Page 93 of The Moonstone Major
Or was it merely the roar of her elated heart?
Chapter Eighteen
On Saturday morning,Fionn stood in Moonstone Cottage’s garden beneath a brightly shining sun and surrounded by a gentle breeze off the shimmering sea. Chloe, looking more beautiful than ever, stood beside him under the rose arbor that had been fashioned into an altar for the purpose of their wedding ceremony.
With Cain’s assistance, he had obtained a special license that allowed him and Chloe to marry anywhere and at any time. He had given it thought and realized the wedding had to take place right here, in sight of the cottage ghosts who had led them to each other.
He clasped Chloe’s soft hands in his work-roughened ones as the vicar conducted the ceremony before her family, his soldiers, the Hawkes, and most of the villagers.
So much for a quiet wedding.
Not that he’d really expected this day to pass without fanfare, for the Killigrew sisters were beloved in the village and no one wanted to miss the joyful day. So the intended Friday ceremony had been pushed back to Saturday morning, after which everyone was to meander over to St. Austell Grange, where Hen and Cain were to host their annual tea.
This year, it would double as his and Chloe’s wedding breakfast.
A breakfast for which Cain had not allowed him to contribute so much as a shilling. “I am incurring no additional expense,” he’d growled, “since Hen and I were to host the annual tea anyway. If anything, you have saved us the entire expense of her sister’s wedding.”
Chloe’s eyes sparkled as she now smiled up at him.
Ella and Imogen stood in their place of honor beside Chloe, their job to manage her wedding veil and keep it from getting caught on the roses. They looked like adorable cherubs in their pretty frocks and circlets of wild flowers in their curled hair. They were happy for reasons beyond serving as Chloe’s maids of honor, for Cormac had received word last night from his brother that Lady Stockwell, whose influenza-type symptoms had then turned into an oddly presenting scarlet fever that fooled the local doctors, had finally been properly diagnosed by Dr. Farthingle, who promptly treated her with a salt cure and she was on the mend. In fact, she was responding so well, they would return soon to pick up their daughters.
Indeed, these last few days had brought nothing but good news.
Even the hospital structure he feared lost had suffered only modest damage upon closer inspection. After a solid week’s repair work, it was now in as good a shape as before the storm. The oil cloths and heavy ropes had held their materials secure, allowing them to salvage most of the supplies and building materials, save for a beam or two. The construction would resume only a few days behind schedule.
“Do you, Major Fionn Brennan, take Lady Chloe Killigrew as your lawful wife, to love and to cherish…”
Fionn had listened as the vicar intoned the words, taking each vow to heart. To love her. Honor her. Protect her. “I do.”
Chloe had done the same.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Everyone in attendance began to cry tears of joy.
Not him, of course.
None would ever flow from him, no matter the reason.
But his smile was so broad, it actually started to hurt his face. He did not often smile except when he was around Chloe. He was not afraid to bare his soul to her, for she had such a sweet, compassionate nature wrapped inside her hot little body. She was beautiful inside and out, and he trusted her with all he held dear.
Her eyes were glistening with tears and her smile was soft and lovely.
The girls were sniffling and giggling as they hugged Chloe, who took a long moment to hug them back.
Chloe’s sisters had their handkerchiefs out to dab at the tears streaming down their faces. Same for Mrs. Halsey, the Hawkes, and most of the villagers. Everyone was smiling and sobbing and slapping him on the back in hearty congratulations.
He strode past Lady Dowling, who was looking quite wistful and none too pleased. “Call on me if you ever feel the need,” she whispered, drawing him down to kiss him on the cheek as other ladies in the crowd had done, only she kept her lips there a moment too long, and the little sigh she gave as she drew away was suggestive.
He moved on, ignoring the offer.
Lord Claymore had arrived two days ago with his retinue of friends, who were all in attendance. Claymore broke away from them to approach him. “Well, it seems the better man has won.”
Fionn shook his hand in greeting. “Thank you, my lord. I know how fortunate I am and will never take this gem of a wife for granted.”
“I wish you a happy life together. I can see how much she loves you. Too bad she never looked at me that way.” He smiled wryly. “Perhaps I shall find this same happiness someday, a young lady who will look at me as though I am her world and love me for myself instead of my title and position in Society.”
“I hope you do. I mean it sincerely. I speak for Chloe and myself when we wish you well in your search. There are good women out there. I am still amazed Chloe would have me, for she is far better than I deserve. I hope you will find your gem soon, perhaps even here in Moonstone Landing. Do you think you will stay on? Or have you had enough of us?”
