The Courtesan's Daughter and the Gentleman (The Merry Misfits of Bath 2)

The wedding was to be held in Carter’s house with the vicar from their church officiating. Only Pamela, Grayson, Addie, Grayson’s son, Michael, and Michael’s governess would be in attendance. While it was precisely what Lottie had asked for, now it seemed lonely.

“Lottie, I said stop.” Pamela glared at her. “Besides, your hat looks lovely and it’s time to go downstairs.

Lottie shook her head. “No. I don’t think so.”

Pamela’s jaw dropped. “Why not?”

Lottie smirked at her friend. “Because you haven’t finished with your hair and it’s partially up and partially down.”

Addie entered the room while Pamela was fixing her hair. “Sorry, we’re late. I had to find time to eat breakfast.” She stopped and looked at Lottie from head to toe. “You are stunningly beautiful, Lottie.”

Lottie’s eyes teared up again. “Thank you.”

“What’s wrong?” Addie walked up to her and raised her chin. “You should be glowingly happy.”

“I am. But . . . my mother.”

“Please don’t start that again,” Addie said as she sat on the bed. “This is a happy day for you.”

“No. That’s not what I meant. I’m thinking how lovely it was to have your mother there on your wedding day.” She looked back and forth between Addie and Pamela. “Should I have invited her?”

The silence that followed was deafening. “Do you think you should have invited her?” Pamela asked.

“No. Yes. Oh, I don’t know.”

Apparently sensing a complete collapse of the bride, Addie jumped up and took Lottie’s arm. “Time to go. Your groom awaits.”

The three ladies descended the stairs and entered the drawing room. Lottie’s breath caught when Carter turned from where he spoke to Grayson to look at her. The love in his eyes scared her to death, but at the same time warmed her and took away a lot of the worries that had been keeping her on edge since she’d agreed to his proposal.

Yes. This would all work out. Wouldn’t it?

She accepted Carter’s outstretched hand and moved next to him. The vicar began the ceremony, and it seemed within minutes they were declared husband and wife. Carter pulled her in for a very enthusiastic kiss, which had the vicar chuckling and the small gathering cheering.

“Please join my wife and I for breakfast,” Carter said.

Lottie’s stomach took a dip at my wife. It was done. She was his wife. He was her husband. For better or worse. Until death would they part. She glanced down at her wedding ring and thought back to the words Carter spoke when he placed the ring on her finger:

With this ring, I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

She shivered and ran her palms up and down her arms.

“Are you chilly, sweetheart?” Carter viewed her with concern and she immediately relaxed. Maybe they hadn’t known each other very long, but she knew in her heart that this man would always take care of her, would always stand by her side.

“Just a bit. A warm cup of tea will help.”

The group gathered in the dining room where they enjoyed a feast of lobster salad, several chicken dishes, ham, green beans, and chicken consommé, with pastries and jellies and cream for dessert, along with the traditional wedding cake.

After a few hours of lively conversation, bantering, and teasing about the upcoming wedding night, the group broke up and left Carter and Lottie with wishes for a happy marriage and a few winks from Grayson about the one thing Lottie was growing apprehensive over.

Maybe sensing her mood, Carter pulled her in for a lovely kiss that relaxed her, but at the same time reminded her of what was to come. “Would you like to take a stroll to help digest all that wonderful food?”

Lottie hoped her sigh of relief was not too evident. She certainly didn’t think Carter would drag her upstairs the minute the door closed on the last of their guests and toss her on the bed then jump on her. But the anticipation was making her skittish.

“Yes. I love the idea of a walk.”

They shrugged into their coats and added gloves and hats. Lottie was amused when Carter took the scarf that hung on her coat and wrapped it around her neck, tucking it in. She could get used to that kind of treatment.

The air was crisp and cool, but soon spring weather would warm things up a bit. They enjoyed a leisurely stroll, going over the wedding breakfast and commenting on how Addie and Michael showed the group how sign language worked. It was truly fascinating.