~ Glimpse of Eternity ~

by

Evanell

"It’s sad that people in the twenty-first century don’t play or learn the pleasure of simple games like these. If parents don’t hire clowns or magicians, or spend huge sums at restaurants or movies theaters, parties aren’t considered fun."

Although Fey nodded, Thorne frowned. "I don’t wish you to speak of the future in public."

Kacy lowered her head, raised a finger to her scar, feeling chastised for no good reason. They were alone. If anybody else could have heard, she wouldn’t have said what she did.

When the games ended, Bardsy announced in a voice that rang with confidence, "We have musicians." Deferring to Thorne, he asked, "Will ye dance for us milord, with the lovely Miss Rose and show yer tenants how talented the gentry be?"

In a corner of the ballroom the human-size fairy musicians, nattily dressed in clothes fit for London’s symphony orchestra, picked up their instruments and played a slow waltz. Without a word, Thorne stood and offered his arm.

Kacy placed her shaky hand on his dove-gray sleeve. When he turned her into his arms, her mind emptied of every thought. For a few moments she forgot she was mad at Thorne and that she didn’t belong here. "I wonder if any other earl has ever entertained his tenants and servants in his ballroom. That you’re doing so makes me proud, Thorne."

He stared hypnotically into her eyes but made no comment. Pleasure rippled through her as memories of other lifetimes blended with the emotions Thorne evoked with just his stare. His strength, his graceful movements, the glint in his riveting green eyes, his left hand clasping her right and his right arm around her waist guiding her with expert skill--all had a devastating effect on her.

As they waltzed, tenants and servants swayed to the music, while children and stable boys gathered on the sides to watch. Kacy wished other couples would dance too, but she knew that wouldn’t have been deemed proper. She saw the Duke return. Moments later he and Fey joined them on the dance floor.

After three glorious dances, Thorne nodded at the musicians to stop. He released Kacy near the children, his gaze on her as little Lamont said, "You wook wike Cinderella dancing wiff the Prince, Miss Rose."

"Wud ya tell us Cinderella again?" Janey begged, her previous bashfulness as forgotten as last year’s rain now that she no longer had a lame arm.

"Yes, do!" Lamont pleaded.

Before Kacy could protest, Thorne motioned the children to sit on the polished floor and instructed servers to bring chairs for Kacy, himself, Fey and the Duke.

Faced with no other choice, Kacy repeated the fairytales she’d told before. Children, parents, tenants and servants appeared spellbound. Even Drake and Thorne, with Timothy and Thadius sitting at their feet, seemed to enjoy each tale.

Summoning her nerve Kacy dipped deep into her memories and created a tale of a young couple who loved so intensely neither time nor death, nor distance, could keep them apart. Like all fairytales it had a happy ending but she didn’t think Thorne understood why she told it. Was her love for him as hopeless as it had been in past lives?

The vicar’s arrival drew everybody’s attention.

Thorne urged Kacy from her chair and escorted her from the crowd. When they reached the vicar, he asked, "When do you wish the ceremony to begin, my lord?"

Turning his gaze to Kacy, Thorne said, "As soon as my bride is ready."

Her heart began to pound. "Your bride? Who... where?"

"Please join the crowd," he told the vicar, then he led Kacy to a private corner before he said, "The vicar is here perform a wedding ceremony. Ours."

Stunned, Kacy stammered, "Ours?"

He nodded.

"But I’m not dressed for a wedding and... and we haven’t discussed marriage at all. It’s... its serious business!"

"Of course it is and the arrangements have all been made. The Duke brought a gown for you and wedding me is what I claim for the bargain we struck."

"What bargain?"

"Surely you haven’t forgotten that you agreed to do something I requested when I agreed to the feast. I believe your exact words were, ‘I will do whatever you suggest if it isn’t illegal, immoral and if it is within my power to do.’"

"Well, yes. I did say that. But what about banns? Don’t they have to be posted days... weeks ahead of time?"

"Drake arranged for a Special License."

Kacy’s heart was beating so hard, fast and loud she wondered if Thorne could hear it thumping against her chest. "Why... why didn’t you tell me before now?"

"Because I didn’t wish you to worry overmuch."

"You might have given me some kind of warning."

"As you warned me of your arrival at Havenhurst on Monday past?"

He had a point. But she felt trapped. Did he feel trapped, too? Is that why he had decided to marry her? If so, it was a sorry reason. "Don’t you think we should wait a little while? Get to know each other better before..."

"No. I expect you to honor our agreement. Now."

"Why?"

"I shall show you why after the ceremony."

Kacy’s throat turned so dry she didn’t know how she managed to croak, "Show me?"

He nodded, a wicked, sexy gleam in his eyes. "In the privacy of my bedchamber."

Lust, she thought, unable to swallow. He wanted her to satisfy his lust. That’s all marriage meant to him.

She could have cried and might have if Fey hadn’t approached and demanded, "What’s going on, sweetling? Why is the vicar here?"

"To perform a ceremony," Thorne announced and to Kacy he said, "I shall summon Maisy to help you change. Drake said your gown is in the blue room."

Kacy’s panic escalated. No words of love, or tenderness, or devotion. Just a hasty decision and the consequences be damned. Had any other bride ever felt this sad? This forlorn? She grabbed Thorne’s arm and squeaked, "Fey can help me. Maisy should stay here and enjoy herself."

Kacy didn’t wait for him to agree. She raced for the stairs. Her throat hurt so much, she doubted she could repeat her vows.