“It was an easy decision. I want everyone to be as happy as I am.”
He kissed her forehead. “Richmond is a lucky man to have won your heart.”
“I’m the lucky one. He is everything I could wish for in a husband.”
“As long as you’re happy, I’m happy,” Edgerton said as he escorted her down the stairs and out into the garden, where Richmond stood with the vicar.
Emma’s heart swelled with emotion. She would never have believed her life could change so dramatically in a few months.
Only the family, including the duke’s sisters, attended the wedding, and that made Emma happy. She knew she’d have to face Society soon enough, but she wanted today to be about just her and Richmond and those closest to them.
Edgerton walked her to stand next to Richmond before taking a seat beside the very pregnant Courtney.
“You’re stunning, my darling,” Richmond whispered.
She gazed at him, love shining in her eyes. “Thank you.”
The vicar opened his book and began. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here, in the sight of God, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”
He looked at the duke and began, “William George Davies, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comforther, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will,” Richmond said.
The vicar turned to Emma. “Emma Lavinia Bainbridge, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him and serve him, love, honor, and keep him, in sickness and in health and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”
Richmond’s loving gaze brought tears to her eyes. She blinked them back and answered in a clear voice. “I will.”
“My lord, please take her hand,” the vicar said. “Do you have a ring?”
Richmond nodded, peeled the glove off her left hand, and repeated after the vicar: “With this ring, I thee wed; with my body, I thee worship; and with all my worldly goods, I thee endow. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,” before placing a slim emerald-and-pearl band on her finger. It was the perfect match for the ring he’d given her when he proposed.
“By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Richmond swept Emma into his arms. “You’re finally mine,” he whispered after planting a sweet kiss on her lips.
Edgerton and Courtney joined them and signed the registry as their witnesses.
Their family gathered around them to hug and congratulate the happy couple before everyone went to the parlor for the wedding breakfast.
“Are you happy, my darling?” Richmond asked as he escorted her to the parlor.
“Deliriously so,” Emma said. “Being with you is my dearest wish.”
“With words like that, how long must we stay in attendance?”
She chuckled. “My darling, as much as I’d like to retire to our bedchamber with all due haste, I don’t want to disappoint my mother. She worked very hard on giving us the perfect day.”
“And this is why I love you so dearly—you’re always thinking of others.”
Charlotte walked to them when they entered the room. “Oh, Emma, now we’re truly sisters. I couldn’t be happier,” she said, hugging her.
“It’s wonderful indeed,” Emma said. “Now, I don’t mind saying that I’m hungry—shall we sit and enjoy the feast Mrs. Spencer hasprepared for us?”
“Your wish is my command, my darling,” Richmond said.
But before they could take their seats, Edgerton walked over to Richmond. “Your Grace, a word if you please?”
Richmond nodded and followed him out into the hallway. “What is it? Is something amiss?”
