Page 71 of A Lady's Key to Passion

My husband, she thought, in pure wonder.He is finally my husband. I thought that this day would never come.

Percy slowly raised her hand to his lips. His dark brown eyes were shining. “My wife,” he said, his voice filled with pride. “How beautiful you are today. I shall never forget that moment when you walked up the aisle towards me.”

Jane blushed. She had spent so long on her wedding gown, wanting it to be just right. And it had turned out more beautiful than she had envisioned. A pure dream of cream silk and lace. But then, everything about this day was perfect. It was as if God himself were smiling down on them, giving them his approval, telling them that since it had been such an arduous task to get to this day, then he was finally giving them a break.

She smiled wistfully. The only thing missing was her mother. How she wished she could have been here with them to celebrate. But perhaps she was here in spirit. Jane fervently hoped so.

The spinster was finally a bride. And she had never been happier in her life.

Thinking of her mother made her turn to Percy’s mother, seated to the left of her. The Dowager Countess of Carlisle was younger and prettier than she had expected. Percy’s mother was petite, with greying golden hair, swept up into a high chignon. They had only talked briefly up until now—the Dowager had arrived for the wedding only last evening. She was staying at Mrs Holloway’s lodging house.

“How are your rooms, my Lady?” asked Jane now.

The older woman smiled. “They are most satisfactory, and Mrs Holloway is a charming woman,” she replied. “I must say I am very impressed with Seaborne. It is a very pretty town. And you must be so happy that you shall be spending the majority of your time at your new home on the cliff overlooking the sea, my dear.”

“I am,” said Jane, her heart filled with joy at the thought of them making Cliff Lodge their home. “The house was only finished this week. Percy was in a dither, thinking it would not be ready in time. But he was worried for nothing.” She gazed back at her husband affectionately.

The older lady’s face turned solemn. “A house is not a home without love in it,” she said. “But I can see how much you love each other, so I have little worry that you shall love it.” She frowned. “I worried for Percy before he met you, my dear. He was so cynical, especially about love. And I will confide in you, I know the reason why. It was because of his father and what he was like.”

Jane felt uncomfortable. She didn’t know what to say.

“It is all well, my dear,” continued the lady. “Percy thinks I do not know that his father never loved me the way I loved him, but he is wrong. I knew. How could I not? He never wanted to spend time with us. He never wanted us to be a family.”

Jane’s eyes filled with tears. Percy was chatting with her father, so he wasn’t attending to their conversation. She just felt so sorry for the lady and for Percy. It wasn’t fair.

“I have made my peace with it,” continued the lady, smiling slightly. “And now, I am happy to see my only child learning from the mistakes of the past. You will have a happy future together, my dear. I am sure of it.”

“Thank you,” said Jane, swallowing a lump in her throat. “Please come and stay with us at Cliff Lodge as often as you like, my lady. You are most welcome in our home.”

The lady inclined her head. “I will, Jane. Thank you.”

Suddenly, Marianne was by her side. “It is almost time for you and Percy to leave the wedding breakfast, sister,” she said with a smile. “Can I talk to you before you depart?”

Jane nodded, excusing herself. Marianne led her to a private corner away from the chatting crowd. Her eyes were warm as she gazed at her sister’s face.

“Look at you,” said her sister, smiling warmly. “My little sister, who is the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. You have come a long way since your days as a wallflower, Jane.”

Jane laughed. “And that is thanks to you, Sister. You encouraged me to come out of my shell.”

Marianne shook her head. “No, it was never me. You did it yourself, Jane. You surrendered to love. And it has been an honour to watch it unfold.” She rolled her eyes. “Even if it did get a tad frustrating along the way.”

They hugged. Both their eyes were wet with tears.

“Your wedding night approaches,” said Marianne, with a wry smile. “Do you have any questions?”

Jane blushed. “I am nervous,” she admitted. “Will it be terrible? Will it hurt?”

Marianne laughed. “Maybe a little at first,” she said. “But no, it will not be terrible because you love each other so very much. You simply need to relax, dearest. Surrender to it, and all will be well.” Her eyes twinkled. “In fact, it shall probably be the most wonderful thing you have ever experienced.”

Jane glanced back at Percy, still sitting at the table. He gazed back at her. His dark eyes were warm, filled with love but also desire. They had waited a long time for this, and the moment was almost upon them.

Suddenly, her nerves dissolved. As much as she wanted to prolong this glorious day, she wanted the night. The moment when she and her new husband would truly become man and wife. The moment when they could finally express their love in a way which was deeper than words.

Her whole body tingled. It was almost here. At last.

***

Jane waited for Percy in their new bedroom at Cliff Lodge. She had chosen the room he had taken her to that day of the storm. It looked a lot different to how it had back then.

---