Chapter Sixty-Two

The Dukedom for a Heart

Wolferton was in a wing chair in the sitting room with Jaclyn on his lap. He crooned to her his lullaby. Jaclyn lulled into a slumber.

Camille whispered, “She’s sound asleep. Why don’t we all try for some rest? Take her to her room and cover her. Tomorrow she can change into fresh clothing with Sedona at hand. Keep the door open, and we’ll hear her call if she needs us.” She smiled at him. “Keep singing. It’s a soothing song. Sedona will sit outside the open door as chaperone. Or I can if you so choose.”

Radolf cast her a glance.

“Wolfie, you have a sweet voice for a man.”

He shot her another gaze, this one a lot stronger. In spite of that, he hummed as he arose with Jaclyn cradled in his arms, caught his balance, and then stepped up the stairs to her room. Not that she was heavy, but his arms and legs were cramped from a long time in the chair. The covers already turned back, he laid her on the bed, removed her shoes, and covered her with exquisite gentleness. He sighed. “Sleeping angel, you’ve had quite a day, as have we all.”

Halbert tiptoed into the room and placed the decanter of liquor on the table at his side. About to collapse in his chair, he first clapped his man on the back. “Thank you for the good pistol shot.”

“No problem, Your Grace, it had to be done. I’ll refill your liquor glass as needed.”

Halbert switched chairs to a more comfortable one. Wolferton nodded. Fatigue caught up with him. The pressure of the last hours had his insides churning. He’d never been afraid of death before because he held his life in cheap regard. Now it had a new meaning, of salvation and redemption. Camille was right. Tomorrow would be a new beginning. To forego an elaborate ceremony did not matter when the primary concern was that now they found each other—no one or thing could tear them asunder.

The sight of the knife at Jaclyn’s throat had made him feel helpless and sick to his stomach. He never wanted that feeling again.

Jaclyn murmured something in her sleep. He grasped her hand and hummed to her again. He envisioned her by his side, the children they would have, and most of all, he believed it would come true. Without awareness, the saint had tempted the sinner, and she won. I’m a man redeemed and in love. Wolferton confessed this was all a marvel to him. One moment he was a rascal and the next moment an acceptable scoundrel with a redeemed past. He knelt at her bedside and prayed. Thank you for this precious gift of love. Thank you for the Guardians for all things are possible through Your hand. We are all Your creations.

He stood and stretched his legs again to get his circulation flowing. A glance at the disheveled angel in the bed made him smile. Part of the pins in her hair had fallen somewhere, probably wherever her crown toppled. With a gentle touch, he removed the other pins. In her disturbed slumber, she moved her head back and forth. Soon her long tresses graced the pillow. He must have been made of rock not to jump in bed with her, but he savored the thought and relied on his tested patience, and he too, fell asleep.

****

Household activity awakened Jaclyn. There to her right was her fiancé sound asleep. He gave a gentle moan every now and again. She slipped out of bed, her feet on the soft rug. Intent on not awaking him, she went to the dressing room and removed her gown and underclothes. She performed her ablutions, slipped on her banyan wrapper, and cinched it around the waist. Jaclyn peeked out. Her Radolf was still in the arms of Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams.

She sat in a chair near him and looked fixedly at Radolf. The stubble on his face she found attractive. It reminded her of the treasured memory of her father. She used to rub her little girl cheeks against his face, and they would play a game of rub-a-dub. Radolf had removed his jacket and waistcoat. His lawn shirtsleeves were rolled up, and the V neck was halfway to the waist. Oh, my, what thoughts that conjured.

Jaclyn tucked her legs underneath her and studied the musculature of his legs and those magnificent thighs. After their marriage, she’d be able to explore them as he would explore her body. The clock chimed five times, but it didn’t seem early. His fingers were long, lean, strong and begged to be touched. Excitement tingled within, and she trailed her own along his arms like the gentle brush of a feather against the skin.

He reached out and caught her hand. “Are you in the mood to play?” he asked with a subdued yawn. Radolf rested his hand on hers, closed it, and held it tight.

Jaclyn used her other hand to pull back a wayward curl.

Wolferton said, “No, don’t. Soon that will be my duty.” His hand slid up her wrist, and he fingered her softness. He released her, stood and stretched. Then he extended his hand and she arose from her chair and leaped into his arms, and said simply, “I love you like this. You’re not a guardian, or a duke—you’re my very special man.”

“I’ll be sure to remind you of these words three months from now when you’ve grown tired of hearing me say how much I love you too.”

“Never. Never. Never.”

A vague sensuous thread passed between them. Jaclyn stared at him and sighed.

Radolf’s voice became husky. “I take it all back. You are not a saint. Welcome to my world, darling, as long as you sin with me.”

She laughed and kissed his cheeks on both sides. “This was but a sample. Prepare yourself for an onslaught.”

Radolf muttered, patted her backside. “I so love a battle. Now it’s time to get dressed. We are to marry later this evening.”

****

Wolferton descended the steps with a jaunty stride. The whisperings of the cleaning staff caught his attention outside his study door, water-filled buckets on the floor, maids who crunched their aprons with nervous hands, wearing stark expressions on their faces. It seemed no one wanted to enter the room. He sighted Halbert at the same moment they approached the now-silent group.

“Why are you out here in the corridor with disregard of your duties?” Halbert parted them and stepped inside.

Wolferton turned his head, and one of the maids cowered from him. After he entered the study, the reason was clear. The bloodstain on the carpet was gone, and the stained-glass window of the Guardians, which had shattered to pieces was back in place, sun streamed through with channels of warmth and sunshine.

Bloody hell!

He turned since it appeared to him the staff waited for him to speak. He walked to the doorway. Not quite at a total loss for words, all he could think to say was, “It’s a miracle. Also a good omen for my wedding to Jaclyn. This marriage will be a day to remember for it’s been blessed by heaven.”

He spoke to the cleaning staff and Halbert outside and folded his hands behind him, with a large smile on his face. Perhaps he didn’t convince all of the servants, but a few retreated with sighs of relief. He knew how superstitious the common folk could be, but he wanted to avoid any thoughts of witchcraft against Jaclyn.

Halbert, as always in full control, said, “Attention. Give the room a light dusting and proceed about your duties. There will be only a few guests today. We further await the archbishop to bless this union in heaven’s name. It has been preordained and most holy. Now, go.” His voice didn’t crack at all.

Wolferton soon proceeded to his desk, saluted the Guardians, and sat in his chair. Of a certain, no longer tired, but refreshed and jubilant. He would soon become a bridegroom.