“And I look forward to many baptisms,” he said, slightly flushed from the wine and champagne, and earning a frown from his wife.
The morning ofthe wedding dawned cool and fine. Beyond Jenny’s window, the sky was a wide expanse of gray-blue. The rattle of another guest’s carriage arriving at the stable block, sent excitement, and a quiver of nerves down her spine.
Surprisingly, she had slept well. She sat at her dressing table and drank her chocolate and nibbled on a warm roll, her mind on the wedding. The preparations for the ceremony and the wedding breakfast were swiftly accomplished as if by invisible elves, the servants slipping out of sight into the many passages in the old house. Susan described the delicious food Cook had prepared for the wedding breakfast as she laid out Jenny’s wedding gown. “Your dress is very pretty, Miss Harrismith, it will suit you.”
Jenny certainly hoped so. She ran a critical eye over the soft satin folds. The bodice was cut square round the bust, and ornamented with white satin roses, a narrow satin sash beneath the bustline. More lace and roses decorated the short full sleeves, and the bottom of the skirt. Bella thought it lovely: the trimming tasteful, and the general effect understated and elegant. Jenny agreed, especially because it was sewn with love.
At the thought of Andrew’s passionate glances, another frisson of excitement raced through her. After she left this room, her clothes would be taken to the duchess’s apartments. She had viewed the rooms yesterday. The walls of the bedchamber were papered in a floral pattern of rose and green with matching bed hangings and curtains, the overall effect delightfully feminine, a dressing room adjoined, and through another door, there was a sitting room which led to Andrew’s apartments. She stood quietly in the bedchamber, nerves fluttering in her stomach at the thought of sharing his bed. This is where their lives really began. Her love for him was so deeply passionate, he could never disappoint her, she only hoped she would please him.
Bella and Beth came into the room. “Is it time to dress, Jenny?” Beth said breathlessly.
Jenny laughed, “No, Bethy. Be patient. Not for a couple of hours yet.”
*
Andrew stood beforethe altar in the Castlebridge chapel with its long arched stained glass windows, barrel ceiling, and dark oak pews, where many of his ancestors had married. It seemed right for them to marry here at Castlebridge, where they had first met and where they would spend a good deal of their lives. He turned to smile at his children, who sat beaming from the front pew beside Aunt Augusta and Raymond. Opposite, were Jenny’s three brothers. Behind them were Andrew’s friends who had made the trip from Ireland, Flynn, and Althea with their blond baby son in her arms. Beside them sat Guy Fortescue and Hetty who had left their brood behind at Rosecroft Hall.
Castlereagh had remained at his country estate, but sent his best wishes.
“Nervous, Duke?” Strathairn asked, standing beside him.
Andrew chuckled. “Rather more eager than nervous.”
“As it should be. Sibella and I approve of your bride. In fact, Sibella was very taken with her, found her delightfully unaffected.”
The organist struck up the Wedding March and Andrew turned as two pretty young ladies in white gowns decorated with rows of pink roses, a circlet of roses in their hair, and bouquets from the Castlebridge hothouses, advanced slowly single file down the aisle. Then behind them, the bride. Jenny, a vision in white walking serenely down the aisle with a hand on her father’s arm. He caught his breath. She had never looked more beautiful, in the slim-fitting gown of white satin embellished with white and silver roses and froths of lace. A small veil floating from the Harrow tiara, diamonds at the ears and her throat.
The music swelled and soared up to the arched ceiling as they advanced down the aisle toward him, the guests turning to view the bride from their pews decorated in white flowers and silver ribbon.
Jenny stood beside him with that special smile she reserved just for him.
The sadness he’d always carried in his heart eased away, and he looked forward with joy to the future.
