Their eyes met across the length of the church, and she saw his expression change; she saw the tension in his shoulders ease, the worry in his eyes transform into wonder, and she saw the smile that spread across his face like sunrise.
She had never seen him smile like that. Open and unguarded, without a trace of the coldness that had once defined him. The icebound duke was thawing, and she was the warmth that had melted him.
She walked toward him. The aisle seemed to stretch forever, each step bringing her closer to a future she had never dared to imagine. She was aware of the eyes on her, of the whispers and the tears and the barely contained joy of a village that had claimed her as its own.
But mostly, she was aware of him. Of Frederick, waiting for her, looking at her like she was the answer to every question he had ever asked.
She reached the altar andtookher place beside him.
"You came," he whispered.
"Did you think I wouldn't?"
"I thought…" He shook his head. "I don't know what I thought. I've been standing here for an hour, terrified that something would go wrong. That you would change your mind. That I would wake up and discover this was all a dream."
"It's not a dream. I'm here, and I'm staying."
"Promise?"
"I promise." She squeezed his hand. "Now stop worrying and marry me."
His smile widened. "As you wish."
***
The ceremony was simple and beautiful.
Reverend Clarke stood at the altar, his white vestments bright against the ancient stone.
"Dearly beloved," he began, his voice carrying through the silent church, "we are gathered here today in the sight of God and in the presence of this congregation to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony."
The familiar words rolled over Lydia like music. She had heard them before, at other weddings in this church, but she had never understood their weight until now. This was not just a ceremony. It was a transformation; a moment when two separate lives became one shared future.
"Marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly," Reverend Clarke continued, "but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God."
She felt Frederick’s hand tighten around hers. When she glanced at him, she saw that his eyes were fixed on her face, as if he couldn't bear to look away even for a moment.
"Into this holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If any man can show just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace."
A ripple of tension passed through the congregation. This was the moment that everyone had been dreading, the moment when someone might stand up and voice the objections that society had been whispering for months.
The silence stretched.
No one spoke.
Lydia let out a breath she hadn't realised she was holding. Beside her, she felt Frederick’s shoulders relax.
Reverend Clarke smiled, a small, private smile that suggested he had never expected anyone to object, and continued with the ceremony.
"Frederick James Hawthorne, wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour 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." Frederick’s voice was steady and clear, ringing through the church.
"Lydia Eleanor Fletcher, wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"
"I will."
Her voice came out stronger than she expected. Somewhere in the congregation, she heard Mrs. Thompson sob quietly.
