Jasper rose, groaning when he realized how sore his long ride had left him. But even as he did so, Nia stopped him with a delicate touch.
And he knew without asking what was bothering her. “I’m not going anywhere.” And then he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “And neither are you.”
She wiped her eyes. “I know it’s silly… It’s just that—”
“You’ve yet to make it to the end of a ceremony.” Jasper didn’t laugh. That very morning he’d woken to discover her gone, and he had no wish to live through that scenario again.
Unlikely though it might be.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Nia agreed.
“Neither of you are going anywhere,” Nia’s sister spoke up. “I will stay here with Nia, and Lord Westcott can clean up and get a few hours of sleep in our room.” Upon which Standish winced. “Nia and I will meet the two of you at the blacksmith’s at eight in the morning.” She waved her fingers. “Do not, I repeat, do not be late.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Standish grinned.
“When did you get so managing?” Nia teased her sister.
“I’ve been managing all along. You just didn’t notice,” Lady Standish answered before taking her husband by the arm and pressing onto her toes to give him a peck on the cheek. “You’ll take care of the groom tonight?” She pouted up at him prettily.
And of course, Standish agreed. “Anything, my love.”
With that settled, Jasper had one last moment with Nia, and he leaned in and whispered, “Enjoy your sleep, my love. As you won’t be getting any tomorrow night.”
“Come on, West.” Standish stood at the door, and when Jasper passed him, he added, “Good God, man, you need a bath.”
Which was true and proved all the more how much his fiancée loved him.
But he’d dress to the nines for his bride tomorrow morning.
And he’d be early.
Because damned if he’d let her get away this time.
Third Wedding’s a Charm
“Where is she?” Jasper groused as he and Standish waited with the blacksmith early the next morning.
“It’s not eight yet. She has all of—” Standish glanced at his fob watch. “Eight minutes still.”
Jasper nodded. Of course, she was coming. She’d accepted his proposal rather enthusiastically last night. And she loved him.
And yet, he’d failed to meet her there the day before.
He paced to the window and then back to the anvil. Nia was not vindictive. She loved him!
Of course, she loved him. He was being foolish.
“Were you nervous?” he asked Standish. Although the circumstances around his friend’s wedding were considerably different.
“I didn’t have a chance to be. Not to say I didn’t succumb to doubts, but I was lucky. My bride rather quickly chased them away.”
Jasper forgot his nerves long enough to consider Nia’s younger sister—how good she’d been for his friend. And that, despite having a father like Crossings, Nia and her sister were both extraordinary young women.
Jasper pulled out his fob watch and, seeing that it was five minutes before eight, snapped it shut.
Five minutes until he committed himself to one woman for the rest of his life. And by God, the thought didn’t send him into a tailspin. No, it… calmed him.
The only thing bothering him this morning was his fear that she’d not appear—that something would prevent them from marrying yet again.
