“It’s my wedding day. I thought I would wash up for my blushing bride,” he said with a grin.
Fiona brushed away the last of her tears and laughed. “Your deranged bride, is more like it.”
“No, she’s my fairy princess,” he said in a whisper, then turned to the others. “No cause for alarm. Merely a mad countess on the loose.”
Reggie rolled his eyes and then took charge of dispersing the crowd. “Rob, can I leave you to deal with Fiona? I have my own problems.”
“What’s wrong, Reg?” Rob asked.
“Nothing serious. Margaret’s stomach is in upheaval. I’ve left her moaning on the bed with her face over the chamber pot. She might have eaten something that did not agree with her.”
Did Reggie not realize yet Margaret was carrying his child? Hadn’t she told him?
Well, that was not Rob’s concern at the moment.
He knelt beside Fiona. “You do realize that was a completely insane and hysterical response to findingonegray hair on your head? I already have a dozen, and you do not find me shrieking and blubbering about it.”
“Because you are perfect and have an old soul that makes you wise and sensible instead of mindlessly hysterical like me,” she said, now cracking a genuine smile. “It caught me by surpriseand I handled it poorly. But I am approaching forty and…they’ll call me the Silver Duchess.”
“First of all, you appear nowhere near forty yet. You look beautiful and magical, just as you have always done and will always appear in my eyes. No one would ever guess you were above the age of twenty. You have a very young face.”
She laughed again. “It is a good thing your eyesight leaves much to be desired. But I like that you see me through the eyes of love.”
“Always, Fiona.”
She nodded. “I know.”
“Ready to get married?”
“Yes.” She cast him one of her captivating smiles that reached her eyes and made them sparkle. “If you will still have this deranged countess.”
“Never a doubt. Come on, get dressed or we shall both be late to our own wedding.”
Rob finished dressing and headed downstairs to join his friends in the entry hall while awaiting the ladies. The house party guests had all been invited to join them at the local parish church for the ceremony, after which they would all return to Northam Hall for the wedding breakfast Cherish had organized with the assistance of Margaret and the wives of the other Silver Dukes.
Reggie appeared particularly bemused as he stood among the men.
Rob frowned as he walked over to his friend. “What’s wrong? Is Margaret still feeling ill?”
Reggie let out a breath and raked a hand through his hair. “Yes, but she still insists on attending the wedding and claims it is nothing of concern.”
Rob arched an eyebrow, uncertain whether to give his friend a hint. Reggie looked so perplexed that he decided to take pityon his friend and give him a slight prodding. “How long has this been going on?”
“Oh, about two weeks now. Mostly mornings, and then she’s suddenly fine and back to her beautiful self.”
“Are you finding her particularly beautiful lately?”
“Of course, because I love her more each day. What are you suggesting?” Reggie paused a moment and stared at Rob.
“Gad, are you that dense? Has she beenglowinglately?”
“Yes, now that you mention it. A lovely glow about her. I…” He inhaled sharply. “Rob, I have to go!” He tore up the stairs.
Rob watched him, smiling.
“What’s with Reggie?” Bromleigh asked, coming to his side.
“He’s checking on Margaret.”
