Page 110 of The Moonstone Hero
“Wewillmarry tomorrow. The world and everyone in it can go to blazes. Nothing is going to distract me from my purpose. By this time tomorrow, you will be Lady Mersey.”
“That is quite an ardent declaration, Caden. I will understand if it proves impossible. Anyway, you are to give your speech toParliament the day after tomorrow. Perhaps we ought to wait until after then.”
He shook his head. “Marriage. Speech. Then honeymoon. The timing of the speech cannot be changed, but we can leave right afterward.”
“No, we cannot.” Her golden curls bobbed as she shook her head. “We both know you cannot leave. Stop trying to avoid the obvious.”
“And what is that?” Nothing was obvious to him other than his desire to be with her.
“A hero must put England ahead of his honeymoon plans.”
He frowned in response. “Not if it means losing you.”
She gazed up at him with sparkling eyes. “You are never going to lose me. As for the honeymoon, I doubt there is a chance of our escaping London before the New Year. Whenever we do manage to break free, would you mind if I chose Moonstone Landing as our honeymoon spot?”
He grinned. “I should have guessed. Do moonstones shine in the winter?”
“Oh, yes. They always shine when there is true love, no matter the season.”
“Even amid the cold and dark?” He picked her up and twirled her around. “I’ll make sure to keep you warm.”
“Just warm?”
“No, love. I’ll have you glowing hotter than those moonstones.” He could see by her smile that she thought he was jesting. “Care for a prelude?”
Chapter Twenty-One
“Do you, LadyElla Stockwell,” the vicar intoned, “take Lord Mersey to be your husband?”
“I do.” Ella could not believe their wedding was actually taking place. Nor could she believe her father had agreed to it after yesterday’s fiasco. Of all people, it had been the Duke of Seaton who finally convinced him it was the right thing to do.
Here they stood, before the altar in the magnificent St. Andrew’s Church, exchanging vows. Ella decided she had to be dreaming when Caden responded with a clear “I do” when his turn came.
He then gave her hand a light squeeze.
Her parents, her Uncle Cormac, and Imogen were present. Also present were Caden’s grandfather, who was warmly bundled in his pushchair and fussed over by both of his attendants, Mr. Stafford, and Lord Fielding—accompanied by his mother, the present Lady Fielding.
Ella had chosen to wear a white satin gown trimmed with pale green ribbon that matched the color of her eyes. Caden was in his dress uniform and had all his medals on impressive display across his equally impressive chest.
When the ceremony was over, everyone returned to the Seaton townhouse upon the duke’s insistence for light refreshments and a toast to the newly married couple. But their party soon broke up because the duke was ordered back to hisbed by Dr. Farthingale the moment he arrived to look in on his patient and saw the party taking place. “Upstairs with you, Your Grace. That is quite enough excitement for one day.”
Ella did not mind this modest wedding celebration breaking up. They still had much to do today, since Caden still had his speech to finish, and she had yet to pack her belongings, as her father had refused to allow her to attend to it last night. He had not permitted a single trunk to be brought up to her bedchamber. “And have him not show up again?” he had said, showing complete lack of faith in Caden. “You will pack once you are well and truly married.”
Ella did not argue, for her father was not to be reasoned with on this matter. They had a staff of maids to attend to most of it, so the chore would easily be accomplished today. What struck Ella hardest was the finality of leaving Imogen. Neither of them were prepared for this change, even though she was looking forward to starting her life with Caden.
The small reception had yet to break up when a messenger from Lord Palmerston’s office arrived. “What now?” her father growled, noting the look on Caden’s face.
“I’ve been summoned back to the Foreign Office. Ella…”
“Go,” she said with more cheer than she felt. “I will be busy these next few hours bringing my things over here anyway. I do not need you waiting around for that.”
“You are letting me off easy again,” Caden remarked.
“I shall nag you like an alewife at a later time. Will that please you?” she teased. “You cannot refuse Palmerston, especially now that you have his ear. This is your moment, Caden. You must not waste it.”
“All right. I love you, Ella.” He groaned and then gave her a light kiss on the lips before striding out of the house and into Palmerston’s waiting carriage. Stafford ran after him and jumped in, too.
Ella was now left alone to face her family, the Fieldings, and the Duke of Seaton, who had yet to obey the doctor’s orders and retire to his bedchamber. Her father looked apoplectic. “Papa, we are married. You have no cause to be angry.”
