Knight Takes Queen

by C. C. Gibbs

  Nana laughed. ‘Maybe – sometimes, maybe more than sometimes. You don’t remember your mother much, but she knew what she wanted too. I always blamed Gramps and he blamed me for her bull-headedness. So I’m guessing you’re genetically predisposed.’

  ‘Thanks, Nana. Now I have an excuse.’ Kate smiled, a new warmth in her eyes. ‘And hearing about your miscarriage gives me hope. I need that.’

  ‘That’s why I told you. Consider me here to dispense all the hope you need. When you’ve lived as long as I have, you have lots of feel-good stories. Speaking of feel good – are you excited about your wedding? I sure am. I was beginning to worry.’

  ‘Sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. But everything was messy for a while.’

  ‘I’m not looking for a detailed account. Whatever it was, I’m glad it’s over. Love can be messy. Life too. It’s hard to order perfection every day of the week. Believe me, I know.’

  CHAPTER 17

  The royal suite was ready by five, giving Mrs Hastings bragging rights for at least the next decade. She’d accomplished the impossible in twelve hours.

  Max took Nana to the lounge to introduce her to the wedding guests and Dominic escorted Kate to the suite so she could get comfortable before the festivities began. Stopping on the threshold with Kate holding tightly to his arm, Dominic regarded the festooned suite with a slight frown. It looked like an over-the-top version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

  But Kate was smiling as she surveyed the room, then said, ‘Oh my …’ in breathy delight and his frown instantly faded. ‘Yellow roses like that morning in Hong Kong,’ she whispered, glancing up at Dominic. ‘You are a romantic.’

  ‘Only for you, baby. I wanted to see you smile.’

  She winked. ‘Good work, Mr Knight.’

  He dropped a kiss on her cheek. ‘My pleasure, Miss Hart.’

  ‘Not for long – the Miss Hart part.’

  ‘No.’ He smiled one of those smiles that made the breath catch in Kate’s throat. ‘Dreams really can come true.’

  Then Mrs Hastings glided over, elegant in a pale blue designer suit and her pearls, not a hair out of place despite the fact that she’d spent the last twelve hours barking orders at scores of people to bring this wedding to the level of perfection expected by a client of Mr Knight’s stature. Which also accounted for a faint wariness in her gaze when she asked, ‘Will this do, Mr Knight?’

  ‘Ask Katherine,’ Dominic said, pleasantly. ‘This is for her.’

  The suite was a veritable bower of pale yellow roses, their scent perfuming the air, dozens of large baskets and vases filled with sumptuous bouquets, miles of ornamental ribbon-trimmed garlands and swags all artfully displayed. A long table, placed against one wall, was draped in white, fringed, beaded brocade despite Mrs Hastings’ initial resistance to such flamboyance. Although when her temperamental designer flounced out in a huff, she was forced to coax him back with an abject apology – completely out of character for her but necessary today in her back-to-the-wall position. Nigel Bell understood the limited time frame as well and extracted a further promise from her for full creative licence.

  So the table was arrayed in Renaissance splendour, set with towering, flower-draped silver candelabra, lined with rows of sparkling crystal flutes, adorned with gleaming silver salvers awaiting Quinn’s food. Several ornate silver torchieres served as magnificent accent pieces in the embellished suite. And once the whimsical fantasy was complete, the prominent set designer, who’d been dragged out of his bed that morning to take charge of executing Dominic’s request for a beautiful wedding, had offered his display to Mrs Hastings with a triumphant, theatrical bow.

  ‘It’s breathtaking, Mrs Hastings,’ Kate murmured, thoroughly enchanted as Nigel had intended. ‘Truly breathtaking.’

  Mrs Hastings visibly relaxed; those who were familiar with her air of command would have been surprised. ‘I’m pleased you like it. Mr Knight requested the pale yellow roses.’

  ‘He knows I like them.’ Kate looked at Dominic with a twinkle in her eyes. ‘Don’t you?’

  ‘I have a very good memory, Katherine,’ he said, very, very softly. ‘I think you know that.’

  Mrs Hastings cleared her throat, said, ‘Ahem,’ in her more normal magisterial tone of voice. ‘If I might introduce the minister,’ she added, briskly, indicating an elderly man in black standing near the windows.

  ‘Of course,’ Dominic said, coolly. ‘Let me see Katherine into bed first. She’s still quite weak. Did Ms Strahan send over something for Katherine to wear?’

  ‘It’s in the wardrobe.’

  A few minutes later, Katherine was settled in bed and Mrs Hastings waved over the minister. Introductions were made and Dominic offered his thanks for the minister’s presence at such short notice. He explained that Max had the guests waiting in the nearby lounge, then politely asked if they might be excused briefly so Katherine could be dressed.

  Moments later, Dominic carried over the dress, and they discovered that the young designer had simply adjusted the design Kate had chosen to jacket length and added a jewelled border to the hem. With the button front, it was a simple matter to slip on even in bed. Smoothing the crème silk with her palms, she lightly brushed the glittering jewels. ‘These are gorgeous. I feel like a princess. Do you like it?’ She glanced up when Dominic didn’t respond.

  Remembering how happy they’d been when Katherine had chosen the dress to accommodate her pregnancy, he’d suddenly been overwhelmed with sorrow. But as Kate’s words registered, he quickly smiled. ‘It’s perfect. You’re perfect. I couldn’t be happier.’

  ‘Liar.’

  His lashes drifted downward slightly, shielding his gaze. ‘I’m happy about us getting married,’ he said, quietly. ‘I’m happy about you and me and our future.’ He hesitated just for a moment, then his eyes suddenly opened and fixed on her, ‘Thinking about the rest is torture.’

  ‘We have to at some point.’

  ‘Maybe you do. My response to distress is usually some kind of violence.’ He paused, took a deep breath, forcibly suppressed the hectic tumult and dark animosity in his brain. ‘But if you want to talk about it, I’ll listen.’

  ‘You can’t talk about it?’

  It took him a long time to answer. ‘No.’

  ‘I have to talk about the baby.’

  ‘I know.’ He studied her for another lengthy interval. ‘Go ahead,’ he finally said. ‘Talk.’

  She told him about the feeling of emptiness that wouldn’t go away, about her vast guilt, she told him how she’d been picking out baby names and really liked James for a boy if he wouldn’t have minded. He shut his eyes for a second when she said that. Towards the end she told him about Nana having a miscarriage before her mother was born. ‘So maybe it’s genetic and the second time’s the charm. But that doesn’t mean this doesn’t hurt like hell,’ she whispered. ‘I feel like punching things too sometimes. You’re not the only one.’

  He’d been sitting on the edge of the bed while she’d talked and he leaned in close now. ‘Do it. Be my guest.’

  She smiled faintly. ‘At least I can’t mess up that wrinkled shirt.’

  ‘Martin brought me something else. It’s around here somewhere.’ He opened his arms wide. ‘Come on, a couple of punches. We’ll both feel better.’

  She punched his chest hard, twice with each fist.

  He raised his brows. ‘Really, that’s it? That’s all you got?’

  She bashed him in the face, he fell back on the bed moaning and she laughed. ‘God, you’re juvenile.’

  Sitting up, he gave her a quick kiss. ‘Then you’re going to have to teach me to be a grown-up. And I’ll teach you how to be a cutthroat business woman. We’ll merge our skill sets.’

  She gave him a little sideways glance.’ You don’t want to talk about this anymore, do you?’

  The blue of his eyes was unfathomable. ‘No.’

  ‘OK, I’ll save the rest for later, but one thing more right now. T
he miscarriage might have had something to do with the contraception shot. It could have. You can at least acknowledge that, can’t you?’

  He let out a little breath, looked down at his hands for a moment, then his gaze came up. ‘Yeah,’ he said. ‘I thought about it. That would have been my fault.’

  ‘It’s not anyone’s fault, Dominic. It’s just a possible factor.’

  ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I’m going to get dressed now if that’s OK with you.’

  She smiled. ‘Thanks for listening.’

  He nodded, slid off the bed and walked away.

  She watched him strip off his shirt, toss it into the wardrobe, put on striped dress shirt, quickly button it up and tuck it in, his movements swift and sure, his smooth efficiency always fascinating to witness. There wasn’t a wasted motion as if he was used to dressing quickly – not a thought she cared to dwell on.

  He slipped into a Prince of Wales flint grey sports coat Martin had brought over, left the tie on the hanger, then adjusted his cuffs, buttoned the jacket, shut the wardrobe door and turned back to Kate.

  ‘You’re prettier than I am,’ Kate said with a smile.

  His dark, longish hair was messy, ruffled like always as though he perennially stood in a breeze. His stark beauty was casually worn. His tall, broad-shouldered form was strong and muscular, his physical perfection implausible, miraculous.

  ‘Not even close, Katherine,’ Dominic said, softly. ‘You’re so beautiful, you take my breath away. You’re the best present life has given me.’ For a second, his eyes narrowed. ‘I’d like to lock you away,’ his nostrils flared briefly, ‘but I know I can’t.’ His mouth twitched into a small smile. ‘Although I’m not giving any guarantees.’

  ‘Nana might be packing heat,’ Kate quipped. ‘So watch it.’

  ‘According to Max she is.’

  ‘Oh God,’ Kate moaned. ‘Why am I not surprised?’

  ‘Because she’s seventy-five, makes her own rules and knew she was travelling on a private plane, that’s why.’

  ‘You could have taken it away.’

  Dominic laughed so long, Kate’s mouth was pursed tightly before he finally stopped.

  ‘It wasn’t that funny,’ she said with a little sniff.

  ‘Yeah it was. Nana told Max to not even consider taking her handgun away. He told her he wasn’t that stupid and a cordial détente was reached. That means doing things Nana’s way. Which also helps to explain the trouble I have keeping you in line.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she said, sugar sweet. ‘Did you say – keep me in line?’

  ‘We can talk about it later, after we’re married.’

  Her brows rose. ‘Or we could talk about it now.’

  ‘Why don’t I go and get our guests?’ He moved towards the door.

  ‘Coward.’

  He grinned. ‘I prefer to think of it as diplomacy,’ he countered, grasping the door knob. ‘You shouldn’t get agitated. You’re still recovering.’

  But Kate was smiling when the door shut on Dominic.

  CHAPTER 18

  During the ceremony, Nana stood on one side of the bed, Dominic on the other, Kate’s hand in his while the minister read the vows. The guests were those from Dominic’s house and office staff who couldn’t be ignored, along with Nigel Bell and Mrs Hastings who’d been included out of gratitude for their masterful accomplishments. The room was packed.

  Max frowned at Nigel when the designer took out his cell phone and started taking a picture of the bride and groom, and even a man of Nigel’s bravado understood the danger. He quickly put away his phone and Max’s attention returned to the ritual being performed.

  The ceremony had reached the point where rings were exchanged. The minister waited while Dominic took two rings from his jacket pocket, handed one to Kate, then leaned forward slightly.

  ‘Look inside,’ he said, quietly, as if they were alone in the room, the world, his focus exclusively on Kate.

  She turned the wide gold band in her fingers, read the inscription: Katherine loves Dominic. Followed with a colourful enamelled happy face.

  ‘I hope you don’t mind,’ he said, softly. ‘I presumed.’

  Her smile was warm with love. ‘It’s perfect.’

  ‘Your ring is inscribed Dominic loves Katherine, happy face. See?’ He held out her wedding band of square cut diamonds.

  ‘No property of?’ she murmured, a teasing note in her voice.

  ‘I figured that’s what the wedding bands mean. Mutual property of.’

  A mischievous smile this time. ‘Good call.’

  Leaning in even closer, Dominic said, brusquely, ‘I’m serious, Katherine.’

  ‘You better be,’ her brows lifted in warning, ‘because I’m super serious about that.’

  Of all the audacious qualities in their relationship, perhaps the strongest was the obsessive nature of their love. It was enigmatic and amazing, exuberant and chaste, a bona fide miracle Dominic in particular recognized having been alone so long.

  Nana cleared her throat and Dominic looked up. ‘I’m an old lady. I don’t like to stand too long. Could you have this discussion later?’

  Kate flushed with embarrassment.

  Dominic’s mouth twitched, but he suppressed his guffaw, thinking it likely would offend the minister. ‘Forgive me, Nana. It was inconsiderate of me to make you wait.’ Then he nodded for the minister to resume the service.

  This time it was Nana’s mouth that twitched and she wished Roy was still alive. He would have liked Dominic. Roy had been equally unflappable. And she looked up for a second to send her husband a message because she talked to him a lot and she wanted him to know: Our baby girl is getting married to a nice man, Roy. Are you smiling?

  When the service was over and the minister pronounced the conventional phrase, ‘You may kiss the bride,’ Nana waited politely until Dominic had kissed Kate before she said, ‘Gramps wanted to give you a kiss too.’ She kissed Kate on her cheek. ‘And one from me, baby girl,’ she whispered, and kissed her again.

  ‘Don’t cry, Nana, or I’ll cry,’ Kate whispered, seeing the tears in her grandmother’s eyes. ‘And tell Gramps thanks.’

  ‘He knows.’ Nana blinked and smiled. ‘Now I don’t know about you,’ she said, changing the subject, ‘but that champagne from the bottom of the Baltic has me intrigued.’ She looked at Dominic.

  ‘Coming up, Nana.’ He’d no more than spoken than one of Quinn’s servers appeared, carrying a tray with four glasses.

  The minister didn’t stay long and whether it was his departure or the fact that half the bottles of champagne already had been consumed but the reception turned lively. The re-corked champagne was excellent even after having lain in six hundred feet of water for almost two centuries.

  Nana was enjoying herself, entertaining Nigel and others with stories of fishing in the Boundary Waters, comparing notes with the designer on lures; he made his own colourful ones for trout fishing. Even Mrs Hastings was seen to actually smile a real smile when Nana complimented her on not only the entire wedding but her pearls. ‘Family heirlooms?’ Nana inquired, graciously. At which point Mrs Hastings explained her necklace’s history at some length to Nana’s interested nods and smiles. Decades of making polite conversation with parents who thought their children were geniuses had honed Nana’s diplomatic skills. She wasn’t always bluntly outspoken.

  Having drunk their token toast and eaten from Quinn’s splendid smorgasbord, accepted congratulations from all their guests and chatted with everyone, Dominic and Kate relaxed on the bed, enjoying the rising level of conversation and congeniality. His jacket and shoes discarded, Dominic held Kate in his arms, content, deeply satisfied, relieved that their relationship was legally validated, that they were married at last. He’d never been a man who’d waited for what he wanted.

  That his pleasure was partially clouded by the loss of their child was only normal. But, Katherine’s mine, he reflected, obsessive and adoring. Now and for ever. That certai
nty helped mitigate the pain.

  Recognizing Dominic’s sudden quiet, Kate turned slightly to look up at him. ‘How are you feeling?’ At his blank expression, she said, ‘Sorry. Wrong question with you. Are you OK?’

  ‘Yes. And don’t get pissed, but I was just thinking that you’re mine for ever.’ He smiled faintly. ‘I happen to like the idea.’

  ‘It’s not a problem. I know what you mean about having someone.’ She ran her thumb over one of his shirt buttons, then looked up and her voice dropped in volume. ‘You had your sister and I had Gramps and Nana—’ she paused.

  ‘But you always felt—’

  ‘Just a little bit alone,’ Kate finished, softly.

  ‘Yeah.’ His eyes were grave. ‘Sometimes more than just a little.’

  She smiled. ‘And now we’re not alone.’

  He slid his finger under her chin, lifted her face. Their eyes met. ‘And now we’re not alone,’ he whispered, and slowly, unhurriedly, touched her mouth with his. And in the lush pleasure and ripening silence, they committed to memory the sheer beauty and magic of the moment.

  After their kiss, Dominic surveyed Kate with slight puzzlement. ‘What? Did I do something?’ He was beginning to recognize Kate’s moods. Or perhaps he loved her enough to pay attention.

  She shook her head. ‘It’s just me. I’m feeling really happy and feeling guilty about being so happy. Like it’s not right or I shouldn’t be so un—’

  ‘Don’t,’ he interrupted, softly. ‘It’s a new day, OK? It has to be – or we’re not going to get through this.’

  ‘I know.’ She softly sighed. ‘You’re right.’

  Wanting to trample that sigh into the ground or carry the weight of it himself, he said, straight-faced, ‘Jesus, let me record this moment for posterity.’ He made a check in the air with his finger, smiled faintly. ‘You’re saying I’m right?’

  She giggled. ‘Maybe just this once.’

  ‘Uh-uh, not just once. Now that you’re mine and can’t get away, I’ll start training you. Teach you to take orders. Make you understand that I’m always right.’

  She sat up straight. ‘That’s never gonna happen.’