The Perfect Rose Page 19

  Jonathan Pickwick stamped his foot in agitation. “Do you mind? We are in the middle of a wedding here and I take exception that you think my intended would change her mind because of a paltry title!"

  The Hon. Thurman Wadsworth Esq. looked about to protest this insult to his late client but Lord Lairdscroft beat him to it. “I mind, Mr. Pickwick. I launched the first objection to the ceremony."

  Jonathan looked to be in total disbelief. “Under what doubt do you offer objection?"

  Rhionne drew breath. “The word doubt does not come into it, my good man. You see it is a fact. I love Torie Beauclaire and I proclaim my intent, here and now ... before God and the people, to marry her ... If she'll have me."

  He ended this proclamation with a look straight into Torie's eyes that mirrored what her heart had known all along. With a cry of pure joy and an unlady-like leap that denounced her new title, she launched herself into his arms and into a life of happiness.

  Epilogue

  The rare, gentle breeze blew across the moor seeming to encourage the sun to keep shining on the group picnicking in the glade. A blanket had been spread and a vast amount of food consumed for a mere group of four.

  But growing boys were bottomless pits and despite their full stomachs they frolicked around and about the surrounding oaks like chattering squirrels, baiting each other and running at full speed. On the blanket Rhionne sat, his long legs out-stretched, his stocking feet for once devoid of footwear. Torie lay, her head cradled in his lap as she drowsed deliciously enjoying the accommodating weather. Torie opened her eyes slowly, contemplating the face above hers.

  Rhionne looked down at her adoringly and stroked her forehead gently, soothingly. “My beautiful wife. I am without a doubt the happiest man alive."

  "And I am the happiest woman."

  "But of course.” Rhionne teased, assuming his haughty air of old.

  Torie laughed. “You are not the mean ogre you pretend, so don't think to pull a lark on me. I know you too well!"

  "Yes, you do.” Rhionne confirmed. “Every inch of me."

  Torie blushed, then made to rise, but Rhionne resisted letting her go. “Nay, just a few moments longer."

  "Do you want to tell the boys there is chocolate cake still in the hamper?"

  "Not particularly,” his lordship jested, but cupped his hands and called, “Justin, Brodie!"

  In moments the blanket was a mass of boyish energy. Justin tried to straighten his once crisp, immaculate shirt and attained a semblance of dignity, but Brodie was beyond repair. His shirt was untucked and his nankeen breeches showed liberal grass stains.

  "Brodie, what happened?” Torie had risen to a sitting position and was eye level with the offending knees.

  "Butterfly.” Brodie announced seriously. “Justin said if I captured it in my hands and looked carefully through my fingers I would see a tiny fairy riding on its back. I caught five butterflies, but no fairies were riding them."

  Justin shrugged, suppressing a grin. “They must have gotten off when they saw you chasing them."

  "Justin, why do you tease your brother so?” Torie couldn't help the laughter that bubbled forth. “Wash your hands in the stream and come back. There's chocolate cake for the both of you."

  Brodie squealed with delight as he dashed off for the stream. Justin followed more sedately but only just ... Rhionne rose, reluctant to leave his wife's side. “I'll follow them to be sure Brodie doesn't receive an impromptu dunking."

  Torie smiled and was rewarded with a grin from his lordship that made her heart skip a beat. Moments later he returned with Brodie on his shoulders and Justin under his arm, the group laughing with familial glee. His lordship ruffled Justin's hair and delivered a quick hug before letting Justin go. Brodie squirmed and was lifted down, clasped in his lordships strong arms.

  "Let me go, let me go!” Brodie cried without conviction. “There's chocolate cake to be had."

  His lordship gave Brodie a kiss to the top of his head, the stubborn cowlick waving like a flag in the breeze. “All right, you little scamp. But mind the basket or your mother will have your hide."

  Brodie crept cautiously to the bassinet placed at the edge of the blanket in the vast shade of an oak. He peered inside and smiled. “Hi, little sister. I'll let you know how the chocolate cake tastes so when you are older we can eat it together. Alright?"

  There was an answering gurgle as the baby cooed.

  Justin approached and carefully smoothed the blanket around the tiny infant. “She's so pretty. Torie ... uh, Mom...” he still had to remember to call her Mom, but it wasn't as if he minded or it was awkward. She simply was his Torie and his mom and the titles were interchangeable. “Do you think she will be as beautiful as you, and I will have to fight off the suitors as Father had to around you?"

  "Good gad!” Rhionne's voice rose an octave. “That had not occurred to me! No less than a prince will be good enough for my daughter!"

  "My sister!” Justin echoed.

  "I don't care who she marries,” Brodie said, looking at his little sister with adoration. “I just want her to get big enough to play with. Oh, and eat chocolate cake with."

  Rhionne and Torie gathered around the bassinet and put their arms around their children, hugging them into a circle of love and laughter. The breeze stirred the trees and the whisper of contentment floated about enveloping Torie and Rhionne as they looked over their children's heads and smiled at each other, their love as deep as the blue of little Rhianna Victoria McLairdin's sapphire eyes.

  ~The End~

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