How was it possible this was her life? Still, every step along the slates brought her closer to the man she loved.
Her heart pounded a ferocious rhythm as she entered the church and proceeded down the lengthy aisle, but one glance to where Crispin waited near the altar and her breath caught and pulse quieted. She wanted to remember this moment as clearly as possible, every nuance and shimmer of feeling alive within her. Yet, despite her greatest effort, the ceremony became an ethereal dream of spoken vows and promises. The pastor read the banns and completed the Solemnization of Matrimony. With their hands joined and hearts in kind, the blessing was given with great jubilation. Crispin slipped a diamond ring of exquisite shape and sparkle upon her finger and their marriage was sealed with a kiss that was too short and far too tempting for a church ceremony.
Amanda smiled at Raelyn to her right and touched her fingertips to her mother’s jewellery in sentimental remembrance. Who could have ever guessed the wrong ship would have resulted in righting her life so perfectly it would provide this future of happiness and bliss?
Pure excitement hummed through her as she stepped away from the marble altar, careful not to snag her dress as she linked arms with Crispin and entered the crowd. As much as she beamed with happiness and accepted well-wishes, she also yearned for a private moment with her husband. But that wouldn’t come until much later.
Pockets of quiet conversation circled the room as several guests lingered before they returned to her father’s home for a traditional wedding breakfast. The sumptuous meal would go on for hours, with several courses of fish, meats, eggs, cheese, toast, marmalade and sweets. She steeled herself for the reality. She wouldn’t have the indulgence of her husband’s sole attention until late evening. Yet, if life had taught her anything to this point, it was that exceptional happenings are always worth waiting for.
‘Congratulations.’ Ferris, the Count of Este and Crispin’s best man, embraced them heartily. ‘I did not expect a wedding to come from our bachelor’s jaunt across the ocean.’
‘Neither did I,’ Crispin cajoled, though he squeezed her hand while he answered. ‘But I couldn’t be happier.’ He glanced to her and his eyes conveyed so much more than his words.
‘You should continue your wedding tour through Italy,’ the count offered with a grin.
‘Miss me already? Thank you for the invitation, but no.’ Crispin shook his head as he replied. ‘When Amanda and I travel, we want to go somewhere we’ve never been before with fresh eyes and a sense of adventure.’
‘My new son-in-law.’ Her father joined their conversation with a reproving stare Amanda knew was more bluster than sincere opinion. He winked in her direction before he spoke to Crispin. ‘I’m trusting you with half of my heart. Don’t disappoint me.’
‘Father,’ Amanda reprimanded, though the mood remained teasing. ‘We should return to the house now.’ The desire to speak to Crispin, whisper her love and kiss him again, demanded they leave the church though no one else appeared to be moving towards the doors.
‘If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to speak to Baron Hastings and his wife. We’re all family now, aren’t we?’ Her father stepped away and, before Amanda could steal a word with Crispin, Sophie approached in a rush of excitement.
‘Congratulations.’ She went up on her toes to offer them each a kiss on the cheek. ‘The two of you look stunning together. You’re the perfect couple.’
She sniffled and Amanda wasn’t sure how to read her emotion.
‘If you can repair your past and find true love, then I suppose there’s hope for me yet.’ A twinkle sparked in Sophie’s bright expression.
‘What are you up to, Sophie?’ Crispin asked without missing a beat.
‘Sophie, il mio bel fiore, don’t despair.’ Ferris reached for Sophie’s hand and tucked it into his elbow as he led them away. ‘I can show you sights you’ve never seen in Italy.’
‘Ferris…’ Crispin took a step forward, but Amanda tugged him back to her side.
‘Let them go.’ She giggled from the absurdity of the situation. ‘We’re all due back for the wedding breakfast. How much could possibly happen before then?’
Crispin’s brows shot high as he returned to her side. ‘Are you really asking me that question?’
They matched eyes and the moment all at once turned intimate, fraught with deep emotion and a timeless breath of reality. They were married. Husband and wife. The sheer joy of that realization caused tears to blur her vision.
‘I love you, Amanda.’ Crispin squeezed her fingers tight within his. ‘And every time I look at you I fall in love a little bit more.’
‘At least this time we’re both falling together.’ She squeezed his hand right back.
‘There you are.’ Aunt Matilda appeared, her smile wider than any other guest. ‘I knew in my heart Crispin was to be your gentleman, Amanda.’
Unwilling to break their silent communication at first, neither Amanda nor Crispin replied. Still, Aunt Matilda couldn’t be ignored.
‘Thank you.’ Amanda dragged her attention to her aunt and opened their circle to clasp Matilda’s hand. She blew out a breath and reassembled herself for conversation. ‘So, now that you’ve bested Lady Pembler sufficiently and I’m delightfully married, will you turn your attention to Raelyn’s future?’ She watched her aunt with high expectation, Matilda never one to disappoint.
‘Perhaps, though I haven’t a fig who would make Raelyn a secure match. Time will tell in regard to her story.’ Matilda paused before she leaned in, her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper between Amanda and Crispin. ‘Although I do have my eyes set on a different goal.’
They waited, confident what they were about to hear would set London upon its ear.
Matilda continued with a gleam in her eye. ‘I’ve come to a satisfactory agreement with Mr Sinclair and his associates and I’ve newly acquired the property at eleven St James’s Street. The building needs an entire renovation, but I can hardly wait to begin.’
‘What will you build? What will it become?’ Amanda looked to Crispin, who listened with an amused expression.
‘You’ll have to wait and see, my dear.’ Matilda laughed. ‘Far be it for me to spread gossip until my project is good and finished.’
Copyright
An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd.
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First published in Great Britain by HQ in 2017
Copyright © Anabelle Bryant 2017
Anabelle Bryant asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.
E-book Edition © October 2017 ISBN: 978-0-00-822974-0
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