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Her laughher filled his heart with joy And the me back a groan She was the most incredible lover he’d ever had, but it was er he had spied in her eyes as they had talked in the cabin He wanted to lay all her dreams at her feet and provide his shoulders to rest upon whenever she needed them

He had never been a hts of fancy or over-senti through his heart and tor his mind were the deepest of tendre

Graha by the altar, walking up and down agitated and trying not to fiddle with the neat arrangeolden silk waistcoat with a pale gray suit of clothes for his special day He looked dashing despite his impatience for his bride to arrive

Despite their argureed to be his best man, so he waited with hireeted the tenants and neighbors who had appeared at the church and shaken h from the house in this incle the lanes in a streaes, which had deposited the as best they could For the coachmen, it would be a cold wait

Auests, there were undercurrents of exciterin by Miss Penelope Barrows over the unexpectedtogether as they filed into the chapel to find their seats As the last guest seated, a hush settled over the s as they waited for the bride They were listening for one last carriage to appear, and then in the distance, they heard the clip-clop of the earl’s high-stepping rays, as he had decided his best tea day

The carriage pulled up outside the old ivy-clad chapel, and a footracefully descended, all dressed in white, although their dresses did not match; they had chosen to be warreen His sister, Emma, ould become their stepsister had joined Callie and Letty

Christ As he would become their stepbrother

Graham did his best not to stare at Callie’s loveliness This ht in a loose chignon She met his eyes, and her cheeks blushed apple red Then she hurriedly looked away He tore his gaze fro the heaviness for in his heart

They waited while the bride was handed out Lady Danby wore a pale blue gown she had covered with her dark gray cloak to travel the scant distance to the chapel She shrugged off its warmth to enter the church, and Callie handed it to the foot cream veil in priceless Chantilly lace upon which was set a small diamond tiara, which was part of the Wynter family jewels Bouquets of ivy and white roses had been irls carried a smaller version of the one the viscountess carried herself The bride had chosen not to be given away as she was a , an orphan, and of age So she would walk down the short aisle alone, followed by her daughters and soon to be stepdaughter

The chapel was not provided with an organ or piano to acco quartet who had been employed for the house party entertainment had been installed in the choir stalls and struck up a pretty piece of music by Purcell for Lady Danby to process to

Evidently trying to ease her nerves, she waited until the first phrases had floated through the chapel, and then she plant a joyful sh her, she relaxed, and the snified slow irls in white When she reached the front of the chapel, she handed her bouquet to Callie and sroom The bridesmaids took the seats reserved for them and waited while their parents were led in their vows

Throughout the ceremony, Graham only had eyes for Callie, and she did her best to not look in his direction Was she genuinely indifferent to hie had simply been a once only experience for her?

The idea that she ut The rest of the cere breakfast passed in a blur

“I’ve alanted a Christ,” he heard the new countess say at one point “But I thought that delight would be reserved for one of hters”

“Oh Malad it was you! I am certain I will remain a spinster”