Having left her daughter to gurgle in Corinna's arms, Lucia came up to the gentlemen. "My lord Georges, it is wonderful to see you again."
The marquis bowed over her hand. "Ma chère cousine, you look radiant. Marriage appears to agree with you."
Her eyes met Amberley's and she smiled. "Robin and I have decided that we shall suit after all."
"Which is to say you're 'mad for each other', to borrow Lord Norworth's phrase. I knew it would happen!"
"That is why we've gathered everyone here, mon cher Georges!" Robin said. "We have an announcement to make."
The nursery maids took the children into the house as Lynkellyn called his guests into a circle. "Tomorrow is our first anniversary," he said, slipping an arm most improperly around Lucia's waist, "and since our wedding was not the romantic affair it should have been, Lucia and I are resolved to try again. We have invited everyone here to witness the renewal of our vows in a grand wedding ceremony with all the attendant pomp. Georges, as a member of Lucia's family, will you give the bride away?"
Caressing his jaw thoughtfully, the marquis bent a penetrating gaze upon Robin. "Je ne sais pas, monsieur. I believe ma petite could do a great deal better than you if she would only look around her a little!" After much jesting and cajoling, he finally agreed to escort his cousin down the aisle.
Georges brought one dark cloud to the festivities when he confessed to Lucia that the Duc de Mondecharles would not relent toward her. "He is a stubborn old man, ma chère, and he would rather die than ever admit he was wrong. Besides, you have married an Englishman like your mother before you and that, to him, is unpardonable."
"The Cothcourts still do not acknowledge me either. When Robin and I visited London last month, people welcomed us and fêted us everywhere we went. It was very gratifying after...after all the bad things that have happened. Always, though, at every party, the Cothcourts and the Laddons glowered at me, pointedly turning their backs. It was odd, funny...almost, but it hurt, too. Family is all the true wealth anyone has, really."
Georges squeezed her hand. "You and Robin are building a fine, new family and someday when I am Duc de Mondecharles, you shall meet all your French cousins." They strolled on for a few minutes, the cool March wind ruffling their hair and tugging at their clothes. De Valiére studied his subdued companion. "This marriage! You are happy, ma petite cousine? This is what you want?"
"Oh, yes!" Lucia nodded. "I know that our union was not the fairy tale sort and during those first months we nearly killed any possibility of a future together, but Robin and I have come a long way in a year. I have discovered the sweetest, most honorable, most noble man is hiding beneath my black knight's armor. He is my delight!"
"Apparently he has worked some sort of magic on you, ma belle. I hope the spell never wears off," Georges said, hugging her.
Late that night, as she lay in bed beside Robin, Lucia gazed at her wedding gown, gleaming palely in the shadows and smiled, thinking of all her blessings.
Robin dreamed beside her, his strong, warm arm curled around her waist. Stretching contentedly, she caressed his hand as it encompassed her midriff and he awoke. He whispered her name and, with a murmur of pleasure, she turned to accept his kisses; to share with him the sweet, tender fire of love.
The End
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