Page 73 of Scandal, Secrets, and the Marquess
Adeline’s lips twitched in a silent chuckle. Malcolm would lose his mind at the number of pins he would have to pull out to free her curls tonight.
Malcolm had spent their three weeks apart here at Bridestone Manor, having the house fully opened, hiring staff, and planning the wedding details. The sweet man had arranged to have a bouquet of fresh flowers delivered to her each day they were apart. Her practical side thought it was terribly extravagant and unnecessary. But each bouquet had arrived with a little note that contained one thing he loved about her. The thought of him sitting and writing out all those compliments simply melted her heart. Perhaps he was right; she was a romantic, after all.
Lucy arched an eyebrow at Violet. “Soon enough, this will be you.”
Adeline twisted around to face Violet. “What?!”
Violet narrowed her eyes to glare at Lucy. “I didn’t want to steal the attention away from your special day, so I was going to wait to tell you. But my father signed the marriage contract for my betrothal to the Marquess of Sommerset last week.”
Adeline took Violet’s hands in hers. “Are you happy about the match?”
Violet shrugged. “I am not unhappy. I have known him my whole life. Our fathers are friends. It’s a good match; he will be the duke one day. My mother is, of course, ecstatic. The best part is he has planned a trip to the continent this spring for our honeymoon. Can you believe it? I am so excited to travel abroad.”
Not unhappy was not the enthusiastic response she always hoped Violet would have over a betrothal. She glanced at Lucy, who she knew felt the same love for her husband as Adeline felt for Malcolm.
Then Adeline bussed Violet’s cheek. “Congratulations, dear.”
“Thank you. And you two can stop sending each other concerned looks. I will be fine. He is a bit brash but generally nice. I will be able to manage him just fine.” Violet winked. “Now, let’s get you to the altar.”
Lucy gave Adeline a swift hug. “You look beautiful. He is going to swoon.”
They went down the main stairs and followed the trail of white rose petals to the back of the house. A set of carved wooden double doors separated them from where the ceremony would take place, and she could hear the murmur of voices from the other side. Adeline hadn’t been allowed to see the room. Malcolm insisted it be a surprise. She had no idea how he had decorated the ballroom, perhaps a winter wonderland theme for the early December wedding?
The doors opened, and a string quartet began to play. Her friends stepped through and began walking down the center of the room on a rose-petal-strewn aisle. But Adeline stood at the entrance, utterly frozen in place. This wasn’t a ballroom but rather a solarium.
Floor-to-ceiling arched windows created three walls. Tall candelabras were set around the edges. Candlelight flickered softly and was reflected in all the glass. Ivy climbed a white lattice arch at the end of the aisle, and underneath, the man she loved stood waiting for her. Adeline took a deep breath and stepped across the threshold.
A wide grin spread across his face. He held out a hand. Adeline floated down on a carpet of rose petals to him. Nothing could have been more perfect. He grasped both her hands and squeezed.
His eyes shone with soft emotion. “You are stunning.”
“This is a beautiful surprise. I didn’t know the house had a solarium.”
“Look up, darling.”
Adeline tipped her head back and gasped. The entire ceiling was glass; through it, she could see the stars in the night sky. Breathtaking. Her eyes swam with tears.
Malcolm brushed one from her cheek. As he gazed down at her, the love in his eyes felt like a miracle.
He grinned. “I thought it only fitting for us to marry under our star.”
How had fate known to send her this wonderful man? Known they would chase away the loneliness that each had endured and fill that empty space with love. Adeline stared up at the night sky and searched for Polaris. It hung right above them, the brightest star at the tip of Ursa Minor.Thank you, North Star, for guiding me to my new life.
The End
