‘You made her your countess.’ Spencer grinned, sipping his champagne. ‘And I have never seen one to rival her.’
Spencer raised his glass in a toast, and Liam followed suit, his eyes following his friend’s to where his bride stood smiling amidst a rather eclectic group, half local gentry, half ladies from the village, all united in their admiration of her gown, it seemed.
Not that Liam could blame them. She was glorious, shining brighter than the May sunshine, and none could resist.
Though to him, it mattered not whether she was adorned in a mint tulle and silk gown with a coronet of flowers, or the drabbest wool, really. She was all he ever saw. And though the fashionable wardrobe he’d been thrilled to lavish upon her had eased her way into people’s homes, it was her kind and determined spirit that had eased her way into their hearts.
Life had not been easy since the fire. News of Thornhallow’s destruction had spread like a blaze itself, along with that of Mellors’s arrest, and Liam and Rebecca’s engagement. The truth of the matter had been distorted in a hundred different ways, and they had faced more scrutiny and judgement than Liam could have imagined when they’d gone to London.
But together, they’d weathered the worst of the storm, Rebecca’s fortitude and determination to rise above it all, slowly gaining them more and more support.
Despite the scandal of it, Mellors’s shockingly expedient trial had been cathartic for them all, and helped quash most of the disgusting gossip.
In the end, he’d been convicted and sent to Van Diemen’s Land. Between the testimony regarding the attempt on Liam’s life, that of the five other women he’d found who agreed to speak, and the public outcry against the Viscount—the newspapers all having seized upon the affair with gusto—the House had been reluctant to drag on the proceedings, and been forced to ensure not only that Mellors wasdealtwith, but properly punished.
Liam still had men searching for any others who had suffered Mellors’s perfidy, and he would do right by them as best he could, just as he had with those he’d found.
On Spencer’s urging, he and Rebecca had remained in London awhile after the trial, and though they had not beenwelcomedinto society, they had beenacceptedat some choice events of the Season, and they’d even made some acquaintances that in time may prove to be friends.
Liam knew Spencer and the Dowager Marchioness—much to her own dismay—had paved the way for them, just as the pair had worked their connections in the House to secure Mellors’s conviction, and he was beyond grateful.
Just as he was grateful to have his friend by his side in church today.
Without him, Liam wasn’t entirely sure he would have been able to stand there and not spout nonsense once Rebecca appeared.
‘Have I thanked you yet?’ Liam asked, turning back to Spencer.
‘A million times,’ he laughed. ‘But I shan’t begrudge you a million more.’
‘Thank you,’ Liam said, offering his hand. ‘Truly.’
‘My pleasure.’ He nodded, taking it. ‘Your life has kept mine from being ghastly dull.’
Liam was about to press his friend about the bitterness in his voice when his wife appeared before them, radiant, rendering him speechless.
‘I apologise for the interruption.’
She smiled, making his heart skip a beat.My wife...
‘Only I was hoping to steal my husband for a moment.’
‘By all means,’ Spencer said graciously, literally bowing out. ‘Freddie has initiated a game of bowls and I find myself in need of thrashing him.’
Rebecca chuckled as Spencer wandered off to do just that, and Liam couldn’t stop himself from sliding a hand into hers and tugging her close.
She didn’t even chide him for the scandalous move—not that she had much time before he lowered his lips to hers and ensured she felt every ounce of the love he felt today, and every day. It seemed to grow, and he wondered if in time, he might simply expire, his body unable to contain it any longer.
After a long moment she pulled away, a slight flush in her cheeks, her eyes twinkling with mischief and desire. ‘I have something for you,’ she said softly, smoothing the lapels of his jacket.
‘Will I like this surprise?’ he asked, grinning, his hands travelling to places suggestive of what he wished her surprise might be.
‘I hope so.’
The seriousness in her voice, the earnestness in her eyes sobered him, and he nodded, slipping his hand into hers.
‘Lead the way, my love.’
Rebecca did just that, leading her husband across the lawn, throwing smiles at those who greeted them and wished them well.
