90

It was even more overwhelming than she could have prepared for; Grand entrance was an understatement. The halls and grounds were already heaving with people when they finally emerged, early arrivals and local reporters milling around inside with glasses of free champagne being sipped down. The mood already electric with excitement and happy anticipation as they descended arm in arm. Flashes were already starting to go off by the edge of the stair and shouts of turn this way and people shouting out both of their names in a flurry of activity. Rose was overwhelmed, but followed Rob’s lead, letting him guide and shield her and tried not to look like a petrified bunny in the headlights.

They obliged, smiling and murmuring to one another about ‘goldfish in a bowl’ and ‘don’t forget to give them your best side,’ amid giggles and secret hand squeezes. There was a lot of back slapping and congratulations as they reached floor level, from people they both knew and didn’t. Swarming in masses of reporters and locals. It was impossible for Rose to keep track. Between meeting a sea of people whose names ended in Munro, people who seemed to have some connection or acquaintance and a lot of familiar faces which had scrubbed up to a high standard. Some of her own distant family members and vaguely familiar folks that she was sure were relations on both sides.

Her parents were barely able to get a moment with her before more people cut in. If it was not for Rob’s steadying arm across her back, his calm easy manner and ease of dealing with this craziness, she would have curled into a ball, overwhelmed and terrified. His warmth and presence, a constant calming influence and the way he shielded her with his body when people got too close around them. Her protector and carer, she couldn’t love who he was any more than she did in that moment.

Her face began to ache from smiling, her skin tender from the endless sea of people kissing her on the cheek and when they were finally swept through into the huge ballroom, her eyes glittered with raw emotion at the beauty of the place and the overall emotion of the evening so far.

Taking in the room for the first time, fully prepared and set up, she could barely catch her breath. The muted golds and creams, rustic heather, moss and white floral arrangements on candle lit tables. Moss and willow vines, wrapped around the bases of candles and glass lanterns. Even the huge velvet drapes had been replaced with fairy light-studded, floaty white voiles, going from hugely high ceiling to floor in pools of soft fabric. Tall floral arrangements lined the corners on gold pedestals, each with a nestling of twinkling lights. Lit candles in crevices and corners and the huge fireplace filled with a spectacular array of them, all flickering gently among more floral arrangements. Tables all layered in smooth cream linens, lace and satin runners in complementing shades. The settings were all laid out elegantly and effortlessly with an orchestra playing soft music in one corner on the podium that seemed to move anytime this room had a function. Subtle classical music and she noted they all had on pale gold bow ties and matching waistcoats under dinner jackets.

Past the elaborate buffet spread at the far end of the huge dancefloor was another smaller podium, one table heavy laden with gifts and cards, a white post box for cards that people were merrily sliding white envelopes into and a stunning four tier cake. All cream and gold with floral details sweeping up across the layers in a spiral with a small bridal couple made of expensive china stood on top. Delicately hand painted and obviously very old. Rose moved forward out of Rob’s grasp as he was pulled aside into a group to converse, coming to stand before the cake in awe.

‘We do things in style.’ Abby grinned. following her new sister in laws gaze. ‘It’s from our parent’s wedding cake.’

‘It’s beautiful Ab’s. The whole room is breath taking; I just can’t find the words.’ Rose felt the emotion crack in her throat and her eyes filled up. She dabbed at the corner of her lashes with a tissue and smiled at Abby.

‘Should be for what it cost your husband to be.’ Abby winked, throwing him a dazzling smile as he moved towards them now and shrugged it off.

‘Husband?’ Rose pressed questioningly. ‘I thought your father was throwing about cheques for this.’ She smiled up at him as he slid arms around her from behind and took a look at the cake himself.

‘He was, but the old man has no sense of style. I needed to up the game and make sure our first function reflected my beautiful bride. Needed an injection of class.’ Rob cut in smoothly and kissed her on the back of the head.

‘It’s all so beautiful Rob.’ She meant it as she leant around to kiss him softly, giggling in surprise as he moved in like lightening for a deeper, harder kiss. Picking her up and pulling her feet off the ground, bringing her up to his height for a toe curling snog that make her feet curl back. A nearby cheer and clap of hands reminded them of their public status and he slid her down, smoothing out her dress for her and skimming her body sneakily with a twinkle in his eye. She laughed, never ceasing to find amusement in his ability to turn everything to sex.

‘Never as beautiful as you.’ He whispered sexily in her ear as he slid her arm into his and led her back into the throng of arrivals coming into the grand room.

* * *

The party soon took on a less formal feeling. The sea of well-wishers, extended family and friends, finally giving them, some breathing space to dance and enjoy the party.

Damien appeared mid dancefloor throng and attempted to swing Rose away from dancing in front of Rob, throwing him a wide grin and a cheeky wink as he hustled her off comically. Rob caught her arm protectively, waving a mock fist under his chin which resulted in Damien grabbing him in a male hug, shaking hands and slapping each other on the back amid shouts over the loud music and the sounds of ‘congrats bro’ waving Rose’s way. Leaning in quickly, Damien planted a kiss on the cheek of Rose and dodged Rob’s swipe at his head with a laugh. Damien soon moved off to throw some moves at a nearby blonde in a purple dress, much to Rob’s relief.

Rob pulled Rose back into him for a slower dance, resting her easily in his arms as the tempo slowed and couples filled the floor, his face against her temple. Softly embraced in his safe haven, feeling light headed and surreal, Rose couldn’t help but think back to the last time they had danced on this floor together and how different it had been. She looked up at him adoringly and smiled at the memory, so much happier to be out in the open and most definitely wrapped in his loving embrace for all to see. For the first moment in her life since falling under the spell of Rob Munro, she felt completely still inside. Her mind focusing on nothing other than the feel of him against her, the familiar scent and the security of his hold and all thoughts of that troublesome red head fluttering away on the notes of the melody around them.