Three Weddings And A Kiss (38 page)

His housekeeper, Cora, had answered his summons and now stood in the doorway, awaiting his instructions. Her wide grin told him that the black woman was taking everything in and enjoying the whole affair.

Raelynn had retreated several steps to stand near Jeff, as if for protection, and watched the two newcomers hesitantly. It was not hard for Raelynn to discern that this was the sister-in-law whom the gossips had avowed Jeff was in love with, for she was beautiful beyond belief. Still, the fact that Heather was at least six months along with child should have deterred such talk.

Heather’s heart went out to the young woman who, in spite of her shabby garments, held herself with a subdued and natural grace. She seemed wary of them, as if doubtful of being graciously received, which Heather could totally understand, having experienced similar qualms when Brandon brought her home from England to meet his friends and family.

The expression of curiosity that Brandon bestowed upon his brother motivated Jeff to lend his immediate attention to Raelynn, giving the elder no opportunity to take sweet revenge for all the needling Jeff had once done. When he had learned that Brandon had been forced to marry Heather after mistaking her for a woman of the streets, Jeff had been unrelenting in his efforts to get his sibling to realize what a great treasure he had unwittingly stumbled onto in Heather. The greatest obstacle had been Brandon’s pride, but since he had already fallen head over heels in love with his wife, it had only been a matter of time before Brandon came around to conceding that she was the best thing that had ever happened to him.

Jeff hurried on with the introductions. “Raelynn, this is my brother, Brandon, and his wife, Heather. Brandon…Heather…this is Raelynn Barrett.”

“Your pardon,” Raelynn murmured demurely, sensing the other woman’s discomfiture. “My presence here must confound you. I would have stayed in Charleston, but Mr. Birmingham insisted that I come with him and meet his family. No doubt you have much to discuss and need some privacy.”

“I think we do,” Heather responded gently, greatly heartened by the softly spoken and refined eloquence of the young woman. At least Jeff had not been taken in by some unschooled hoyden, though that possibility had seemed remote.

Jeff gestured to Cora. “Show our guest to the blue room upstairs and help her bathe and dress for dinner. Kingston has already taken several packages upstairs, and you’ll find everything she’ll need in them. Another guest will be arriving shortly, and he’ll want to meet her as soon as possible.”

The black woman gave him a toothy grin. “Yo’ means yo’ want her back here lickety-split, Mr. Jeff?”

“Faster than that, Cora,” he urged with more truth than humor, drawing a gleeful cackle from the servant.

Beckoning for Raelynn to follow, Cora hurried into the hall, chattering all the while as she led the Englishwoman upstairs. “Mr. Jeff’s done turned this big ol’ house into a showplace. Jes’ wait ’til yo’ see this here bedroom I’m takin’ yo’ to.”

In the absence of Raelynn, the three family members faced one another in indecision. Feeling a need to mentally organize his planned announcement before airing it, Jeff crossed the room and, taking a decanter and a crystal snifter from an imported cabinet, poured a small draught of brandy into the glass. Joining the couple again, he handed the snifter to Brandon.

“News of my purchase traveled fast,” Jeff commented. “I was sure I’d have to wait at least another half hour before I saw your face.”

Brandon savored a tiny sip of the brew as he returned his brother’s grin. “I was at the lumber mill when I heard about the incident in town. I thought it best to return to Harthaven before someone took a notion to ride out and tell Heather.”

Heather was, in fact, near tears as she settled onto the settee. “Jeff, how could you take advantage of that poor girl’s dilemma and buy her like a slave off a block? Raelynn will not be able to hold up her head for all the slander that is bound to be said about her. Despite your good intentions in saving her from her uncle’s greedy plans, you’ve become as much a culprit by bringing her into your house without a proper chaperon.”

Jeff came and squatted down in front of her. Gathering her slender hands in his, he spoke as gently as he could. “My dearest Tory,” he murmured, using his pet name for her, “will you trust me enough to believe that I would not knowingly bring shame to any lady or any member of my family?”

“Jeff, you’ve always been so sensible,” she assured him through the threat of new tears, “but I’m afraid in this case you’ve not thought of the consequences your gallantry may have invited.”

“Actually, I’ve considered a great number of things since my confrontation with Raelynn’s uncle,” Jeff stated slowly, as if allowing her time to digest his words, “and I’ve also come to some conclusions. The only way I can be certain that Cooper Frye can never interfere… ”

Hoofbeats sounded in the lane outside the house, drawing Jeff’s immediate attention. In a rush now, he quickly gave his excuses, disappeared into the hallway, and after a muted exchange with Kingston, leaped up the stairs two at a time, leaving the servant to answer the door. A moment later Kingston led Reverend Parsons into the drawing room.

Heather exchanged a quick, worried glance with her husband, who responded with an almost imperceptible shrug before he strode quickly forward to clasp the other man’s hand in greeting.

“So good to see you, Reverend,” he said affably. “We missed you while you were away.”

”’ Tis good to be back with my flock and reassure myself of their good health.
You and Heather are certainly looking well.” He paused as he glanced around in search of his host. “But where is Jeffrey?”

“I think he took flight when he heard you coming,” Brandon quipped, then tried to curb his grin as his young wife looked around, seeming completely disconcerted by his statement.

“Aye,” the reverend answered wryly. “I heard about the commotion in Charleston. It makes me wonder if some of my flock have taken on different coats in my absence, although I can’t imagine Jeffrey being a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

Brandon smiled with droll humor. “Whatever the precise cut of his coat, Jeff certainly has a way of calling attention to
himself
.”

Heather rolled her eyes heavenward in disbelief, wondering how her husband could make light of this dreadful situation with Reverend Parsons present.

“Jeff was just being chivalrous, Reverend Parsons,” she assured him, ready to defend her brother-in-law with unswerving loyalty.

Reverend Parsons chortled as he accepted a glass of lemonade from Kingston. “Now, Heather, don’t get your pretty feathers ruffled. Jeff and I are old friends. Why, I’ve known him about as long as anybody has, excepting Brandon here. His gallantry is unquestionable…uh…for the most part, that is.”

While the two men exchanged amused glances, Heather took up a lacy handkerchief and began to fan her flushed face. She wished fervently that she would suddenly awake and find that this whole incident had been nothing more than a bad dream.

Eyeing his agitated wife closely, Brandon acquiesced and came to sit beside her on the settee. A fleeting moment of cherished intimacy passed between them as he lifted her slender fingers to his lips and looked at her with warmly glowing green eyes, winning a soft and loving smile from her lips in response.

Reverend Parson settled into a chair across from them. “What does your son think about his parents acquiring a new baby? Is he hoping for a sister or perhaps a brother to play with?”

“Our black housekeeper swears we’ll be having a little girl this time.” Heather smiled as Brandon threaded his fingers through hers. “Hatti deciphers the signs so
well,
we’ve considered telling Beau that he’ll be getting a new sister named Suzanne Elizabeth in the next couple of months.”

“And if it turns out to be a boy?” the reverend inquired.

Brandon chuckled. “We’ll just have to tell him Hatti made a mistake and let her explain it away.”

Manly footsteps were heard accompanying those of a more delicate tread, and all eyes became riveted on the parlor entrance as the footfalls approached the drawing room. Then Jeff slid back the panel doors and, holding Raelynn’s hand, led her into view, prompting the two gentleman guests to rise in appreciation of her stirring beauty. Her rich auburn hair had been swept high on her head and intricately woven with a corded ribbon that matched her gown of silver blue satin. Elegantly coifed and regally gowned, Raelynn Barrett was lovelier than any cherished dream.

An aura of warmth swept Heather as she stared at the couple, and it came to her that she had never seen Jeff looking quite so proud or handsome. His shirt and stock of flawless white seemed to gleam beneath his meticulously cut black silk frockcoat. Narrow breeches, waistcoat, silk stockings and low shoes, all of the same hue, completed the sleek, manly costume.

“Gentlemen.”
Jeff dipped his head forward slightly as he gave verbal recognition to the men. Then he clicked his heels in a crisp, shallow bow as he faced Heather.
“My lady.”
He swept a hand to acknowledge the splendid beauty
who
stood beside him. “I would like to present Raelynn Barrett, the woman who is to become my bride.”

For a moment the occupants of the room could only stare in amazement. Heather felt her heart swell with unbelievable gladness. Confident now that all was well in the family, she slipped her hand into Brandon’s, which clasped and held it lovingly. Together they turned as Reverend Parsons beckoned the couple into the center of the room. Raelynn accepted Jeff’s proffered arm and seemed to glide effortlessly beside him.

“Is the lady consenting?” Reverend Parsons queried with careful concern.

Raelynn lifted her gaze to Jeff and smiled as she gazed into his shining green eyes. “I could not have hoped for a more chivalrous champion had I spent the last ten years of my life searching for him. In the short time I’ve known him, I’ve come to realize that he’s incredibly kind and tender, and I am honored that he has asked me to become his wife.”

Jeff faced the man and lent further insight behind their motivation. “We’ve discussed the matter at some length,” Jeff avouched. “Raelynn is in desperate need of a protector, and marriage is the only way we can strip Cooper Frye of his claims as her only kin. I sent for you tonight, Reverend, so you could perform the ceremony for us here in the privacy of my home. Are
you
consenting?”

The man looked to Brandon as the elder Birmingham. “You know your brother better than anyone. Can you name a reason why I should delay the nuptials?”

Brandon spoke with unswerving confidence. “Jeff has always been clear about what he wants out of life, Reverend. He’s acted with a great deal more certainty than I’ve been able to lay claim to at certain times. If he says this marriage should take place, then I am one to believe him.”

Reverend Parsons nodded as he accepted Brandon’s vote of approval; then he peered questioningly at Heather. “Have you anything to say, my dear?”

“Only to lend my heartfelt endorsement,” she murmured with a radiant smile.

The reverend slid a small black book from inside his coat and began to leaf through the pages. “When I was summoned here by Jeffrey’s servant, the man advised me to come prepared to perform a wedding ceremony. Little did I know then that it would be for my
host.
” He smiled at the couple. “Now if you will stand before me, Raelynn and Jeffrey, I will speak the words to unite you in marriage.”

The moments sped past as the muted voices melded in a ritual nearly as old as time itself. Jeff drew a simple gold band from his pocket and slipped it on Raelynn’s finger as he repeated the words:

“With this ring I
thee
wed.…”

His voice was strong and steady, attesting to his unwavering confidence in the decision he had made. When Reverend Parsons spoke the final words of the ceremony unifying the couple, Jeff faced Raelynn and was amazed to see her translucent eyes awash in mistiness.

“You may kiss the bride,” the reverend invited.

Raelynn blushed as she lifted her face to accommodate the tall stranger whom she had just married, feeling rather forward doing so. A peck on the cheek was certainly all that she was expecting since Jeff had agreed to give her time to get acquainted with him before pressing her to become his wife in actuality. When she felt the first light brush of his mouth on hers, she was startled by the warm, sweetly moist contact and was hardly aware of her own lips opening in surprise. Her breath stilled in waiting suspense of her first kiss.
Then, as lightly as thistledown being borne along on a gentle breeze, his lips moved upon hers, parting ever so slightly to conform to the suppleness of hers.

When Jeff finally drew back, Raelynn swayed weakly against him, realizing with some astonishment that his kiss had sapped the strength from her limbs and been far more potent than she had ever imagined anything could be. Considering that mere minutes ago she had asked for separate rooms, how could she now tell him that she yearned for more of that blissfully sweet nectar?

Jeff laid his arm across the small of her back and drew her closer still, lending her needed support as he whispered, “Are you all right?”

Raelynn nodded slowly as she sought to calm the frantic pounding of her heart and dull her senses to the breathtaking reality that she was in the arms of this tall, handsome man and he was her husband. She was entranced by his nearness and vividly aware of the casual pressure of his manly form. Had she been able to command her wishes into existence, she entertained no doubt that Jeff Birmingham would have been exactly where he was at that precise moment in her life.