Three weeks later

“Come,” Lillian said, grabbing Estelle’s hand and pulling her towards the bailey. “Mrs Brown spent the whole day yesterday preparing the cart.”

Estelle needed a distraction to calm her nerves. In an hour, she would be the Marchioness of Trevane. More importantly, she would be married to the man she loved for the rest of her days. “I’m sure I shall love it no matter what she has done.”

When Estelle entered the bailey, it wasn’t the sight of the pretty rose garlands or the reams of pink ribbons that stole her breath. It was the sight of Mr Erstwhile sitting on the seat gripping the reins in his hand, a beaming smile illuminating his face.

“Are you ready, my dear? We do not want to keep his lordship waiting.”

She had Ross to thank for making the day special before it had even begun. He had arranged for someone to tend the Erstwhiles’ apothecary shop in their absence. He’d arranged their transport to Branscombe, and Fabian had found them a room in the castle.

“I wouldn’t want to be late,” she said. Mackenzie appeared and offered his hand so she could climb up onto the seat. “His lordship might think I’ve left on the mail coach.”

Mr Erstwhile smiled. “I believe his lordship would chase you to the ends of the earth.”

“Aye,” Mackenzie said, helping Lillian up to the seat, too. “And he’d swim there in just his breeches if he had to. Now give me a moment to scoot into the back, and we can be on our way.”

Mr Erstwhile looked proud seated at the helm. Mrs Erstwhile had gone ahead to the church, the maid in her needing to make certain everything was clean and in order.

“I cannot tell you what it means to be here,” Mr Erstwhile said, “to see you so happy and about to wed the one you love.”

Estelle touched him lightly on the arm. “It would not have been the same without you here.”

“And I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

The wedding party consisted of a small gathering of close friends. Ross invited Lord Farleigh, Rose and the children. He’d also extended an invitation to the Earl of Stanton, Lord Farleigh’s brother-in-law, and his wife, Nicole. When one made a stand against the sticklers in society, it was best to do so with an army of peers guarding your back.

They rattled along the narrow road towards the church on the hill. Estelle’s stomach flipped. She couldn’t wait to see Ross. But another surprise had her buzzing with excitement, too.

Fabian was waiting for them outside the church. He strode towards them looking so smart in his cravat and waistcoat, though she preferred seeing him in the more relaxed garb of a would-be pirate.

Mackenzie came to help them down from the cart. Fabian kissed Lillian on the cheek and whispered something in her ear that brought a blush to her cheeks.

“You look beautiful,” Fabian said, taking Estelle’s hand and bringing it to his lips. “Trevane arrived an hour early. The man is eager to claim you as his wife. Indeed, I feared he might sleep in a pew last night.”

In that moment, Estelle did not know if it was possible to be any happier.

“Well,” Mr Erstwhile began. “I had best go inside and find a seat.”

“Your wife has saved a seat for you,” Fabian said, casting Estelle a covert grin. “But you’ve no need to go inside just yet.”

“Is the Reverend Sykes not ready?”

“He’s ready,” Fabian said, “but you cannot enter the church without the bride.”

Mr Erstwhile looked at Estelle, a little confused.

Estelle turned and hugged him. “My brother must give me away,” she said, “but I would like you to assist him.”

“Me?” Mr Erstwhile covered his heart with his hand. “Oh, but I could not intrude.”

“Sir, Estelle would like us both to escort her to Lord Trevane.”

Tears welled in the man’s eyes. “You would?”

“I would,” Estelle said, struggling to hold back her own tears.

A look of pride and joy brightened Mr Erstwhile’s countenance. “Then it would stand as one of the greatest honours of my life.”

A few tears did fall, and they all took a moment to compose themselves before heading into the church.

Ross looked immaculate in a dark blue coat and gold waistcoat. Their gazes locked, and he mouthed I love you. His eyes held a look of promise that warmed her core and left her anticipating what the night would bring. There was a glimpse of the younger man about him. The happy, carefree lord who’d chased her about the orchard and swore to love and protect her until his dying day.

Afterwards, they dined in the great hall in what proved to be rowdy celebration organised by Mackenzie. Fabian’s men joined them, as did Wickett.

“Look at Wickett,” Ross said, leaning in and whispering in Estelle’s ear as they sat at the long table on the dais. He took the opportunity to kiss her cheek, pressed another on her jaw. “Fabian’s men are plying him with drink. I might see if one of them can get him to sing or dance. It will give me ammunition when he attempts to tease me.”

“You have rather an unconventional relationship with your coachman,” Estelle said, sliding her hand under the table to grip his muscular thigh. She found she could not keep her hands off her husband.

Ross sucked in a breath as her hand edged higher. “The man has saved my life on more than one occasion though I would never tell him that.”

Estelle’s fingers settled on the fall of his breeches and caressed him in slow, sensual strokes. “Perhaps he’s not the only one with the ability to tease you.”

“Then you should know I’m a man with a hunger for revenge.” He met her gaze and whispered, “Would you like me to make you come in front of all these people?”

Had she been sipping her wine, she might have choked. “How would you do that?” She had to admit to being a little excited.

“Trust me. No one would know.”

“That is simply not possible.”

Ross raised a brow. “Is that a challenge, Lady Trevane?”

Estelle loved this playful side of him. He looked so different from the dangerous devil who had dragged her into a coaching inn and forced her to tell her tale. “I cannot see how you would have an opportunity.”

Ross gestured to the men setting up the music stands in the far corner. “In a minute, Mackenzie has arranged for Fabian to play his fiddle while everyone dances. We don’t have to join them on the floor straight away.”

“I highly doubt our guests will let us sit out.”

Ross placed his napkin on the table, stood and moved to speak to Fabian. Her brother looked at her and then nodded.

“What did you say?” she said when Ross returned to his seat.

“I said you were feeling a little hot, a little overwhelmed by the events of the day, and we would sit out for the first dance and join them for the second.”

Ross proceeded to tell her exactly what he wanted to do to her in bed that night. The precise details fired a heat between her thighs that was soon a blazing inferno. How was it she was panting with arousal and he’d not even touched her yet?

When Mackenzie stood, banged his gavel and instructed them the dancing was to commence, Ross placed his hand on her thigh.

“Cross your legs,” he said with supreme confidence in his ability.

She did as he asked, and the sensation only heightened her need to find her release. Good Lord. She was liable to stretch out on the table and let him take her there and then. That thought sent another pulse of desire shooting to her core.

Fabian stepped down from the dais to join two other men. They played a country tune and their guests piled to the floor. Everyone danced, though the Erstwhiles were lauded for their stamina when they managed to keep pace with Mackenzie’s jig.

The music was loud. The crowd were laughing and singing as Ross’ fingers delved between her thighs and played her through the fine material of her dress as easily as Fabian stroked the strings on his fiddle.

Estelle struggled to sit still.

Ross’ gaze never left her face. “I’ll not wait until tonight to be inside you.”

That was it. She came apart then. The muscles in her core clamped down, missing the feel of having him to grip on to, though still sending pleasurable shivers to her toes.

Ross waited until the tremors subsided and then sat back with a huge grin on his face.

“So,” she began, a little breathless. “It seems you have found yourself another opponent as well as Wickett. Now, I shall have to think of new and novel ways to tease you.”

“Then I shall look forward to the event with bated breath. Perhaps you may get your first opportunity in an hour or two. Mackenzie has hidden a chest of coins with clues how to find the treasure. I imagine most people will go on the hunt.”

Estelle smiled. “But not you?”

Ross took hold of her hand. “No, not me. I have the only treasure I want right here.”