“Will you, Christopher, take this woman to be your wife? To have and to hold for the rest of your life.”
“I do.”
“Will you, Alaina, take this man to be your husband? To have and to hold for the rest of your life”.
“I do.”
Before too long Christopher lifted Alaina’s veil, tears glistening in his eyes, Alaina’s eyes reflecting the same emotion.
“You may now kiss the bride,” came the pastor’s voice, clearer than before in Alaina’s head.
Christopher took a slight step toward her and leaned in, brushing his lips against hers. As they kissed gently in front of their closest friends and family, Alaina’s head filled with impressions; Christopher’s cologne, a clean scent, the smell of flowers decorating the small abbey, the sunlight pouring through the stained-glass windows splashing color on every surface, and the memories of times passed and anticipation of what was to come this very night. The kiss was light and gentle, but promised more, setting flames burning in both husband and wife. In the last moment, Christopher moved his head side to side ever so slightly, causing Alaina to follow and respond to his featherlight caress, before drawing back and smiling down at her as her eyes fluttered open again. An applause and cheer erupted, and the pastor smiled at the couple.
Staying close to Alaina, Christopher whispered, “That will have to do for now.”
The low rumble in his voice gave Alaina a pang of anticipation, and she wished no one would notice the passion bubbling just below the surface. She knew she would need to keep her actions in check for at least the remainder of the celebration.
For now. Once it was their wedding night, all bets were off, and though she was nervous, she was excited for the world beyond the kisses of their courtship.
“Shall we?” Georgiana asked.
“Shall we what?” Alaina countered with her own question. In truth she had not been listening intently, or much at all.
“Shall we make our way to the refreshment table?” Georgiana queried. “I am quite parched myself.”
“Well, if you are in want of refreshment, how am I to deny my guest?”
“Guest and closest friend, I hope,” teased Georgiana, taking Alaina’s hand and tucking it into the crook of her arm. “Now come along, time to deliver you to your mooning husband.”
By the refreshment table were a few tables on each side, allowing guests to sit and enjoy a repast or just rest. The opposite side of the long tent, where Alaina and Georgiana were currently standing, was partially under one of the bigger oak trees in the back courtyard, shielding the tent from the full effect of the day’s heat. On the end of the tent closest to the back of the manor, a small quartet of musicians played softly. The other end of the tent opened up to the lawn where other smaller, but equally lovely, tents spotted the courtyard and guests stood in loose groups enjoying the festivities. Christopher stood nearest the courtyard and was intently watching as Alaina approached.
Both women made their way through the crowd, Alaina acknowledging a congratulatory greeting from time to time. Even though the distance was short it took a few moments to make it to Christopher and Charles.
“Lady Georgiana, how nice of you to fetch my wife for me on our wedding day,” Christopher teased, a twinkle in his clear blue eyes.
“Hello, husband. It seems ages since I have seen you,” Alaina giggled.
Charles tipped the glass of sherry he had been holding and downed its contents in one gulp, catching Georgiana’s attention, if not the young married couple’s.
“Young love, eh?” was Georgiana’s best statement on the matter, causing a snort or grunt or some such sound from Charles. Georgiana seemed unfazed by his lack of enthusiasm and continued, “Well, I for one am happy for Alaina and Christopher, they seem so much in love. And what a beautiful day they have to celebrate their union. It is absolutely refreshing to see a love match and not some feat of ambition from one party or the other.”
Charles had procured another glass of some liquid and was beginning to drink, when it seemed to get lodged in his throat. Coughing and sputtering, Charles looked between all the members of the small group, holding a hand to his chest in an effort to right himself. Christopher wore a look of concern, while Alaina stared in shock. Georgiana grabbed a glass of water from the refreshment table and handed it to the suffering man.
Before any of the rest of the group could inquire as to Charles’s well-being, Eleanor approached and laid a hand on Georgiana’s untethered arm. “Georgiana, dearest, have you seen your brother? There is just someone to whom I must introduce him.”
“Mother, he is probably hiding, able to perceive your intentions as such,” Georgiana said, earning a stern look from the dowager duchess.
“Georgiana?” Eleanor tried again, this time a bit more forcefully.
“Fine, mother, I will help you find him,” Georgiana relented, disengaging from her friend’s arm and placing Alaina’s hand in Christopher’s outstretched one.
As Georgiana and Eleanor walked toward the lawn, in search of Graham, Eleanor’s words could be heard, “Well, he cannot pout forever …”
Christopher grinned, a little lopsided, hearing that last comment. Eleanor would never change. Christopher turned his attention back to his cousin and was surprised by his state. Charles seemed distracted, his eyes unnaturally trained on the liquid swirling inside his small crystal glass.
A clearing of Christopher’s throat was enough to capture Charles’s attention, causing him to finally look up from his glass to meet Christopher’s eyes with an almost blank stare.
Christopher asked, “Are you alright, Charles?”
