Instead, she moved toward him. She walked as if she was in a dream. Her skirts emphasized long, strong legs.
This woman was to be his wife and he was very pleased.
Charnock was babbling about something to the reverend. Roman didn’t pay attention. He only had eyes for Leonie.
She stopped when she was beside him and offered her gloved hand. He raised her hand to his lips and kissed the backs of her fingers.
Her smile at the small, gallant gesture was tenuous as if she, too, had been full of doubts and concerns.
“We shall do well together,” he promised her.
Leonie nodded as if too nervous to speak.
“Well,” Charnock said, clapping his hands together, “shall we be on with it?”
“Yes,” his wife agreed, “the first guests will arrive at half past twelve.”
Roman didn’t care what Charnock wanted or when guests would arrive. “Areyouready?” he asked Leonie. He found himself anxious to be certain she was at peace with the marriage.
She nodded.
“Step this way,” Reverend Davis said, taking over and directing them to the altar.
Roman took her hand and tucked it in his arm. Over the past week and a half, they had stood side by side without touching. Now, she leaned slightly toward him, the movement almost imperceptible, and yet it brought her body heat close to his.
Yes, they would be good together.
The rector opened his book and began reading, “Dearly beloved, we have gathered in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony...”
One word leapt out to Roman.Joining.
Had Leonie noticed? She gave no indication. Nor did she react as the rector read, “The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy and, when it is God’s will, for the procreation of children.”
Union in body. The procreation of children.
Roman was about to have a wife who could provide him solace with her body and could prove herself a helpmate as well as a lover.
He wanted children. Bonhomie would go to his heir and, standing in front of this altar, he prayed God blessed him with many healthy sons and daughters. He wanted the walls of his home to ring with their laughter.
And he wanted Leonie to desire those things as well.
Although she had never said so in words, he’d known Paccard had debased her. He’d seen it in her eyes that night and in the way her hand holding the pistol had trembled with fear and anger.
Now, it was up to him to treat her kindly, to undo the damage his rival had inflicted.
He repeated his marriage vows in a firm voice to let her know he meant the words. He would always be by her side. He would cherish and adore her.
Roman already believed he loved her.
She said hers quietly and with what he felt was much deliberate thought, as if she savored each word before she spoke it. He caught the scent of mint on her breath. That pleased him. She was already thinking about kisses. He certainly was.
“Do you have a ring, my lord?” the rector asked.
Roman hurried to pull the ring from his coat and proudly held it up. It was a star sapphire that he’d purchased in India years ago. The band was simple because it was all he could afford but the sapphire was a true treasure. It was an unusual stone in London and one only those who had been to India could appreciate. He watched for her reaction or some recognition of the type of stone... and was disappointed.
She looked at it without a hint of interest.
Her mother leaned forward. “You need to remove your glove,” she prodded.
