Page 156 of A Story of Love

“It would have been his preference to have a large affair at St. George’s,” Fast admitted. “But, in truth, he is so delighted that I am marrying that the size and grandeur of the ceremony is no longer as important as it once might have been.”

“You believe he means that? That he is not only saying it to please you?”

He chuckled. “You will have to meet the marquess before you understand why I find that question so amusing. It is not what he would prefer, Lorelei, but he did assist me in procuring the special license. We will not have to face recrimination on that score when you meet him.” He turned to her, tilting her chin until she faced him. “Are you sure you don’t wish for a larger ceremony? At least one that includes all your teacher friends?”

Lori had been thinking about that. “I would prefer to have a party later to celebrate our marriage. Perhaps next year, when most of them have already said they will be coming to town.”

“That can be easily done.” He smiled and kissed her lightly before asking. “So…shall we marry tomorrow, then?”

Lori felt a grin take possession of her face. “We shall.”

And so it was that Lori and Fast were married the following day in a tiny ceremony with only Jeremy, Sarah, and all five of Lori’s nieces in attendance.

The brief sacrament passed in a hazy blur and Lori felt like an observer for most of it, watching from outside herself in amazement as she spoke the vows she had never believed would pass her lips.

She was getting married. She would be a wife and have a husband.

You will be Fast’s chattel, just another of his many possessions, for the rest of your life.

The thought did not strike fear into her as it had in the past. She loved him and living without him had felt empty and…incomplete.

Marriage would be an adjustment, but being with him would be worth it.

And so when Fast leaned toward her at the end of the ritual to deliver a brief kiss it felt surprisingly natural for Lori to meet his delighted—and slightly smug—smile with an answering smile of her own.

A few hours later the four of them were relaxing in the sitting room after the tiny wedding breakfast.

Sarah’s father and mother—Sir Nigel Smith and Lady Smith—lived only a half-hour’s drive away and had sent their carriage to collect the five girls. Jeremy and Sarah would shortly join their daughters, giving Lori and Fast some privacy on their wedding night.

Tomorrow, Lori and Fast would leave for Grandon Castle, where Fast’s grandfather was awaiting them.

It was all happening so fast that it was difficult for Lori to believe it was real—that the gorgeous, clever, fascinating man sitting beside her was her husband.

“I do wish you could both stay more than just one night,” Sarah said, breaking into her thoughts.

“I am eager to meet my new grandfather,” Lori said, sparing Fast from having to answer. Sarah was a dear but could be persistent on some matters and this wasn’t the first time she’d mentioned them extending their visit.

“We will come back for another visit whenever you invite us,” Fast assured his new sister-in-law.

Sarah opened her mouth—probably to extend an invitation right then and there—but Jeremy stood and held his hand out to his wife. “Come, my dear. We had better be off if we want to get to your parents’ house by dinner.”

It took another quarter of an hour to talk Sarah toward the door and into the waiting carriage.

As Lori waved them on their way, she said through her smiling teeth, “Thank you for being so patient with her.”

The carriage disappeared around the corner and Fast turned to her. “It took no effort at all to be kind to her, Lorelei. Sarah is a wonderful woman who loves you very much.” Fast offered her his arm and led her back inside the house. “I don’t suppose we could go to bed now?” he whispered in her ear as they walked past Mrs. Gerber, the housekeeper, and Betsy, the maid of all work, both of whom appeared to be busy doing nothing in particular, having obviously positioned themselves for another look at Fast.

Lori laughed. “No! I’d never be able to look Mrs. Gerber in the eyes again.”

He heaved a sigh of regret. “Well, then how about some exercise to help digest our enormous wedding breakfast?”

Sarah had indeed out done herself, especially on such short notice.

“I would love a walk,” Lori admitted.

“Go fetch your hat and cloak and you can show me where you used to wander and gain inspiration for your writing.”

A short time later they were both hatted and gloved and heading out through the vicarage gate.