Sylvie Sommerfield - Noah's Woman (26 page)

"I've got it right here. Quite a ring."

"It belonged to my grandmother, my mother, and now it will belong to my wife."

The ring was a narrow band of gold, and twined around it were two fine braided strands of gold. It was unique.

Before Giles could speak again a strong chord from the church organ announced that the wedding was about to begin. It was, Noah felt, a summons to a future brighter than he had ever dared to imagine.

He and Giles left the small room and walked to the

altar, where they turned to await the bride.

All heads turned to the rear of the church when the music began to fill it. Elizabeth came first, walking slowly and cautiously, sprinkling rose petals along the aisle. Noah wanted to smile. This angel was a far cry from the hoyden he knew.

Next came Kathy and her escort, who were followed by Beth and another friend of Noah's, Scott Bradford. But Noah's gaze went past them in his search for Charity. Then he saw her. His breath caught and he wasn't quite sure the next one would come. She seemed a figment of his wildest dream as she floated toward him, her gaze meeting his and a soft smile on her lips.

When Charity came to where Sofia sat, she stopped and, taking a rose from her bouquet, gave it to Sofia and bent to kiss her cheek. Noah felt the sting of tears in his eyes. He knew he would be grateful to Charity forever for this small gesture. Sofia dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief, and Noah was certain there was not a dry eye in the church.

When Charity drew near him, the scent of her perfume reached out to enthrall him.

The ceremony began and the words flowed over Charity.

"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"

"I do." Jason's voice was firm. It was the first time Noah had actually noticed that Jason was there. He was glad for Charity's sake, and when Jason winked at him, he was grateful she had chosen him to give her away. Jason, more than anyone else, knew the entire situation and was friend to both of them.

Charity looked up into the blue of Noah's eyes and spoke her promise from the depths of her soul. She felt her hand in his strong one and the small pressure as he slid the ring onto her finger.

When Noah bent to kiss her, his lips were gentle, caressing. Then he was taking her hand and tucking it beneath his arm, and they faced the congregation and the world as man and wife.

"You'll never get away from me now, my lady," Noah whispered. Charity's spirit soared as they walked back down the aisle and then to their waiting carriage.

Noah was dancing with his sister, and she broke into his thoughts with a teasing laugh. He had to smile in return. It was totaly impossible for him to keep his eyes off Charity as she whirled about the floor with Jason.

"I have never known a party to take so long. What is an acceptable amount of time before we can leave?"

"At least another hour," Kat tormented, pleased with Noah's groan of dismay. "Impatient?"

"About to do something drastic," he admitted.

"Maybe I can help," she said, then laughed again at his suspicious look. "Why don't I propose the final toast and wish you both long life and happiness . . . just after I whisper to one of the servants to have your coach brought around?"

"Kat, I would be forever in your debt."

"I'll remind you of that."

"I don't doubt it for a minute," he replied dryly.

"Then, go dance with your wife . . . again."

"My pleasure," Noah laughed. The music ended and he delivered Kathy to their mother's side, then went seeking his bride before another handsome male swept her away.

When Charity smiled up at him and his arm was about her waist, he felt a jolt of desire that surprised even him. He'd wanted Charity from the day he had met her, but his imagination had not prepared him for the reality of her in his arms. He knew a feeling of fierce protectiveness, combined with joy that she was his to love and to share the rest of his life with.

"Happy?"

"If I were any happier I would fly. Noah, you are so good to me. I want to make you as happy as I am. I want to make certain you never regret that you married me."

"Regret?" Noah replied, his eyes warm as he gazed down into hers. "You and I have just sworn vows that have made us one. They're sacred to me. I want you to know that from this day on there is nothing, no word, no act, no problem, that we cannot share with each other. Above all else you are the most important, most valuable part of my life, and I would surrender my life to protect yours. What you would share, by word or deed, with me would be a trust I would never betray. I love you very much, Charity."

Charity could not hold back the tears that glistened on her cheek. She felt a combination of happiness and misery that wrenched her heart. There were no words to tell Noah how she felt at this moment, for words were inadequate to express her overwhelming

love for this strong and handsome man who had opened his arms, his love, and his life to her.

''I did not mean to make you cry, love," Noah said softly. He danced her to a corner of the room while Kathy proposed the final toast. Then he bent to kiss his bride gently. "I don't ever want to see you cry again," he said, smiling. "If you're willing, it's time for us to go. It's almost a two-hour ride, and Kat has arranged for our coach to be outside. Are you ready?"

"Yes, oh, yes." She brushed the last tear from her cheek and smiled. "Where are we going, to the country estate?"

"No, too many servants. Where we're going is a surprise. Do you mind if I keep it a secret for a while longer?"

Charity shook her head. "Noah, it doesn't really matter to me where we go. I . . . I just want to be with you." Her cheeks flushed, but her eyes met his honestly. Noah ached with the need to hold her. He took her in his arms again and kissed her.

From a distance Gregory watched the happy couple. The smile on his face might have given both Noah and Charity second thoughts had they seen it. Anne Ferrier stood beside him.

"Leading him by the nose," she said scathingly. "I think she was leading
you
by the nose. What of all your plans now?"

"You needn't worry about my plans. I will take care of little Charity's betrayal. The packet has not been decoded or we would know, so she hasn't told her dear husband the truth."

A white-hot rage filled Gregory as he watched Char-

ity. He had expressed his congratulations to them both, and had watched with some pleasure as a shadow of fear appeared in Charity's eyes.

But he had been smooth and calm, and with satisfaction he had seen the fear die and relief take its place. Had she thought she could betray him so easily? Had she truly believed he would forgive and forget? She was wrong, he thought with murderous intensity, very wrong. He would take care of these two lovebirds with one blow.

Let them be happy, let them have their honeymoon, and let them lower their guard. When the time was right, Charity would give him what he wanted. He knew just how to guarantee that.

Noah and Charity were in the coach and on their way. Leaning back comfortably in the corner, Noah drew Charity close to him. With a sigh of pleasure she relaxed in his arms and rested her head against his chest. She said nothing as he lifted her hand and pressed a light kiss in her palm, then began to gently kiss each finger.

"Were you disappointed in the number of guests I chose to invite?"

"Why ever should I be disappointed," she said a bit mischievously, "as long as you weren't?"

She heard the rumble of his deep chuckle, and then he tipped her chin to lift her face to him. "If you're suggesting that I sent a special invitation to Anne Ferrier, you're far off the mark. Mother felt obligated. I haven't set eyes on the woman since I met you." He pressed the tips of her fingers to his lips. "And you,

love, are there any ghosts that linger in your past?"

Leaping to the conclusion that he was questioning her chastity, she stiffened.

"I have been with no man."

Noah's eyes narrowed. Was she deliberately misunderstanding . . . or was she still protecting Hamilton? He was shaken at how that thought hurt.

"I have never questioned your virtue, Charity, not for a moment." He smiled to himself. There was an innocence about her that a man of his experience recognized at once.

"Let's begin again. I want no arguments with you over unimportant things. We'll forget everyone else . . . there's just us."

"I'm sorry I sounded jealous." She paused. "No, I'm not sorry. I was jealous. I've seen Anne Ferrier and she is lovely. But you're my husband, Noah, and I can't . . . I won't share you."

"I love you more for saying that, and for being what you are. My sweet, we will share each other and only each other."

"Noah?"

"Yes?"

"Where are we to live?"

"Where would you like to live?"

"You won't misunderstand, . . . I do like your family, but . . . I've never had anything of my own. No name, no family, no place that is mine."

He could hear the little girl she had been, and all the past loneliness she had felt tore at his heart. She needed security and protection, and he meant to provide it.

"Then you shall have a place that is yours," he said gently. "And I hope my name will content you." He drew her tighter to him. ''And as for family, maybe one day we'll have children of our own. You are now Lady Charity Morgan, and your children . . . our children, will never know the loneliness and insecurity you have had to bear. I'll do everything in my power to make you happy, that I swear."

In the semidark coach it was impossible to read the depths of his eyes, but she heard the love in the promise he made.

"I shall be a good wife to you, Noah. I will never do anything to dishonor your name."

Surely now, Noah thought, she will tell me of Hamilton and the stolen papers. Surely now she will put an end to all the barriers and start our life as it should be. He waited; hope filled his heart.
Don't let Gregory Hamilton come between us, Charity. Don't doubt me . . . don't.
He waited, but the words did not come.

He struggled to keep disappointment from spoiling the beginning of their life together. There was time. He would teach her to trust him.

"I believe that, Charity," he said softly. Very slowly he lowered his head to brand her lips with his. Charity sighed as the kiss grew deeper.

Noah was caught up in the sweet giving and the taste of her. Charity felt strong arms lift her higher against him until she was snug against the length of his body. Still new to real desire, Charity was overpowered by the force that seemed to come awake in the deepest depths of her.

When the coach came to a halt, Noah took Char-

ity's hand to help her alight and she looked at the scene before her. Mellow light glowed from the windows of a rustic-looking house that was much too large to call a cottage. She guessed there were perhaps eight to ten rooms.

"My family's hunting lodge," Noah said as he dismissed the coach and they watched it roll away. "I used to spend a lot of time here as a boy and as a young man. My father taught me to shoot and to ride up here." When they reached the door, Noah took her arm to stop her. She looked up at him questioningly.

"It's not the ideal place for a honeymoon. I could have taken you to"

"Noah"Charity interrupted by touching his lips with her fingertips"don't you know that I'd much rather be here, with you, alone, than any other place in the world?"

With a deep, exultant laugh, Noah swung her up in his arms. He pushed the door open and carried her inside.

Charity looked about her in awe. Comfort was her first thought, luxurious comfort. A fire burned low in the fireplace. A table was set before it, laden with food. All the light came from candelabras placed randomly about the room.

"Noah, how beautiful. You've done everything so perfectly."

"I'm glad you like it, love, because you're trapped here with me for days. I gave orders that no one was to come near this place on pain of death." Noah let her feet touch the floor but kept his arms around her. "I have you all to myself."

"Noah?"

"Yes?"

"Why can't we live here?"

"Here?" He was surprised that he hadn't thought of it himself. "What a delightful creature you are. I think I have a great deal more to learn about you, Charity. What kinds of mysteries do those lovely green eyes hold?"

"I hope," she said softly, "there are no mysteries you can't solve."

If Noah had been considering the slow seduction of his new wife after an excellent supper, his original plan was slipping his mind rapidly. A growing appetite of a different sort was taking over the situation. He could feel the soft, warm contours of her body mold to his, and her willing lips were close enough to have another taste . . . and another . . . and another. It was only by calling on all his willpower that he regained control and gently put Charity from him.

Chapter Fourteen

Charity was breathless and felt strangely empty when Noah released her. Would she feel this same emptiness for the rest of her days if he was not part of her life? She shivered.

"Are you cold?" Noah asked, as he began to unfasten her cloak. "Perhaps you'd better come closer to the fire."

"No, I'm not cold." Charity tried to smile. "It's all the excitement, I guess." But it wasn't and she knew it. It was because a lie and deceit lingered between them.

"But you must be hungry. I've been watching you, and you hardly ate a bite at the reception. Besides"he grinned"I want you to appreciate this fine supper I've gone to great lengths to have ready." He drew

her with him to the fire. "Come on, Charity, a little wine will do you good."

He knew she had to be a bit frightened, but he would ease that by making sure he didn't rush her. Her kiss had already signaled the fact that a very sensual passion lay beneath her delicate beauty.

Noah poured the wine and carried a glass to her.

"A toast, my lady, to you, the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. And to our love; may it last a lifetime."

"And a toast to you, Noah, for making me as happy as I am tonight."