The Wild Child (44 page)

As she darted off, Dominic noted with a grin that even though her pale green gown was impeccable and her hair was elegantly coiled beneath a flowered bonnet, she’d shed her shoes in favor of grass beneath her feet. Beside him, Kyle’s voice said thoughtfully, “I’m glad to see that she isn’t yet fully civilized.”

“I think there’s no danger of that,” Dominic said with a private smile as he thought of the previous night. There was much to be said for marrying a passionate pagan.

He turned to his brother. They’d not had a chance to talk privately since Dominic and Meriel had arrived at Dornleigh the day before, but clearly Kyle was far more relaxed than the last time they’d seen each other, at Warfield. Then he had been stretched to the snapping point from the loss of the woman he loved, and from his feelings of betrayal. Now he looked… balanced. Comfortable with himself in a way that Dominic hadn’t seen since they were boys.

Kyle remarked, “Have you talked to Wrexham yet? Since Meriel has no close male relatives on the Grahame side, the old boy is plotting to get the title settled on you and her.” He grinned. “So you can finally be an earl.”

“Good God,” Dominic said blankly.

“Would you enjoy being the next Lord Grahame?”

Dominic hesitated. “A title doesn’t really seem that important.” The real treasure was his wife, not her family earldom. “I’ll ask Meriel how she feels about it.”

Kyle’s expression sobered. “I’m going to leave England, Dominic. I don’t know when I’ll be back.” He nodded toward the church. “I stayed long enough for Lucia’s wedding, but tomorrow I’m off.”

“Damnation,” Dominic said involuntarily. He bit back the childish desire to try to change his brother’s mind. Kyle deserved the chance to find his own kind of happiness. “I… we’ll miss you.”

“And I’ll miss you,” his brother said quietly. “It’s ironic to do this just when you and I have finally made our peace. But if I don’t go now, I never will.”

“What does Wrexham have to say about this?”

“I’ll tell him tonight. He won’t be happy, but he has you and Meriel to take care of the succession if something happens to me.” Kyle hesitated, searching for words. “I’ve always wanted to visit far places, see the lands that lie beyond the sun, yet I felt I had no choice but to stay in England and be a responsible heir. Then… someone made me realize I had all of the choices in the world. It’s time to do what I’ve always yearned to do.”

Dominic held out his hand to his brother. “Just remember to come home someday.”

Kyle clasped his hand hard. “I shall.”

Their gazes met, and Dominic’s distress began to ease. Even with half a world between them, they would not be as separated as they had in the past.

“I’m giving you Pegasus. When you ride him, think of me.” Struggling to control his expression, Kyle turned and moved into the crowd just as the church doors opened. The bridal couple emerged, laughing, and Meriel joined Dominic in time to toss handfuls of white rose petals at Lucia and her beaming new husband. At least someone in the family knew how to have a normal courtship and wedding, Dominic thought wryly as he threw the last of the fragrant petals.

Custom satisfied, Meriel seized Dominic’s hand and led him around the church to the far end of the churchyard. “Come look!” She stopped by a clump of blue flowers. “I’ve never seen these before. Do you think the vicar will allow me to take some specimens back to Warfield?”

The blossoms looked unremarkable to Dominic, but Meriel was the expert. “I should think so. We’ll come back tomorrow and ask.” He glanced around and saw that there was no one else in sight, so he drew her close. “I haven’t kissed you since we left Dornleigh to come to the church.”

“I knew it seemed like a very long time,” she said demurely.

Her kiss had the rapturous honesty that held nothing back. Breathing quickened and hands roamed until her back was pressed against a tree, his body pinning hers with the greatest intimacy achievable while still dressed.

Breathless with passion and laughter, Meriel tilted back her head. “I suppose you’re going to tell me that it really won’t do to make love under an oak at your sister’s wedding when anyone might come around the church at any moment.”

Reluctantly he stepped back. “You took the words out of my mouth. But think of how much anticipation will add to fulfillment when we are finally alone together.”

“I’m thinking, I’m thinking,” she murmured, expression sultry.

As she straightened her gown, he said abruptly, “Kyle’s leaving England indefinitely. To see the world.”

Her gaze met his. “I’m sorry. You must be far sorrier.”

“Yes, but I’ll survive. I’m glad he’ll be doing what he has always wanted.” He put an arm around her shoulders. “Let’s walk back to Dornleigh for the wedding breakfast rather than take one of the carriages.”

She nodded, and they ambled through the back gate onto the wooded path that would eventually take them to the great house. As they entered a cool tunnel of trees, Dominic said, “Kyle mentioned that my father wants to petition the Crown to have the Grahame title transferred to you and me rather than become dormant. Would you like to be Lady Grahame?”

She thought for the space of a dozen steps, then slanted him an intimate smile. “I should like to see our son, when we have one, carry the title borne by you and my father.”

Joy bubbled through him as he realized that she was no longer uneasy about the prospect of children. A wife, the land, a family. What more could any man want? “Have I mentioned lately how much I love you?”

“Not in at least an hour. Far, far too long. Now it’s my turn. I love you, Dominic, body and soul.”

Smiling mischievously, she went into his arms and rubbed against him sensually. “Most definitely with my body.”

His blood caught fire again. As he kissed her, he realized that this path was far more private than the churchyard…