Page 66 of Once Upon a Reckless Rogue

“You are right. I just wonder who else might have been in on this with Stafford. He must have been working for someone.”

“What use is this type of thinking?”

Thomas realized that he would have to explain the whole story to her, and really he just did not think it would be fair to lay it all on her now. One day, when he had reconciled with the whole business he would tell her all.

“This is why I love you. You always make sense. Let us not talk about it anymore. I want to take you out tonight. To a pleasure garden.”

“A pleasure garden?”

“It is called Vauxhall, and it will amaze you. There are all kinds of performers, there is dancing, and a hundred lanterns.”

“I can’t believe a place like this exists.”

“Wear that nice green dress. I want to show you off.”

Elena smiled and skipped over to the armoire.

*

Her husband hailed a hack to Vauxhall. They got there at dusk, just in time to see the lanterns being lit. Elena clapped her hands and gasped as the multiple lanterns all lit up. Never had she seen such a marvel. She hugged Tomas’s arm, and he smiled down at her.

“This is just the beginning,” he said. “I have not been here in a long time, and I suspect they had made a lot of improvements.”

“I have never been to anything like this. The lights, the music, and so many people.”

They ordered some punch and sat and watched the dancers.

When a simple country dance was next, Thomas offered his hand to Elena. “Dance with me, Mrs. Markham.”

Elena placed her hand in his. “I know this one,” she said as they took their positions and laughed and smiled throughout the whole dance. Breathless and giddy, she felt so light. She tried to remember the last time she had felt like this, and she couldn’t. So much of her life had revolved around survival and grief. The punch was not really to her liking nor the slices of ham, but she did not care. They danced a few more times and then Tomas suggested they take a walk around the park. They left to find one of the walks where Tomas pointed out the various sculptures and pieces of art. By the time they had done a complete loop of the gardens, she was exhausted.

“Let me take you home. We have a big day tomorrow.”

“Yes, tomorrow I become your second wife.”

He laughed. “Not my second wife, just my wife twice.”

“Isn’t that what I said?”

They laughed all the way home. Whether it was the punch or the night air, she never wanted the night to end. He was right, though. Tomorrow the modiste would come to make sure that her dress fit, and then Mrs. Wilcox was going to come with her in the carriage to the church. She had no one to walk her down the aisle, but she had to remember this was just a formality. Her head felt heavy, and she rested on Tomas’s shoulder.

*

Thomas paced up and down the aisle as he waited for Elena. Why did he feel nervous? It’s not like he had not married her before. He trusted Mrs. Wilcox to get Elena to the church.

“The church is going to send you a bill to repair the floor if you do not stop your pacing. She will be here.”

Tony’s words should have been reassuring. Of course she would be here.

“You really do love her, don’t you?”

“Of course.”

“I was worried you had confused gratitude for love.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“She saved your life.”