Stolen Kisses

Stolen Kisses - Epilogue

            

Like they predicted, London was abuzz with rumors of the Colonel and the Duke of Verdovene Cetriolo's sister's elopement—rumors that were hastily quieted down with the announcement of their betrothal. Some matrons of the ton raised their eyebrows at the blatant attempt to quiet down the gossipmongers and the hastiness of the marriage between the two. While some, mostly debutantes were calling the whole affair romantic and were now all hopefuls to find someone like the Colonel to sweep them off their feet. Especially, when the said Colonel made a public announcement that the hastiness of the marriage was due to his affection towards his affianced bride.

Two weeks after the announcement of their upcoming wedding on the morning papers, more than half of the ton was present to witness, what might be the biggest wedding of the season—the union of a devastatingly handsome war hero and the aloof but just as devastatingly pretty sister of a duke. Most watch in jealousy as the match seems to be a love match with the Colonel and Lady Nadine being positively smitten with each other. And then there were some gentlemen of the ton who looked on while shaking their head at the love-stricken look on the Colonel's face.

The wedding ceremony went without a hitch but not without a shed of tear or two from the bride, who flung herself towards her groom, not minding the scandalized ton, as her groom finished his wedding vow. But what possibly would be the talk of the ton was the not so innocent kiss that the newly wed shared—a kiss that lasted until the archbishop cleared his throat not so subtly.

When the ceremony was over, the guest proceeded to the Marquis's home for the wedding breakfast. A lively affair that had the newlyweds exhausted and longed for each other as their attention were always sought out by their guests. So once it was all over and the last of the guest was seen out, the two finally had time to breathe and let the fact that they were now married sink in.

Along with the realization that they were now married, Nadine realized that it was just the two of them now and it's her wedding night. She shivered involuntarily as the scenes from the inn float back in her mind, and a renewed anticipation wrapped her body at the thought of experiencing the delicious wickedness she felt then tonight or maybe even every night. Nadine unconsciously smiled at the wickedness of her thoughts.

"Hey there beautiful..." Nadine felt the familiar arms wrapped themselves around her waist.

"Hey there handsome..." The blonde girl smiled as she relaxed at the warmth she had missed all day.

"Are you ready love?"

Nadine smiled. "Been waiting for this all day." And the little minx that she was, she even winked at James.

With the hastiness of their marriage the Colonel's townhouse wasn't prepared for its new mistress yet, so Nadine and James chose to spend their wedding night at the Kwon's summer house by the river—the very same river they used to swim all the time when they were kids, the river who had witnessed the love blossom between the two.

"I can live here forever..." Nadine breathed in the fresh air as the two were lying down on a blanket by the riverbanks, their hands clasped together.

"I could too... this river has witnessed our love unfold, but we can't possibly live here, especially once we have some little James and little Nadines." James turned to his side so that he's looking at his wife's side profile.

"A trifle thing really! But oh James! The thought of children... it'll make my happiness complete!" Nadine turned to her side as well to face Yuri before running her knuckles along his cheek.

"And mine too... my little minx,"

"Oh how could you make me cry again?" Nadine hurriedly wiped her tears away.

"I love you..." James kissed her tears away.

"James, that isn't the right thing to say at this moment...I think I'm going to bawl soon...but oh dear... I love you too."

James chuckled heartily. He can't believe that Nadine was finally his. He cupped her face lovingly as he kissed her tears away before fully capturing her lips and kissing her senseless. It was a kiss that promised happiness and forever.

"James..." Nadine breathlessly said as they both pulled away from their kiss.

"Hmmm..." James murmured, as he was busy kissing Nadine's neck.

"How about a swim...it's been a while since we swam together..." Nadine seductively said.

"Oh dear God! You little minx will be the death of me." But James didn't put up much of a fight as he pulled himself and Nadine up. "You better be ready love..."

"Oh...I can assure you Colonel, I am quite ready for you..." As if to prove her point she was already struggling to unbutton her dress—a task that James was more than happy to help her with before he himself discarded his clothes.