Ambrose noted Eala’s concern when she realized Dr. Raincourt wasn’t with them. “Dinna worry,” he said. “Giles has gone to the Black Swan. Neville insisted he stay there.”
She inhaled deeply. “They freed him?”
“Aye,” he replied, deciding this wasn’t the appropriate moment to tell her what had transpired at the Tolbooth. Bruce had sulked and chewed his nails throughout the return journey in the berlin.
“How is he?”
“As well as can be expected. Annoyed, of course, but relieved to be free. And he’s invited us to go to the Black Swan to spend Yuletide with him.”
Relief blossomed in her eyes, but Mrs. Bruce scowled. “A highly improper place for a single woman,” she hissed.
“In that case,” Ambrose retorted. “We’ll have to find someone to marry us.”
Bruce cleared his throat and spoke up for the first time since they’d left the prison. “As Provost, I’m authorized to witness a public promise and ye’d be just as good as wed.”
Ambrose took hold of Eala’s hands. It wasn’t the lavish family ceremony he’d envisaged, but that could come later, in Kilmer. “Do ye consent?”
“Aye, a thousand times aye,” she replied.
* * *
Like all young lasses, Eala had often daydreamed about her wedding day. The brief ceremony performed in a house where she wasn’t welcome, by a man who didn’t respect her, witnessed by servants who were strangers, didn’t come close to her dreams. The sour-smelling dress had to do instead of an elegant gown.
Yet, she wouldn’t change anything, because the honorable man binding himself to her was the right man.
She’d dreaded promising to love, honor and obey Evan, but the simple vows made to Ambrose came from her heart.
She might have wished for a minister’s silken stole to bind their hands instead of the apron Mrs. Bruce hastily took from one of her maids. All that mattered was the warmth of Ambrose’s hand holding hers, and the sincerity in his blue gaze.
After Bruce pronounced them legally married in the eyes of the law, Ambrose bent his head and brushed his lips over hers. It was a chaste kiss, appropriate given their audience, yet it, and his teasing smile, filled her with a sense of rightness and hope for the future.
There was no banquet, not even the offer of a light supper or a glass of wine, but Eala was content to wait until they could enjoy the fare at the Black Swan, where she sensed they’d receive a warm welcome.
“I promise I’ll make it up to ye,” he whispered.
“’Twas perfect,” she replied.
A commotion at the front door drew everyone’s attention. A manservant left, returning a minute later with a man they recognized as Giles’ driver.
Ambrose shook his hand. “Ye’re a sight for sore eyes,” he exclaimed. “Where’ve ye been hiding?”
The man fidgeted with the cap in his hands. “I didna rightly ken what to do when Dr. Raincourt was arrested, so I stayed with the Molloys.”
“Good grief,mon,” Ambrose replied. “A dangerous place, to say the least.”
“Nay. Mrs. Molloy was so distraught about their dog being shot, she lamented ever going to the authorities. Insisted I stay. Too noisy for me though. I was glad to hear Dr. Raincourt had been released. I’m to fetch ye and Miss Calhoun to the Black Swan.”
Ambrose grinned. “Actually, Miss Calhoun and I are married.”
“Excellent, sir. ’Tis the bridal suite, then?”
The Need To Be Naked
Ambrose thanked the good Lord for the unexpected arrival of Giles’ reliable berlin. He’d anticipated having to beg Bruce for transportation to the inn. Instead, he was able to cuddle his shivering bride in comfort.
“I’m so glad to leave that house,” Eala murmured.
The Bruce family’s treatment of her rankled, but it was pointless to dwell on the past. “Their loss is my gain,” he whispered, nibbling her earlobe. “What is that scent?” he asked, nestling his nose in her hair.