Page 64 of Ironvine

If she were marrying Hugh today, she would feel proud and satisfied wearing this tiara. But the gift from Charles, antique diamonds and handpicked roses, had her heart racing and her blood humming. She felt capable of anything. Dauntless. Sure of herself in a way she had never felt before. And deeply stirred by her groom’s thoughtfulness and care.

“Oh, Georgie…” sighed Justine. “You are a vision.”

She took her bouquet in her hands. “We must go.”

“Yes, the Earl awaits.” Justine took her hand.

At the appointed hour, Georgina and Brandon and Justine arrived at the church in the Graven coach. The front steps and porch of the village church were strewn with flowers, rushes, and herbs. The vicar’s wife greeted them, and Brandon took Georgina’s hand on his arm and led her inside. The same church where she had been baptised, where she and her family attended services every Sunday.

Now it was empty.

“Thank you, Brandon,” she whispered.

“I thank you for such a privilege, Georgie. I’ve known you since you were a child, and you’ve become a fine young woman and the dearest friend of my beloved Justine. To support you now, as you marry one of our closest friends, is indeed an honour.” His fingers squeezed her arm gently as he led her down the aisle.

Yes, Brandon and Justine and Charles were her family now.

She blinked back the tears gathering suddenly in her eyes and, taking in a small breath, focused on the man who stood waiting for them at the head of the aisle.

The man who would become her husband. Who already was hers from that first night alone together in London. Now they would receive the formal blessing of the rite they had claimed so expeditiously.

Charles’s heavy gaze remained on her, and her skin flared with heat. His blond hair was swept back in a tie, and he wore a formal frock coat in black with gold buttons which gave him a crisp, and very dashing appearance which suited him.

The cream silk rustled about her body, and the earrings brushed her skin as she moved with Brandon toward Charles and the vicar. Towards her new life.

Like any female, all her life had been a slow procession toward a husband, hadn’t it? And now here she was, in the ultimate procession toward her fate. But a fate that she had created for herself. No, she and Charles had done it together.

Brandon stopped, and she blinked, the breath burning in her throat. They had arrived.

Dipping his head, Brandon held out her hand to Charles, who took it in his warm one. Brandon receded, and Charles took his place next to her. “You are absolutely breathtaking, Georgina.” Charles’s raw whisper had her insides tightening.

“Thank you.”

The vicar cleared his throat and recited from his service book. Within moments Charles produced a ring. Taking her hand in his, he fit it in on her finger, sliding it all the way on. It fit perfectly. A sparkling diamond ring with other smaller diamonds surrounding the brilliant rectangular centre stone. A Ryvves ring.

My wedding ring.

The rich fragrance of his roses filled her senses as her husband, his eyes gleaming, whispered, “We are married, my Countess of Ryvves.”

ChapterTwenty-Eight

Georgina

Their wedding breakfastat Wolfsgate was thoroughly enjoyable. Georgina drank perhaps too much sherry, but it was a day of celebration with their dearest friends.

Hours later, the time came that they were to leave. “Come, my Countess, we must go to our home now.” Justine and Brandon and little Jeremy had applauded, and they all laughed. A thrill had raced through her at his words, but the teasing tone of his voice did not match the heavy gaze of his eyes on her.

She was off to her new home with her new husband, the Earl of Ryvves. She was no longer the younger sister, the resplendent Miss Townsend, the delightful Miss Georgina. No. She was the Countess of Ryvves.His countess.

All was different. All was new.

Their carriage shuddered and rocked as the horses took them from Wolfsgate. Took her in a different direction than Fairthorn, her brother’s house, the house where she was born and raised. Where she was no longer welcome.

“Did you enjoy the wedding?” he asked.

“I did.” She fingered her rose bouquet in her lap. “Very much.”

“I hope it was not too difficult for you as your family was not present.”

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