How handsome he was, Jane Devers thought. And so very elegant and distinguished in his bejeweled doublet and black velvet breeches. The tops of his boots were turned down to reveal the broad lace fold of his boot hose. He would add such prestige to the wedding gathering. She smiled, and then her eye swung to his companion.
Fortune curtsied. "What a fine day for a wedding," she said sweetly. "It was kind of you to include me, madame."
"How could we not?" Jane Devers said in return, her eye sharply assessing the girl.
She was beautifully garbed in deep purple velvet; the gown was cut very wide on the shoulder with a low neckline and an exquisite broad draped lace collar that extended low on the shoulder. Her sleeves were divided by lavender ribbons into two paned puffs. Fortune's skirt fell to the floor in loose folds, its fullness towards the back, the skirt open to display a cream-colored petticoat delicately embroidered with gold-thread butterflies and daisies. Her red hair was coiled into a knot at the nape of her neck, a single lovelock tied with a lavender silk ribbon. She wore a long rope of perfectly matched pearls and pear-shaped amethyst earbobs. She was supremely fashionable, certainly more so than any other woman guest; and yet her garb was not ostentatious, nor was it so splendid that it would draw attention away from the bride.
Lady Jane Devers had to admit that it would appear young Lady Lindley had dressed with utmost propriety. And, her manner was most discreet. Her hand rested upon her stepfather's arm, her eyes modestly lowered. In a way it galled Jane Devers that Fortune would appear so perfect to their guests. She had hoped people would not wonder why such a paragon had turned her son's proposal of marriage down. It could reflect badly on them all, but there was nothing she could do about it now, worse luck! She smiled as the duke and Fortune moved on, and turned to greet the next guests.
The wedding itself was to be held in the main salon of Mallow Court as the church at Lisnaskea was too small to contain all the guests who had been invited. The bride was lovely in her rose satin, taffeta, and lace gown. Her head was topped with a wreath of delicate Michaelmas daisies. The groom was somber in his sky blue velvet suit. There was an almost sullen look upon his handsome face although the bride smiled constantly, obviously unable to contain herself. Her responses were clear. His, muttered and low. When the couple were finally pronounced man and wife, the guests cheered. William Devers dutifully kissed his new wife.
Fortune felt absolutely no regret at the union. Her eyes were fixed upon Kieran, elegant in forest green velvet that matched his eyes. She could barely wait until they could be alone. It had been so long. She sighed aloud, and then blushed at James Leslie's chuckle.
"Easy, lassie," he cautioned her, having noted the direction her gaze was taking. "You've managed to be circumspect for weeks now. Dinna gie the game up now when the finish line is so near."
"Papa!" Her cheeks felt so warm.
"Discretion, my lady Lindley," he said softly. "We hae to remain here until next summer. I want nae feuds between our families."
"And you don't think our marriage will cause ill will?" she asked him, almost mockingly.
"They'll nae be happy at first, I agree, but we'll work around them, lassie, especially as yer husband will nae hae Maguire's Ford," the duke responded. "You know the truth of what Lady D. really wanted."
The wedding feast had been set up in Mallow Court's grand dining room, which had once been the house's Great Hall. Servants hurried to and fro carrying platters of salmon, beef, capons, ducks, and small game birds. There were hams, and plates of lamb chops; artichokes swimming in white wine, braised lettuces, bowls of peas with shredded mint, breads, sweet crocks of butter, fine English cheddar, and soft French cheeses. The goblets were kept filled with the best wine that the Deverses had been able to import. Some of the men grumbled that there was no ale, but Lady Devers did not consider ale a refined beverage.
The guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and toast after toast was raised to the newlyweds. A bridal cake, decorated in spun sugar, was carried in to much cheering. This was quite an unusual luxury, but Lady Devers had learned while in England that it was the latest and most fashionable extravagance at important weddings. It was therefore imperative that such a cake be served at her only son's marriage feast.
Now the guests were invited to partake in the dancing in the large salon where the marriage ceremony had been celebrated. The furniture had been cleared from the room while they ate, and a dais for the musicians had been set up at one end of the room. In the corners at the opposite end of the chamber were painted screens behind which the guests would find the necessary chairs and chamber pots for their convenience. The dances at first were mostly country style; the dancers executed the steps either holding hands in a circle, or in a line. Lady Devers, frowning, spoke with the musicians, and they began to play a spritely galliard.
Kieran Devers led Fortune out onto the floor. His hand was warm in hers, and their eyes met in silent passion. The music for the galliard was bright and quick. Only the young people danced. All but the bride and groom. Williams Devers glared at his brother and Fortune. He had not been forced to notice her until now. But as she flaunted herself before him with his brother, he could not help but stare. Her bosom was so white against the purple and lace of her gown. How he desired her!
"Who is that beautiful girl dancing with your brother?" his bride asked him innocently.
"Lady Lindley," William replied tersely.
"Oh," Emily Devers said softly. Her mother had been most honest in explaining the situation with Lady Lindley before she would allow her daughter to accept her cousin William's proposal of marriage. William Devers had asked Lady Lindley to be his wife, and she had turned him down. He had been most distraught over her refusal, Mistress Elliot told her daughter. It was possible he still loved her.
"I will make him forget," Emily Anne had answered her parent with the pure innocence of youth. But now seeing her one-time rival in the flesh, the new Mistress Devers was not at all certain that she could make William forget the beauteous and fascinating Fortune Lindley. Emily Anne felt the beginnings of jealousy starting to gnaw at her vitals.
The galliard was over. Fortune laughed up into Kieran Devers's face with delight. He was an excellent dancer, she had discovered to her enjoyment. Her own visage was flushed with her exertion, and her cheeks pink. The neat coil of hair at the nape of her neck had become undone, allowing the flaming red-gold curls to tumble down her back in a most disorderly fashion.
"You are so beautiful," he said, bending to whisper the compliment in her ear. "Were I not an honorable man I should take you off into a dark corner, and make love to you, my darling."
Fortune blushed deeper with the pleasure his words gave her.
The musicians took up their instruments once again. The notes of the gracious and courtly pavane sounded. Kieran caught Fortune's hand in his again, and they danced, suddenly so absorbed in each other that they were oblivious to anyone else in the salon. They were so absolutely perfect together that the other guests stopped dancing, stepping back as the young couple swayed with the elegant steps of the dance.
Her head was turned looking up at him. Her face was alight with her love for him. Her blue-green eyes glittered like fine jewels. Her lips were slightly parted, and there was a faint, secret smile upon them. His dark head, turned towards hers, was bent so low that their mouths were close to touching. They twisted and turned with every nuance and beat of the sensuous music; their bodies curled gracefully into each other with the dance. As he gazed upon her his love was unmistakable, his passion palpable. They were one, and the obviousness of it swept through the salon like a brush fire.