Page 64 of The Marquis' Game of Seduction
Luckily, Colin hadn’t heard Allan’s words. He simply beamed at his best friend and his new wife, as they both shared an intimate, knowing smile.
When Allan and his fiancé joined the rest, Rose was surprised and terribly grateful to see her sister, Carrie, approaching. She hadn’t seen her in several years, and had sent the invitation without any kind of hope that she’d come. She looked a bit rough around the edges, her eyes fatigued.
She wore a dress that she’d probably borrowed from her current mistress. And when she reached Rose, she looked down upon her in the same manner she’d done at the orphanage—like Rose was up to no good, and it was up to Carrie to help her and stop the mischief.
“Hello, baby sister,” Carrie said.
God, it was delicious to hear her voice. Rose hadn’t imagined she’d ever hear it again. She hugged her quickly, not wanting to let her go, and breathed out, “Carrie! My goodness. I didn’t think you’d make it.”
Rose eased back and introduced the two of them—her husband, the Marquees, and her sister, the orphan governess. Carrie curtseyed, her cheeks glowing red, but Colin reached across and gripped her hand and drew it toward his lips, a sign of respect.
“It’s wonderful to meet Rose’s family,” he said. “I hope you’ll become a mainstay in our home.”
Carrie’s eyes were awash with confusion. Perhaps she’d envisioned Rose to be a kind of kept woman, the last-ditch effort for the Marquees to find a wife? She certainly hadn’t envisioned actual love.
“Yes,” she whispered. “I would like that very much.”
“There’s a beautiful meal inside,” Rose said. “Everyone is quite kind, and I’m sure they’ll be eager to meet you. You can sit wherever you please. And also, eat whatever you like. Until you reach your heart’s content. We want nothing less.”
Carrie paused before giving Rose a final kiss on the cheek. She then padded the rest of the way into the mansion. Her motions were stiff, as though she was riddled with confusion. Rose made a mental note to take her aside later, explain as much as she could. She owed her that.
Then, Rose caught Amelia, Laurence, and Duncan approaching. The moment Duncan spotted her fully, he skipped up the stairs, much like Emily had. But instead of a hug, he sprung back a bit, pretending that he carried a bow and arrow, like the tribes in the United States. Rose feigned terror and sprung back, nearly tripping on her dress.
“I’ll get you this time,” Duncan said, his voice mocking.
“Ahhh!” Rose cried.
Colin leaped back a bit, drawing his hand across Rose’s lower back and ensuring she didn’t tumble. Duncan’s face broke into a wild smile and he rushed the rest of the way to hug them both. Amelia and Laurence looked a bit confused, but smiled all the same.
“It was a beautiful ceremony,” Amelia said.
“It really was,” Laurence said. “I’m so glad we could make it.”
“Glad you weren’t half the world away,” Colin affirmed. “I’m glad for that, too.”
“Shall we go in?” Amelia asked. “It looks as though the dining room is filling quite quickly. I expect they’ll want you to make some kind of speech.”
The breakfast feast had been prepared during the ceremony, and it was the grandest food Rose had ever seen. Roasted duck, glossy with butter, and stunning rolls, eggs and sausages and little breakfast pies.
Rose swooned at the sight of all the food, then blinked down at her stomach, praying that her dress would give way a bit so she could enjoy it. Amelia caught her in this act and smirked. “I remember being miserable at my wedding for precisely that reason,” she said. “Everyone else stuffing themselves silly, and me just worried I would pop my buttons! Oh, but you’re quite slender. You’ll find a place to put it all.”
“You’re so optimistic,” Rose said, giving her a wide grin.
“I have to be. I’ve just seen death and come out the other side,” Amelia said.
“I imagine that must be a rush,” Rose returned. She sat at the head of the table, next to Colin, with Amelia on her right. Laurence sat next to Amelia, with Duncan on the chair following. On Colin’s left sat Allan and his fiancé. Unfortunately, Colin’s mother had been too ill to attend the festivities.
Both Colin and Allan spoke. Colin recited poetry and declared that he’d never been happier in his life. He thanked everyone, from his family to his greatest friends. Of course, he also thanked Rose—tilting his glass of champagne toward her. “There aren’t words to say just how special you are to me, Rose. There aren’t words to tell you just how much you’ve brought to my life. I hope you know that I’ll keep you safe and love you, all the days. Until I draw my last breath.”
After the speeches, it was time to eat. Rose loved gazing out at the 30-odd people across the dining hall, all of them eating and laughing, their cheeks bright with merriment. The dining hall had been decorated for Christmas, of course, with 20-foot tall Christmas trees perched in every corner and wreaths hanging all around.
Occasionally, Colin would reach beneath the table and slide his hand across Rose’s thigh, an affirmation that he was there, that all of this was real. Rose swam in her lust for him, aching for the day to finish and yearning for it to never end.
True to form, both Duncan and Emily ate quickly, stuffing their faces with potatoes and cookies and breads. They looked across the table at one another like people preparing to go to battle. Then, the quizzing began.
“Do you know the capital of France?” Duncan demanded.
“Paris,” Emily retorted. “Do you know the sea on the western side of the United States?”
