Guy obliged with a long and passionate kiss as a cry went up from the small gathering waving goodbye, and they departed for their new life at Rosecroft Hall.
“Are you all right, darling?” Hetty asked as the landau lurched and jiggled its way over the rough road.
He held her tight against him and his lips found the soft perfumed skin below her ear. “I am now.”
*
Hetty barely hadtime to speak to Guy as the wedding breakfast was served. The table in the dining room was laden with silver bowls of walnuts, hazelnuts, and hothouse grapes. A rich fruit wedding cake took pride of place in the center of the table. Their marriage was toasted with champagne. When everyone had eaten their fill of hot rolls, buttered toast, cold meats, ham, and eggs, and washed it down with steaming hot chocolate, an orchestra from London struck up in the minstrel’s gallery and the country dancing began.
Hetty spied Marina sitting alone while her father chatted to Eustace and sat down beside her.
Marina smiled. “You have chosen well, my dear,” she said. “Guy will prove a worthy mate for you.”
“I only hope I will prove worthy of him.”
Marina placed a hand on Hetty’s arm. “You may not have understood my meaning. You are an adventurous young woman, by all accounts. Passionate and brave from what your father has told me. I am greatly in awe of such qualities because I know I lack them.”
“But you are so calm and practical,” Hetty said, surprised. “Why would you wish to be different?”
“I am not unhappy. I understand the value I bring to my marriage. But you’ll achieve far more in your life. My one hope is to make my husband comfortable and happy.”
“Then we are one in that aim.”
Marina smiled. “But you shall prove an exciting companion, Hetty. Guy is the right man to appreciate a wife such as you.”
Hetty kissed her cheek. “I am so glad my father chose you.” She turned to watch her new husband across the room. He had joined Eustace and her father. Was Marina, right? Would Guy wish for those qualities in her? Could she become more acquiescent? For the first time, she was unsure. With a sudden need to be close, she crossed the room to him. The next dance was a waltz, and she wanted his arms around her.
Chapter Thirty-One
John was oneof the first to depart, his presence required in London on official business. The sun was sinking in the west as Guy walked with him to his carriage. “No news of Forney?”
“Unfortunately, no. It appears he has left the country.”
Guy nodded. “I doubt we’ll see him in England again. It would be foolish in the extreme for him to return. What of Countess Forney?”
“Her travel documents reveal she has returned to France.”
“A tidy end to it, then.”
“It is never tidy, my friend.” John grinned. “Enjoy rusticating here with your bride. I will give you two months before we see you in London again.”
Guy laughed. “You believe so?”
“You displayed talent in your handling of Forney and his cronies. We may have need of you.”
“Merci, but I think not. To live at Rosecroft with Hetty is all I wish for.”
John grinned. “We shall see. Farewell.” He tapped the roof with his cane, and the carriage trundled away down the drive.
Guy and Hetty saw off the rest of their guests. As they walked back over the gravel drive to the house, he turned to his bewitching bride. “Your father has given us a wedding present.”
Hetty’s brows rose. “He said nothing to me. What might that be?”
“The General.”
With a perplexed frown, she searched Guy’s eyes. “Father gave you The General? He did not include me in this gift?”
“Au contraire, The General is yours. But, it is conditional on you being careful and not jumping over high gates which is dangerous with a sidesaddle.”
