The Diamond Slipper by Jane Feather Read Free Book Online Page B

the gift to Elvira’s replacement.
    He became suddenly conscious of Cordelia’s pulse racing beneath his fingers as they circled her wrist. Her skin was hot. He looked into her face, and she smiled with such seductive radiance, her eyes so full of joyous excitement, that he dropped her wrist as if it were a burning brand. For an instant he closed his eyes against the blazing force of her invitation.
    “Well, now you’re here, let’s be done with this business. I’ve other things to do with my time.” He turned brusquely to the altar. “Father, if you’re ready.”
    The chaplain came forward with an eager assent. “It won’t take long, my lord. Just to make sure that you’re both familiar with the ceremony and the blessing of the rings.”
    Cordelia stepped up beside Leo. Her skirts brushed histhigh. She tilted her head to look up at him. “Don’t be vexed, my lord. I’m truly sorry to have kept you waiting.”
    “It’s not necessary to stand so close to me,” he snapped in an undertone, taking a step sideways.
    Cordelia looked hurt.
    “I beg your pardon, my lord. Is something the matter?” The chaplain looked up from his prayer book, where he was searching for the relevant passages.
    “No.” Leo shook his head with a sigh. “Nothing in the world, Father.” He stared straight ahead, trying to ignore the pulsing presence beside him. How on earth was he going to manage her on the long journey to Paris? Or did he mean, how on earth was he going to keep his hands off her?
    The ceremony was short, and Father Felix was only too happy to race through it when he realized the viscount’s impatience and Lady Cordelia’s restless distraction. He closed the book with relief after ten minutes. “That’s really all there is to it. The blessing of the rings will take five minutes, and, of course, there’ll be an address to the congregation. You will make your confession before the service, Lady Cordelia, so that you will be in a state of grace when you make your vows.”
    “And His Lordship too?”
    “As this is a marriage by procuration, my lady, Viscount Kierston does not have the same obligations.”
    “Quite apart from the fact that I don’t practice your faith,” Leo stated. “Now, if you’ll both excuse me, I have some business to attend to.”
    Father Felix offered a blessing and disappeared into the sacristy.
    “Oh, no, wait!” Cordelia gathered up her skirts and ran to catch up with the viscount as he strode out of the chapel. “Don’t go yet.” She slipped her hand into his arm, pulling him aside into a small side chapel. “What a relief it must be not to have to go to confession.” She took a bite of the pear she’d been holding in her hand throughout the rehearsal. “Itend to be rather forgetful when it comes to remembering my sins.”
    Her chuckle was so infectious that Leo couldn’t help a responding smile. “Selective memory has its uses.” He couldn’t drag his eyes away from her little white teeth biting into the succulent flesh of the pear.
    “I was wondering if loving could be considered a sin,” Cordelia mumbled through another mouthful of pear. “I don’t know why it should have happened that I love you the way I do, but it’s a fact, and I don’t really believe that God would frown upon it.”
    “Oh, in the name of mercy, Cordelia!” Leo jerked his arm free. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” He glared down at her. “And you’ve got pear juice running all down your chin.”
    “But I do know what I’m talking about,” Cordelia protested firmly, searching through her pockets. “Oh dear, I seem to have mislaid my handkerchief. They’re such juicy pears, you see.”
    With a muttered exclamation, Leo pulled out his own handkerchief and scrubbed at her chin. “You have to stop this fanciful nonsense, Cordelia. Do you hear me?” He thrust his handkerchief back into his pocket.
    “I hear you. But I don’t consider it to be nonsense.” She gave