as he trailed along beside them.

"Yes, well it seems they were needed at one of Uncle Percy's northern estates and will perhaps be there for quite some time."

Algenon chuckled. "Which means you will have Kendall House to yourself for a time. You do not seem at all disappointed."

Eddie put a hand over his heart, a smile tugging at his lips. "Oh, I am heartbroken…but on the inside."

They all chuckled.

The ride to Havencrest was not nearly as long as Melior remembered it being; of course that might have been because the weather was warmer and the company far better.

As usual Javenia and Algenon teased and cajoled each other, but when Nathaniel inquired if they were ready to return to their bevy of sisters, they both sighed.

It seemed they could agree on one thing: an excess of sisters was a trial they both loved and hated.

After depositing Algenon and Javenia at their respective estates, Nathaniel reached into his pocket and removed a drawstring bag.

"What is that?" Melior asked, her interest piqued.

"A belated wedding gift."

He moved to sit next to her, setting the bag lightly in her lap.

She picked it up and pulled at the strings. With one finger she probed the contents within, then her eyes widened.

Carefully she allowed the spectacles to slide from the bag and into her hand.

"My lenses," she said in awe.

"I had them replaced. I would rather you not wonder if it is me at our bedside."

She giggled.

"Put them on."

Slowly she slipped the spectacles onto her nose, watching as the shape of Nathaniel's face sharpened.

He leaned in so she could see those beautiful specks in his eyes. "Do you like them?"

"I love them."

Putting her hands to the sides of his face, she made sure he was well and properly thanked.

When the kiss ended, he draped an arm loosely around her.

"So Lady Stanford, what shall we do when we return to Havencrest?"

Melior snuggled close. "First, we must check on your mother."

Nathaniel grew quiet, his arm tightening around her shoulders.

"Yes, she will be heartbroken with the loss of her friend," he said softly. "What does that say of me that, in my joy, I forgot again about her sorrow?"

"Nothing. There was nothing you could do at the time, and I do not believe your mother would want you to be miserable. When we return we will mourn with her, but that does not discount our joy."

He smiled and laid his head against hers. "You have the most generous heart, do you know that?"

"I would not say the most. I am trying to improve, though."

"Like your name suggests."

"Yes. One day I hope our children will know that I lived up to the name of Melior."

Nathaniel nuzzled her ear. "Our children. I like the sound of that."