“If you think I have never been to a ball that ended after dawn, you are quite mistaken,” Adelaide quipped, not bothering to remove her hand from his as they started toward the church. “That is fairly commonplace in London.”

Harrison had to chuckle rather heartily now. “Oh, Adelaide, this is no London gathering. That has finery and waltzes, manners and elegance. There is order and patterns, routines and hierarchy. This is nothing like that. There is no status, no station, no finery or frills. You will only find good food, good company, plenty of drink, and a determination to dance and celebrate until every pair of feet is worn out.”

His wife raised her chin as though he had given her a challenge to which he doubted her ability to succeed. “I will not leave of my own volition before dawn, my lord. If you wish to depart prematurely, you may do so. I believe your endurance might require more questioning than my own.”

He gave her the courtesy of looking impressed, though amusement was his primary feeling at the moment, and lifted his eyes to the gorse hanging about the entrance to the church. “Then I will challenge us both, madam. I request the first dance of the evening, as well as the last of all, no matter the time. Do you accept?”

“I do,” Adelaide replied in as prim a voice as could be heard anywhere in London. “And may the best Basset win.”

Harrison hissed softly. “I told you, there could be more Bassets there, and if Jago Basset from Sawle comes, no one will dance more than him. Of course, he’ll also be the most intoxicated, so he won’t remember any of it—”

His wife’s sharp elbow jabbed into his side, which meant his entrance into the church was one of restrained laughter and limited salutations.

She could not be certain, but Adelaide did not think she had ever enjoyed an event more than the one she was presently attending. It had been several hours since the wedding, and the stars in the deep black sky had long been their companions, yet there was no sign that the celebration would be ending any time soon.

The bride and groom had departed for their home not so long ago, and several of the guests had followed with the bagpiper to commence with the peppering, but they seemed to be straggling back now to continue with the festivities.

There was something very light and easy about this celebration and the energy with which these people engaged in it. Knowing the struggles they endured, the difficulties they faced from day to day and season to season, it was humbling and inspiring to see them honor a fine couple with so much jubilation and spirit. Laughter was the sound that Adelaide had heard most of all throughout the evening.

She could never have said the same thing for London.