Page 75 of The Duke's Bride in Disguise
"I promise I will try to be a good husband," the duke said, as he squeezed her hand, "I know that I am not easy, and I have my daemons, but with you by my side, life will be easier."
"Easier?" Ava teased.
"Well, it will be as long as you don't swap places with your sister, ever again," Kilbride said with a chuckle, "And I know life will be sweeter, warmer, and happier because of you."
"I am sorry for lying to you."
She had said it before, but Ava wished Kilbride to hear it again. He had granted her forgiveness, but she wanted him to know just how much she regretted her falsehoods.
"I feel it is I, who should apologise," Raff said, his arm wrapping itself around her waist and pulling her close to him, "It is I who set a barrier between us by saying that all I wanted in a bride was impeccable pedigree, and then I did not listen when you told me that youcouldnot marry me, because you thought I would not wantyou."
"Hush," Ava whispered, seeing the pain etched upon his face.
"I want you, Ava Smith," Kilbride breathed, his face mere inches from her own, "I want you to be the place my soul calls home."
"You have me," she replied with a watery smile, though her tears were soon forgotten as Kilbride claimed her lips in a hungry, passionate kiss.
I must have died and gone to heaven, Ava thought, as she felt strong arms hold her tight and felt the heartbeat of the man who loved her. Never, had she felt more wanted, and it was the most beautiful thing in the world.
The chiming of the clock upon the mantelpiece broke apart their warm embrace.
"Lud," Raff ran a hand through his thick, dark hair, "It's nearly eleven. You'd best get dressed before the vicar arrives."
"The vicar?" Ava asked, "Do we not have to wait for three weeks, for the banns to be read?"
"I'm not that patient," Kilbride replied, with a wicked glint in his eye that left Ava's knees weak, "I acquired a special license from the Archbishop of Canterbury last night. He was quite peeved at being disturbed at such a late hour, but I told him a young lady's virtue was at stake."
Gemini; Ava's face flushed at Kilbride's innuendo and the purposeful gleam in his eye. In a few hours she would be his wife in every respect—a thought that both thrilled and frightened her.
"So, what say you?" Kilbride asked cheerfully, "Do you think you will be ready for noon?"
"Mary does love a challenge," Ava replied, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a wedding to dress for."
It was amazing what one could do with a retinue of twenty staff, Ava thought as the guests sat down to their wedding breakfast in the dining room. Plates of bread rolls, smoked salmon, eggs, and bacon were placed before them, accompanied by lashings of champagne served in crystal, long stem glasses.
Just a sip of the champagne was enough to render Ava light-headed, so she pushed her glass away; she was already dazed enough, given that she had just become a duchess.
Ava glanced at her guests, wondering at how, in such a short space of time, she had managed to acquire so many friends. Emily and Lord Fairfax sat on the right side of the table, whilst Lady Georgiana and Laura sat on the left. Douglas and Annalise sat farther down, happily chatting to Mary—whom Ava insisted be given a place at the feast.
Everyone was there; well, everyone bar Mr Hobbs and Percy, whom Raff had promised Ava they would visit on their tour of their estates.
Their estates, Ava bit back a giggle as she thought again of the casual way Kilbride had said that. As a child she had owned nothing, now she had estates..plural!
Beside her, Emily gave a soft laugh, and when Ava turned to look at her twin, Lady Emily smiled apologetically.
"Excuse me," she whispered, "I was just thinking of Hemsworth reading today's papers and imagining his face when he reads that his old governess is now a duchess."
Emily seemed thoroughly amused by this thought, for as she finished speaking, her body shook with laughter and tears streamed down her cheeks.
Oh, dear. Ava bit back a laugh of her own; she had confessed her true identity to her duke, but Emily had no reason to—or did she?
Ava cast a sidelong glance at her twin; Emily had resolutely refused to discuss the Duke of Hemsworth and her amusement at picturing him so perplexed held a slight twinge of bitterness.
