He opened and closed his gloved fingers. She wore pearl-tipped pins in her hair. He had an urge to pull them from her curls and watch her hair tumble down around her.
And this night,hiswedding night, he would.
Ever since his grandparents had plucked him out of the obscurity of being a lowly tutor, he’d made a muddle of things. Butherewas a new beginning. For the title, for his family, including all those unborn nieces and nephews... and for himself.
Behind him, he heard Kate say to Alice, “Well, apparently we didn’t need to be concerned after all.”
Chapter 6
A knot had settled in Willa’s stomach.
Besides her unsettling earlier conversation with her mother, her father was behaving as if this day was all about his prestige and reputation. He’d spent the morning barking at the servants and criticizing her mother. He’d made it clear in the coach ride that he considered the marriage ceremony an annoyance.
“I hope the minister doesn’t go on and on. The receiving line starts exactly at noon. I’ll walk out of the church even before the vows if I must.”
“The Reverend Beam knows of your concerns,” her mother had answered, repeatedly.
Her father had still grumbled his answer, his toe tapping with irritation, as if urging the horse and coach to move faster.
Willa’s cousin Janie was with them. She had agreed to serve as Willa’s bridesmaid. She was three years younger and very nervous, especially around Leland, who threw his weight around with his extended family.
The moment the coach had rolled up to the church door, he had charged ahead, leaving Willa and her mother to the footmen. He’d even ignored the small crowd of well-wishers and oglers who had gathered in front of the church because they’d heard there was to be a wedding of “important people.”
Fortunately, they were more interested in Willa than in her father. She’d given them a small wave.
“Ignore them,” her mother had ordered.
“They can do no harm.”
“Really, you are to be duchess,” her mother answered. “Act like one.” With those words, she’d gone into the church.
“What shall we do?” Janie had whispered. She held a small bouquet of hothouse roses and asters that Willa was to carry.
“Follow her,” Willa answered. She had offered one last wave and then had stepped out of the sun into the St. Stephen’s sanctuary. She’d been in and out of this church most of her life; however, she was caught off guard at the sight of Matt standing not more than ten feet from the front door.
She hadn’t known where she’d thought he would be. Of course, over the past weeks, she’d been more concerned about whether he would make an appearance at the ceremony than she had been about other details.
And now, here he was, looking tall and more handsome than any male of her acquaintance.
He was the very image of a noble. He wore full dress for the occasion of their wedding. His coat was a deep blue, the color of the night sky, over white breeches and hose. His waistcoat was gold embroidered silk.
She caught a scent of his shaving soap. It reminded her of the woods.
A sense of calm fell upon her. The knot in her stomach vanished.
Her father had gone past Matt to have a word with Reverend Beam, presumably to make more threats about walking out if the cleric didn’t hustle the vows along. Her mother sent him an exasperated look, but Matt was focused on her.
He walked toward her, his blue eyes intent.
Did a bride curtsey to her husband?
Before she could riddle out the question, Matt took her gloved hand. “You look beautiful,” he said, sounding as if they were a love match and not the arranged marriage all the world knew.
She felt herself flush, and he reached up and touched her heated cheek with the back of his gloved fingers. “Nervous?”
Willa nodded.
“I confess I am as well. But don’t be afraid, we will do well together, Willa.”
