He waited at the chancel steps in a dark blue coat cut sharp across the shoulders, a white waistcoat, snowy cravat tied in a simple knot. His hair was tamed, mostly, and his usual lazy half-smile was absent. When their eyes met, he gave her the smallest nod.
Her heart gave an unsteady lurch.
Dominic walked her forward slowly. The piano continued, gentle and unhurried. At the steps, Dominic stopped. He looked downat her for a long moment, searching her face, and checking one last time.
“You’re sure?” he asked, voice low enough for only her to hear.
Deena swallowed. “I’m sure.”
He bent, kissed her forehead. “Then be happy, Dee. That’s all I want.”
She nodded, throat too constricted for words.
Dominic turned to Austin. Their eyes met as old friends and brothers in everything but blood. Dominic placed Deena’s hand in Austin’s.
His fingers closed around hers, and his warm touch made her shiver.
Dominic stepped back to Selina’s side.
The clergyman opened his prayer book, and the ceremony began.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this Man and this Woman in Holy Matrimony…”
The words washed over her, familiar from childhood, from weddings she had attended as a girl. Austin’s hand never left hers. His thumb moved once, slowly and reassuringly across her knuckles.
Her breathing became shallow.
When the time came for the vows, the clergyman looked first to Austin.
“Austin Delves, 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, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
Austin’s voice was clear, steady, carrying easily in the small stone space.
“I will.”
Deena felt the words settle into her bones.
The clergyman turned to her.
“Deena Archdall, 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 obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”
Deena looked up at Austin. His eyes were on her, steady and serious, and yet… There was the faintest crinkle at the corners. It was the same crinkle he wore when he was about to say something outrageous just to make her laugh.
She felt the corner of her own mouth lift helplessly.
“I will.”
The ring came next; it was a simple band of Welsh gold. Austin slid it onto her finger with steady hands.
“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 of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
The clergyman smiled as Deena repeated the words and placed the ring on Austin’s finger.
“I pronounce that they be Man and Wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
A soft collective breath released from the tiny congregation. The dowager dabbed at her eyes with a lace handkerchief. Selina smiled through tears. Percy clapped his hands once before Selina gently hushed him.
Austin turned to Deena fully. His thumb brushed across her new ring as he leaned down and kissed her. It was a soft, brief kiss.Chaste enough for family eyes, but long enough that she felt the familiar heat between them.
