Lords of Retribution (Lords of Avalon series) (55 page)

Wenna beamed at him
.

“To the Duke and Duchess!” Someone called out
. Many others held up their glasses and offered their toasts.

“We shall also toast my cousin, Gabriel and the new Lady St. Mabyn, the Duchess’ beautiful sister,
Sennen.” Trevan lifted his glass again, “and now my own sister-in-law, and cousin-in-law!” He winked at Gabriel.

There were many well wishes shouted out for Lord and Lady St. Mabyn
.

Trevan looked to Jack and Tuesday
. “And we must also toast the lovely bride of my friend and colleague, Jack; the new Lady Elveston. Lady Elveston is very special to us, as is her family. Her parents, Lord and Lady Stanbridge, and her sister Lady Wednesday are with us today. One of their family members is not among us. That would be our fallen friend and colleague, a fellow member of the Avalon Society, Charles Inwood, Lord Silverley.”

Trevan continued, “
Charlie lost his life in London protecting us several weeks ago. We still mourn his passing. We all miss him. We remember him tonight. We reaffirm our vow to his family. Charlie’s death will not go unanswered. We
will
find this leader of the Knights of the Brown Order, and we will crush the Order and stop these men. For Lord and Lady Elveston and for Charlie,” Trevan held his glass up high.

Toasts to the newlywed couple and Charlie
echoed throughout the room.

Jack drew Tuesday close, his lips grazing her temple as he hugged her
.

Lord and Lady Stan
bridge stood side by side, clearly honored that their son was so well remembered. Lady Stanbridge dabbed at her eyes with a lacy handkerchief.

Lady Wednesday Inwood stepped back
, away from the people gathered to participate in the toast. She was without a handkerchief. She removed her spectacles and wiped the tears from her cheeks with her fingers as inconspicuously as she could.

“Do not cry
, little dove.”

She realized a very tall
man had moved up beside her. Her eyes still being cast downward, a large hand come into her view. She accepted the offered handkerchief with a whispered “Thank you,” and looking up; she saw a familiar face framed by wild, golden hair, and eyes of the palest blue gazing at her. She smiled up at him. She should have known by the brogue who it was speaking to her.

“Lord Gryfe, I did not know you were here
. How are you? I heard you were wounded,” Wednesday then noted he leaned on a crutch. He wore his arm in a sling like Tristan Chynoweth.

“I am
much better, Lady Wednesday. Thank you for asking,” Lachlan Douglas, the Earl of Gryfe, smiled at her then turned his attention back to Trevan.

“I still say, because I believe it, Charlie was the best of all of us!” Trevan held up his
champagne glass again.

“To Charlie, he was the
very
best of us!” Lachlan’s rich baritone voice rang out as he held up his glass.

The crowd grew quiet
. Many turned to see who had spoken with such a thick and un-Cornish brogue.

Trevan grinned
. He chuckled. “Lord Gryfe, you missed my wedding!”

“I do not recall
receiving an invitation, Your Grace,” Lachlan bellowed out in a brogue thicker than he normally used. His light blue eyes twinkled with mischief. “I came to help crush the Knights of the Brown Order.”

“Well you’ve arrived on time for that
. We’re still working at it,” Trevan nodded. He grew serious, “We are glad you have joined us once again, Lachlan. The wedding was something of an impromptu affair.”

“I am happy to be back among you at last
. Congratulations to you all. I wish you great joy.” Lachlan gave a small bow to the brides and grooms. He lifted his glass, took a sip of champagne then turned his head to smile down at Wednesday.

Wednesday had forgotten what a devastatingly handsome man the Earl of Gryfe was
. She returned his smile. She knew he was only being kind because she was Charlie’s sister. She did appreciate his gesture.

“Lady Wednesday, if you do not mind walking slowly, would you
please join me while I give my felicitations to the newlyweds?” Lachlan asked. He offered his arm to the pretty lady. He smiled when she rested her dainty hand upon his arm.

“Thank you, Lord Gryfe
. I would be happy to join you,” Wednesday offered, feeling much lighter in mood than she had a few minutes before.

Lachlan
had always liked Lady Wednesday. Though most thought her sister, now Lady Elveston, to be the beauty of the Inwood sisters, he had always preferred the personality of Lady Wednesday. She was serious and practical, true, but she had a fine wit and was so very genuine. He could never remember her being fussy or flirty as so many young girls were.

Of course, now she was a young
woman, he guessed her to be perhaps two and twenty, possibly older. Of medium height, she had lost the plumpness of her youth. Though her gray gown was modest, it was well fitting and more than hinted at her lovely, curvy figure. No doubt she was in gray tonight due to the fact she was in mourning for her brother.

He liked a woman
with generous hips and breasts. He guessed his hands could easily span her trim waist. Her hair was an interesting shade of burnished gold, not blonde and not brown, but a mixture of the two. It was her golden-brown eyes that drew him in. They were large, wise and all knowing, like that of the owl. Her brilliant eyes were framed by a thick fringe of dark brown lashes, and of course her spectacles. Her cheekbones were high and her chin stubborn, but that all added to her look of strength and wisdom. She reminded him of a goddess.

Lachlan escorted Lady Wednesday to the group of newlyweds.

All his comrades greeted him warmly. He inquired after the health of Micah, Tristan, Libby and Sophia, for he had learned the ladies and Tristan had suffered injuries the night Charlie had passed, as well as he. His own wounds had been serious. There had been talk initially of his leg being removed. He had forbid it to be done, and had worked hard to regain the use of his limb.

T
hough he would be somewhat maimed for life, he felt fortunate to be alive. Charlie had given him that gift, for Percy Davitt was about finish him off by stabbing him in the chest when Charlie came upon him and took the knife meant for him.

Had Lachlan not been so persistent and insisted on regaining his physical strength from the beginning,
he might still be abed with his wounds. Vengeance for Charlie had kept him going.

“Lachlan, last I heard you were slowly mending
. We were not expecting to see you so soon. We’re glad you’ve come to join us!” Jack smiled at his colleague and extended his hand.

“
Mon ami
, I knew you would defy the odds and come to us hale and whole once again!” Lucien Saintmaur, Lord Wyldhurst, laughed heartily as he clasped the hand of his good friend and comrade. He stopped when he noticed the very tall, well-built golden-haired female standing behind Lachlan and Wednesday. “Ah, who is this beautiful creature you have brought with you,
mon ami
?”

“My brother is stubborn, and insisted upon
pushing himself by walking daily to build up his strength. He would not rest until he made it to Cornwall to join you,” the lady spoke then added, “which is why I came along. He insists on behaving as if he is in perfect health and resists taking time to rest.”

“
This is my sister, Lady Alexandra.” He brought his sister to his other side, still having Lady Wednesday at his left, “And I assure you all, I am in perfect health.”

“Alex,” Lady Alexandra corrected her brother.

Lachlan frowned at her.

“Lady Alexandra,” Lachlan reiterated.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Alexandra.” Luc gave her a bow. Her eyes were a darker blue than her brother’s were. Her hair was a mixture of copper and gold. She was tall for a woman, and quite nicely put together. Luc found her to be quite stunning.

“The pleasure is mine, Lord Wyldhurst.”

“Alexandra, this is Lady Wednesday, Charlie’s youngest sister,” Lachlan smiled as he indicated Wednesday on his other side.

Wednesday an
d Alexandra greeted one another. Lachlan continued the introductions of his sister among his fellows and their wives.

The large group talked amongst each other
. When the music began a quarter of an hour later, Trevan, Gabriel and Jack escorted their brides to the dance floor for a waltz at one end of the long gallery.

“Are you happy, Wen Pen?” Trevan whispered in her ear.

“Very happy,
” Wenna beamed up at him.

“I was hoping we could retire to our chamber soon,” he whispered huskily as his lips grazed her ear.

“Soon, but I should like another champagne or two,” Wenna said hopefully as she leaned closer to him. “I rather enjoy champagne.”

“Absolutely,
my Duchess, your wish is my command,” he grinned down at her. “You may have two.” He winked at her.

Jack smiled at his lovely wife as they moved in tandem on the dance floor. “You look incredibly beautiful tonight, Trouble.”

“Thank you, husband
. You will still call me Trouble even now that we are married?” Tuesday asked him, a slight frown turning down the corners of her mouth.

“I’ve told you
before, you’re the best kind of Trouble. The kind I never want to be without,” Jack whispered then lowered his head and kissed his wife, quite thoroughly.

Tuesday giggled
when he lifted his head, “What will people think?”

“That this bride and groom are happy and in love, and perhaps have had too much champagne
. I don’t care what people think. I am very happy to proclaim to the world that you are my wife. I love you Tuesday, and I’m not ashamed for anyone to know how I feel about you, sweeting!”

“Oh, Jack, that was beautiful.
” Tuesday’s eyes misted. “I love you too.”

“I know you do.” He kissed her again
. “No tears today, sweeting. In fact, there is a bottle of champagne waiting upstairs in our chamber. I was thinking perhaps we could go celebrate our wedding night in private soon.” With a wink, he offered her an irresistible and quite seductive grin.

“That is a very good idea
. I concur. Shall we make our way upstairs after this dance?”

“Absolutely
, Lady Elveston.”

“You seem to be enjoying our special day, Zenny.” Gabriel smiled down at his wife as they danced. They had danced together a few times at some of the Assembly dances in St. Mabyn. She was graceful on her feet and danced beautifully.

“I am
enjoying everything about today,” Senny smiled at him.

“As am I.”

Senny tried to suppress a yawn.

Gabriel reasoned
the hour was growing late. There was much more for the two of them to do before retiring. “It has been a long day. Perhaps we should retire to our chamber,” Gabriel realized how husky his voice sounded.

“Yes, that would be nice.” Senny smiled up at him
. She was not afraid of what would take place between them in the marriage bed. She was just more curious now. She had been nervous before. The champagne she drank had relaxed her, just as her sister told her it would.

“Let’s make our way upstairs then,” Gabriel
, whispered huskily. He kept her hand in his as the music ended. They began making their way toward the grand staircase.

“Good night, Aunt Morva,” Gabriel paused to kiss his aunt’s cheek
.

“Good night, both of you.
Take yourselves upstairs. I’ve had a tray left for you.” Morva kissed each one of their cheeks and shooed them away. She smiled after them. Her smile widened a few minutes later as she noticed Jack and Tuesday mounting the stairs, hand in hand.

“Good night
, mother.” Trevan bent to kiss his mother’s cheek.

“Good night, son
and dear Wenna,” Morva’s eyes misted as she bid the new Duke and Duchess of Penrose goodnight with a kiss to each one of their cheeks. She watched them walk away for a moment then turned her attention back toward their guests.

Gabriel poured two glasses of champagne. He handed one to his wife and sat down beside her on the settee in his chamber. He did not want to overwhelm her, but he was ready to get down to the business of consummating his marriage. He reminded himself he must use patience and self-control. At this moment, he was strung tight as a bow. He smiled at her. His wife was so beautiful. He took a sip of his champagne. He watched as Senny did the same then set her glass upon the table.

She
reached out, took his glass from his hand and placed it beside hers. She leaned into him, framed his face with her hands and kissed him.

Gabriel
opened to her. He drank from her sweet mouth ravenously. He allowed his hands to glide up and down her torso.
His wife.
How sweet those words sounded
.