Page 58 of Earl of Excess
“Truly, I’m sorry. I had not meant to embarrass you—only to let you know I’ve cleaned the room and made it more comfortable.”
“Thank you, Grandmère,” she murmured.
The three women and the little dog walked to the door, where they met a dashing young man, ready to escort the bride down the aisle.
“Hello, Johnny,” Bethany greeted him, smiling.
“Miss Bethany, I am to give you to the colonel, as long as you promise to visit. Your man is waiting in the garden.”
Bethany nodded through tears. “You are very dear to me. We will always be friends, Johnny.”
“Thank you, Miss Bethany. I feel that way fer you.”
As they walked through the back gate into the garden, she spotted Matthew. He wore his regimentals—the jacket she had mended. He looked spectacular. Bethany’s legs wobbled.
Father Hebert stepped in front of the large white gardenia shrub ensconced between green-leaved camellias.
Johnny held out his small arm so she could loop hers within it and together, they stood in front of the preacher. “Who gives this woman to marry this man?” Father Hebert asked.
“I do,” the young man said proudly, and placed her hand in Matthew’s before turning to leave. Dandie stepped to the left of the couple and watched.
The vows were said, and they were pronounced man and wife.
Matthew brought Bethany close and lifted her chin with his gloved hand. “My sweet Bethany. Finally, you are mine.”
He leaned down and kissed her lips gently, sending shivers down her spine and butterflies taking flight throughout her body.
“Are we ready for this?” he asked.
“We are.” She was ready for this man.
The couple faced a small group of their friends and family—Aunt Theo, Grandmère, Johnny’s parents, and Mr. Sinclair clapped and whooped for them. Mr. Duplantis and his small family stood a few feet behind them, clapping. Matthew and Bethany rushed through the handfuls of lavender seeds thrown at them as they ran to the house where her grandmother had prepared a wedding breakfast to celebrate. She had sent a similar meal to the Duplantis house so they could celebrate alongside them.
Two hours had passed when her husband squeezed her hand beneath the table. “Let us slip out and make our own celebration. I can wait no longer to make you mine.”
Heat rose up her neck. Grandmère had told her to trust her husband and not to be afraid of the wedding night.Relax and enjoy, she had said. Bethany took a deep breath, hoping to accomplish that. “Should we say goodbye?”
“No. I think they will understand,” he said, pulling her up with him.
Dandie gave her a questioning look as they left. Seeming to understand they did not invite her, the small dog sprawled out and stayed by Grandmère’s side, as her grandmother continued her conversation with Mr. Sinclair.
*
Alone at last,Matthew carried his new bride over the threshold to the bedroom, opening the door with a free arm and kicking it closed the door with his foot, before carrying her to the bed. A small candle burned on a table near the bed, emitting the soft smell of honeysuckle.
Sweeping back the mosquito netting, he secured it, before propping a pillow behind her back. Carefully, he laid his wife on the crisp white sheets. Someone had already changed the curtains out for darker ones, cutting back the light and effecting a level of privacy in the room.
He glanced at Bethany and was taken in by the wonder he saw in her face. She watched him as he sat in a wooden chair and pulled off his boots. After discarding his very hot regimental coat, he cast off his white breeches and opened the neck of his shirt. He came to bed wearing only his smalls and his shirt.
The fresh scent of honeysuckle stirred his need. Gently, he lifted her hand and, with his thumb, rubbed the inside of her hand in little circles as a lazy smile warmed her lips.
“Shall I stop?” he asked, his voice husky.
Bethany closed her eyes. “No, please do not stop.” A smile lifted her lips.
Matthew bent and gently brushed her mouth. With more force, he kissed her, his teeth nibbling gently on her lip. Gentle coaxing from his tongue gained him entry, and she pulled back her neck to give more room, seeming to enjoy it as his breath heated her neck.
As he kissed her, he loosened her dress, pulling it over her head and leaving her in her chemise.
