Page 41 of Sincerely, the Duke
“But this isn’t a Christmastide blessing,” he answered firmly but respectfully, the chin of his beard bobbing as he talked. “I have some leeway there.”
“You have it here too. I just gave it to you.”
The vicar cleared his throat and puffed out his chest. “May I remind you it is highly irregular not to have a complete sacred marriage ceremony.”
“I appreciate your concern, but I’ll take my chances with missing all the blessings.”
“As you wish, Your Grace,” he said, closing the book he held in his hands with a disgruntled clap.
Along with the guests, Rick settled his gaze on the entrance to the drawing room and his attention fell on the cocksure marksman, Mr. Matthew Malcolm. Rick went rigid with anger. What was that braggart doing at his wedding? If Alberta Fellows Cosworth weren’t his mother, he’d have more than a word or two with her for inviting that man. Rick was of a mind to stalk up to him and throw him out. But as that notion took root in his thoughts, he noticed Miss Fine’s sisters and aunt slipping into the back of the room. They melded unobtrusively into the crowd of guests near the doorway. From the corner of his eye, he saw Hurst, Wyatt, and Fredericka move closer to the front near him.
Everyone was in place.
A moment later, a violin and pianoforte started playing and his bride walked from around the doorway and into the room. Rick’s breath caught in his chest. Everyone but her was forgotten.
Edwina was stunning, but more than that was the realization that she would be his to have and to hold forever. Suddenly, Rick felt as if hundreds of horses were galloping in his chest. She looked almost angelic, dressed in light ivory-colored silk that shimmered and flowed elegantly against her legs with every step she took. The crown of her hair was covered by a wide band of beaded silk the same sparkling shade as her dress. In her handsshe held a single pink rose with colorful ribbons streaming from the stem to flutter down her gown.
Somehow, he’d known she was the right lady for him the first day he met her. And now he was surer than ever.
Though none of the guests had seen her before, they had no doubt who she was when she entered. In a rustle of shuffling feet and swishing taffeta and silk, they backed up and widened the short path to where Rick stood. Miss Fine held her chin modestly high and her shoulders confidently straight.
An odd sentiment came over him, and for a fleeting moment he felt as if he had been waiting for this lady all his life. Odd as it seemed to him, it just felt right and exciting that she should be in his house and joining her life with his.
She had an aura of sensuality that seemed to envelop her every time he looked at her. It wasn’t something he could define, but it was soft and vital. He saw, felt, and was drawn to it in a way he’d never been with any other woman. It was as if she radiated a seductive heat. He sensed it the first time he’d seen her standing in his vestibule, even though her back was to him. That same quality now had him eager for their wedding night.
As she came closer, the throbbing pain in his head receded to a dull ache, and then, thankfully, along with the quiet whispers from the crowd, it faded completely away. His thoughts were consumed by the sight of his bride; it was as if everyone in the room had disappeared by the time she stopped beside him.
With painstaking concentration, his gaze moved over her features when she turned to look at him. Her rosy lips were closed and softly tilted upward. Sensing she was nervous and hiding it well, he gave an encouraging smile. She acknowledged it by lowering her chin and lashes andgiving him a brief nod. He may not have wanted to marry at this time but thanks to fate, his mother’s constant harangue for a grandson, and the worrisome possibility of another fever, he had no doubt he had chosen well. Now he would make sure she knew she had chosen well too.
They faced the vicar, who at present was desperately trying to find his place in the book he’d snapped shut earlier. While the musicians finished playing the last chords of their score, Rick took the moment to whisper to his bride, “You look exceptionally beautiful today.”
“Thank you,” she answered softly, and immediately added, “You are most handsome too, but you could have warned me you were inviting half of London to our wedding.”
“I would have, had I known.”
“There are more people here than in the entire village where I grew up. I’m not comfortable around so many people and was expecting something a little more intimate.”
His brows rose and he harrumphed softly. Keeping his voice a whisper, he said, “I’m glad we have that in common. In time, you’ll get used to the way my mother does things. She thought it best you meet everyone she knows today and get all introductions over with.”
“Then I must give her my gratitude for that. I believe I should like getting it all over with today.”
The vicar started speaking and their attention shifted to the clergyman. He kept to his word and led them through the consecrated vows and only two short prayers at an even pace without adding a sermon, an opinion, or a lecture concerning the state or sanctity of marriage.
When the minister asked for the ring, Rick took hold of her hand. It was cold but not shaky. She was handlingthe ceremony well. Her eyes were steady but tentative as he slid the gold band bearing the Stonerick crest on her finger.
A few words later the vicar said, “I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
CHAPTER 14
THE ART OF BEING A FINE GENTLEMAN
SIR DUDLEY SAMSON PEMBERTON FINE
It is incumbent upon a fine gentleman to consider the day he weds as the luckiest day of his life, and to make sure everyone knows it.
Edwina had no idea how or why it had become a proper tradition, necessary even, for a husband of only a few seconds to kiss his bride with everyone in the crowded room watching.
The divinely dashing duke stood beside her in his crisply pressed white shirt, tastefully tied neckcloth, white quilted waistcoat, and black formal coat looking as calm as if marrying was something he did every day of the week. No different from putting on his hat. Knowing she had to marry for her sisters’ benefit as well as her own, knowing this was the first step in fulfilling her promise to her father, Edwina had been quite composed throughout the ceremony. Until this moment.
