Bitten by Desire (5 page)
Authors: Marguerite Kaye
Although the bride was still in half-mourning, the groom's desire to flaunt his love before the world and the world's desire to attend the most talked-about match of the Season made the wedding of Imogen, formerly the Duchess of Strathfyne, and Vaelen, the Earl of Kilmunâfor he chose not to reveal his litany of other titlesâan extravagant affair indeed.
It took place at St James's church one bright June morning. The bride wore a gown of sea-green silk with a jade over-dress of sarsenet lace. The bodice was low, the puffed sleeves slashed. Her only adornment was a long string of freshwater pearls which glowed pink on her creamy bosom. Though someâsuch as Lady Cullenâlooked down from their willowy heights and claimed they thought her too lacking in stature for beauty, her bosom rather too full for the fashion, most agreed that Imogen looked radiant.
Certainly her groom, standing at the altar, had eyes only for her. As she had eyes only for him. As the Dowager Duchess of Strathfyneânow, thankfully, about to become the
only
Dowager Duchess of Strathfyneâremarked in a whisper that echoed round the arched chapel, “It was as if there was no one else present save the two of them. I declare, if Alfred had been alive still, he would have been most touched.” To this non sequitur not even Lady Innellan had an answer.
But the dowager, wiping a tear from her eye with a black-edged handkerchief, spoke the truth. Though he had wished the world to see his bride and to hear his nuptials, now his wedding was actually underway, Vaelen saw and heard no one but Imogen. Love swelled his heart. Such a thing, he had not thought possible but it was true. As it was true that warm blood ran in his veins, that the only hunger he had was to make love to the beautiful woman standing before him.
The couple said their vows with such a firm certainty that even Lady Cullen was touched. “I now pronounce you man and wife,” the vicar said, evoking a collective sigh and no few tears from the congregation.
“I may be mortal now, but my love for you will live for ever,” Vaelen, the Earl of Kilmun whispered to his new countess. And then he took the bride he had waited more lifetimes than anyone could count into his arms, and sealed his promise with a kiss.
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Born and educated in Scotland,
Marguerite Kaye
originally qualified as a lawyer but chose not to practiseâa decision which was a relief both to her and the Scottish legal establishment. While carving out a successful career in IT, she occupied herself with her twin passions of studying history and reading, picking up a first-class honors and a Masters degree along the way.
The course of her life changed dramatically when she found her soul mate. After an idyllic year out, spent traveling round the Mediterranean, Marguerite decided to take the plunge and pursue her life-long ambition to write for a livingâa dream she had cherished ever since winning a national poetry competition at the age of nine.
Just like one of her fictional heroines, Marguerite's fantasy has become reality. She has published history and travel articles, as well as short stories, but romances are her passion. Marguerite describes Georgette Heyer and Doris Day as her biggest early influences, and her partner as her inspiration.
Though she continues to write regular pieces for a number of Scottish magazines and also publishes short stories in women's weeklies, romances are her passion. When she is not writing, Marguerite enjoys cooking and hill walking. A confirmed Europhile who spends much of the year in sunny climes, she returns regularly to the beautiful Highland scenery of her native Argyll, the place she still calls home.
Marguerite would love to hear from you. You can contact her at: [email protected]
ISBN: 978-1-4268-5288-6
Bitten by Desire
Copyright © 2010 by Marguerite Kaye
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