“Look at you,” Marcus chuckled under his breath, “taking no prisoners.”
“I think that was the perfect revenge,” I murmured.
With a snap of my fingers, I gestured to Billings, who disappeared for a moment before walking slowly back through the crowd. There was an audible gasp as people began to turn, and Marcus leaned forward anxiously in his chair to see what was happening.
His mouth fell open as a gigantic peacock strutted into view.
“You…you didn’t…”
“Her name is Dolly,” I answered with a smile. “I owed you one. She’ll be free to run the grounds.”
The peacock made a terrifying braying noise and Billings closed his eyes in pained disapproval as it strained against its leash to get to the oysters.
Marcus burst out laughing.
“You never cease to amaze me.” He turned to me with a bright smile. “Never.”
“Happy…wedding present,” I giggled.
He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it. “I love her. She’s the prettiest peahen ever.”
“Peahen?”
“That’s what a female peacock is called. You’ll have to come out with me every morning to feed them.”
I flashed him a smile. “Of course.”
“I have a present for you too…but you’re going to have to wait until tonight.”
For as much time went into planning the party, it was over before I knew it. We needed to get a full night’s sleep before the ceremony the next day, so by ten o’clock, all the guests had been gracefully herded to the door. My mom and Amanda headed upstairs, as they were staying with us to help me get ready in the morning, and Marcus kissed me goodnight and headed off to settle in for the night at his guesthouse.
I watched the cars pull off into the night from the same window where I’d watched them drive in just hours before. Only this time, as I climbed under the covers of my massive bed with a smile, I felt like I truly belonged.
Despite my obvious nerves for the following morning, my body was worn out from all the excitement, and I passed out the second my head hit the pillow.
I slept like a rock, and it wasn’t until I heard a soft knock on the door that I slowly opened my eyes.
I sat up and looked around in confusion. It was still dark outside. Who would be knocking at a time like this? Mentally cursing Niles’ security, I padded across the floor and tightened my bathrobe before pulling the door open a crack. My fiancé was grinning back at me.
“Marcus?” I smiled automatically back, pulling open the door as he swept inside. “What are you doing here? If it’s after midnight, that means it’s bad luck to see me, you know.”
He chuckled softly and turned on a soft-glowing lamp as he took a seat on the bed. “It could never be bad luck to see you, and I had to come.”
Those ocean eyes fixed on me with a tender smile.
“I still have your present, remember?”
Chapter 22
I didn’t know what to expect as Marcus lingered on the bedspread, simply staring at me in the soft light. I really didn’t know what to expect when he sighed with a smile and got slowly to his feet.
Then he got down on one knee.
My lips parted in surprise. “….what?”
“I didn’t get to do this right before.”
My breath caught in my chest as he took my hand with that same, tender smile.