Nathan turned then and saw her. She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. Her long brown hair falling in waves over her shoulders; she was beaming at him and her smile lit up the whole church. He really was a lucky bastard.

Later that night as he lay in bed with his wife, he thought about how happy he was to be married to Grace. Despite everything she knew about him, about his past; and even though he didn’t deserve it, she loved him. That knowledge was both comforting and terrifying to him. She had the power to destroy him. He pushed the thought to the back of his mind and concentrated on the feel of her skin against his; the taste of champagne that lingered on her lips; the smell of the coconut body lotion she always used – and he was lost to her.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Grace stared at Nathan’s handsome face while he was sleeping. The sunlight highlighted his strong features as it penetrated the thin curtain of their hotel room. She wondered for the millionth time what she had done to deserve him; to be so unbelievably happy. Running her fingertip over the cool metal band of his wedding ring, she felt an overwhelming sense of joy and contentment.

Yesterday had been the happiest day of her life. She would remember every detail of it until the day she died. How she’d felt beautiful for the first time ever, walking down the aisle, feeling all eyes on her, but for once not being self-conscious or nervous. Her eyes were firmly fixed ahead, on Nathan. He looked so handsome in his suit, standing there waiting for her. The sun streaming through the stained-glass windows shone directly on him, illuminating him like some beautiful angel in the dim light of the church. She noticed that Ben said something to him, something which had made Nathan turn and look towards her. Then he smiled; the biggest and most beautiful smile she had ever seen. As she reached him he took her hand and whispered into her ear.

‘Grace, you look beautiful.’

She’d never felt so happy in her life.

Grace would have preferred a small, quiet ceremony but Nathan was adamant that it should be a huge celebration. The church was packed to the rafters. Then afterwards they went to The Devonshire Hotel which was decked out like something from a Hollywood movie. The champagne flowed all night. People she’d never met or even heard of were stuffing envelopes into her hand, kissing her cheek, congratulating her and Nathan on their nuptials.

The best part had been when they’d finally gone up to their room that night. There Grace was, alone with her husband. He’d taken her in his arms and smothered her with a kiss. ‘Let’s go to bed, Mrs Conlon.’ He grinned at her. Their wedding night was everything she could have hoped for.