by Jane Charles
Everything was happening so fast and all control was being taken away from Davina. It was her wedding day, unplanned, but she should be the one in charge of what she wore and how quickly it happened. However, for the first time, she didn’t care that others were managing her and the situation.
She was finally marrying Ian, and he loved her like she loved him.
Rose led her away from those gathered to celebrate her and Aiden’s wedding and entered the manor through the kitchen door. She assumed it was so nobody would notice the crushed bluebells. Delicate flowers sacrificed during Ian’s loving.
The moment they stepped inside, Rose began issuing orders, requesting a bath for Davina and a maid to dress her hair. “You cannot wear this gown, but the green one you wore to the ball would be lovely.”
As she only owned two nice gowns, both of them formerly owned by Rose, the green would have to do. Not that Davina truly cared what she was married in. She’d be happy in her homespun wool.
“This is so exciting,” Sheena cried as she came into the room. “Uncle Aiden said that ye and Ian are to be married as soon as ye are ready and that Arabella and I are to help ye prepare.”
Davina turned to her younger sister. Sheena was frowning instead of smiling.
“What happened to yer gown?” her sister asked.
“An incident picking bluebells,” Rose answered then stepped behind Davina and began unbuttoning her dress. “Where is Arabella?”
Sheena plopped on the bed. “I doona ken, but Donovan is lookin’ for her.”
Davina shared a look with Rose. Where could Arabella be? Annagburn wasn’t so large that she could disappear, and why would she leave the wedding?
“I’d take issue with the condition of yer trousers if ye werena marryin’ my sister shortly.” Alistair rummaged around in the dressing room before he returned with something for Ian to change into. “Besides, I doona want to mess up yer pretty face on yer weddin’ day.”
“I appreciate that.” Ian pulled off his ruined trousers and caught the pair Alistair tossed to him.
“I do have one question.”
Ian stilled. “Aye?”
“Do ye love her?”
He asked that now?
“I should have inquired before, but it’s important, no matter if ye and Davina may have anticipated yer vows, that I know my sister is loved.”
Ian paused in his dressing and looked Alistair in the eye. For all the years of friendship and the beating he’d taken, the conversation was important and he’d want to know the same of any man marrying one of his sisters. The only one he’d never been able to ask the question of was Captain Soares because Mary had met him in London. They married quickly and then left for the Continent, and none of the family had been present to watch Mary wed except for Lachlan.
“Aye. I do love her and have for some time.”
Alistair nodded. “Ye will care for her, protect her?”
“With all that I am, and as much as she will allow.”
A smile pulled at Alistair’s lips. “She can be stubborn.”
“And has a strong aversion to being managed,” Ian agreed. “But, I’ve always kent how Davina is, and despite how aggravatin’ she can be at times, I love her and want no other as my bride.” And shortly, she’d be his forever.
Chapter 36
Ian waited with Lachlan beside the vicar, with a bouquet of bluebells in his hand. The guests who had attended Uncle Aiden and Rose’s wedding a few short hours ago were gathered once again to witness marriage vows. Everyone was here save two. Davina frowned at Alistair. “Where is Uncle Aiden and Arabella?”
He glanced around. “I doona ken.”
As he spoke, the doors from the sitting room opened and the two stepped outside. By the grim set of Uncle Aiden’s mouth, he was very unhappy with Arabella, or something. Davina only assumed it was Arabella since she bit her bottom lip and looked down, almost as if she were ashamed. What the blazes had happened, and what had Arabella done to make Uncle Aiden so displeased with her?
Following her family from the sitting room was the newest arrival to Annagburn—Gideon Trent. His features gave no hint as to why Arabella and Uncle Aiden were upset, as his face was stony, tight and unemotional.
Davina pulled away from her brother and rushed to Arabella. After linking her arm with her cousin’s, she turned Arabella away from the others.
“What is wrong?” Davina whispered.
Arabella just shook her head. “It’s not important.” Tears filed her eyes. “Nothin’ is important any longer.”
“What happened?”
Arabella swiped a tear and forced a smile. “Doona worry about me. It will all work out and ye are about to marry Ian.” She turned Davina back to the guests. “Let’s concentrate on yer happiness.”
“What of yers?”
“It will come in time.”
Davina wished to ask more, but the guests were watching them. She’d have to find out what had happened between Arabella and Gideon Trent after the vows.
“Isna the bride the one who is supposed to carry the flowers?” Arabella asked.
“Nay, not in this case.” Davina’s eyes met Ian’s. “Stand with me?” she asked her cousin.
“It would be my honor.”
With that, the two moved to the front and Davina turned to face Ian. His green eyes shone with love as he offered the bouquet to her.
“Are ye sure ye shouldna be holdin’ them?”
“I want no one to confuse me with bein’ the bride.” He winked.
Davina couldn’t help but laugh. As if there’d ever be any confusion between them. With a smile, she accepted the bluebells and gazed up at Ian, her heart swelling with love for this man. “I love ye, Ian Grant, with all of my heart.”
“Does that mean that ye are willin’ to pledge they ye will obey?” He grinned, mischief in his eyes.
Again she laughed. “Aye, though it may be difficult gettin’ the actual word to pass my lips.”
His green eyes darkened as he leaned in. “If ye canna, I’m confident that I’ll find a way to manage ye,” he whispered.
Her face heated to a burn. Perhaps she’d disobey, often, just so he could manage her.
The vicar cleared his throat. “Are the two of ye finished and ready to get on with the vows?”
This time Ian’s cheeks colored to a light shade of rose as they turned to face the man who would marry them.
For now and forever, Ian Grant was hers, to love, honor and obey.
About Jane Charles
Jane Charles is a USA Today Bestselling author who has lived in the Midwest her entire life. As a child she would more likely be found outside with a baseball than a book in her hand. In fact, Jane hated reading until she was sixteen. Out of boredom on a long road trip she borrowed her older sister’s historical romance and fell in love with reading. She long ago lost count of how many novels she has read over the years and her love for them never died. Along with romance she has a passion for history and the two soon combined when she penned her first historical romance. What turned into a hobby became a passion. In addition to historical romances, she has been pulled to write contemporary and began penning her new series, Baxter Academy of Arts. She intends to continue writing both historical and contemporary.
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Historical Romance by Jane Charles
The Tenacious Trents
Compromised For Christmas
Landing a Laird
A Misguided Lord
A Perfect Gentlemen
Devil in Her Dreams
A Lass For Christmas
A Reluctant Rake
Lady Revealed
Lady Disguised
Lady Concealed
A Tenacious
Trent’s Wedding
Lady Admired
A Scot to the Heart
Courting the Scot
The Spirited Storms
Christmas Spirits
Ruined by a Lady
Weathering Captain Storm
Wiggon’s School For Elegant Young Ladies
To Walk in the Sun
Ghosts From the Past
The Witching Hour
A Gentleman’s Guide to Once Upon a Time
His Impetuous Debutante
His Contrary Bride
His Not So Sensible Miss
His Christmas Match
Muses
Her Muse, Lord Patrick
Her Muse, Her Magic
Her Muse, Her David
Her Muse, His Grace
The Garden Brides
Lily, One Lord’s Temptation
New Adult Romance by Jane Charles
Baxter Boys
Rattled: Rattled #1 (Baxter Boys Series ~ Rattled)
Still Rattled: Rattled #2 (Baxter Boys Series ~ Rattled)
The Rattle Box: Rattled #3 (Baxter Boys Series ~ Rattled)
Rattle His Cage: Rattled #4 (Baxter Boys Series ~ Rattled)
All Horns and Rattles: Rattled #4 (Baxter Boys Series ~ Rattled)
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Baxter Academy
Valentine Wishes: The Legacy #1 (Baxter Academy Series ~ The Legacy)
Colors of You: The Academy #1 (Baxter Academy Series ~ The Academy)
Shadows of Memory: The Academy #2 (Baxter Academy Series ~ The Academy)
Casting Doubt: The Academy #3 (Baxter Academy Series ~ The Academy)
Between the Lines: The Academy #4 (Baxter Academy Series ~ The Academy)