Free Tonight or Never by Dara Joy Page B

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    Along with Maurice and the countess and—
    He misstepped .
    Deiter was wearing John's gold waistcoat with a purple sash. Even Schnapps had a little silver hat tied to his ugly head. The small dog glared at the guests, his one tooth showing.
    It was the only time John could recall being in total agreement with the sour-faced pup.
    His sights scanned the rest of the area at the front of the chapel. There she was. His bride.
    Something in his chest kicked. She looked beautiful.
    Dressed in a simple gown of white batiste, she was the most exquisite thing he had ever seen. A floral headdress of tiny yellow rosebuds wreathed her head.
    He came abreast of her and took her small hands in his. "You look lovely, sweet." His finger lightly trailed her soft cheek. "Much too faultless for the likes of me."
    Chloe smiled up at him, all the happiness she felt shining in her eyes. "On the contrary, John, it is you who are the picture of elegance."
    And he was, from his gray jacket and knee breeches ending in leather top boots to his silver waistcoat and white silk shirt. She had never seen him so handsome. A thin black ribbon tied his golden hair to the back of his neck in a queue.
    It seemed he wanted to say something else to her, but at that moment the parson ushered them to their places. Just as John signaled the man to begin, Percy quipped in a loud voice, " Morituri te salutamus ! We who are about to die salute you!"
    Everyone burst out laughing. Even Chloe had to suppress a snicker.
    John looked over his shoulder at his groomsman, shooting him a fulminating glare.
    The service began. Every now and then John gazed down at Chloe out of the corner of his eye. For some reason he wanted to remember the way she looked when she spoke her vows, becoming his wife.
    My wife.
    That something in his chest kicked again. He valiantly suppressed it.
    The ceremony was over before he knew it; he was instructed he may kiss his bride. He bent down and, cognizant of the avid onlookers, chose simply to brush his lips across her forehead.
    Chloe gave him a puzzled look. He squeezed her hand, discreetly shaking his head. When he kissed her for the first time he did not want an audience. She seemed to get his silent message, for she lightly squeezed his hand back.
    Then they were walking down the aisle to hearty congratulations and some very off-color remarks.
    The countess was sniffling, and Deiter appeared almost nonthreatening .
    "It is romantic, is it not?" Maurice sighed.
    "Sink me!" Percy exclaimed. "It's just occurred to me that heart, as in Miss Chloe Heart , has just wed sex, as in Sexton ! What do you make of that? How apropos!"
    Maurice chuckled.
    "One can only wonder what will come of it." Sir Percy planted the question that would soon be in everyone's mind.
    Heart and "Sex." What would come of it?
    The frenzied wagering began before the guests had even left the chapel.
     
    The meal following the wedding, often referred to as the dejeuner , or breakfast, despite the midday hour, commenced. The hall was full to overflowing, and Chloe marveled that the staff had been able to prepare such a lavish feast for so many in such a short time. She made a mental note to mention to John that they should reward their service with something special.
    She watched her husband seated next her from beneath her lashes. Chloe could hardly believe it was a fait accompli. Lord John was finally hers.
    Well, not hers completely, but soon enough.
    Her cheeks deepened in color. How on earth was she to pretend she wanted lessons from him?
    Best not to dwell on that just yet. She was going to need every ounce of courage she possessed to proceed with her plan. One last hurdle to get over today…
    Sir Percival Cecil-Basil clinked the side of his crystal glass with a spoon, garnering everyone's attention. "A toast to the newlyweds!"
    "Hear! Hear!" chorused the assemblage.
    John pasted a stoic expression on his face. He had a feeling he knew what was coming.
    "To the