“I enjoyed chatting with Rand,” Rose said dreamily, taking another sip. “And dancing with him.”
Rand had danced with Lily more often, but apparently Rose hadn’t noticed. Meeting Lily’s guilty gaze, Violet decided to hold her tongue on that subject. “I think at least two hundred people tried on my spectacles. My face hurts from smiling.”
“My poor wife.” Ford pulled her close. “You’re not used to being the center of attention,” he teased, kissing her softly.
“Ewww.” Rowan made a face. “More kisses.”
Everyone laughed. Earlier, Jewel had informed Rowan her Auntie Cait said kissing was encouraged at weddings, then planted one smack on his lips. Violet had never seen anyone turn quite so red as her brother.
“Here we are,” Father announced, coming out with a footman bearing the last of Violet’s trunks. He kissed her on the cheek. “I hope we’ll still see you around here.”
“Oh, it’s time,” Mum said with a sniffle, and wrapped her in a hug.
Rose drained the last of her champagne. “I want a full report on your wedding night. Tomorrow.”
“Oh, Rose,” Violet said, exchanging an embarrassed glance with Ford. But she kissed her sister anyway. Tearing up, she gathered Lily and Rowan close.
“Enough,” Ford said, straightening his blue velvet surcoat. “Any more of this, and you’ll all turn to mush and be washed away by the rain.”
He took Violet’s hand, and they made a dash for the carriage. She barely had time to gather her skirts before he grabbed her by the waist to swing her up and inside.
“I thought we’d never get out of there,” he complained as the door shut behind them and he yanked her into his arms. She’d been dying to be alone with him, too, and when he crushed his lips to hers, a delicious warmth spiraled through her, all the way out to her fingers and toes.
But when the carriage lurched to begin the short, jarring journey to her new home, they bumped noses and then teeth. She laughed, smiling up at him as she nestled closer.
Rain beat on the carriage’s roof, a soothing tattoo that made her feel even more warm and cozy and safe with her new husband.
“I’ve decided,” Ford said, “that rain brings me luck.”
“Because it sent everyone home early?”
“That, too,” he said cryptically.
She felt entirely too drained to figure out what he meant. This day had been the most exhilarating and exhausting of her life. Surrounded by all their family and friends, Violet had felt such an outpouring of genuine affection that she was left stunned and profoundly moved. Never had she imagined there were so many people who loved her and wished her well.
Perhaps she was a girl who inspired love, after all.
“Mum was right,” she said with a happy sigh. “It was a nice wedding.”
“You can thank me for that. I extracted Colin’s vow, under pain of death, that there would be no practical jokes.”
“He wouldn’t,” she protested. “Not at a wedding.”
“I can see you don’t yet know my brother. Ask Kendra and Caithren about their weddings sometime.”
“I will,” she said, very much looking forward to that. “I like your family.”
“I was sure they’d scare you away. They’re loud, and meddlesome—”
“And they love you.”
“I know,” he said. “And now that I’ve married you, I think they might approve of me, too. I even overheard Jason boasting of my watch design to the Lord Chancellor.”
“He must be proud of you.” It was obvious his brother’s praise was of special significance to Ford. Though Violet wasn’t sure why, she sensed it was a conversation best left for another day.
Seeming lost in thought, Ford made no response. His arm tightened around her. Resting her head on his shoulder, she closed her eyes.
Contented silence reigned for a while before he spoke again. “Do you like your new spectacles?”
She touched the golden frames. “More than I can say. Truly, Ford, I’ve never received such a lovely gift. They sparkle so.”
“Amy insisted on the stones—violet-colored gems for Violet.”
“Oh! I was wondering if she’d made them.” Violet was relieved. It would have cost him a fortune to special order such a trinket from London.
“I’m so glad you’re pleased.” He pressed a slow kiss to the top of her head. A kiss so cherishing, she felt tears spring to her eyes.
What had she done to deserve him?
“Speaking of wedding gifts,” she said, moving to reach for her satchel, “I’ve one for you, too.” She was rummaging through the open bag when another great lurch sent it flying, scattering its contents. “Oh, hang it!”
“Blast this road. Here, let me—”
“Wait, don’t—”
But it was too late. Ford straightened, raising a leather-bound book that had landed face up, its cover flung open.
A book with a very shocking illustration on the frontispiece beside its title page.
“What’s this?” When she failed to respond, he turned disbelieving eyes on her. “Violet…?”
For a bare instant, she seriously considered leaping out of a moving carriage.
But she was rooted to the spot. “Aristotle’s Master-piece,” she mumbled, her tongue feeling dry and heavy. “You bought it for me that day in Windsor, remember?”
His brow furrowed. “I thought it was philosophy.”
She gave a mournful shake of her head.
Remaining silent, her hands clasped in her lap, she watched him page slowly through the book, pausing here and there to read a passage. His eyebrows rose higher and higher, until they nearly encountered his hairline. “It’s a manual,” he breathed in sudden realization.
She nodded, her gaze dropping to her clenched hands.
“Some of the pages are marked,” he observed. “And there are notes written in the margins. Is this…Violet, have you been studying for our wedding night?”
“I—” Feeling his stare, she hid her flaming face in her hands. “I’m an idiot. I just wanted…” Swallowing hard, she fought off nausea and released a shuddering breath. “I just didn’t want to do it wrong,” she finished lamely. “I’m sorry.”
She wondered miserably what would happen
