Page 72 of The Virgin in the Rake's Bed
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“O Merciful Lord, and heavenly Father, by whose gracious gift mankind is increased: We beseech thee, assist with thy blessing these two persons, that they may both be fruitful in procreation of children, and also live together so long in godly love and honesty, that they may see their children Christianly and virtuously brought up, to thy praise and honor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen,” the curate pronounced, and the congregation replied in kind.
It had been a simple ceremony, and Catherine and Ian had renewed the vows they had made before the blacksmith in Gretna Green. Whilst she felt no different in the promises she reaffirmed, to do so in front of her family and friends meant something more to Catherine, and at last she had got her wish of a wedding just like that of Rebecca and Samantha. The curate stepped back and Ian turned to kiss her, putting his arms around her and embracing her.
“There, my darling, a true wedding, all that you desired,” he whispered.
She took his arm and, as the organ played, he led her down the aisle to much acclaim and congratulation. Rebecca and Samantha stood with Nicholas and Norman, and they both had tears in their eyes as Catherine and Ian passed by.
“Thank you,” Catherine whispered, and they both beamed at her.
“I never thought I would see this happy day,” Ian’s mother exclaimed, as she met them at the door of the church.
“We are only glad you could be here,” Catherine replied, and Ian nodded.
“The past is behind us, mother, truly it is, and now we shall all look forward to the future together,” he replied, and put her arm in his and kissed him on the cheek.
“And we shall have such a delightful time at Ashcourt Park, truly we shall,” she replied.
As they emerged from the church, the sun was shining, and a carriage was waiting to take them back to Westwick Manor. There was to be a celebratory dinner, and dancing, too, so that there could be no doubt this was the wedding Catherine had always dreamed of. She had spoken often of her indifference at remaining a spinster, but in her heart of hearts, this was the dream she had always harbored, a dream now come true.
“I think we have been more fortunate than others,” she said, as Ian helped her into the carriage.
“How so?” he asked, and she smiled.
“Well, have we not had two weddings?” she asked, and he nodded.
“And are we not to have two wedding nights, also?” he replied, and she blushed.
“Then we must slip away early,” she replied, “for I would not wish to be too tired for such delights.”
The procession now made its way back to Westwick Manor, joined by the other guests, all of whom were invited to the celebrations. In their absence, the servants had been busy, and Redbrand had directed operations so that now the dining room was prepared for a lavish feast and the ballroom decked for the dancing which would follow.
“And might I offer my personal congratulations, sir,” he said, welcoming them into the house.
“And I hope you and the other servants will join us in a celebratory glass of claret,” Ian said, and the butler bowed.
“You are too kind, sir,” he replied, leading them into dine.
To say that Catherine was happy, surrounded by her friends and new family, would be to do her feelings a disservice – her feelings were far greater than that. Catherine was happier than she had ever felt before, caught up in the delight of a moment she knew would never be repeated. How fortunate she had been to experience the joys of marriage not once, but twice – to the same man. Their celebration at Gretna Green had been small and intimate, their vows made before strangers, though no less poignant for it. Now, in the company of their friends, they had committed once more to the promises they had made, and publicly declared their love for one another. She could not have been happier, safe in the knowledge that this was true love and nothing less.
“Mother, will join us here?” Ian said, ushering his mother to the long table laid at one end of the dining room for the bride and groom and their intimate others.
Catherine smiled, and the dowager Baroness seemed visibly moved by her son’s act of charity. “If you desire it,” she replied, and Ian nodded.
“I do desire it. Today is a new beginning. We have put the past behind us and stepped out into a brave new world, one in which I wish for no less than those I am reconciled with to be a part of our lives, and those we are estranged from to be forgotten. What do you say, Catherine?” he asked, turning to her and smiling.
Catherine could think of nothing she would rather than such a new beginning. Her father had offered no attempt at reconciliation, only the promise of keeping matters of lineage to himself, and Rickard would never trouble them again, following his crimes. This too was a new beginning, one in which she could choose whom she associated with and whom she did not. She smiled back at Ian and nodded.
“I think it is an excellent idea, and I for one am very glad to have a mother-in-law such as you,” she replied, offering the dowager Baroness her hand.
It was a happy company which sat down to dine on all manner of good foods – a goose being the centerpiece – and following the toasts, the company made its way to the ball room, where there was dancing late into the night. When the last dance was over, Ian took Catherine by the hand, and they slipped away across the hallway and up the stairs to their chambers. Their wedding night may have been past, but this, too was a night on which both their passions were aroused, and as Ian closed the door, he turned the key, and took Catherine in his arms.
“I love you so very much,” he said, kissing her on the lips, and she put her arms around him and drew him close into her embrace.
“And I love you, too, with all my heart,” she replied, their lips pressed together again, their hands searching one another out.
The room was lit by candles, a fire burning in the hearth, and Ian led Catherine to the large, canopied bed they now shared, the curtains pulled across the windows, so that it was as though the whole world was shut out, and all that mattered was this moment when at last they could be alone.
