“She is beautiful.” Funny, Blake wasn’t surprised with the changes. Samantha seemed to be blossoming before his eyes, every day a little more light and ease in her steps.

“It’s more than that.” Carter’s gaze cut away to one of the Parker lawyers across the room. “How is everything else going?”

Blake wasn’t about to talk about any details with a room full of ears. “Perfectly. We’ll be going back to the States in a few days. Gwen wanted to come back with us, but I convinced her that Samantha and I need some time alone before we started entertaining family.”

Carter laughed. “Did that work?”

“Of course.” Why wouldn’t it? Half the family noticed them arrive from their ride to the cottage the previous day. After making love, eating lunch, then finding a sunny spot of grass to make love a second time, their clothes were rumpled and hair was a mess. There was no mistaking their actions.

“Careful, Blake.”

Blake lifted his glass with his drink in his hand and stared over the rim at his friend. “Careful about what?”

“Something about you feels different. Be careful.”

Blake squared his shoulders. “I’m always careful.”

Samantha was walking toward them, a smile on her lips.

Blake set his glass down and slid an arm around her waist. “You remember Carter?”

“How can anyone forget Carter?” Samantha leaned forward when Carter kissed her cheek. Although his best friend didn’t threaten him in the least, Blake didn’t like seeing her eyes light up when they looked at his friend. “Is Hollywood calling you yet?”

Carter laughed. Samantha had made a joke about his Hollywood good looks landing him a job on a movie set if he ever got tired of pursuing a career as a politician.

“Not yet. I’m still waiting, though.”

Blake’s arm tightened around her frame.

“Your mother suggested we move into the ballroom to start the dancing. Seems no one will begin until we spin around a couple of times.”

The thought of Samantha pressing close to him motivated his feet. “If you’ll excuse us.”

Carter nodded as they walked away.

“Have I told you how lovely you are tonight?” Blake whispered close to her ear.

“You did. You clean up well yourself.”

Enjoying her compliment, Blake smiled. He wore a tux, and why not? They didn’t have the opportunity to dress for their wedding, so this would have to do.

The entered the ballroom where a string quartet played in one corner. When they spotted the two of them, they ended the song they were playing and started another.

The moment the music began, he led Samantha to the center of the room and swung her into his arms. Her hands lifted to his shoulders as they swayed to the music. Samantha’s cheeks blossomed with color. “People are staring.”

Blake fanned his fingers along the edge of her dress to the small of her back and pressed her close. “That’s what they do for the bride and groom’s first dance.” And because he felt her stiffen, he teased her. “They want to see me trip.” Blake spun her around, their bodies close.

“They might be waiting for awhile, you seem to know what you’re doing out here.”

Blake removed one of her arms from his neck and led her into another swing before bringing her back. “I’ve danced a time or two.”

“Or three or four.”

She followed his lead, easing into his arms. By the time the dance ended, he was staring into her eyes. He lowered his lips to hers for a small taste.

Cameras flashed and several people clapped as the quartet picked up another song. This time the dance floor started to fill.

Samantha lifted her lips to his ear. “Was that kiss for the cameras?”

His lips lifted. “That kiss was for you. But this one…” He dipped her low, arching her back and taking her mouth to his again before bringing her back up. “Is for the cameras.”

Samantha chewed on her bottom lip as she smiled. “Jeeze, and I thought the English frowned on such public displays of affection.”

Blake tossed his head back with laughter. “And we both know how much I long to be English.”

Laughing, they spun around until Blake felt someone tap his shoulder. He twisted to see Carter grinning. “Mind if I cut in?”

Blake almost told him to bugger off. Instead, he tilted his head to his bride and let Carter dance with her.

His gaze followed them around the dance floor wondering what Carter was saying to make her laugh.

“Easy, big brother,” Gwen cooed beside him. “They’re just dancing.”

“What?” Blake blinked and looked down at his sister.

“Dancing, which I was hoping you’d do with me.” She tugged on his hand until he conceded.

“I really like her.”

Blake had to spin Gwen to see his wife. “She likes you, too.”

“She’s a lot nicer than any of the girls you’ve been dating. I can see why you married her. Not to mention she’s American, which dad would have hated.”

Blake forced his attention to his sister and her words. “I didn’t marry her to spite our dead father.” No, he’d married her because of his dead father.

“But it doesn’t hurt that he wouldn’t have approved.”

Was he so transparent that even his sister could see his demons? What if he was going through all this effort, all the lies, to tick off a dead man? What happened when Blake let go of all the animosity and pain from his past?