She was genuinely disappointed but understood. “Very well. So what do we do?”
He did reach out then and took her by the elbow, gently leading her back over to the table where his family was congregating.
“You will spend time with Caroline,” he said softly, evenly. “I would have the two of you be constant companions right now.”
She tried not to appear too disillusioned. “Will I not be seeing you at all, husband?”
He froze and looked at her. After a moment, he fought the smile that threatened. “I never thought I would like to hear that word where it pertained to me.”
She hadn’t thought much about saying it; it was simply the truth. “And now?”
“It is like music to my ears.” She started to smile and he feigned a glare. “None of that. Stop it this instant.”
She had to put her hand over her mouth. “I cannot help it.”
“You must,” he commanded softly. “Go with Caroline now. I will find you later.”
She nodded obediently; Caroline was seated just to the right of her husband at the edge of the table and smiled when she saw Alixandrea. She stood up, took her new sister’s hand, and led her from the table. But Alixandrea cast Matthew a final glance before leaving the room entirely. It was a longing gesture, a new one filled with hope and anticipation. His eyes lingered on the empty doorway a moment.
“Matt?”
Someone was calling his name. He turned around to see Mark looking at him. A short perusal of the faces around him showed that they were all grinning to some extent. He knew why and cleared his throat.
“I am sorry, I did not hear what was said.”
“I know,” Mark replied, his gaze moving over Alixandrea. “They have way of doing that to you, do they not?”
“Who?”
“Women.”
Matthew’s easy grin flickered. He wasn’t going to play stupid when they could all figure out that he wasn’t entirely displeased with this marriage. He really should have been embarrassed considering he had spent ten years denouncing it, but he found that he wasn’t in the least.
“Not all women,” he said. “Just one in particular.”
Luke snorted, John grinned, and Mark just shook his head.
“Let’s get back to the subject at hand, if I can tear you away from thoughts of a hazel-eyed goddess,” Mark eyed his eldest brother deliberately. “We were discussing our movement for London.”
Matthew shrugged. “Nothing has changed. We leave in two days.”
The brothers glanced at each other. “What about Father?” Mark asked the question they were all thinking.
“He will be ready to ride.”
Adam was up in his chamber, seated next to the cold hearth in something of a stupor. He hadn’t moved since Matthew’s wedding last night. The brothers were taking turns keeping an eye on him, but remarkably, he’d not yet gone to drink yet. He was simply sitting, lost in a haze of grief and thought. But he was not alone; a Wellesbourne guard was posted right outside his door should he be needed.
“But what if he’s not?” Mark persisted quietly. “Matt, we don’t know what kind of effect this wedding will have on him.”
Matthew sighed with irritation. “He’s known this day would come for ten years. He cannot be shocked or surprised by it. As long as we keep the liquor away from him, it is my hope he can rationally deal with whatever feelings he may be sensing.” He reached over and took half a loaf of bread that was sitting on the table; besides being exhausted, he was also famished and hetook a healthy bite. “Mark, did you send Thomas and Harl on to London as we discussed?”
“Aye,” Mark replied. “They left yesterday and should arrive in a couple of days, God willing.”
“Good,” Matthew swallowed the bite in his mouth. “Luke, what of the army?”
“They are prepared,” he said. “They’re ready to mobilize and move out within an hour. Just give the word.”
“Excellent.” Matthew took another bite. “And Johnny; the condition of the wagons and auxiliary detachments we are taking with us?”
