The vicar snapped his book shut and once more scanned the congregation, which consisted wholly of Felicity’s family and some of their servants. His narrow-eyed gaze seemed to settle on one sister in particular, but Drake couldn’t tell which one. “Once again,” Mr. Donaldson said, “an abbreviated and more personalized ceremony was requested.” He blew out a heavy sigh. “And once again, my wife informed me I was not to refuse.”
The quiet tittering of laughter swept through the pews.
The vicar nodded at Drake. “Now, my lord, and do not forget the ring at the end.”
“I prefer to do the ring at the beginning, Mr. Donaldson.” Drake smiled. “I am sure you understand.”
“It appears I have little choice.” Mr. Donaldson tucked his holy book in the crook of his arm and offered another curt nod for them to continue.
After Felicity handed her bridal bouquet of roses to Merry, she turned back to him with a shy smile.
Drake pulled the ring from his pocket, the precious gold ring his father had given to his mother on their wedding day, and one of the few things Drake had refused to sell. He placed it on Felicity’s finger, smiling at the perfect fit. Their union was meant to be. His parents had blessed it.
Still holding to the ring, he said, “With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
She caught her bottom lip between her teeth, her eyes shining with tears.
He kissed her hand, then brushed an escaped tear from her cheek, and brought it to his lips. “My dearest heart, before God and these witnesses, I bind myself to thee—not merely in duty, but in affection, admiration, and unwavering resolve. Thy happiness shall be mypurpose, thy sorrows mine to share. I vow to honor thee, to guard thee, and to stand beside thee in every season and trial—until the stars dim and time forgets our names.”
She touched his cheek and nodded. “My beloved, with full heart and steady hand, I give myself to thee—freely, wholly, and without reserve. Thy name shall be my comfort, thy arms my home. I shall walk beside thee through all of life’s tempests and triumphs, ever seeking to bring thee peace and gladness. As long as breath is mine, my love shall be thine.”
Mr. Donaldson cleared his throat yet again, but not with quite as much irritation as before. “Let us pray. Oh eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life; send thy blessing upon these Thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in Thy name; that, as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, whereof this ring given and received is a token and pledge, and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
He reached forward and joined Drake and Felicity’s right hands together. “Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.” Then he held a hand up and looked to the congregation. “Forasmuch as Drake Bartholemew Pemberton and Felicity Bethianna Jasmine Abarough have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands, I pronounce that they be man and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
He snapped his fingers at shuffling in the pews, then turned to Drake and Felicity as he continued, “God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifullywith his favor look upon you; and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen.”
“Amen!” shouted one of the more exuberant children who had escaped the clutches of their nanny.
The church erupted with laughter and more shouts of “Amen!”
Drake took Felicity’s hands in his and kissed them. “We are married, my angel.”
“Married at last,” she said. “Married at last.”
The musicians struck up a lively tune, and the family swarmed them as they hurried down the aisle and swept outside to the cheering villagers who had gathered to wish them well.
Happier than he could ever remember being, Drake helped Felicity up into the ribbon- and flower-bedecked barouche that would take them to Broadmere Hall for the wedding breakfast that Felicity had planned but entrusted Cook and Mrs. Bean to prepare. As they rolled away from the church, Drake tossed handfuls of coins to the anxiously awaiting children. Felicity’s brother had insisted upon providing bags of pennies, saying it was his right and place to do so. Drake had chosen not to argue, even though it had stung his pride until Felicity assured him it was the bride’s family who usually treated the village children to the wedding scramble. Even though the tradition was more commonly known in Scotland, the young ones of Binnocksbourne caught on to it with great gusto.
“Have a seat now, my lord. Wouldn’t want to tip you out on your wedding day.” With a hearty wink, Drake’s driver, John, tipped his hat, which had been decorated with ribbons and flowers that matched the ones festooning the carriage. “God bless you both, Lord and Lady Wakefield. I be wishing you endless years of happiness.”
“Thank you, John.” Drake settled into the seat beside his new wife, unable to imagine being any happier.
Felicity slid her hand into his, beaming at him with such love, heconsidered himself the most blessed man in all creation. “To endless years of joy.”
He couldn’t resist. He leaned forward and kissed her, breathing her in like a man starving for air.
Behind them, the villagers cheered even louder, sending them on their way with the very best possible start to their lives as husband and wife.
*
“You are shaking,my lady,” Daisy said with a knowing smile. “Did your sisters frighten you with all they told you about your wedding night?” She unwound Felicity’s hair and brushed it until it was a golden river of curls streaming down across Felicity’s shoulders.
“I am not so surefrightenedwould be the apt word.” Felicity pulled in a deep breath and rubbed her damp palms against the lace-trimmed chemise her sisters had presented for her to wear on her wedding night, along with their advice on what to expect. She almost wished they hadn’t told her in such startling detail of all the reportedly wondrous feelings a husband and wife could share. “I am not frightened,” she repeated, more to convince herself than to convince her maid. “I am simply nervous.”
“All that matters is the love, my lady.” Daisy set the hairbrush on the dressing table and stepped aside with a reassuring smile. “That’s what my mum always said, and she would know. Her and my da never had much, but they always had love to spare.”
“I know I love him,” Felicity said, “and he loves me. I am sure of it.”
