“It’s amazing how much thinking a man can do when he can’t hear the world around him. I’ve come to the realization that there are many trivial matters in the world, and I do not wish to waste my life worrying about them. Particularly when there are better people to handle such matters.”
Though it sounded trite, Rhys didn’t mean for it to sound like that. He only meant that petty things like fashions or gossip added little to his world in sense of worth. Rhys only cared to live a quiet life, far from the bustling cities and noises of the modern world. He had too much interaction with the world as a soldier and only wished for a peaceful existence. An existence that would be supported by tenant farming in a few short years, and then he might finally breathe easily.
It was difficult for a former soldier to learn how to relax. Not since the war had Rhys ever truly calmed down enough not to constantly be on guard. He had tried to dull his nerves with drink and even laudanum, but the aftereffects made it impossible to move about the world in a productive way and as he had only ever been sure of that solid feeling of a hard day’s work, he didn’t allow himself to take part in distractions.
The ride to the cathedral was short, and by the time they reached the steps, they were met with a young couple exiting the church. Though she had been wearing a mask, Rhys guessed that this raven-haired woman was Ruby from the night before. And on her arm was, to Rhys’s surprise, the Duke of Carmon.
Both looked equally stunned as they proceeded down the steps of the chapel.
“Lieutenant Carlyle,” the duke spoke upon seeing Rhys.
“Carmon,” Rhys replied, before introducing Louisa. “May I introduce my fiancée. Miss Louisa May Babcock.”
“Your Grace.” She curtsied.
“A pleasure. May I introduce my, er, wife, Rose Prescott, er, I mean, the Duchess of Carmon.”
“Your Grace,” Rhys and Louisa said in unison.
“How do you do,” the black-haired beauty said softly.
“I take it the archbishop is in then?”
“Aye.”
“Well then, wouldn’t want to keep him waiting.”
Rhys and Louisa entered the church, both struck by the silence. The early morning sunlight glistened through the windows high near the ceiling, giving the church an ethereal, warm glow. Standing at the front pew was the Archbishop of Canterbury.
“Your Holiness,” Rhys said upon reaching the man. “I believe we’ve an appointment.”
The bishop, clearly disgusted by Rhys, turned to Louisa.
“My dear child, if you are here against your will, please do not hesitate to tell me. That Dove-Lyon woman has stuck her nose in too many people’s businesses as of late and I will not be made an accomplice to her outrageous plots.”
A long silence followed, and Rhys realized that the marriage would not happen without Louisa’s answer. When she didn’t speak, a strange, small part of him began to think that perhaps she might rather live with the humiliation of having gone to the Lyon’s Den. But then—
“With the greatest respect, I assure you, I am here of my own free will.”
The priest was not pleased to hear that and stood back. Rhys only exhaled.
“Very well. Yet another one of her participating pawns. Then, let’s be done with it, lest I find it in my soul to stop this madness.”
It was a short ceremony, without a vicar, and only the curate and his wife, a Mr. and Mrs. Wily, attending as witnesses. Rhys held Louisa’s hands, and he noted that she still wore the reticule around her wrist. It was a minor thing, something that shouldn’t have stood out considering how strange the last twenty-four hours had been, but he couldn’t help but stare at the little purse. He found it quite distracting, considering how quickly the ceremony lasted. As soon as the vows were said, the archbishop spoke.
“What God has joined together, let no man put asunder,” he said, snapping his book shut. “There. Lieutenant Carlyle and Mrs. Carlyle, if you would depart. I’ve two more of these ridiculous ceremonies to do.”
With that, Rhys and Louisa left, returned to the carriage, and made their way to their second location, Louisa’s uncle’s home.
“We shouldn’t dawdle,” Rhys said on their way. “I had planned to be on the road north by noon.”
Louisa glanced at him.
“By noon?”
“Yes.”
Though she didn’t say anything, Rhys noticed the slightest flicker of worry that shone in her eyes. This entire situation was cruelly rushed. From meeting, to marrying, to leaving, all within a single day. It was a lot to take in.
