Sarah reached for a plump strawberry. “All the same, I would want to know where I was going.”
Amelia swallowed the cheese she had been chewing. “I think the surprise of it is rather romantic.”
“Tell us about the proposal,” Grace requested.
“And do not leave anything out.” Sarah’s voice held a teasing lilt.
They listened ardently as Amelia recounted the parts she was willing to share. She told them how Richard stopped Lord Shillington’s proposal and declared his love for her, but saw no reason to give away private details.
“What a romantic story. I hope I someday have a similar experience.” Lady Sarah clutched her hands to her heart.
Grace grinned. “I think we had better be going. Your groom waits by the fountain.”
Amelia walked down the cobblestone path, past the servants who had gathered to watch, and toward her waiting bridegroom.
Grace stood to his side while Lady Sarah waited across from them. Holding a bible the clergyman waited in front of the fountain. The stone lovers locked in their eternal embrace cast a romantic shadow over the group.
A man stepped out onto the path, freezing her in place. “Uncle Lewis.”
He hurried toward her, a smile on his face.
“How? When did you arrive?” Amelia’s heartbeat threatened to bust the seams of her gown.
“Fate, and I am glad for it.” He offered his arm.
Amelia threaded her hand through the crook of his elbow. “I do not understand?”
“My ship became damaged not even a fortnight after departure and had to turn back. You’d not want to listen to my tale while your groom waits at the altar. I will tell you all about it after your nuptials.” He patted her hand.
“You are not cross with me?” She glanced at him impishly.
He shook his head. “On the contrary, I am pleased. Now let us get you married.”
Amelia turned back toward the altar. Richard’s gaze locked with hers as she continued her wedding march.
Richard grinned roguishly, sending a thrill clear to her toes. She smiled back, her gaze never leaving his as they approached. When they reached her groom, Uncle Lewis placed her hands in Richard’s outstretched ones.
“We are gathered--” the clergyman began.
She remained focused on Richard while she recited the words of matrimony with her whole heart, then listened with tears of joy in her eyes when he did the same.
“With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the clergyman announced.
Her husband, the duke, leaned in and kissed her deeply.
“I love you, Duchess of Goldstone,” he whispered against her lips.
Amelia walked hand in hand with Richard up the cobblestone path past their guests and through a shower of birdseed.
The sensations caused by the simple contact of his hand holding hers sent delectable sensations through her. She longed for more contact as her pulse raced and her cheeks heated.
She looked at her husband, a coy smirk upon her lips. “Must we wait for tonight?”
He sucked in his bottom lip and raked his teeth across it. “You will be my undoing, woman.”
She laughed as he led her into Abernathy House for their wedding breakfast. He positioned her by the dining room entrance and stood next to her, still holding her hand in his while they waited for Grace, Uncle Lewis, and Sarah. There would be no other guests, a fact that pleased Amelia. She wanted only their closest friends and family present.
The duchess outdid herself with the decorations, both in the garden and the house. An arch of red and pink roses flanked the doorway she and Richard stood by, and large floral arrangements sat poised around the dining room. She allowed her gaze to take in the whole scene.
