“I do not think I am beautiful enough to do that. But a dress that will catch his attention and perhaps…” Vivian trailed off.
“When we are finished, you will be the most radiant woman in theton.” Charlotte smiled at her. “Trust us.”
And as the three of them strolled down the street, Vivian found that, to her surprise, she did.
Chapter Eight
“Did you hear a word I said, Elington?” Dominic waved a hand in front of Thomas’s face.
Thomas frowned at his cousin. It was the day of the wedding, and in truth, his mind had been on the dress his fiancée had tried to hide from him when he bumped into her on the high street.
It had been made of such a fine muslin with such a low cut that if she truly did mean it to be her wedding dress, he suspected the priest might die of shock. Still, the thought of Vivian in such a dress was not wholly unappealing.
He shook himself and took a steadying breath. “I was a million miles away. Sorry.”
“Clearly.” Dominic sighed. “I was saying that Benedict has just poked his head through the door with Samantha. Your bride has just arrived.”
Thomas’s muscles tensed. He straightened and adjusted his cravat without thinking. He had had his morning dress made just for this. They were tailored to perfection, highlighting his muscular form and height.
He could feel the eyes of thetonupon him, hear their murmurs. Music began to play, and the whispering ceased. He turned in time to see the doors open and Benedict and Samantha emerge onto the aisle.
The tension built as the wedding party emerged. First the children, then Charlotte and Andrea—he had been surprised that Vivian had asked them to be bridesmaids, but the three of them seemed to have formed a bond—and finally Vivian.
“Is that her?” someone whispered.
“Have you ever seen a dress like that?” Another voice added.
Thomas could barely hear them over the pounding of blood in his ears. If he had not been so used to school, his face, his jaw would have been on the floor.
His heart swelled as Vivian moved toward him. She was not wearing the dress she had bought that day, but that did not mean that her gown was anything less than magnificent.
The silvery-white silk glittered in the light streaming through the church windows. It gave Vivian an almost ethereal glow. She wore no veil, though her hair was done in an elegant style withbeads of gold and pearls that shone even brighter against the darkness of her hair.
His mouth went dry as his eyes roved over her. The dress swayed with her movement, drawing his attention to the elegant curve of her body.
She looked like Aphrodite brought to life. She looked like the kind of woman who stole a man’s breath and made him thankful for it.
As she approached him, she gave him a shy smile that tugged at his heart so fiercely that he had taken a step toward her before he realized.
“You look beautiful,” he murmured, his voice hoarse as he leaned toward her.
“Thank you,” Vivian whispered back. “Charlotte and Andrea helped me choose it.”
“Then I owe them a great debt.” Thomas could not take his eyes off her.
“I am glad you like it.” Her eyes flashed, but before she could say another word, the priest began speaking.
Thomas was not sure if he was relieved or frustrated that the moment had been interrupted, and that unsettled him. He could barely keep his eyes off Vivian.
How does she seem to get more beautiful by the minute?
He breathed in deeply, trying to calm his raging emotions, but the smell of her was intoxicating.
“Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?” The priest’s words pulled Thomas into the present.
Beside him, the Lord Brookes took Vivian’s hand in his and placed it in the wrinkled hand of the priest. Then the priest placed Vivian’s right hand in Thomas’s.
Her skin was soft against his; her fingers were warm. He felt them tremble slightly at his touch. His heart beat faster than his eyes found Vivian’s hazel ones.
