Page 70 of The Major's Mistake
When at last he stopped, she lifted his face and pressed her lips to his salty skin. “We all deserve a second chance,” she murmured between kisses. “And I think you are right. That monster, and the past, has held us in his thrall long enough. Let our tears today wash the slate clean.”
She feathered a kiss to his mouth. “I love you, Julian. I finally understand that is what is important. You. Me. Our son. The future.”
“My love, are you saying that you might truly consider?—”
“I am saying that if your offer still stands, my answer is yes.”
There was no need for further words.
It was some time later that a discreet knock finally interrupted their embraces.
“Er, sorry to disturb you, guv, but the vicar will be arriving shortly, and so will Lady Thornton, who is fair bursting with curiosity to know what is going on. I barely escaped the thumbscrews and rack as it is.”
Julian gave a soft laugh. “No doubt she is.” Turning back to Miranda, he added, “Well, I suppose I had best allow Sykes in here to make me presentable.” He glanced down at his rumpled nightshirt and grinned. “I’m afraid I would cut a sorry picture indeed were I to appear at my nuptials clad only in this.”
Miranda looked at her own sadly disheveled dress and smiled too. “I had better see to myself as well. Aunt Sophia would never forgive me if I didn’t rid myself of this gown. Nor can I claim I shall be sorry to see it go.”
“There is a ivory watered silk gown trimmed in a smoky emerald to match your eyes. It occurred to me as soon as I saw it that it would make a splendid wedding dress.
She stood up, but he kept hold of her hand for a moment longer. “Have I told you that you have grown even more beautiful over the years?”
“Perhaps you need spectacles at your advanced age, my dear.”
She had gone only a few steps before a sharp exclamation caused her to turn around.
“Dash it all! A ring!” exclaimed Julian. “The one thing I’ve forgotten is a ring.”
Miranda undid a button at her bodice and drew out a thin filigree chain that hung around her neck. Suspended on its length was a simple gold band.
“Perhaps we may give this a second chance as well.”
Lady Thornton regardedthe marquess and his bride through lowered lashes as she raised her glass of champagne. “My dears, you really must be more careful about subjecting an old lady to such unexpected surprises—why, it’s very taxing on the heart, you know. Not that I mind this particular shock,” she drawled. “I don’t. In fact, I couldn’t be happier over the turn of events.”
“Shock—ha!” exclaimed Julian with a grin. “If Wellington had a general half so clever with planning and strategy, the war would have been over long ago.”
Her lips twitched. “Really, Julian, I have no idea what you are talking about.”
The marquess gave a chuckle as he shifted in his chair. The late afternoon sunlight flooding the airy drawing room caught a glint of gold on the hand that touched his shoulder.
Miranda leaned close to her husband’s ear. “You must be careful about letting yourself become too fatigued, Julian. I am not at all convinced it is the best thing for you to be out of bed for so long.”
A roguish grin spread over his face. “Neither am I, but we shall rectify that shortly.”
Her cheeks turned a very becoming shade of pink. “But I fear it would be rag-mannered to desert our guests quite yet.”
“Where are the rest of our guests?” he asked in bemusement
“Sykes is introducing Angus and Jem to the delights of champagne while giving them a tour of the stables, and then I believe he was going to take Justin to see the litter of puppies at the kennel.”
A chorus of furious barking and yelps of delight confirmed the last statement. The next moment, Justin burst into the room, the tail of his shirt hanging out from his muddied pantaloons, a shaggy little creature nipping at his heels.
“Mama! Major! Isn’t he magnificent?” He scooped the puppy up into his arms, blissfully unaware of the series of paw printsnow tattooed across his chest. “Mr. Sykes said that I could choose the one I liked best—that is, if you say it is alright to keep him.” He looked at Miranda with undisguised longing. “Mama, I don’t think he will cost very much to feed, and I could always share my own supper with him.”
“I don’t believe that will be necessary, love. But you must also ask His Lordship.”
Justin turned an eager face to Julian.
“I think the expense of a puppy can be managed,” he said dryly.
