Well, my dear, may I say just how lovely you look.”

Jessica smiled softly as her maid packed the rest of her things into her carriage. “I thank you, papa.” She had married Lord Warwick earlier that morning and, after a hearty wedding breakfast back at her father’s estate, was now ready to go on an extended honeymoon.

“It was a very lovely wedding,” he continued, pressing her hand. “I can hardly believe you are a married lady now, Jessica.”

She laughed and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Is that not what you wanted, papa?”

His eyes caught hers, a steadiness in them. “Yes, but only if it was a man of your own choosing. A man who would make you happy.” He touched her cheek, his expression softening. “But I believe you do care for Lord Warwick. You had the same look in your eyes as your mother did on her wedding day.”

Jessica’s heart lurched and she leaned into her father for a moment, hugging him tightly. The wedding had been delightful, even though most of the day had passed in a blur of colours and sounds. However, she had been more than aware that her mother had been distinctly absent from the proceedings, her heart aching for her in the midst of her happiness.

“He is a good man, Jessica,” her father continued, as she stepped away. “I wish you all the happiness in the world.”

“Thank you, papa,” Jessica replied, softly. “And just think, I shall be close enough to Amelia to help when her time comes.”

Her father’s face lit up with a smile at the mention of his unborn grandchild. “Indeed,” he declared, patting her hand. “And, in time, your own children might play together. What a happy event that shall be!”

Jessica made to reply, only for her two sisters to come clattering down the stone steps, their slippers crunching on the gravel as they came towards her, ready to see her off. Amelia and Lord Northfell stood just inside the entrance to her father’s house, still talking to Lord Warwick.

“Are you ready to go?” Harmonia asked, smiling at Jessica with delight. “I can hardly believe that you are to go to Austria, of all places!”

Smiling broadly, Jessica embraced her sister. “I cannot wait to see it,” she replied, holding Harmonia close for a moment. “Although I am sure I will miss you all.”

“Oh no, you will not!” Jacintha declared, laughing. “You will be having far too wonderful a time to even think of us!”

Jessica tried to disagree but found she could not, hugging Jacintha tightly. “It shall be strange indeed to return to England but not to this place,” she said, softly, letting go of her sisters. “I am to make my own home now.”

“Yes, well, all will be in place when you return,” her father replied, a little gruffly, dashing a quick tear from his eye. “I had best go and say my farewells to your husband, Jessica. Have a wonderful time and do write to me when you can.”

Jessica kissed his cheek and held his hand for one moment longer. “Of course I will, papa,” she promised, forcing herself not to cry. “I am sure Harmonia and Jacintha will keep you vastly entertained.”

He chuckled, let go of her hands and began to climb the stairs, leaving her alone with her two sisters.

“Are you glad to be back home again?” Jessica asked, glad that she had been able to have her wedding back on her father’s estate. “Will father still take you back to London for the little Season do you think?”

Jacintha shrugged. “I am not sure. He has not said. His worries over our futures seem to have been assuaged somewhat, so who knows what he intends?”

“And you need not worry about us,” Harmonia promised, pressing Jessica’s hands. “Go on and enjoy yourself. We will come and visit you in time, I have no doubt about that!”

Jessica smiled at them both, just as Lord Warwick came down the stairs towards them, his eyes fixed on hers. Her stomach began to churn with a delicious excitement, her breathing quickening just a little.

“I should take my new wife away, lest we are late for the next stage of our travel,” Warwick began, bowing to each of her sisters. “Thank you both for all of your help with our wedding plans. It was truly a wonderful occasion.”

“It will be a day I will never forget,” Jessica murmured to herself, as Lord Warwick said his farewells to each of her sisters. She smiled up at him as he took her hand, helping her into the carriage. She sat opposite him as he climbed in, her cheeks warming at the heat in his eyes.

Tapping on the carriage roof, Jessica waved out of the window as her father’s estate was slowly left behind, waving at her sisters until they finally disappeared from view. Then she sat back in her seat with a sigh, her toes curling at the way Warwick was looking at her.

“Come here, my beautiful wife,” he chuckled, grasping her arm and hauling her onto his lap. Jessica squealed with delight, her arms going around his neck as he kissed her passionately, until both of them were practically breathless with passion.

“I am not sure I will be able to wait until we get to our first inn,” he murmured, his fingers stroking the back of her neck tenderly. “There is so much we have yet to share, Jessica.”

Jessica smiled up at him, running her fingers through his hair. “Our lives together will be an adventure,” she reminded him, softly. “One we have only just begun.”

He smiled and kissed her again, his hands tightening around her waist until he broke the kiss with a groan, settling his head back against the squabs. “You are a temptress, my dear Jessica.”

Jessica blushed prettily, recalling the conversation she had shared with Amelia only a few days ago, where she had been told of all the intimacies within a marriage – albeit with a great deal of stammering and more than one flushed face. “Are you happy, George?” she asked, running one hand down his cheek as he looked at her.

“More than happy,” he replied, softly. “The moment I put my ring on your finger, my heart lifted with such joy that I thought I might lift from the ground!”

She laughed quietly, her gaze softening at the tender expression on his face. “My heart feels much the same way, George.” She frowned, recalling that George had only yesterday returned from speaking to a particular gentleman within the army ranks. “And what of Major Ridding?”

It had been three weeks since their ordeal at the masked ball and, since then, Jessica had heard nothing of him.

“Major Ridding is to be relieved of his duties,” George replied, a little heavily. “Forgive me for not speaking to you about it before but I thought it best not to spoil such a wonderful day.”

Jessica smiled, pressing his hand lightly. “Nothing could spoil it, George. I know it was a difficult thing for you to do.”

“And yet I had no choice but to do so,” George replied, the smile gone from his face. “The man is without honour. He will no longer be allowed to serve in the army and will have to focus entirely on his responsibilities to his title.”

“Does the ton know of it?”

George shrugged. “If they do not now, they will do in time, which will make it all the more difficult for him to find a bride with enough money to draw him away from bankruptcy.”

Jessica pressed her lips together, thinking hard. “Mayhap that is a good thing, George. I would hate for a lady to be fooled by his charms, only to realise too late that the only thing he cares for is her dowry.”

Warwick nodded, his expression grave. “Indeed, although he may yet find someone willing to overlook such a thing.” He shrugged, drawing in a deep breath. “Regardless, we are no longer friends and I do not expect to see him again for a very long time.”

“Do you think you will miss it?”

“Miss what?” he asked, a little confused. “If you think I will miss Major Ridding’s friendship, then you are mistaken for I have found his friendship replaced with something better.” He smiled and kissed the back of her hand. “You.”

Jessica grew warm all over at his touch, her skin tingling where his lips had touched her hand. “I meant, will you miss the army,” she murmured, struggling to get the words out such was the impact he had on her senses. “I know you have already chosen to remain on England’s soil and take on your duties but will you miss being a part of it?”

There was a short silence, broken only by the sound of the carriage wheels on the road as it trundled along.

“I will miss it,” he admitted, his expression rather serious. “There have been times when I have been in my study and long for the rolling hills or the open air, for lying out under the stars or warming myself by the fire with the other men – but that was when I was entirely alone.” There was another short pause, as though he was looking at how best to explain himself, his lips twisting in thought. “The absence of the army from my life has sometimes felt like a very sharp pain slicing through me. However, that pain is no longer as sharp, no longer so frequent, because I have you by my side.”

Jessica’s expression brightened, her eyebrows rising in surprise.

“You have filled the empty hole that was the army,” he continued, running one finger down the curve of her cheek. “My new duties and responsibilities seemed to overwhelm me but your presence by my side took that struggle away. I feel as though I can do anything when you are near me. I know I can accomplish anything, achieve anything, when you are right there with me, supporting me through it all. So whilst I may miss the army at times, that loss has already become less because of you. You are all I need in this world, Jessica. My future was dull and lifeless before I met you and now all I can see is light and hope.”

It took a few seconds for Jessica to absorb all this, her throat constricting with sudden tears as she realised just how precious she was to him. It was a love that overwhelmed her, that accepted her just as she was and promised to always be with her.

“Oh, George,” she murmured, holding him close. “I will always be there when you need me. I will always be at your side, helping you with whatever struggles you face. I will never, ever, turn from you.”

“Nor I,” he promised, his whisper tickling her ear. “My love for you will only burn brighter, Jessica. I love you with my whole heart.”

Jessica kissed him then, her tears dampening his cheeks. “I hope my sisters might one day find a love such as ours,” she murmured, as he wiped her tears away. “I pray that they might one day find the same happiness as we have.”

“I am sure they will, in time,” George replied, softly. “Come now, my love, no more tears – even if they tears of joy. We have a lifetime of happiness ahead of us and I want to share every moment I can with you.”