by Alice Gaines
Before the tears could threaten, the littlest Northcross, the young heir, voiced his strong displeasure with a wail that filled the chapel, bouncing off the walls.
Grace shifted the child to a new position in her arms. “He’s hungry. I told you we should leave him with nanny.”
“Nonsense,” Thomas answered. “He’s learning the family ways and stout English traditions.”
“Isn’t he a little young?” Peter asked.
“Never,” Thomas declared. “Never too young.”
“Thomas is already teaching him Latin,” Grace said.
Thomas waved a finger in the air. “Quod erat demonstrandum.”
“That’s all well and good, but I’m famished,” Peter said.
“The wedding feast,” Mr. Vajra said. “Let’s not make Cook wait.”
“You all go,” Jason said. “My wife and I will be along shortly.”
My wife. The words still shook her. She’d been a wife before but not like this. Never like this.
The rest of them trooped off. Only Mr. Singh hung back.
“You’re not going to miss your own celebration,” he said.
“Of course not,” Jason answered. “Go put cardamom in something, will you?”
“Right away,” Mr. Singh said before leaving them entirely alone.
Jason turned to her. “Well, Lady Rushford, have you forgiven me for that apology?”
“Allow the new Mrs. Northcross to answer.” She reached up on tiptoe to kiss him, and his arms went around her as if they’d been designed to do exactly that. As usual, the feel, the taste, the scent of him tugged at everything wild inside her, and soon they were sharing the same breathless excitement they’d had the first time, in that darkened carriage when she’d had her first taste of true lust and love.
After a moment, he pulled back and favored her with a devilish smile. “I have it on good authority that the entire household is busy at present.”
“Do you really?” she replied.
“Yes, and there’s a beautiful meadow not far from here. We could be there in a moment.”
“Now, why would I want to visit a meadow on my wedding day?” she asked.
His smile broadened. “I have a present for you. Do you remember that stallion you rode before?”
“How could I forget?” That day in his sick room when she’d barred the door and made love to him so brazenly. And so passionately. “He’s a dangerous brute, as I recall.”
“Not so.” Jason grinned at her. “He only bucks at the end.”
“Perhaps I’ll tame him some day,” she said. “Or perhaps I’ll just keep trying.”
“He’s waiting in the meadow,” Jason said. “Today he’s all yours, and he’ll belong only to you forever.”
“Come along, then.” She took his hand. “Let’s ride together.”
About the Author
Alice Gaines lives in California’s East Bay area in a fixer-upper she never fixed up. Other than the voices in her mind, Alice’s companions consist of a strange stray cat that lives in her yard and her pet corn snake, Casper. When she’s not writing, Alice spends her time reading, knitting, cooking, and growing her own vegetables. Her passions include America’s Test Kitchen, her church, and the funky soul band Tower of Power.
Alice loves to hear from readers at [email protected]. Her blog is http://www.alicegaines.blogspot.com. Every Friday, she posts an excerpt at http://www.alicesexcerpts.blogspot.com. You can find her on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest as AliceGaines.
