The first snow of Winter fell upon the small church in the grounds of Kiveton Hall. Blackbirds pecked at the dirt, in search of nourishment, though the worms had retreated below ground. In the beautiful gardens, robin red-breasts hopped from the bare branches of the wiry bushes and plucked the red berries from the holly trees. The evergreens retained their lush fronds, their branches rustling in the cool breeze that drifted across the grounds.

Carriages had been arriving all morning, with beautifully attired guests stepping down from the warm interiors. Adelaide had watched them arrive from her bedchamber window, while growing more and more excited with every new person who was welcomed into the house. They had all departed again a short time ago, heading for the church, which let her know that the wedding was nearing.

With nervous excitement buzzing through her, she stood in front of the looking glass in her bedchamber, admiring the cream silk gown. She could see her face through the gauzy veil that partially covered her features, giving an air of mystery that amused her.

They had returned to the countryside several weeks ago, after the altercation with Reuben. Since then, there had not been a single whisper of anything to do with her family. He had kept his word, though she knew he had not been happy about it. Reuben was not the kind of man who liked to be fooled like that. Still, she was glad of the way things had turned out.

Their engagement had been officially revoked, leaving her free to court Jasper, although they had waited a suitable amount of time before a proposal had been offered. She had accepted without hesitation, marveling at her good fortune. Love had filled the two townhouses, and it had followed them all the way back to Yorkshire. Their families could not have been more content with the arrangement, and neither could she.

A knock at the door disturbed her. Lady Leeds poked her head around and smiled at the sight of her daughter in her wedding dress. She stepped into the room and moved across to where Adelaide stood.

“You look beautiful,” she said.

“Thank you, Mama.”

“You know, I remember my own wedding day as if it were yesterday,” she murmured wistfully. “I stood as you are doing, wondering what my life would become. I did not know your father then, but as soon as I saw him at the end of the aisle, I knew that he would make me happy. You are more fortunate than I, for you have known Jasper your entire life. You are already conscious of your affections for one another.”

Adelaide grinned from ear-to-ear. “I love him, Mama.”

“And he loves you,” she replied. “I can see it in the way he watches you, and the way you laugh with one another. Laughter is such sweet medicine, and you shall live long lives indeed, with such a thing to guide you through your union together.”

“How can it be that I am so fortunate?”

Lady Leeds held her daughter close. “Because you are of pure heart. You have always sought to do whatever you can for our family, and now you have been rewarded with a gift of your own.”

“I have never been so happy.”

“For that I am glad.”

The sound of carriage wheels crunched on the gravel outside, signaling the moment Adelaide had been waiting for. By the time the church bells rang noon, she would be a married lady. She flashed a nervous grin at her mother and smoothed down the front of her elegant gown.

“Should we go?” she asked.

Lady Leeds nodded. “It is time.”

They left the bedchamber and headed down the stairs, where Ephraim was waiting. He had struggled with a great deal of guilt after everything that had happened with Reuben. After Adelaide and Jasper had spoken about their plan, they had gone to Ephraim and explained everything in detail. He had agreed to their ruse and reached out to Lord Rowntree, to acquire his help in setting up Reuben.

However, he knew that much of it had been his fault. Even now, Adelaide could see the remorse in his eyes. It pained her to see it in her father, who had only sought to protect them. She hoped that, in time, he would be able to forgive himself as she had forgiven him.

“You look ethereal, Adelaide,” he said, taking her arm and leading her out to the carriage. “This is a happy day indeed.”

“I am truly blessed,” she replied, laying her head on his shoulder as they settled into the interior.

As the carriage trundled along the gravel path, heading towards the Kiveton churchyard, Adelaide found her thoughts turning to Leah. They had not spoken since she had taken Leah back home, after her ordeal with Reuben. However, she had heard that Leah had found an eligible young man of considerable fortune, who had offered a proposal of marriage. No child had arisen from her folly with Lord McGillivray, and she had not suffered any disrepute from being discovered in a room with Reuben, leaving her free of scandal.

Adelaide regretted bringing Leah into the ruse, but it had all worked out for the best for her. Reuben had paid her a handsome sum in order to assure her silence, and she had found a young man who wished to marry her. Still, Adelaide missed the presence of a female companion. They had never been the best of friends, but that did not mean she did not care for Leah.

Five minutes later, they arrived outside the church. Flakes of snow tumbled to the ground in a steady curtain of pure white. It would soon be Christmastide, Adelaide’s favorite time of the year. She could smell it in the air, making her excited for the prospect of mulled wine and spiced fruitcake. More exciting, however, was the prospect of her wedding.

The organ began to play as she entered, her train rustling as she walked down the aisle with her father beside her. The congregation rose, a sea of smiling faces watching her as she approached her husband-to-be. Jasper turned slowly, a grin spreading across his features. Adelaide had never seen him look so happy.

He wore navy-blue tails, which showed off his masculine physique, making him look very smart indeed. His curls had been forced into submission, framing his handsome features in the most exquisite way. As she gazed upon him, her heart fluttered with joy. This shall be the happiest day of my life, I am certain of it.

“I have never seen anything more wonderful in all my life,” he whispered, as he lifted her veil, the two of them coming together before the altar.

She chuckled. “You look rather fetching yourself.”

“I love you so very much, Adelaide.”

“And I love you with all my heart.”

They turned as the reverend began to speak, his voice echoing across the vaulted ceiling of the church. Adelaide clung to Jasper’s arm as the first verses were spoken from the Bible. Try as she might, she could not let him go. If she did, she feared he might disappear; that she might awaken to find that this was all a dream.

Turning over her shoulder, she glanced at her mother and father on the front pew. Margaret had happy tears in her eyes, whilst Ephraim held his wife’s hand tight. Adelaide had never seen them more unified than they appeared to be in that moment. On the other side of the church, Jasper’s parents were in a similar state of wistful unity. Evidently, it reminded them of their own wedding day.

Returning her attention to the reverend, Adelaide listened with attentive ears as the vows were solemnly declared. Repeating the words as instructed, she stared intently into Jasper’s eyes. He looked right back, the smile never once leaving his face. They were committing themselves to one another in front of God, and it was the most marvelous feeling in the world.

Half an hour later, once the vows were made and the verses had been read and the hymns had been sung, the new Lord and Lady Gillet made their way out of the church to the sound of the bells chiming. A thick blanket of snow had already fallen, their footsteps crunching in the crisp white of it. The congregation tossed petals and barley over their heads as they made their way to the waiting carriage, where they would begin the rest of their lives.

The driver held open the door as they bundled inside, sitting close to one another on the velvet squabs. Immediately, the chill of the afternoon eased, though Jasper drew a blanket across Adelaide’s legs to ensure she did not catch cold. As the carriage started forth towards the house, she nestled into her new husband, inhaling the fresh scent of him.

“Are you happy, my love?” he asked.

She lifted her chin up. “I have never felt so happy. I feel I may burst with joy.”

He laughed, cupping her face with his hands. “Nor have I, my sweeting. This is truly the most blessed moment. I never thought to find a love like this. Indeed, I never expected to be so fortunate.”

“Neither did I. We have been fools all these years, have we not?”

“We have, though we found each other at last,” he replied. “Now, I cannot imagine a life without you. I realize that you would always have been by my side as a dear friend, but that could never have been enough. This is all I have ever wanted, though it took me some time to realize it. And I know that many awful things have tarnished the latter end of the season, but at least they led me to you. They awakened me to my true emotions, stirring them up from a deep slumber.”

“Your love for me was hibernating?” she teased.

“Oh yes, and it has been an exceedingly long winter,” he said with a grin. “Now, might I be permitted to kiss my wife?”

She smiled. “You may.”

He leaned in slowly, his lips grazing hers with exquisite tenderness. A shiver of excitement bristled up her spine. She looped her arms around his neck, sinking into the intimacy of the moment. The pressure of his lips against hers was unlike anything she had ever experienced, and she could not wait to discover more. She kissed him back with equal fervor, reveling in the sensation of being his wife.

Truly, she had never known happiness like it.

Love, it seemed, really did conquer all. It would not be denied.