In the Heat of the Bite (37 page)

Rhiannon nodded, as anxious as he’d ever seen her. Sorcha Ferguson pressed a bouquet of gardenia blooms into Rhi’s hands. Eynsford reached Rhiannon’s side and offered her his arm. Matthew remembered thinking all those weeks ago that someone would have to be mad to let the Marquess of Eynsford stand in for them. But he had a feeling the Lycan was more a part of Rhiannon’s circle than her own father. It was more fitting this way.

But, at the very last moment, the doors of the church opened and Alec MacQuarrie looked in across the threshold. He shot Matthew a look of consternation at the very thought of crossing through the portal and into the church, but then he shrugged and reached behind him. Quite unceremoniously, he dragged a man forward by the lapels of his coat and shoved him through the doors. With a sheepish grin and a wink at Rhiannon, he shut the door behind the man.

“Papa!” Matthew heard Rhiannon exclaim as a smile broke across her face. Matthew had begun to think Alec wouldn’t fulfill his request and have the man to the church on time. But this would make Rhiannon’s day complete. He wanted her to have everything she needed, and she needed for her father to give her away. So, he’d sent Alec on a last-minute mission to collect the man. After all, he no longer had the speed needed to make the trip himself on such short notice, and he certainly couldn’t remove his soon-to-be father-in-law’s memory of the unorthodox mode of travel, which probably involved being slung over MacQuarrie’s shoulder. But Alec could.

The man struggled to right himself after Alec’s shove and pushed his spectacles up higher on his nose with his index finger. His gaze landed on Rhiannon, and his mouth fell open. “Ye look just like yer mother,” he said as he stood peering at her with his head tilted to the side.

“I dinna ken ye were comin’,” his witch said, her voice heavy and filled with emotion.

“Wouldna miss it for anythin’,” he replied as he drew her hand into the crook of his arm and stood ready to walk his daughter down the aisle.

Matthew turned back to face the clergyman, “We are ready, Mr. Hogsdon.”

Lady Eynsford and Miss Ferguson scampered to their seats on either side of the duchess.

Rhiannon’s father led her down the aisle, his hand covering hers on his arm.

“Who gives this woman in matrimony?” the clergyman asked.

Rhiannon wiped at a tear as her father said, “I do, with great pride.” He leaned in to kiss her cheeks and placed her hands in Matthew’s.

Matthew had a feeling that hadn’t been suggested to the man. It was a good thing he’d finally come up to scratch. He smiled at his bride. His heart so filled with love and happiness that he thought it might actually explode.

“Lady Eynsford asked me to recite a line from the ‘Song of Solomon.’” The rector’s voice grew louder. “‘I found the one my heart loves.’ And looking at Miss Sinclair and Lord Blodswell, that certainly seems the case for them. Let us begin.”

Never had a Bible verse meant so much. Matthew took a steadying breath.

“Do you, Matthew Jonathan Halkett, take Rhiannon Moira Sinclair to have and to hold from this day forward, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish until death do you part?”

She beamed up at him, her pretty hazel eyes shimmering with happy tears. “I do,” Matthew said, feeling it in every corner of his heart.

The rector turned his gaze to Rhiannon. “And do you, Rhiannon Moira Sinclair, take Matthew Jonathan Halkett to have and to hold from this day forward, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish until death do you part?”

“I do,” she breathed.

The rector looked out at the small assemblage of friends and family. “Then I now pronounce you man and wife.”

Matthew took Rhiannon in his arms and held her close, as if he didn’t want to ever let go.

From his spot against one of the pillars outside St. George’s Church, Alec waited so he could hear every word of the wedding ceremony. He’d closed his eyes and listened to the heartfelt vows and wistful promises Rhiannon and Matthew exchanged. After the rector pronounced them man and wife, the pair had started for the exit, their party consisting of witches and Lycans following closely behind them.

The happy couple stepped into the cheerful sunlight, which explained more than words the joy Rhiannon must be feeling. Alec offered a slight bow in greeting. “Congratulations.”

Rhi threw her arms around Alec’s neck and kissed his cheek. “Alec, thank ye so much for comin’. And for bringin’ my father.”

Alec drew her away from him and smiled. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world, lass.” He leaned close and whispered in Rhiannon’s ear. “Your father remembers a very peaceful ride in Blodswell’s fine coach.” He rotated his shoulder and clutched at it as though in pain. Then he grinned unrepentantly. “That’s not exactly how it happened, though.”

A warm wash of air brushed Alec’s cheek, nearly startling him until he realized it came from her.

“You’re welcome,” he grunted.

Matthew reached out his hand to Alec. “I am glad to see you, my friend. You will be fine without me, you know.”

Well, he’d have to be one way or the other, wouldn’t he? But Alec feigned a look of nonchalance. “Of course I will. Do take care of her.”

Matthew agreed with a nod. “Until the end of my days.”

Alec kept from wincing. Matthew’s days would eventually come to an end, but
his
never would. He nodded good-bye to his one-time mentor as the Blodswell landau door opened to take the earl and countess away. Then he started off toward Conduit Street, until he heard his name called.

“Alec.” Caitrin Eynsford’s lilting voice halted him.

He glanced over his shoulder to see the blond witch standing alone by one of St. George’s pillars. Fool that he was, Alec appeared before her in the blink of an eye. “Cait.”

She beamed up at him, like she always had in the past. “We are hostin’ a weddin’ breakfast at Thorpe House. I’m certain Lord Blodswell would like ye ta come.”

And watch her rule over Eynsford’s home? Watch Rhiannon and a very human Matthew stare into each other’s eyes, love and adoration overflowing at every turn. Alec shook his head. “I don’t think that’s a very good idea, Lady Eynsford.”

Cait frowned at him. Whether because of the use of her title or his refusal to attend her breakfast, he wasn’t certain. “All is no’ lost. Doona give up hope, Alec,” she finally whispered.

“Hope for what?” he asked, though he had a fairly good idea what she would say next.

“Ye can still find happiness too, ye ken?”

Alec scoffed. “I’m not like Kettering or Blodswell, Cait. My heart isn’t dormant waiting for my one true love to bring me back to life.”

“Alec,” she started, but his glower caused her to swallow whatever else she was going to say.

“I don’t have a heart, Caitrin,” he said more forcefully. “I didn’t have one when I was reborn. It’s not waiting to be repaired. I don’t know what you think you’ve seen for me, but my future does not lie down Blodswell’s path. Whatever fanciful ideas your mind has spun, you can just forget them.”

“Ye do have a heart, Alec,” she whispered. “I ken ye do.”

He shook his head. “You’re mistaken. I gave my heart away some time ago and never did get it back.” Then he tipped his hat in farewell and resumed his walk toward Conduit Street, ignoring Cait’s order for him to stop, ignoring Sorcha Ferguson calling his name, ignoring the Duchess of Hythe, of all people, murmuring what “a fine leg that Mr. MacQuarrie has.”

He couldn’t get away fast enough. From Conduit Street, he’d summon a hack and try to forget this world, sampling instead the sins to be found at
Brysi
. After all,
this
world had nothing to offer him. Not anymore. He’d already lost everything that meant anything to him.

Rhiannon couldn’t remember ever having so many eyes focused on her. She wasn’t even certain how the Duchess of Hythe had managed to squeeze so many people in her ballroom for the celebration. Rhi touched Matthew’s arm beside her. “This is overwhelmin’.”

He leaned closer and kissed her brow. “There are even more people here than there were at Eynsford’s.”

“Cait’s probably ready ta throw a temper tantrum at havin’ been outshone,” Rhiannon laughed.

He pulled his watch fob from his pocket and glanced at it quickly. “We can make our farewell soon enough.”

“And then we head off for Derbyshire?”

Matthew winked at her. “Where I’ll don my chain mail, and you’ll wear,” his voice changed to that of a naughty whisper as his hand slid around her waist to hold her close, “as little as possible.” He kissed the tip of her nose.

Rhiannon giggled. “I canna wait, Sir Matthew.”

“This display of affection is nearly nauseating,” Lord Radbourne said as he strode past them.

“It will be yer turn soon enough,” Rhiannon called back.

He shuddered dramatically. “Now you sound like Cait, Lady Blodswell,” he teased. He bowed dramatically at them both and swept himself into the crowd.

“Has Lady Eynsford seen his future?” Matthew asked.

“No’ that I’m aware of.” She shrugged. “But he’ll find someone just for him. He’s a good man, despite all the trouble he causes.”

“The whole lot of Hadleys needs a guiding hand,” Matthew groused. “They need to go straight back to the schoolroom and start all over.”

“Speakin’ of trouble,” Rhiannon started. She pointed to the entry where a small ruckus was brewing.

“What’s that?” Matthew asked, pulling her into his arms as he looked over the top of her head toward the source of the noise. “Oh,” he breathed.

“What is it?” Rhiannon craned her head to see better, but with no result.

Matthew cursed lightly beneath his breath. “It’s Callista.” He sighed. “I knew I would have to speak with her eventually. But I’d hoped to avoid it as long as possible. I just wonder what she thinks of all this. I can’t feel her presence anymore. There’s no connection between us.”

“Do ye think she can feel the disconnect between ye now that yer heart beats?”

“I would imagine she can,” he said with a shrug.

“Her Grace wouldn’t turn her away at the door, would she?” Rhiannon asked.

“Doesn’t appear to be,” he murmured. “Though I almost think it would be better if she did.”

The band struck a chord, and he tugged her playfully toward the dance floor. “Dance with me, Rhiannon.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ve already danced with ye twice,” she protested as he pulled her toward the center of the room.

“And you’re my wife,” he teased back. “I’ll dance with you as often as I like.”

“A gentleman would never do something so scandalous as to dance with his wife all night, forsakin’ all others.”

“’Til the day I die,” he shot back.

Matthew pulled her into his arms, and the world settled for Rhiannon. Not a single lightning bolt went astray. No storm clouds choked the retiring room. Not a single item had fallen in Her Grace’s cleavage, much to the woman’s dismay. They had about three minutes to stare into one another’s eyes. But out of the corner of hers, Rhiannon spotted the Hadleys all exiting the room, heading for the garden. Eynsford followed not far behind. Cait tried to dash past the dancing couple, but Rhiannon immediately caught her and drew her to a stop. “What’s goin’ on?” Rhiannon hissed.

Cait wrung her hands together. “It’s that woman,” she whispered back. “She had the nerve ta laugh at Wes’ scar. And now the twins and Archer are all herding her outside. Dash has gone ta intervene, but he’s just one man.”

“Do ye ken the future?”

“That’s just it!” her coven sister cried. “Dash had his hands on me when she arrived and still had them on me right until the moment he saw his brothers with that woman. I dinna see a thing. And what I can see now doesna look very comfortin’.”

“I’ll be right back,” Matthew said, bending to kiss Rhiannon’s forehead.

“No, Matthew!” Rhiannon cried, tugging on his arm. “Yer human!” she hissed at him.

Matthew took her shoulders in his hands and made her face him. “I’ll be fine. I don’t think she’ll hurt me.” He stroked up and down her arms as he glanced anxiously toward the garden door.

“That’s just it,” she said. “Ye’re no’ thinkin’ at all!”

Matthew disentangled himself from her grasp and followed the way the Hadleys had gone.

Rhiannon waited no more than a moment before she followed as well. “He willna want ye ta go out there,” Cait warned.

“He’s human. He can be harmed. I canna stay in here and do nothin’.”

Cait nodded solemnly, linked her arm within Rhiannon’s, and fell into step beside her. There might only be two of them, but just having Cait there made it all seem better. But, truth be told, Rhiannon would rather Matthew not be involved at all.

“I assume it’s impossible for Matthew ta stay out of this, seeing as how he was involved with the last encounter.”

“He’s no’ responsible for that woman’s actions,” Cait reminded her.

The pair of them stepped out into the dark night, which was much darker than Cait had expected. Heavy clouds, not even of Rhiannon’s own making, covered the sliver of moonlight she’d expected to light their way. But the sound of feminine laughter somewhere down the path drew Rhiannon farther into the garden, with Cait following in her wake.