“Wake up, love. It’s our wedding day,” Rex whispered close to Daffodil’s ear.

Her lips curved into a small smile. “We’ve been married a month.”

His chest rumbled with a silent laugh but she felt it under her cheek. “True but today is the day the rest of the world knows it.”

She looked up at her husband then, her bare chest rubbing against his side. His manhood swelled, and her hand began to slide toward it. “What do they matter?” She found the velvety flesh and began to lightly stroke it. “I know I am your countess.”

His teeth snapped together. “Your mother—” but the words died as her lips pressed up to his.

She was teasing him terribly, she knew. But next to lovemaking, it had become one of her favorite pastimes. Last night at dinner, she’d stretched her foot out under the table and, kicking off her slipper, head begun to rub his groin with her toes. His eyes had nearly bulged from his head. “I spent so long being worried about what I was doing wrong. What would happen if others discovered what I had done?” She gave a little shudder. “But with you…” She kissed him long and slow. “It doesn’t matter what the rest of the world thinks. I know it is right.”

In an instant, Rex flipped them both over, tucking her body under his. “And I know that you are a woman that deserved the respect of the world. Which is why we are getting up and preparing for our second wedding.” Then he slipped inside of her. “Just as soon as I’ve finished making love to you.”

She might have giggled except for he pulled back out, making her body spasm in need. Their lovemaking was quick and needy, full of their emotion and their desire as they climbed together.

As they lay wrapped in each other’s embrace, Daffodil would have loved nothing more than to stay in bed with him all day, but he was right. For her mother’s sake, they needed to attend their own wedding. And, since her sister and Theo were marrying at the same time, it would be doubly rude not to attend.

He finally slipped out of her room but he pulled the servants’ cord on his way out. Soon her room was bustling with activity as her bath was brought in, her clothes laid out, her hair swept back in a lose coif.

Daffodil fingered the lace overlay of her petal-pink gown. How different this day was from the first one she’d met him. She’d been dressed as a servant with the smell of burnt meat invading her lungs. Now, the smell of rosewater filled her nostrils as she dressed in the finest gown she’d ever owned.

A knock sounded at the door and her sister, Violette, asked, “Ready?”

Violette looked radiant in a pale blue organza silk gown and Daffodil gasped to see her sister. Their mother entered behind her.

Never an affectionate woman, Daffodil was surprised to see tears in the older woman’s eyes. “My daughters,” she gushed.

Her and Violette exchanged a wide-eyed stare as Lady Westcliff kissed each of them on the cheek.

Violette grasped her hand. “How far we’ve come. I wish I could go back a year and assure myself that we’d make it through and end up better for our struggles.”

Daffodil squeezed her sister’s hand. “I know what you mean. All the same, we’ve grown so much for not knowing. I wouldn’t change that.”

“Easy for you to say.” Jacob appeared in the open doorway. “I’ve still got a fortune to build and a life to create.” Then he held out an elbow to each of his sisters.

Daffodil gave his arm a light squeeze. “A few years from now, you’ll be richer than rich and taking your own trip down the aisle.”

“I doubt it.” Jacob gave his head a shake. “But I am extremely happy for both of you.”

Daffodil shook her head. There was no telling a boy Jacob’s age that he was wrong. But he’d find out soon enough. If Rex could be swayed to marriage, any man could.

They made their way through the house and then climbed into a waiting carriage that would whisk them to the church on the estate’s grounds.

She’d expected Rex to be inside but both Rex and Theo stood on the steps of the church. As the carriage pulled up the drive, they made their way down the steps and waved the footmen away. “I’ll see to my bride,” Rex rumbled as he snapped open the door.

“I’m not sure I’ll get used to that,” her mother muttered.

Daffodil didn’t answer. She wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Hello, my love.” Rex held his hand out to her and she took it, easily stepping out of the carriage and into his embrace.

“You’re sure you want to do this?” She grinned knowing that they were already married. “You might be getting stuck with the most useless Chase.”

His eyes darkened as he looked down at her. “Your talents are the immeasurable kind. The kind that are too valuable to be held up to a ruler.”

Warmth spread through her. “I can measure yours. Every time we’re together my body temperature rises.”

His deep, masculine laugh filled her heart even as he wrapped an arm about her waist. “I’m the luckiest of all men.”

Placing her cheek on his chest, Daffodil squeezed him back. “We’ll have to debate who is luckier later. I would argue that it is I who would win such an argument. I love you, Rex.”

“I love you too, my little flower.”