“Twitchy?”
“Pacing the room, looking up the stairs, watching the clock. All of that. So we need to get down there or my brothers are going to start to thrash him. And the little girls are getting impatient to toss the flower petals. I think Jasmine is hungry, too. She was eating the flower petals in her basket.” Maggie burst into laughter at the antics of her youngest daughter. Emily giggled and could hear the other women doing the same.
* * *
Iain watched as Emily walked down the stairs, laughing with the other women and Robbie. She looked more beautiful than ever. The gown she wore was a simple one, each white lacy inch revealing the figure he liked to get his hands on as often as possible. Her hair had been left loose, the veil and some fancy silver hairpins all that held it in place.
Mrs. O’Neal pointed a finger at him and he walked across the parlor to stand in front of the preacher. He kept his eyes on Emily as he reached out to slap Matthew on the arm to stop him yanking on his collar. He was not sure why Mrs. O’Neal had insisted he have so many men standing with him as groomsmen. There were more people in the wedding party than in the seats as guests. And just when had he come to know so many people? He glanced at the Powells standing with his brothers and took some comfort in the fact that they looked as uncomfortable in the suits Mrs. O’Neal had found for them as he felt.
He watched as the little girls walked toward him tossing flower petals on the floor, little Jasmine pausing now and then to eat a few. Little Neddy walked very carefully until he reached Iain’s side and then he sighed and loosened his fist over the rings he held. The little girls finished throwing petals and scurried over to take their seats with the guests. Then, finally, Emily walked toward him on Robbie’s arm, smiling shyly at him.
Once at his side, she leaned closer and whispered, “Are you still sure?”
“Aye, lass.”
The preacher cleared his throat when Iain started to lean in to kiss Emily. He gave his little speech about who was marrying and then asked who gave the bride to the man. Robbie began to step forward but jerked to a halt when a deep voice sounded from behind them.
“I believe that should be my job, young sir.”
“Grandfather?”
Emily turned around and stared at the big man standing in the doorway to the parlor. She shook free of her shock and ran to him. When she reached him he opened his arms and she ran right into them. Clutching him tightly she tried to control her tears.
“How did you get here?” she asked.
“Constance told me. Then I received your letter about Annabel and David.” He sighed. “They are really dead? Killed by Albert?”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“I should have heeded you when you said he murdered your parents but it was so hard to think the boy I raised could do such a thing. So, after the letter came with the sad news about Annabel and her man, I spoke with Constance and she gave me her information that had come right from Annabel and I set right out immediately.” He looked over her head to frown at Iain. “Seems I came at an opportune time.”
Tugging her grandfather over to Iain, Emily introduced the pair. “I am so happy you are here for my wedding, Grandfather.”
Iain looked at the man, and decided he did not look as he expected a duke to look. He was tall and broad-shouldered. There did not appear to be any fat on the man, just muscle. He was also very handsome for a man in his sixties, with steel-gray eyes and hair that was still more golden than white. The hand that shook his was strong and calloused.
“Your Grace,” he said politely.
“Who are all those lads behind you?”
“My brothers Matthew, Geordie, Nigel, Lachlan, and Duncan. The two fellows with the black hair are Owen and David Powell. And the fellow who was about to give me my bride is my brother Robbie. I gather ye will take the job now.”
“Well,” began the man, and he glanced at Emily, who quickly slid her arm through his.
“Yes, he will,” Emily said. “This is the man who saved me and Neddy, Grandfather. This is the place where I have been staying and they fought off Albert’s men. Twice. We have so much to tell you but I would like to get married first, please.”
“You are sure of this, sweetheart?” the duke asked quietly, searching her face for any hint of doubt.
“Very sure, Grandfather.”
To his relief, Iain soon found himself kissing the bride, the vows said and rings exchanged. Confident that there would be no trouble about it now, he moved everyone into the dining room. Neddy walked next to Emily but his gaze stayed on the duke.
“Neddy, that man is your mama’s grandfather,” Emily said gently. “Perhaps you could be a gentleman and lead him into the dining room.”
“It is right there.” The boy pointed at the door they were about to enter and Iain heard the duke choke back a laugh.
“Then escort him to his seat, love.”
The dining room was packed and Iain was astonished at the amount of food Mrs. O’Neal and Emily had made. The woman even found out that the duke had six riders with him and got Mabel to help her take food out to them. As Iain attempted to eat the duke kept him answering questions about what he did, his life, and his history. As he was beginning to get somewhat irritated at the constant barrage of questions, Emily turned her grandfather’s attention to Neddy.
