Adelaide sent him a wink. “I’m sure she will, just as I’m sure she’d enjoy some alone time with her groom.” With that, Adelaide sent Camilla a smile before she wandered away, saying she was off to find Gideon.
“Care to take a stroll with me, Mrs. Chesterfield?” Owen asked as he took hold of her hand and kissed it.
“I would love nothing more.”
After tucking her hand into the crook of his arm, Owen began walking with her toward a grove of trees, drawing her to a stop once they were under a large maple, where he promptly leaned forward and kissed her.
The sound of their guests faded away, many of those guests having traveled to West Virginia from New York since Camilla had wanted to get married, not in her family’s church in the city, but in Owen’s church where everyone had welcomed her with open arms when she’d first arrived in Wheeling.
Reverend Braun had officiated the service and had surprised Camilla when he’d gotten to the part where he was supposed to ask if anyone had any objections to speak now or forever hold their peace. He hadn’t asked anything at all, though, simply nodded to Beulah, who’d walked up to stand beside Camilla. She’d then turned to the guests assembled and done one of the sweetest things Camilla had ever seen.
Beulah had announced to everyone that, while she was originallysupposed to have been given the final say regarding whether she’d found Camilla suitable to join the family, according to Elma, it was up to the whole family to decide the answer to that. She then went on to say that anyone related to the Chesterfield family was to retain their seat if they had an objection to the upcoming nuptials, but stand if they thought Camilla would be a most welcome addition to the family.
Everyone, even those not related to the Chesterfields, had risen to their feet.
“Why do I get the distinct impression you’re thinking about something other than our kiss?” Owen asked, drawing back and smiling at her.
“I’ve always been a lady who can concentrate on more than one thing at a time.”
“I’ve noticed that, but what were you thinking about?”
“The service and how wonderful it was.”
“Did you notice that I got rather teary as I watched you walk down the aisle?”
“I did. It made me rather teary in return, although I found myself falling more in love with you at that moment than I was before.”
He kissed her again, and this time, Camilla found herself unable to think about anything else because, clearly, Owen was determined to capture her full attention.
“That’s better,” he said a good few minutes later.
“Indeed.”
He took hold of her hand and pressed a kiss to her fingers. “Did you tell your mother that Mr. Timken has decided he wants to stay here with us?”
“Mr. Timken already told her.”
“And?”
“She says she’s fine with that, although I believe she’s probably going to want him to assume butler duties for her during the summer months after she and Father build a house here.”
“Whatever will we do without a butler for a few months?” Owen asked with a grin.
“I imagine Mr. Timken will find a replacement for himself, what with how he’s been busy with finding positions for numerous men who’ve been injured while working in the factories or mines. He’s starting up a training program in a few weeks, one that’ll teach these men how to take on roles such as valets, cooks, and even butlers.”
“An excellent idea since Charles mentioned he’ll be in need of a butler and full staff after he gets his house completed, especially when his mother, Petunia, has decided to move in with him and Luella once they get married.”
“Charles told me he’s intending on building averylarge house, but speaking of parents moving in with their children, are you certain your mother and father are fine with living in the house on Wheeling Island instead of moving here to Chesterfield Manor with us?”
“Mother wants to be close to all the social activities she’s now being invited to, and besides, she wants grandchildren and believes she’ll get those sooner if we have more time to ourselves.”
Camilla blinked. “I’m not even certain how to respond to that.”
“Then I shall change the subject to ... hmmm ... nothing springs to mind except ... I’ve been wanting to ask you something about matchmaking.”
“Matchmaking?”
“I’ve been wondering if you’ve been missing that, given how many matches you were responsible for making over the past few months.”
