by Jane Charles
It wasn’t that she didn’t know them, but she had always kept her distance, afraid to become too close to anyone, other than Anna Southward.
Blake watched her with love in his eyes. Beside him was Patrick, Blake’s brother-in-law, to give witness, as well as Vicar Southward, who frowned. The vicar did not think it was at all proper that the wedding take place in a medicinal garden, especially in the middle of November. Her grandmother had offered a few objections as well, but finally acquiesced. Her brother, Clive, was seated with their grandmother, and beamed with pride. There was a chill in the air, but the sun did shine down upon them and she basked in its warmth.
She started down the path to join her beloved, and those who were in attendance turned, smiling at her. The warmth in their eyes was genuine and she could hardly believe their acceptance.
The guests who had attended the party had believed Lord Wolverley’s explanation about illusionists, but those who were here now, the residents of Tollbright and Ravenglass, suspected the truth. That is all anyone could talk about for days following Samhain and nobody thought illusions had anything to do with Callie reappearing, except perhaps the vicar. More importantly, nobody tried to burn her at the stake.
They accepted what she was and greeted her warmly whenever there was a chance meeting in either town. Had she known this was the way it would be, she might never have denied the truth. But, had the nightmare of Callie disappearing and Brighid bringing her back not occurred, the residents might feel differently.
It didn’t matter. None of it did anymore. Today she would marry her love, and tonight, she would fully realize her magic, the moment she and Blake became one. She shivered with anxiety and excitement.
Blake was waiting impatiently for his wife to finish visiting with Anna when Braden sauntered over and pressed a glass of brandy into his hand. The sun had set and he was anxious to begin their marriage. Thankfully they didn’t have far to go before they could be alone.
“Your wife truly wishes to spend her wedding night in that chamber off of the herbarium?”
“She said something about magic and reaching her full potential.” Blake shrugged. “It matters not to me, as long as I can finally have her to myself.”
Braden chuckled. “Well don’t let Quent, Thorn or Garrick hear you mention things like magic and that chamber. They’ll be bringing all kinds of females here with promises of magical nights.”
His friend glanced across the room to his wife, Callie. She beamed with joy and love, as did Brighid and Daphne, soon-to-be, Lady Wolverly. Who would have thought that when he and his friends hatched the mad scheme to come to Marisdùn and throw a Samhain party, it would result in three of them finding their loves?
He turned fully toward Braden. “Many thanks to you and Quent for allowing Brighid to have the wedding in the garden, and for hosting the wedding breakfast at Marisdùn.”
Braden looked at him as if he were half mad. “Quent and I have already assured her that the garden, her herbarium, and anything else she wishes, are hers without question.”
Of course, that was easy for them to offer since they weren’t going to be living here.
Blake looked back again at his wife and met her grey eyes. He smiled and nodded towards the door. A blush stained her cheeks, but she made her excuses to Anna and glided across the room until she was at his side.
“Thank you, Lord Bradenham, for a lovely wedding.”
He gave a bow of his head. “The pleasure was mine.”
Blake offered his arm and gave the half-empty glass of brandy back to Braden before he escorted Brighid through the corridors of the castle, into the kitchen and then into the herbarium. He quickly shut the door behind them.
“Shouldn’t we lock it?”
“No need,” she smiled and swept her hand across the door. “Nobody will be disturbing us until we wish to be disturbed.”
Blake doubted he would ever want anyone intruding on his time. He swept Brighid up in his arms, carrying her to the sleeping chamber. Candles were lit and the bed turned down, waiting for them. He lowered her to the ground, her body sliding against his. Her arms linked around his neck, drawing him down until their lips touched.
His body heated despite the sudden, yet soft breeze in the room, and he grew dizzy the more they kissed. She had the ability to knock him off his feet when their lips touched. What would become of him once they made love?
Blake pulled back and stared down at her while toying with the fastenings at the back of her dress.
“I love you, Brighid Glace Chetwey.”
“And I love you, Blake.” She smiled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Let’s make some magic.”
Also from One Haunted Evening…
In Ava Stone’s THE LADY VANISHES – After inheriting a reputedly haunted medieval castle, the Marquess of Bradenham heads to Ravenglass with his friends to inspect the place and host a Samhain masquerade party. He gets a most welcome surprise when he meets a lovely girl in the castle’s gardens and the rest of his life suddenly has a purpose. * Callie Eilbeck has always avoided Marisdun Castle, there’s something about the place that has terrified her from even her youngest days. But after a chance encounter with the castle’s new owner and falling rather fast for handsome marquess, Callie vanishes without a trace just like the castle’s former mistress. Is one of Bradenham’s friends responsible for her disappearance? Or has the castle claimed another victim? And can the marquess find her before it’s too late and she’s lost forever?
In Jerrica Knight-Catania’s THE HAUNTING OF LORD WOLF - Daphne Alcott is rather content with her simple life in Cumberland, making rum butter for her neighbors and assisting her brother, the town doctor, whenever he might need her. But as the cold winds of autumn blow, they bring with them a caravan of handsome gentlemen from London who turn their little town on its ear. * Alastair Darrington, Viscount Wolverly, is happy to go along with his friends on this little adventure to the Lake District. He hasn’t anything better to do, and a change of scenery is always welcome. What he doesn’t expect, though, is the young woman, covered in sticky, brown rum butter, who makes him question everything he’s ever thought about love, country life, and ghosts.
Historical Romances
Muses
Her Muse, Lord Patrick (novella)
Her Muse, Her Magic (novella)
Her Muse, His Grace (coming soon)
The Wiggons’ School for Elegant Young Ladies Series
To Walk in the Sun
Ghosts from the Past
The Tenacious Trents
Compromised for Christmas (novella)
A Misguided Lord
A Perfect Gentleman
A Lass for Christmas (Novella)
A Reluctant Rake
Lady Revealed
Lady Disguised (Novella)
Lady Concealed
The Tenacious Trents related novellas
Landing a Laird
Devil in Her Dreams
A Gentleman’s Guide to Once Upon a Time Series
His Impetuous Debutante
His Contrary Bride
His (Not so) Sensible Miss
His Christmas Match
To Love a Governess Series
Sacked – Regency Short
Handfasted – Regency Novella
Ruined – Regency Short
Contemporary / New Adult
Baxter Academy of Art Series
Colors of You
Shadows of Memories
Casting Doubt (Short story in 50 Ways to Kill Your Larry)
Between the Lines (coming soon)
As a child Jane would more likely be found outside with a baseball than a book in her hand. In fact, Jane hated reading until she was sixteen. Her passion for reading came about quite by accident when out of boredom on vacation she borrowed her older sister’s historical romance. She fell in love somewhere between Florida and Illinois and her love for reading never died.
Jane is lucky enough to be married to
her own personal hero. Not only does he offer words of encouragement but has taken over much of the housework so Jane can have more hours writing. She has also been blessed with two fantastic daughters and an awesome son, all of which have brought various animals into the house. Currently the count is one dog and three cats.
Jane can be found at www.janecharlesauthor.com as well as Facebook and Twitter.