He looked up at her. “That is more than enough for me.”
“You see, Aunt. There is nothing to worry about from Lord Sayres. Except to ask if I could perhaps wear his flowers at our wedding.”
“You outshine them,” he said, as he straightened to his full height. “And you may have anything you want from me.” Then he touched her face, silently asking her if he could do what he had wanted to for so long. Could he kiss her now? In front of everyone?
She smiled as he leaned forward, and she rose up onto her toes. Around there were other sounds. Sighs of delight. Isabelle’s ranting. Gwen’s mother telling her to keep quiet because Gwen was going to marry a future earl. All of it swirled about him, but none of it mattered.
“I am so proud of you, Gwen,” he said. “I don’t know how you did it, but you have made it all perfect.”
“We did it,” she said. “I would never have learned to value myself without you.” Then she stretched up on her toes just as he clasped her around the waist. Their mouths met, their arms entwined, and she said, “Yes,” one more time. A whisper against his lips and a promise shining in her eyes.
Nothing else in the entire world mattered.
Epilogue
One year later
Vauxhall was coveredin Lincolnshire daffodils, much to the awe of the assembled guests. But of all the beauty surrounding him this morning, Jackson had eyes for only his bride. Gwen was everything he’d ever wanted, and when she said, “I do,” his heart pounded out a steady rhythm of joy.
“I love you,” he said right before he kissed her in such a way that every man, woman, and child here would know she was his forever.
And when he was done, she held on for a moment longer, letting him know that he was hers as well.
Then she turned to the guests and threw her bouquet into the crowd. But since she still held the ribbon, the flowers scattered apart to rain down upon the congregation, much to everyone’s delight.
“Clever girl,” he said.
“It was your idea.”
It had been, but the design and execution had been all hers. And then they both watched in pleasure as the women and a few men scrambled to gather up the “magical” blooms in the hopes of grabbing luck for themselves.
“Are you sure we haven’t emptied your flower gardens?” Gwen asked. The flowers were here not just for the ceremony and bridal breakfast this morning, but also for his annual masquerade tonight. Though tonight, Lord Satyr intended to remain tamely by his wife’s side through the revels. And then, of course, there would be their own private celebration afterwards.
“We planted well in advance.” And even if they hadn’t, the orders for daffodil bulbs from last year had made enough profit for Abigail’s come out. Even better, orders for the blossoms this Season were coming in as fast as his secretary could record them.
The Lincolnshire daffodil was a sensation. As much in demand as Prussian blue ever was, and Jackson no longer feared for his family’s wellbeing. They would soon be extraordinarily wealthy. But the real prize was holding his hand and smiling at the on-rush of well-wishers.
Always protective, he watched Gwen for signs that she was becoming overwhelmed by the attention, but something had changed in her that night at Vauxhall. She was poised now where she was uncertain before, and she never once referred to herself as odd anymore. Unless it was as a good thing. She even had the wherewithal to invite Isabelle to the wedding and laugh when the lady refused to attend.
“More breakfast for everyone else,” she’d chortled.
And now she was laughing again as her sisters, his sisters, and the two mothers pulled her away from him. He had no idea where they were going, but everyone was laughing as they ushered her away. He managed to grab Lilah before he lost sight of his bride altogether.
“They’re going to bring her back, aren’t they?”
Lilah smiled. “I believe your sisters have a surprise for you both, but they need her to accomplish it.”
“Oh dear,” Jackson moaned. No telling what his sisters had done.
Lilah chuckled at his mock horror, but the humor didn’t last. Her eyes appeared misty as she looked back at the altar. “It was beautiful,” she said. “I’m so happy for you both.”
“Thank you,” he returned, his mind shifting uncomfortably back to his promise to his Aaron regarding Lilah. He’d sworn to keep the lady distracted until his friend could get his affairs in order and propose, thereby ruining his political career and possibly his entire life.
Instead, Jackson had encouraged Gwen to take her sister along with her to every ball and rout after that night in Vauxhall. He’d hoped that Lilah would set her matrimonial gaze elsewhere. It hadn’t worked. And now Jackson was in the difficult position of watching as she scanned the guests for the one man she couldn’t have.
“I’m sorry. Aaron couldn’t make it today. His father—”
“Yes, I know. He had to go home. I understand his father is gravely ill.” Then her gaze sharpened on him. “How did you know I was looking for Lord Chambers?”