“It was Alice who forced our grandfather to do what was right for Matt,” Kate said.
“And that is how I met him in school,” Soren interjected. “His one and only friend. May I offer you two a ride in our vehicle? That way we can give our bride and groom a moment alone before they face the crush invited to celebrate their wedding.”
“Thank you,” Alice said.
“Well, then let us go. As groomsman, I need to shepherd everyone to the party.” Soren spoke with the good humor Willa’s father had lacked. “Reverend Beam, will you join us?”
“Is there room, my lord?”
“We shall squeeze you in,” Soren assured him, and the minister agreed.
Matt offered Willa his arm, and the group of them left. Outside, the small crowd in front of the church had waited for them. There were a few cheers and then Matt swept Willa up into his arms to place her in the Camberly coach, a lumbering black vehicle with his ducal signet on the door. Their admirers liked the grand gesture and shouted their approval.
And Willa found herself happy. She finally allowed herself to be caught up in the heady rush of realizing this marriage was giving her a place in the world. Her husband was handsome; her friend Cassandra was near at hand; why, Matt even had sisters whom she rather liked and looked forward to knowing better.
Yes, the horses pulling the coach looked as if they were hired, and not from the best of stables. It didn’t matter. Willa’s dowry would give them all they needed. She could do that for him. And for his sisters, she realized. His whole family would benefit, even the dowager.
He climbed into the coach with her, his large body taking up most of the space. He rapped on the roof and they rolled forward.
For a second, they were quiet. Willa looked at her husband expectantly for a clue as to what they should do next.
He leaned back against the seat, setting his hat on the faded velvet cushion beside him. “Well, it is done,” he said.
She nodded, suddenly shy.
“I’ll be a good husband to you,” he said.
His statement seemed odd to her. “I didn’t think you wouldn’t.”
He reached out a hand. They had each given their gloves to their attendants and had not taken them back. She placed her left palm in his. His hand seemed very strong in comparison to hers.
She looked up at him and wished he would kiss her. Just as he had on her wrist, but on her lips. She was past ready for that first kiss.
Instead, he said, “I’ve been too caught up with other matters. I should have paid more attention.”
Immediately, Willa thought of Letty Bainhurst. She didn’t wish to, but that was where her mind went.
“There was so much to be done at Mayfield,” he continued. “I know little of estate management and have had much to learn. I should have contacted my sisters. I feel selfish,” he finished, obviously unaware of how his admission reassured Willa.
Her jealousy embarrassed her, especially coming on the heels of the vows she’d just made. The gold of her wedding band winked at her.
He was her husband now. He’d done all that was honorable. Matt was not her father. He wasn’t.
And she wasn’t her mother.
“I’m certain they understand.”
“It doesn’t excuse what I did.” He released his breath as if coming to a decision. He looked at her. “But I’ll be good from here on forward.”
Once again, her heart seemed to expand a bit more in her chest. He was a good man. She’d married a good man.
The coach pulled up at the door of her house. Guests were already arriving. A queue had formed, and Peters, the butler, had the task of managing matters so that no one’s sensibilities were insulted.
The coach door was opened. Matt leaped out first and then helped Willa to the ground.
Leland Reverly stood inside the door. “Take your places,” he said impatiently. “Hurry.”
Matt and Willa exchanged looks. Willa was thankful he was tolerant of her father.
