A sound of alarm went up as everyone feared something was wrong—until they saw Brandon leap up on the stage. Actors started to stop him, thinking he might mean harm to Kate but Nestor put out an arm to ward them off.
Reverently, Brandon knelt in front of her so they were at eye level. The people grew silent.
“I could not have done it without you,” she confessed.
“I was here for you. I’ll always be here for you.”
The truth of his words filled her with joy, and she said what was in her heart. “Mr. Balfour, would you marry me?”
A gasp went up, probably because of her audacity. Did women ask men for such a thing? Kate didn’t care.
Neither did Brandon. His hand went to the back of her neck drawing her to him. “I can think of nothing I want more,” he declared, right before kissing her in front of one and all.
The reviews forThe Tempestwere excellent. The house for the short run of the play was packed. Kate made her money and then some.
Most of all, she’d proven her worth on the stage, except that no longer mattered to her.
Oh, she would act. It was a connection to her mother and it was her gift in life. However, the drive to be seen, to be recognized, was not as strong because the one person whose acceptance she sought was Brandon’s.
And he loved her whether she was perfect or not.
They spoke their wedding vows at the first church they came to once Brandon purchased the special license. Kate’s brother, the Duke of Camberly, and his duchess were the only ones in attendance.
Afterward, instead of the traditional breakfast immediately following the sacrament, Kate and Brandon chose Maidenshop for the celebration. Kate wrote letters to her sisters and their families inviting them to join.
Two weeks later, Kate and Brandon arrived in Maidenshop to host the largest wedding breakfast ever devised by man. The village—servants, lads, and all—was invited. It would be held at St. Martyr’s barn. Old Andy started brewing ale and the Smythson staff began planning for a feast.
Winderton turned down the invitation to attend. He’d told Brandon he couldn’t. He was too busy going out of his way to avoid Kate.
“I wish he could be happy for us,” she said.
Brandon shrugged. “It is time he learned that things don’t always go the way one wants, even when one is a duke.” He paused and then said, “I suggested that since Napoleon has abdicated and it is safe to travel on the Continent, he should take a tour. He agreed.”
“I don’t like feeling as if I have run him off.”
Brandon drew her to him. “You haven’t, Kate. He has his own lessons to learn. You were just part of teaching it to him.”
“Is there a story about that?”
Brandon laughed. “Just a few.”
As for everyone else in the village, they were happy for Kate and Brandon. Even the dowager, although she also liked the idea of her son touring the Continent. “It is what a nobleman does,” she said to Kate and Mrs. Warbler.
In truth, the duchess was looking happier. She’d finally given up her black. She’d gone to purple. Brandon said everyone should be thankful for any steps forward, including small ones.
Not even Mr. Thurlowe and the earl seemed disappointed in their marriage. They discussed the Logical Society when they came to call. “We hate losing Balfour,” the doctor admitted candidly to Kate and Brandon. “However, our seminar brought in two new members.”
“Good, because you are going to be marrying soon,” the earl reminded him.
“Not real soon.”
The earl’s response was a roll of his eyes that made Kate laugh. And then he clapped Brandon’s hand in congratulations and kissed Kate on the cheek. “I can do that since we shall be good friends.”
“I was afraid you liked her too much,” Brandon confessed.
“You are a jealous oaf. Although, I was tempted,” Mars said with his easy drawl, “but reason prevailed.”
“And you are welcome at The Garland anytime you wish,” Mr. Thurlowe told Brandon. “And for the seminars.”
