Indeed, despite the shouting and clapping that exploded from just a few feet away, it was Yvette’s heart that she heard most of all. The way it thumped in her chest, filling her ears with blood, trying to escape from her as if it wanted to reach for her husband.
She smiled at Alistair as he held her hands and eyes both. The love she felt in that moment was unlike anything she could possibly imagine. It did not feel real. It did not make sense. It was like a dream that she was scared to wake up from, because reality could not possibly match this new world.
Alistair’s smile grew as he looked down at her. His eyes flicked to her lips. They had already discussed what they would do once their marriage was confirmed, and it was agreed that they would simply hold hands and accept their vows, as was proper. Plus, with Yvette’s father standing right there, a kiss would be highly inappropriate.
And yet…
Yvette felt a pull toward her husband. She felt a yearning that she could not control. She loved this man, and she wanted the world to experience this love – to see it for themselves. For so long, she had hidden from it, denied it, refused to accept it. And even now, she knew there were those who assumed a scandal was the reason for this marriage, because how could a duke ever want to marry her?
A smirk touched her lips as she continued to gaze at Alistair. And then a wickedness flashed behind her eyes, and she made sure that he took note. He frowned, unsure of what she meant to do… only for it to dawn on him a moment later.
Perhaps it is inappropriate. Perhaps a few people will judge us. If they do, I will just tell them it is my common upbringing thatdid it, that I do not know any better. Not that I give a damn what anyone else thinks…
With that decided, Yvette broke with tradition as she stepped quickly into her husband. Next, she was on her toes, leaning into him, and he did not hesitate to lean down and kiss her on the lips.
The kiss was felt not just by them, but by the entire parish. There were two scores of guests, and they gasped when they saw the kiss. Hugh burst into laughter, and suddenly the entire congregation cheered them on.
It was not their first kiss. It would not be their last. But the importance of this kiss meant the world to Yvette. It was proof not only of Alistair’s love but that he meant what he told her when he claimed that he did not care what other people thought. His only concern was her happiness, and this here proved it.
So, they kissed with passion and with love, the crowds clapped and laughed and cheered for them because they recognized the importance of the moment.
Yvette was married to the man of her dreams, her life was starting anew, and she could not wait to see what happened next. That was, of course, once she finished with this kiss…
Yvette’s heart was full, and she sensed this wasn’t about to change anytime soon.
“Hugh, what are you doing?” Yvette called to Hugh, who sat alone at a table just across from where she and Alistair were seated.
Hugh grimaced when he saw her waving him over, but he rose from his chair and sulked toward her. He was dressed in a fine suit, his hair was combed, and he looked more like Alistair than she could believe. A far cry from the orphan boy whom she used to know.
“Why so glum?” she asked when he reached the table.
He had his head bowed. “I – I am not.” The fact that he stuttered his response told her how nervous he was, as he rarely did such a thing nowadays.
“Have you spoken to any of the other children?” She indicated across the room where there was a table set for the guests’ children. There were a dozen of them, all between the ages of six and twelve. “Go and introduce yourself.”
His eyes widened with fear. “N – no, I… I am fine.”
“You might be surprised,” she said gently, with a smile to match. “What a little bravery can do for a person. Maybe your future best friend is sitting there right now, and he doesn’t even know it.”
“Or she.” Alistair put his arm around Yvette as he leaned into the conversation. “She’s right, Hugh. You can’t spend all day sitting alone.”
“I – I –I” He couldn’t even get his words out.
“There’s no pressure,” Yvette told him. “Just know, I will be so proud of you if you do.”
“As will I,” Alistair said. “You’re my blood, which means that you have the blood of a duke in you. There’s no need to be nervous or afraid. If anything, that’s how they should feel around you.”
Yvette rolled her eyes at the comment. “How about this? Give me five minutes and I will join you. If you are not having a fun time by then, I will happily steal you away.”
Hugh pushed his lips together and then looked at the table of children. “Five minutes?”
“Not a second more.”
She watched Hugh as he nervously wandered across the room, dodging the many guests who were by now well into the throes of drinking and merriment. And she beamed with pride when he reached the table of children, only for one of the boys to stand up and pull out a chair for him. Before long, they were locked in conversation, and Yvette was quite sure that there was no need for her to approach anytime soon.
“That was well handled,” Alistair said, taking her hand.
She tried to wave him away but couldn’t hold back her smile. “He’s a good boy. He just needs a little courage.”
