In truth, she needed a hot bath, a new gown, and the time required to redo her hair. Preferably after a good night’s sleep.
She glanced at Glen and her heart immediately swelled with affection. His attire wasn’t much better off than hers and a smudge of dirt marred his cheek. Even so, he was still the handsomest man in the world and she loved him. Beyond compare.
“Thank you, Mama, but I’d rather not wait one more second.”
“Are you certain?” Glen asked.
“Without a doubt.” She met his sparkling eyes and was instantly overcome by her good fortune. So what if the day hadn’t turned out as she’d imagined it would? All that mattered was that she was here, with Glen, surrounded by family. “If you could readjust a couple of hairpins, Mama, I’ll be fine for a little while longer.”
Offering her a warm smile, Mama reached up and tucked the lose strands back into place. “There. That ought to do it.”
“Thank you, Mama.” Contented, Lilly accompanied Glen and her parents into the parlor where the guests they would put up for the night waited, along with the vicar. All stood upon Lilly’s arrival.
“How are you?” Aunt Rose inquired.
“Better,” Lilly admitted. “I apologize for the disastrous day you’ve all had on my account.”
“Think nothing of it,” Glen’s father, Viscount Pennygrove, said. “Your wedding will serve as a grand conversation starter when we return to London in the spring.”
The comment, jovially spoken and with an added wink, lightened the mood.
“Let’s hope nothing else goes awry,” Lilly said, accepting a glass of champagne from a footman. “Considering the abysmal luck I’m having, I’d not be surprised if the dining room suddenly floods.”
“God forbid,” Mama murmured.
“If I may make a suggestion,” the vicar said. “Perhaps it would be prudent of us to lift everyone’s spirits with a positive endeavor. Are you ready to speak your vows?”
Lilly caught Glen’s gaze. He smiled at her while informing the vicar, “More than ever.”
“Well then,” the vicar said as he stepped toward them. “Let’s get the two of you wed.”
Glen held Lilly’s left hand gently between his own while vowing to love, honor, and protect her for the remainder of his days. She made the same pledge, the deep affection she harbored for him glowing in the intensity of her gaze. Lord, how he adored her in return. He pulled her close to seal their union with a fierce kiss as soon as the vicar was done speaking.
She sighed against his lips as if in relief, for which he could not blame her. They’d fallen in love months ago, had planned what was meant to be a magical Christmas wedding, only to have their grand celebration ruined by the weather.
“I’m sorry the day didn’t go as you’d hoped,” he whispered while pressing his cheek to hers. “I’m sorry the dream you had of a beautiful winter wedding was ruined.”
He felt the soft pull of her lips against his skin as she smiled. “It may not have been what I imagined, but that doesn’t mean it was ruined.”
“It doesn’t?”
She leaned back and met his gaze, her eyes like flickering flames to guide the way. “It was just altered.”
Glen grinned. “That’s a very positive view to have of a broken wrist and a torn wedding gown.”
Lilly’s smile broadened right before she undid him completely by quietly saying, “The most important things are we love each other and we are now married.”
Unable to argue, he pulled her close once more and kissed her again. Until someone coughed and made a comment about going in to supper.
“Allow me to help,” Glen told Lilly when they were seated at the dining room table and their first course had been served. At the very least, the fish would have to be cut into pieces so she could eat it using her fork with her left hand. He leaned in to better attend to the task. “If I’m to be honest, I rather like the excuse I have to get closer to you.”
“I certainly shan’t complain,” she whispered with humor in her voice.
Which naturally earned her another kiss, even if it was rather outrageous of him to show such affection at the table. But Glen didn’t care. They were among family and Lilly was now his wife. He grinned in response to the very idea. It still seemed like a dream, yet so much better because it was real.
After enjoying the rest of their meal which consisted of roast pork and duck, Brussels sprouts, beans, potatoes, mince pies, and plum pudding with custard, they retreated to the music room where Lilly’s sister proceeded to play a lovely piece on the pianoforte.
Seated next to Lilly on one of the sofas and with the yule long burning nearby, Glen savored the coziness of the moment while holding her hand. Candles stood in each window, adding a romantic glow that was further enhanced by the scent of pine which had been placed in vases along with red roses.
Ginger biscuits and shortbread were served by a footman, along with mugs filled with spiced mulled wine. The tune faded and another, more appropriate to the season, commenced. “Adeste Fideles” filled the air with holiday cheer, and it wasn’t long before Lilly’s father began to sing. The rest of the party joined in one by one, and soon the entire room was alive with the sound of their voices.
Glen squeezed Lilly’s hand. It was true that their wedding had not turned out as expected, but aside from her broken wrist, he would not change a single thing. Being surrounded by loved ones, enjoying a relaxing evening with them without fuss, was so much better than having a crush of a wedding.
“What are you thinking?” he asked Lilly later when they retired to the room they would share.
She stood by the window, looking up at the night sky. Glen went to join her, his arm wrapping snuggly around her waist. Glancing at him, she offered a satisfied smile. “That everything worked out beautifully in the end. Much better than I’d expected.”
“I agree. Today was about us, Lilly. I’m glad we got to share it with our family, but the truth of it is you’re the only one whose presence mattered to me.” He dropped a kiss on her brow and hugged her to him. “How’s your wrist?”
“It aches, but it’s nothing I cannot manage.” She raised the stiff limb and turned it one way then the other while studying it as if it were foreign. “The laudanum seems to help.”
Happy to know she didn’t suffer, Glen lowered his mouth to hers for a kiss intended to serve as a loving caress. Until it transformed into something more urgent.
“Lilly,” he cautioned, his pulse leaping with renewed force. “We can wait. That is to say, I don’t have expectations considering all you’ve been through today, so if you prefer–”
“I’ve waited months for this moment, Glen. I’d rather not wait any longer. So as long as you’re gentle with me, I’m sure we can manage.”
“I love you, Lilly.”
She tossed him an impish smile. “And I love you.”
Pressing his mouth to hers, Glen gathered her in his arms and carried her to the bed. She was all he needed – the most precious gift he’d ever received.