A Wedding In Springtime(117)
“Marry quickly?” asked Genie, walking up behind them and taking the gossips by surprise. “Well, if Mr. Grant proposed to you, wouldn’t you?”
The gossips were left speechless.
A well-dressed, large man began to laugh, louder and louder, until the hall turned to note the laughing man. “Yes indeed, Mrs. Grant. You have done well to marry as soon as one can. With Grant, one must seal the deal as soon as can be once he has been made to come up to scratch.”
“Your Highness.” Grant gave a bow. “May I present my wife.”
“Delighted! You are a welcome relief to my ennui. Grant, you must promise to bring her to Brighton. I hope I can rely on you to provide a diversion from these trying days.” The man turned and walked away, his stomach leading the way.
“Who was that?” whispered Genie.
“Our success in society,” returned Grant. “That was the Crown Prince, whose mother you so insulted at your presentation.”
“So all is forgiven?”
“In my opinion, there was nothing ever to forgive,” said Grant. “Come now. It is getting late. No one expects the newlyweds to be the last to leave the ball.”
“I suppose I should go home to pack a bag.” Genie sighed. “I do not even know where we are going.”
“Not far, Mrs. Grant,” said Grant in a slow tone, more reverent than seductive. She blushed just the same.
“I cannot believe this is true,” said Genie. “I am so tired with all that has happened, I think perhaps this is a dream.”
“Then by all means let’s get you to bed.” He led her up the main staircase by the hand, and she followed him to a grand bedroom with tall doors.
Penelope stood outside. “I have taken the liberty of requesting a bag be packed for you and brought here from your aunt’s house,” said Pen. “The Duke and Dowager Duchess of Marchford invite you to spend your honeymoon night as their guests.”
Penelope opened the door for them and revealed a graciously appointed bedroom awash in candlelight. The large white bed was covered in red rose petals. Genie walked in with a smile, then turned back to give Penelope a warm embrace.
“I know you had a hand in this, all of this, and I thank you,” said Genie.
Penelope’s face relaxed into an honest smile. “You are welcome. I wish you every happiness. And, Mr. Grant, I sincerely wish you every happiness as well.”
“Thank you, Miss Rose,” said Grant with a bow. “I greatly appreciate your sentiment.” Grant led Genie in and shut the door behind them.
One glance at the flowered bed and her stomach fluttered with nerves, which she had not anticipated, considering all they had already shared. Perhaps because this time, Grant was looking at nothing but her, his eyes black in the soft candlelight.
“This night I will not forget,” he murmured. “I do hope you will be gentle with me, since it is my first time.”
Genie laughed. “I am certainly not the first lady you have taken to bed.”
Grant gazed at her unblinking. “But you will be the last. All this time, I was only looking for you.”
Genie swallowed on a dry throat. He could elevate her pulse just by looking at her.
“And I have never been bedded by my wife,” he added.
Genie smiled. Somehow knowing there was something reserved just for her made it all the more sweeter. She took off her long gloves, one finger at a time. Grant watched her with interest as if she was doing something sensual.
He opened the trunk Penelope had packed and rummaged through the gowns. “Aha!” He held up the gauzy wrap. “Put this on!”
“With what?”
“Nothing but you,” he said with a mischievous grin.
“You have requested that once before.”
“Did I? Must have had some wits about me.”
Genie needed to remove her gown, but it was the type of fashionable garment that could not be put on or off without assistance. Grant graciously volunteered his services. As he undid the laces, she felt ridiculously embarrassed. Grant was sober now and watching every move she made. Still, after everything she had survived that day, she would not be a coward.
Her gown hit the floor, followed by her chemise and stays. Cool air shocked her skin as she reached once more for the wrap and pulled it on.
Grant sat heavily in a chair. “I have never seen such beauty.”
“Perhaps you could oblige me by doing the same.”