CHAPTER THIRTY
For something Roarke had been waiting for the past seven years, it was over rather quickly, but at long last, he could finally say that Mara Miller truly was no more, for she was now the Viscountess of Eversleigh, Mara Garrott.
He gave a sigh of relief once he was given leave to kiss his new wife, but in truth, their souls had been intertwined long before that moment. He felt his chest—and other parts of his anatomy—swell as he looked down into Mara’s lovely, green eyes. He had never seen a more perfect bride in his life.
“Thank you for my wedding present,” Mara whispered to him, once the vicar announced that they were officially husband and wife.
Roarke smiled. “You’re quite welcome. It was my pleasure. I hope you liked what Athena and Cassie chose for you.”
She fluttered her lashes coyly. “Oh, I know there’s something you’lllike tonight.”
He lifted a brow. “Indeed? Well, it’s a shame it won’t be on you long enough to appreciate. If you haven’t guessed by now, it isn’t the clothes, but rather, what is underneath them that draws me to your side.”
“You’re such a rogue.” Her cheeks blushed a charming pink before she nervously bit her lip. “But I have to say, in light of all of your generosity, how long everything might fit.”
Roarke frowned. “Oh? And why is that?”
She had just opened her mouth to tell him her news when they were suddenly besieged with well wishes from their friends. The newlyweds were separated as Cassie, Athena, and Lyra crowded around Mara, and the men clapped Roarke on the back and offered him a cigar to celebrate the nuptials.
Mara mouthed an apology as she looked over Lyra’s blonde head. While he wanted nothing more than to drag her away and ask her what she’d been about to say, he reluctantly nodded in return, before he was led away.
* * *
As they were waiting for luncheon to be announced, Mara glanced over and caught Lady Eversleigh’s gaze as she sipped a glass of Madeira. After taking a deep breath, Mara decided that it was now or never to finally clear the air between them. She excused herself, walked over to Roarke’s mother, and sat down on the settee beside her.
Mara clasped her hands in her lap to still their trembling, for no one had ever intimidated her in her life as much as Lavinia had.
Fortunately, the dowager was the first to speak. “So it’s done,” she announced.
“Yes,” Mara murmured, surprised at how steady her voice sounded. After a pause, she said, “Roarke told me what you did for Lily, staying to make sure she was properly laid to rest at the Hall. That was very kind of you.”
Lavinia tilted her head to the side. “I figured it was the least I could do to make amends for…everything.”
Mara swallowed. She twirled her emerald and diamond band around on her finger. “Thank you for the Eversleigh ring. It means a lot.”
“My son deserves to be happy,” Lavinia returned softly. “And so do you. You’ve both been through enough. It took me a long time to realize that Roarke’s love for you is genuine, that he wasn’t just infatuated with you.” With a heavy sigh, she added softly, “He’s not his father.”
“No,” Mara smiled. “He’s like you.”
Immediately, the older woman’s eyes filled with moisture. “I wish you both every happiness, Mara. I just hope someday you can forgive me for keeping you apart for so long.”
“I don’t need any time,” Mara dared to reach out and squeeze her hand. “I already do.”
Lavinia turned away. When she spoke, her voice was gruff. “I should be going. All this excitement is a bit much for an old woman like me.”
Mara stood as Lavinia took her leave, although she knew that it wasn’t because Lavinia was angry. While things might be awkward for them for a while, it would get better. They might never be close, but at least they could get along, and that was worth something.
A pair of strong arms abruptly came around her from behind. “Finally, I get to hold my wife,” Roarke whispered in her ear. With a contented sigh, she leaned back against his chest. “I saw you and Mother talking and then she came to tell me that she was tired and had to go.” He paused. “Is everything all right?”
She turned in his arms and dared to give him a brazen kiss on the mouth for one and all to see.So scandalous, she thought with a grin. “Actually, everything’s quite perfect. You’reperfect.”
“Careful, my dear,” he murmured. “All that flattery may just go to my head.” With a bold wink, he said, “So, I had the feeling you were about to tell me something important earlier before we were interrupted.”
“Yes, that’s true.” Emboldened, Mara leaned up on her tiptoes and whispered in his ear, “I love you.”
Roarke’s smile was brilliant enough to melt her heart. “And I love you.” He lifted a brow. “But surely that wasn’t worth all the secrecy?”
“No,” she admitted. “I was only going to tell you what your wedding present was.”
