~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Elizabeth woke before the sun, after having had perhaps four hours of sleep. Next to her, Jane was still slumbering peacefully. Rather than exit the bed and wake her beloved sister, she remained as still as she was able as she counted the time until she would be the old man’s wife.
Eventually, Elizabeth heard the sounds of the household waking up. The sun was up when one of the Gardiners’ maids entered and told Miss Elizabeth her aunt was summoning her to her private sitting room.
Jane was awake by the time Elizabeth had secured her robe and left the chamber to go join her aunt.
On entering, Elizabeth did not miss the tray with her favourite strawberry pastries on the plate and a cup of hot chocolate, the steam still rising, next to it. As much as she loved both things, Elizabeth was not sure she would be able to eat or drink anything, especially on this day of all days.
Seeing her niece was about to protest, Madeline spoke first. “Lizzy, please trust me when I tell you it is in your best interest to break your fast now. Regardless of how much you do not want to be marrying the Duke, you will only hurt yourself if you are faint from hunger.”
“I suppose,” Elizabeth agreed with no good humour.
She threw herself onto the settee next to her aunt with resignation and took a bite of one of the pastries. As was common with many, as soon as she took the first bite, her body told her how hungry she was, and not long after both pastries were gone and the cup drained of all hot chocolate.
After scraping out the last drops of the decadent drink with the teaspoon and licking the remnants of the pastries from her fingers, it was time to make for the bath.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The Gardiner carriage arrived at St. Paul’s just before the time the Duke had demanded they be there. Wickham had been posted outside and as soon as he saw them arrive, made his way into the cavernous church to inform his master.
The Duke had been sitting in one of the highbacked chairs on the side of the altar usually reserved for Bishops and above when Wickham drew his attention and nodded.
To his chagrin, the only peer present was the Earl of Colbath and his countess. In the back were a few people the Duke guessed were reporters for some of the gossip rags. He did not object to their presence as that way his wedding would garner some of the attention he felt was his right.
Less than five minutes after Wickham entered St. Paul’s, the tradesman’s wife and his bride’s sisters, except for the blonde entered the nave of the church and took seats across the aisle from Colbath and his wife.
Per his agreement, the Duke had met at Colbath’s solicitor’s office handing the man the debt markers relating to Lord McEntire. He had signed a document stating once the Countess sponsored his wife and the new duchess was presented, the vowels were to be released to the Earl.
He lamented his shortsightedness; he should have made Colbath standing up with him part of the bargain. As it was, the Earl had refused thanks to the confidence of knowing the debt receipts were with his lawyer.
That had led to having Wickham stand up with him. How humiliating. At least it was better than having his valet do the duty.
As soon as he saw the blonde sister begin her walk up the aisle, Hertfordshire, with Wickham’s assistance, stood and made his way to where he would await his magnificent bride.
He had ordered her to visit a modiste and acquire, at his expense, in addition to an appropriate wardrobe, a magnificent wedding gown so he was interested to see in what she would bebedecked. Also, he had sent some of the Hertfordshire jewels to the uncle’s house for her to wear.
When the sister reached the place she was to stand opposite Wickham, the Bishop of St. Paul’s—he had to be married by a bishop as he had his previous two weddings—indicated for the few people present to stand.
The uncle had entered with his niece on his arm. Even now she was defying him, which he had to admit still aroused him. She wore the same gown she had worn when he had met her at the assembly in Meryton and other than a garnet cross, the only other jewellery she wore was the engagement ring. It was on a finger on her right hand so there would be room to place the wedding ring.
Hertfordshire considered commenting on her dress and lack of jewels but decided against it. He was sure it was exactly what she expected.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
All her prayershewould not be waiting for her in the church had gone unanswered. There he was in all of his old, corpulent glory.
Elizabeth walked as slowly as she was able in order to delay the inevitable as long as possible. Eventually, Uncle Edward stopped at the head of the aisle where the old man stood waiting for her.
She wore a bonnet and Gardiner kissed each of her cheeks, delaying the moment he had to perform the distasteful task of handing his niece over to a brute. Once he did the duty, the last thing he wanted to do, Gardiner joined his wife and nieces in the front pew on the right.
The Bishop began the liturgy as prescribed by theBook of Common Prayer. When he asked if there were any who objected,Elizabeth had hoped there would be one who would speak. There was not. After no one raised an objection, Elizabeth stopped listening, trying to imagine something pleasant.
She noticed the Bishop andheboth were looking at her expectantly. “I am waiting for your answer,” the Bishop told hersotto voce.
“Please repeat the question, I was wool-gathering,” Elizabeth responded.
“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, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?” the Bishop repeated.
