Page 77 of The Ones Left Behind
Then he smiled at her—in a way that made her feel she was the most important thing in the world to him. The Duke handed her to Matthias when they reached the altar and stepped back. Taking her hand in his, Matthias squeezed it warmly.
“Finally,” he said, loud enough that the few guests could hear.
Kitty turned when she heard a familiar laugh. “James!” she exclaimed, smiling brightly at him. Her attention being wholly upon Matthias during her sedate promenade down the aisle, she had not noticed their friend.
“He arrived just in time,” Matthias whispered.
The Rector cleared his throat. “Shall we begin?” Lifting his voice a little to be heard by the congregation, he continued, “May I say we have waited a long time for this day. I know you loved Master Peter, and I know he is here with us this day in spirit, giving his blessing.”
Kitty had sworn she would not cry, but tears filled her eyes and threatened to spill down her cheeks. She looked upward and gave a little nod, truly feeling that Peter’s spirit was with them.
“I feel him too,” Matthias said quietly.
Throughout the ceremony, as they said their vows, took holy communion and signed the register, Kitty cherished every moment. She was filled with a deep happiness that could only come from an inner peace she had not known before.
When they left the chapel, little Lady Frances threw rose petals at them from the height of her daddy’s arms. She giggled with infectious delight.
“I think you may have something there, my lady,” Matthias said to the little cherub and kissed her cheek.
“Wa?” she asked, pointing in the direction of the lake.
“You wish to go on the swing again? Perhaps later, my dear,” Matthias said with a chuckle.
They walked in a group back to the house, where Cook had prepared a veritable feast. Game hens, cutlets of veal and joints of lamb were offered with rich sauces, along with various vegetable dishes including asparagus wrapped in bacon, carrots glazed with maple syrup and potatoes roasted in butter and herbs. Fresh rolls wafted their tempting scent alongside them was set a dish of yellow butter, a chocolate cream, a plate of lemon meringues, and a beautiful sponge cake soaked with a toffee glaze.
There was no dancing, out of respect for Matthias’s injury, and they therefore sat around a table, mostly being entertained by James relating stories of his visit to Scotland.
“I cannot tell you how relieved I was to receive your letter,” James declared after Waverley and Philip had made their toasts. “I desperately needed an excuse to leave which my mother would believe.”
Everyone laughed as James had a tendency to say most things in a way that evoked humour.
“Is your mother inclined to be overbearing?” Amelia asked with sympathy.
“Only in the manner of trying to hoist on to me the marriageable daughters of the clan McKiernan.” He shuttered dramatically.
“What is wrong with them?”
“Nothing at all if you have a fancy for ladies to resemble a cross between an Arabian and a Clydesdale. although, come to think of it, that might be an insult to the Clydesdale.”
Sitting beside Kitty, Matthias almost choked on his champagne.
“Then how did you manage to escape?” Amelia prodded.
“I might have exaggerated who would be in attendance here.” He made a sheepish gesture.
“I must say, James, now that the rest of us are married, perhaps you should take a wife,” Waverley said pompously.
“Why ever would that compel me to do so? No offence intended, ladies,” he replied, flashing his charming smile at each of them in turn.
“None taken,” the Duchess said with a languid wave of her hand.
“My lifestyle is hardly conducive to a family,” he added.
“You mean to return to the army?” Waverley asked.
“There is little else for me. I have nothing to offer any lady in her right mind. My parents are holding on to an ideal that no longer exists. They see heritage and charm in a draughty stone house with no plumbing. The fields are fallow or barren, and most of the tenants were wise enough to move to America.”
“Do not underrate yourself, James. Any lady would be lucky to have you,” Amelia said. “Just wear your most dashing uniform and tell them of your heroic rescues of maidens in distress.”
