He grinned, and wrapped his arms around her. "Darling, I've already been subjected to meeting more people that even I can remember, and wearing very uncomfortable clothing, and I'm not sure what else. I think I can deal with a little ugly political intrigue."

"You looked very dashing in your uncomfortable clothing and everyone is going home, so you can drop their names down a well, an you choose." Niabheara gently disentangled his arms so that she could flop gracelessly onto her back, her hands folded over her stomach. "I am tired of this wedding," she announced. "I want it to be finished so that I can be married and be done."

"You are married and done," Marcello pointed out, holding up his still-bandaged forearm. "Proof." He crawled over to lie beside her. "Everyone will be gone soon. I think this storm is some kind of blessing from the gods."

"This is once that I will not much mind being snowed in without any hope of company." She turned onto her side so that she could snuggle up to him. "And you may remind me I said that in three days when I start whining that I can't get to my horses."

Marcello kissed her on her nose. "Perish the thought," he replied. "I'd like to be snowed in with nothing but you, a fire, and a door to the kitchen."

"It can be arranged." Amused, she started tugging at the bottom edge of his shirt. "I might like to go out eventually."

He slid an arm around her and kissed her idly. "Eventually," he agreed. "I don't see why we have to rush things."

"Because I know you and as soon as we finish making love you start prowling around for food," she teased. "Therefore it's best to lay on provisions before we start anything, as it is only a matter of time before you give up all propriety and raid the kitchen in the nude."

Marcello burst out laughing. "We could get a skillet and a cookpot for me to use in the room," he suggested, his eyes soulful at the idea. "And then I could teach you how to cook Italian food in the nude."

"I have a clay grill and pot-oven with my camping things," she said brightly. "You can cook with them if you like. You don't want me to cook--I'm horrid at it."