Gavilean was sitting in his study, going over estate papers and new land purchases when Deidre walked in with a package of mail. Gav thanked here and took the mail, quickly sorting through the items to put them in some priority of importance. His brow raised in surprise when he saw a letter from Rhydin?and from Lani.

His surprise was even greater when she announced she was getting married, for he had assumed that she was already married to Earendur. His surprise reached the epitome when he read that she wanted him to escort her to the altar. He wondered what had changed from the last time he saw her, when she was slapping his face, to now when she is offering a position of honor. Actually, he did see her one other time ? when she was walking away from Earendur at the Inn, causing him to beg for forgiveness.

Her wedding plans weren?t going to interfere with his need to be at Wakefield Manor for the holidays, so he saw no reason why he could not accept. In fact, he might even bring Inara with him as his companion for the affair.

So he took his quill in hand and replied.

Dearest Lady Eiellani Rose Wintermorn,

I was delighted to hear from you, and forgiveness was granted before you asked. If I had realized your intentions, perhaps things might have been different at our parting.

Regarding your request, I am honored and pleased to accept the envious position to walk you down the aisle to your beloved. You neglected to mention who the lucky man is, but I look forward to meeting him at the ceremony.

Wishing you health and happiness,

Your dear friend in all things,

Lord Gavilean Wakefield.

The letter went out that day.

Had Gavilean known that man she was marrying is the same Talomar Longden who attempted to rape and then murder Madison West, and the same Talomar Longden who had tortured him at Heathfield Shire, he might have planned attend the wedding with weapons rather than gifts.

Count Longden sat behind his desk in his great study, examining papers that had to do with his purchase of the brownstone residence in WestEnd. Lani slipped into the room, eyes red and puffy as though she has been crying, and positively glaring at Phillippe, "I don't care if you think he is busy Philippe! I need to see him!"

Talomar calmly set down a glass of wine and looked up at the disturbance. He saw the exasperated look upon Philippe's face as his valet was trying to preserve Talomar's peace and quiet. He saw that it was Lani who desires to see him. "It's okay, Philippe. I shall be happy to see my soon-to-be bride. Please leave us for now."

Philippe bowed and complied, "Of course, m'lord."

A face was made at the departing Philippe and then she moved to Talomar's side and paused there almost shyly. He stood up behind his desk and saw that his fianc?e was
very upset. "What is the matter, my love? You look upset. Are you worried about our wedding? Are plans not going well?" He moved around the desk and toward Lani. His arms moved about her shoulders. "There, there. Tell me what is going wrong that I might fix for you?"

As soon as he moved she was flinging herself at his chest sobbing quietly, ?Everything is going wrong! ?Gav isn?t coming and its all because of that hateful woman!?

"Gavilean is not coming?" He was surprised. "But I gave Him and Inara a special invitation to come a day sooner and to spend the night with us."

?I know! But that woman, she said terrible things to him to turn him against me!?

He couldn't care a bit about Gavilean, but he wanted Inara in the castle. The fact that she would not be coming was making him secretly furious. His face grew more solemn as he tried to hide his anger. "That woman of his is one of the most rude women I know. She even has made accusations against me. She came on to me in the Inn, and when I refused her proposition, she tried to turn it around and make it seem like me being at fault. What did she say to you, my love?"

A deep shiver shook her. "She tried to tell me you had injured her... and was acting as though she knew me!"

"Injured her? She has a wild imagination, m'lady. And how could she possibly know you?"

"I hate her! She had no reason to say the things she did. She was just trying to keep Gav from the wedding!"

His voice was deep and gruff, "I'd like to teach that wicked woman a lesson she'd never forget. She thinks she is so high and mighty."

Lani snuggled her flushed cheek against Talomar's chest, just resting there, shivering for the moment. "I don?t know what to do. I have no family to be with me at the wedding now."

"Yes, that does cause a problem, but not one that can't be solved. We can both enter the chapel from different doors up front and meet together. Or we can walk down the aisle together. Or maybe there is someone else you'd like to ask?"

"I feel like this is so unfair to you. I come into this marriage with less than nothing. No, I cant think of anyone else."

?Well, I would be so honored to have us walk down the aisle together.?

?Are you sure??

He took her face in his hands and looked her in the eyes, "I will not let anyone or anything spoil our special day. I'm very sure, my love." He brought his mouth to hers, desiring to kiss her deeply.

Lani let her lips linger against him, taking comfort in his kiss, arms slipping shyly around his neck. He held her closer and deepened the kiss. A little sigh pulling back just a bit "Oh Tal, I do love you so much."

He smiled the biggest smile. "I'm such a lucky man to have a woman as fine as you love me. And I love you also, Lani."

Lani gave him a weak smile. ?All the other plans for the wedding are going well... except Philippe will not let me put doves in the chapel!"

"He won't? Why not?"

"He says doves have no place at a wedding... he called then dirty creatures with no manners!"

"I shall talk to him and you'll have doves, my dear. I want you to have everything you want in live. I want to please you in every way." Actually, he agreed with Philippe, but concessions would have to be made.

"You do Tal. I have never felt safer and happier than I do with you."

"That is good to hear, my love. No one shall ever hurt you." He put his arm around her shoulder. "Come, let us be off to bed. I need to be close to you. I want you, darling."

A warmer smile, "As you wish M'lord"

?He led her to his own chambers this night. "I wish very much to make love with you."

A soft giggle slips from her lips, "Even with my eyes all puffy from crying my love?"

"You look beautiful to me, and sexier than ever."

They went off to his chambers to make love.