Chapter Twelve

"Y ou look lovely, Kit,"

"It is a lovely gown, isn't it? But I cannot help but wonder when Alec would have spoken to Madame Beaudoine to commission the gown for me?"

Her mother's soft smile had a tinge of sadness to it. "When a man is besotted with the woman he intends to marry, he can move mountains. I would imagine your earl did just that."

Kit smiled. "Thank you for not retreating to your bedchamber, Mum. I have missed you."

"I have no excuse for hiding from you, from life. I should have realized I was not alone in my grief. But for a time, I could not face the thought of life without your father."

"After meeting and falling in love with Alec, I think I understand."

"I could not possibly miss your wedding day. Although it will not be as extravagant as your father and I had planned…" Lady Amaranth paused and drew in a steadying breath. "Before he left us."

She had not asked any questions when Kit arrived earlier wet and bedraggled in Madame Beaudoine's carriage. Lady Amaranth had graciously accepted the modiste's explanation for her early arrival—the endless fittings scheduled throughout the day—and the need to please her newest customer, Earl Stansbury, and his special gift for his bride-to-be on their wedding day. Caught up in the romance of the moment, she had smiled and ordered tea and a light repast before the modiste fussed and made a few minor adjustments to Kit's gown.

"Mum, I am so sorry to have brushed aside your efforts to teach me about the running of a household, overseeing servants, and the art of ensuring your guests are all made to feel as if they are the most important person to be invited."

Lady Amaranth brushed a lock of hair out of Kit's eyes. "You were only happy when you were trailing after your father or the stable master tending to the horses…or riding one. I did so hate to see you unhappy. The expression of desolation and utter sadness whenever you were made to sit still for lessons in deportment, watercolor, and embroidery were so difficult to witness. Your father and I agreed to let you follow your heart…until your first Season. By then you had become your own person, daring others to mold you into their idea of what Society expected you to be."

Kit's eyes welled with tears as she remembered how difficult she had been at the time. "I am sorry for not considering how it must have felt to have what you enjoyed and thrived on doing belittled by your know-it-all hellion of a daughter."

Neither spoke for a few moments, each lost in their own thoughts, until Kit whispered, "Mum, do you think I will ever manage to live up to Alec's expectations?"

"From the way he could not take his eyes off you, I have no doubt."

Kit nodded. "He did say that he wants to spend more time in the country breeding horses…with my help."

"Mayhap your father had a hand in finding the right man for you after all."

The knock on the door had Kit jolting and her mother answering, "Come in."

Aunt Sybil's face lit up when her eyes met Kit's. "You look beautiful. The vicar just arrived, and I had Williams install him in the sitting room, as requested. I am surprised the earl did not arrive before the vicar."

Kit waited a beat before repeating the excuse she had been forced to use all morning: "Alec had more instructions to impart to his staff. They are practically moving one quarter of his town house to his estate in Sussex this morning."

The sound of the deep baritone she was coming to look forward to had her rushing to the door. Her aunt stopped her. "Give the earl a few moments to gather his composure and speak to the vicar."

"Williams will be here momentarily to fetch us downstairs," her mother added.

A few moments later, the summons came. Kit descended the stairs and waited at the bottom for her mother and her aunt. She linked arms with the two most important women in her life and walked toward the sitting room and her future.

The vision in rose captured his attention the moment she entered the sitting room. For the life of him, Quinton could not imagine why fate had smiled upon him. Certain he did not deserve Kit, but would fight to the death to keep her, he met her eyes and knew everything that happened before this moment in his life had been leading him here. To this moment. To this woman.

The vicar's words sounded far away. His mind was thinking ahead to their future—making their home at Quinton's Folly, raising horses, and babes with soft brown eyes and dark hair with strands of fire.

"Your lordship?"

His eyes were riveted to Kit, who was smiling. "This is the part where you pledge your life to me, Alec."

He slowly smiled back. "Dearest Kit, I vow to honor and protect you for the rest of my life. I will put your wants and needs, and those of the children the good Lord blesses us with, ahead of mine."

The vicar smiled. "A bit unorthodox, but highly acceptable, your lordship. Lady Catherine, do you take this man—"

"Yes!" Kit's hands flew to her mouth, and her face turned crimson. Quinton could not hold back his delighted laughter. "I beg your pardon, vicar. It is just that I…"

When she fell silent, Quinton brushed the tips of his fingers along the curve of her cheek. "That is a highly appropriate response, my love. I am quite sure you plan to honor your vows and will put our children's wants and needs above your own…mayhap even mine."

Her smile was his reward. "I think that could be arranged." She turned to the vicar. "Please do forgive our interruptions and ramblings. Is there any part that we left out?"

The vicar nodded. "Objections."

Kit shook her head. "I have no objections to marrying Earl Stansbury, and I am quite sure he has no reservations about marrying me." She turned and asked, "Do you, Alec?"

He chuckled. "Not quite what the vicar was asking, my love, but I am quite sure that neither your mother nor your aunt have any objections to your marrying me." He glanced at Lady Amaranth and Lady Sybil, who readily agreed with him.

"Very good, your lordship. That question having been satisfied, I now pronounce you man and wife."

Quinton wrapped an arm around his wife and pulled her close, pressing his lips to hers.

He barely registered Lady Amaranth saying, "Please join us for breakfast, vicar."

"I would be happy to."

"Do join us, your lordship. Kit?"

Quinton ended the kiss and stared down at his wife, taking in the wonder of the beauty beside him. "You look beautiful, my love."

Kit's mother and aunt were having a lively conversation with the vicar when they entered the dining room. Quinton still had difficulty believing a woman as vivacious as Kit would want to be saddled with a man with his limitations. Though his arm would not be in a sling for long, and his abraded palms were on the mend, there was but one device he would never be able to do without…his false leg.

Kit leaned close and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Whatever you are thinking is giving you frown lines. I haven't said anything untoward since my, er…enthusiastic response to the vicar's question. Have I?"

He smiled and felt the knots in his stomach loosen. "I will remember that moment for the rest of my life. I am honored that you accepted my offer and married me, Kit."

Her eyes filled and a tear escaped before she blinked. "You have it all turned around, Alec. I am the one who is honored that you would marry a hellion who has no hope of ever being a proper countess. But my heart is yours, and has been since the first moment I saw you."

"Do not let the food grow cold," her mother interjected.

They enjoyed the repast, even if neither would be able to recall what they ate. When they had finished, Quinton nodded to Kit, who smiled at him. "I do not mean to eat and rush off, Lady Amaranth, Lady Sybil, vicar, but my wife and I have a five-and- a-half-hour journey ahead of us. With the changes of horse, we will not arrive until after dark."

"Do not give it another thought," Lady Amaranth replied. "Safe travels, and do send word that you have arrived safely."

"I will, Mum. I promise."

Quinton watched with an emotion he had not experienced since his mother passed away a few years ago. He missed the motherly attention and hugs, and was caught off guard when Lady Amaranth tugged on his hand and pulled him into a hug. "Take care of my daughter."

He held a hand to his heart and promised, "I fully intend to, whether she wishes me to or not."

Lady Sybil smiled. "I do believe the two of you will do well together. Forgive my thoughtless outburst."

Knowing it was important to mend a breach before it widened, he responded, "Forgiven and forgotten."

He turned to the vicar and noticed the expression of approval in the man's eyes. "Thank you, vicar. I know the hour is earlier than normal. We appreciate your accommodating us."

"My pleasure, your lordship. Your ladyship, safe travels."

Williams and the rest of the staff were waiting to offer their congratulations. Kit lingered over her goodbyes, but he let her, knowing it would be some time before they returned for a visit.

He held out his arm to her. "Ready, my love?"

Her winsome smile wrapped around his heart when she tugged on his arm. "Do hurry, Alec, or we won't get there until after dark."

He helped her into the carriage and sat beside her. "Minx!" His footman closed the door on their laughter. "We must make one quick stop at my town house. Reeves, my valet, remained behind to wait for important documents to be delivered from our solicitors."

"How long has he been with you? My father's valet was with him for years."

"Reeves was one of the midshipmen serving under me. He saved my life." Quinton did not want to get into the details now—he'd rather speak of other things.

She placed her hand on his forearm. "I must thank him as soon as we arrive, Alec."

"You never respond the way I expect you to, Kit. It's refreshing."

The carriage pulled to a stop outside of his town house. As they alighted, Reeves greeted them. "May I offer my congratulations, your lordship, your ladyship."

"Thank you, Reeves," Quinton replied. "May I present my wife, Lady Catherine."

"Reeves!" His wife grabbed both of his valet's hands, lifted to her toes, and brushed a kiss below his eye patch. "Thank you for saving my Alec's life. I will never forget your bravery."

The valet stood riveted to the spot, his face flushed and mouth agape. The sight warmed Quinton's heart. His wife saw beyond the surface to the heart of a man, recognizing Reeves as the brave, competent man he was, not a man diminished by his injuries.

She released Reeves's hands, turned to Alec, and asked, "Don't we need to be on our way to Quinton's Folly?"

He shook his head. "My wife of but two hours is already telling me what to do."

Reeves could not stop smiling. "Then I'd best tell her about your collection of finely tailored waistcoats you have yet to wear."

"Waistcoats?" she said. "I would be delighted to go through them and help you pick out which one to wear first. After all, just because we will be in the country, there is no need to go about in patched clothing."

Reeves's snort of merriment incited Quinton's wife to laughter. He listened in wonder at the joyous sound. "I do not believe I have ever heard a laugh like yours, Kit."

She swallowed her chuckling and sighed. "A lady should never laugh out loud. Do forgive me, Alec. Forgive me, Reeves."

"In our home, laughter will be encouraged," Quinton pronounced. "Do you have the packet of documents from the solicitor, Reeves?"

"Aye. I placed it in the small trunk that has the papers from your desk."

"Excellent." He offered his arm to his wife and nodded to Reeves, who closed the door behind them, yet hesitated when Quinton motioned for him to board the carriage after his wife. "Is something wrong?"

"Nay. I'll ride with the coachman."

"And leave me wondering how you have managed to take such excellent care of Alec all these years?" Kit asked. "Would you truly deprive me of the chance to get to know the most important person in his life?"

Quinton did not mention the flush that deepened on his valet's face. "I am sorry to have to break the news to you, Reeves, but as of eleven o'clock this morning, you have been relegated to the position of the second-most important person in my life."

Reeves chuckled. "As it should be, your lordship."

"Get in the coach, Reeves."