Shay couldn't believe how happy she felt as Samuel swirled her around the dance floor. The cake had been cut and all speeches made.  Why had she fought this man so much. She kicked herself for all the time she had wasted trying to push him away.

The music ended. Samuel held her at arm's length, bowed and kissed the back of her hand. He looked up at her with a huge smile on his face and said, "You dance very well, Lady Denyer."

She was Lady Denyer. The reality of this knocked the breath from her lungs. She beamed back at him. "As do you, Your Grace."

"Please. Not you too," Samuel chuckled, tucked her arm in his and led her from the dance floor. He looked down at her and shook his head. "Please don't call me that. It's bad enough having others do it. I don't want my wife to address me so formally."

Shay laughed wholeheartedly and said in her best cockney, "As you wish, Me Lord." Quickly slipping her arm from his, she scurried away. His laughter rang in her ears and when she looked back at him, he smirked, cocked his head, and raised a threatening eyebrow.

Rebecca caught Shay by the elbow as she made her way to the drinks table. "Shay," she whispered. "It's time."

"Time?" Shay questioned. "Time for what, Mama?" Shay lifted a glass of bubbling champagne and took a sip as she focused on her mother.

"Time," Rebecca insisted. "You and Samuel have to leave."

Frowning, Shay said, "Why? We're having such a wonderful time."

"Oh, dear." Rebecca took Shay in hand and led her to a more private place near the stairwell. "I obviously haven't been a good mother," she said. "The bride and groom must leave before the other guests."

"Mama, are you serious?" Shay couldn't believe what she was hearing, and then suddenly covered her mouth in shock. The memory of Hannah and Edmond leaving their wedding before everyone else came to her. It's what married couples did and she knew why. Lowering her hand, she said, "It's not going to be like that for us, Mama. Samuel and I have discussed this. He said I need not worry because he has no intention of rushing me."

"Are you sure, that's what he meant Shay?" Rebecca looked across the room to where Samuel stood with Thomas.

Shay followed her line of sight and caught the duke's intense gaze. "Mama, has he said something to you?"

"Well, not to me, exactly." Rebecca took a hold of Shay's hand. "He asked Papa to ask me to talk to you about leaving. He feels the time is right."

"Oh..." Gasping in a breath, Shay stared at her mother. "I'm... I... he said... when..."

"I'm sure he'll be kind, gentle. He'll lead you, so no need to worry," Rebecca said, patting Shay's hand. "Come now. I can see he's waiting." She took the champagne glass from Shay and led her across the room.

As she did so, Thomas walked up the stairs in the great hall and turned to face the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen," he called as he tapped his glass with a spoon. "It's time for the bride and groom to leave us. Can we please raise our glasses to the Duke and Duchess of Irvine, His Grace and Lady Denyer. Congratulations!"

The crowd cheered and clapped as Samuel took Shay by the hand and led up the stairs to stand beside Thomas. He raised his hand and said, "Thank you everyone. Today has been the happiest I've ever had. Please continue to enjoy yourselves."

Hannah, followed by Julia, and the rest of both family members rushed towards them, sweeping them up in hugs, kisses and handshakes.

Seeing the stressed look on Shay's face, Hannah whispered, "Everything will work out fine, Shay. I promise."

All Shay could do was nod, and in the next moment she was being led up the rest of the stairs and along the hall to one of the guest bedrooms.

Samuel closed the door behind them, turned the key and looked down on her. He cupped her face.  "Please don't look so worried. I told you I wasn't going to pressure you."

"B...but," Shay stammered. "Why are we here? Why did we leave the party?"

"It's expected, Shay. If we didn't the guests would be asking questions and I don't want any rumours started." He caressed her cheek. "It's our business how we go about this.  They will think we're doing what is expected of a bride and groom on their wedding night, and we don't have to tell them anything different to what they believe." He dragged in a deep breath. "If any of the ton believe our marriage isn't consummated on our wedding night, they could petition the king and have the marriage annulled, so I had to get you to come with me."

"I didn't know that," Shay whispered.

Samuel led her to sit on the chaise lounge that was near the window. "Let's get comfortable and just talk." Once he had her seated, he bent down and took off her shoes, one by one. "Your feet must be killing you. I know mine are." He sat beside her and removed his boots. With a grin on his face he added, "I'm happy to unbutton your dress and help you out of it and your corset if you'd like."

Grinning, Shay said, "I'd be happy for you to do that because this thing is cutting my air supply."

"Right." Samuel chuckled. "Stand up then. I promise that's all I'll do."

Sucking in a huge breath of air, Shay stood. When he had all the buttons and laces undone, she slipped behind the screen and put on her nightdress and dressing gown. Even her slippers had been placed there for her.

When she came out, Samuel was sitting barefoot in his trousers and shirt. All his formal clothes had been removed. He held out a drink for her. "Come, sit. We need to talk."

Taking the drink from him, Shay asked, "What is it?"

"Brandy." He laughed and added, "Drink it slowly, unlike the last time I gave you brandy."

Smiling down at the drink cupped in her hands, Shay looked up at him and said, "I was really immature, Samuel. I'm so sorry for what I put you through."

He swept his finger over her lips, smiled and then kissed her lightly as he said, "You're a girl with a mind of her own. I like that. Now tell me about your aims for the orphanage and what made you want to do that kind of work."

"Ugh, ugh." Shay shook her head. "You first. Tell me about you and why you went missing for three years."

A moment of silence passed between them before he nodded and said, "It's a long story."

"We have all night," Shay whispered as she took hold of his hand.

Things seem to be going well.  I hope it continues this way. ♥♥♥

Photo taken from HistoryExtra