Page 68 of Betting on a Duke
“I wore my prettiest and favorite day dress today, hoping for just this event. All I need is my bonnet, and we may go.” She picked the bonnet up off the bed and placed it on her head, tying the ribbon beneath her chin. She held her hand out. “I’m ready.”
They exited the room and the inn, surprisingly without seeing any of their friends, and walked hand in hand in the glorious sunshine down the street to the adorable, white-washed stone church, where, to her shock, the vicar and his wife greeted them at the doorway with smiles. “They were expecting us.”
“Of course, my love.”
“Welcome, Your Grace, Lady Chesterfield. I’m the vicar, Mr.Smythe, and this is my wife, Mrs. Smythe,” the vicar said as he stepped aside. “Please come in. Everything is prepared. And may I say how honored I am to perform your marriage ceremony.”
Once she stepped inside, Clarice’s eyes widened. “Ohhh, the flowers, the altar, it is just as I imagined in my dreams.”
“His Grace saw to it all,” Mrs. Smythe said with pride.
“Samuel.” She squeezed his hand. “It is like a fairytale. Thank you.”
“Shall we proceed?” Mr. Smythe said. “Your Grace, please come with me to the altar. My wife will take care of Lady Chesterfield.”
Clarice watched as Samuel, dressed in black riding clothes but looking more handsome than she’d ever seen him, walked up the short aisle to the altar overflowing with white flowers of every variety imaginable. And the scent in the air was divine.
“Let us step outside the doors, my lady. You should make an entrance,” said Mrs. Smythe.
Once standing on the outside steps, Mrs. Smythe closed the double doors. “Oh, I forgot, these are for you.” She handed Clarice a small bouquet of white roses, and she buried her face in them and inhaled the delicate scent. “His Grace thought of everything.”
There were so many emotions hitting Clarice at once that tears pooled in her eyes. It all seemed like a dream, and she was afraid she would wake up at any moment and be alone.
“When I open the doors, I want you to slowly walk down the aisle and join hands with His Grace and face each other.”
The doors swung open, and beautiful violin music drifted from a solo violinist. This time, tears streamed down her cheeks, her heart overflowing with love for her soon-to-be husband.
When she reached a smiling Samuel, who had tears in his eyes, they joined hands, and the vicar, with Mrs. Smythe by his side, married them.
“Congratulations, Your Graces, you are now married under Godand in front of witnesses. May you have a long and fruitful life.” He waved his arm out as if the church were full of people. “Let us welcome the Duke and Duchess of Stanton.”
The door burst open, and their friends, Greyson, his sisters, Letitia, Hunter, Baron and Baroness Ramsbury, and Lord and Lady Kendall, all gathered in the church around them, wishing them well.
“Thank you, my husband. You made this day perfect. I love you.”
“You have made my life perfect. I love you more, my beautiful duchess.”
