He watched her as she thought, and then suddenly…
“Did you write this? About me?”
“Indeed I did,” he confessed. “When I first realized that I had feelings for you, I began composing a piece. I was useless with my words, and so I used music instead. I wanted it to say everything that I couldn’t.”
“You certainly achieved that, though I must say that you have no issues telling me how you feel now.”
“You made it easier. Speaking of which, it is about time that I do something that I should have done months ago. Could I see my mother’s ring for a moment?”
“What’s the matter? Are you going to take it back?” She teased.
“For a moment, yes, but you shall have it right back.”
She handed him the ring, and he placed it into a ring box under the table before leaving his seat and getting down on one knee beside her.
“Oh, Philip,” she sighed, laughing gently. “I had forgotten that we didn’t do this!”
“We have certainly been unconventional,” he agreed. “But it is time to rectify that. And so, Lady Jacqueline Winterbourne, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“Nothing in the world would make me happier!”
Nothing has really changed, Philip thought, and yet everything has.
***
“Diamonds or pearls?” Elizabeth asked, holding two necklaces against Jackie’s neck.
She thought that every aspect of her wedding had been planned, even arranging it for months away, in April, so that the Dowager Duchess could have the spring flowers that she wanted. However, the finer details were continuing to appear, even on the morning of the wedding itself.
“Diamonds,” the Dowager replied for her. “Poor Jackie has been waiting for long enough, she deserves an extra special gift.”
“Truly, I have not minded the wait. It gave me more time with my family before becoming a wife—which I am of course excited to become!”
“It is not as though you will be vanishing,” Elizabeth joked. “You can see us whenever you choose, or invite us to see you. Besides, Rupert and I shall be married soon enough regardless.”
“I know. Do you suppose that Father will be lonely?”
“He will have more than enough to do. Ever since his debts were cleared, he has made some good friends.”
“And I hope that it stays that way.”
“Either way, it is as I said. He can visit. Now, we shall have to make our way to the church soon. Are you ready?”
“I couldn’t be more prepared if I tried! As we said, it has been a long engagement, and I cannot wait for it to be over so that I can return home with my husband.”
It was still a strange word to say, even though she had told herself the same word over and over hoping that she would adapt.
As she walked down the aisle alongside her father, Philip looking at her as though she was the most beautiful woman in the world, she wanted everything to freeze. She wanted to feel that way for the rest of her life, but she also wanted to reach the part where they were married and so she had to continue.
At last, the time for vows came.
“Philip Churchill, Duke of Creighton” the vicar began. “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, comfort her, honor her, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will,” Philip replied, his gaze not leaving hers.
“And Lady Jacqueline Winterbourne, 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 other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will,” she nodded affirmatively, meaning every word.
