A momentary flutter in Christina’s chest suggested she might well be so, but she shook her head all the same. “It is not that I am anxious, Sophie. I am… filled with anticipation, if you can understand that. I want nothing more than to step out into the chapel and make myself his bride.”
Sophie squeezed her hand. “I think that Lord Coventry feels the very same way,” she said, with a chuckle. “My own dear husband has informed me that he has not stopped asking questions since his arrival. He is just as eager as you for this marriage to take place.”
“Then let us hasten to it,” Christina answered, turning her head to catch her brother’s eye. “Thank you, Sophie, for all that you did to aid me. I do not think that I would be standing here had you not listened and encouraged me.”
Sophie shook her head. “You would have found your way back together in the end,” she said with certainty. “Know that the only thing in my heart when I look at you is happiness. I am truly delighted for you, Christina. Finally, you will be able to marry the gentleman you love – and who loves you in return.”
“As we all are.” Lord Bedford came to join them, a proud look in his eyes. “I know this day brings you a great deal of joy, Christina, but it fills me with both happiness and relief thatboth of my sisters are to be happy and settled in marriages and situations of their own.”
Christina smiled at him. “And you can continue with your own endeavors, brother. Shall we soon see you wed?”
In answer, her brother kissed her cheek, the twinkle in his eyes no longer concealable. “Sooner than you think, perhaps,” he said, quietly. “Miss Penelope Aldworth has permitted me to call upon her father next week. Do not tease her when you meet her, Christina — she is shyer than she appears, and I have only just persuaded her to accept my addresses.” He offered her his arm. “Shall we?”
As if he had heard them speak, Lord Wickton stepped out from the chapel and into the front of the church where they were waiting. “Are we quite ready?” he asked, beaming at Christina and then looking to Lady Bedford. “If we are, then permit me to take you in.”
Christina, embracing her mother, then took her brother’s arm and watched Sophie step towards the door, holding her bouquet with quiet grace. Her pulse quickened, her breath catching in her throat as Lord Bedford led her through the door and towards the waiting Lord Coventry. Every step was a step forward into the rest of her life, into a life she was to share with the gentleman she adored.
Her brother, warm and steady beside her, glanced at her and smiled, although Christina could feel a subtle tremor in his frame. Stealing a glance at him, she saw the dampness about his eyes but the joyous smile that lit his features. She had never expected her brother to show such emotion or to truly be as glad for her as he was, but it seemed as if everyone she loved was filled with joy for her and for the match now to be made. Her heart was overflowing, the air around her sweet as she breathed it in.
And then, she saw his eyes find hers. A weakness rushed through her, followed quickly by a surge of strength. His grey eyes steadied on her, filled with a quiet intensity that seemed to speak of the weight of everything they had shared and endured. Was he thinking of their first engagement? Of all that had gone between that time and this? She had thought of this day for so long. At one time, it had tormented her thoughts, laughing at her for ever believing that such a thing might be, but now, only a few steps away from him, Christina felt as if she were walking in a dream, so great was her relief and happiness.
As they came to stand at the very front of the church, Christina forced her attention to the clergyman who stood waiting for her arrival. How eager she was to step towards Lord Coventry! And yet she would have to endure a little longer, her brother now between her and her love.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and in the face of this congregation to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”
Christina’s heart soared as the ceremony began, her fingers tightening on her brother’s arm with the anticipation of all that was soon to come.
The clergyman continued, his tone staid and steady. “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”
With a glance towards her before he replied, Lord Bedford smiled gently. “I do.” His voice was a soft murmur, carrying across the stillness of the chapel. “I give my consent.” Gently, he took her hand in his, giving her fingers a light, barely perceptible squeeze before placing it onto Lord Coventry’s arm. Then, he stepped back, taking his place beside his mother and leaving Christina to stand side by side with Lord Coventry.
She could not help but look at him, even though she was meant to be focusing all of her attention on the wedding ceremony itself. It seemed as if he, too, had the very same desire,his eyes meeting hers, full of warmth and tenderness. There was a desperate need in her to throw her arms around him, to have him pull her close and hold her tightly in his embrace, but she stilled it as best she could. There would be time for that very soon. She had to wait a little longer.
The clergyman smiled, then began to speak words of solemnity and tradition. Christina held her hand to Lord Coventry’s arm steadily, feeling as if nothing in the whole world could move her from him. The life she had once been sure was gone from her entirely had unexpectedly returned, offering her everything she had dreamt of for so long.
“Will you have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep only unto her, so long as you both shall live?”
The answer would bind them together, and as Christina watched, Lord Coventry smiled, looking at her as he spoke, his voice deep and sure. “I will.”
Then, the clergyman’s gaze turned to Christina, demanding her attention release from Lord Coventry. “Will you have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you obey him, serve him, love, honor, and keep him, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep only unto him, so long as you both shall live?”
There was not even a momentary hesitation as she looked to Lord Coventry, her heart swelling with emotion. She could not imagine even a day without him by her side. He had proven his love for her through all that he had endured. “I will,” she said, her voice quiet but resolute.
The clergyman nodded and smiled, gesturing to Lord Kinsley to bring the ring forward. There were yet more words to bespoken, more promises to make. Gently, Lord Coventry took Christina’s hand in his, the weight of the moment and the significance of the ring itself sitting heavily between them as he slid the delicate gold ring onto her finger. Its cool touch was in stark contrast to the warmth of their joined hands. The finality of it swept over her like a wave as Lord Coventry made his promise to her, telling her that the ring was a symbol of his love, his commitment, and his devotion to her.
Tears came to her eyes, and she blinked them back as best she could, knowing that the pronouncement of their marriage was near.
The clergyman, as if he had seen her thoughts, smiled and spread out both hands, his voice warm and rich, flooding the chapel. “I now pronounce you man and wife. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.”
Her vision blurred for the second time as she bowed her head to receive the clergyman’s blessing, her fingers tightening on Lord Coventry’s arm. They were wed. They were man and wife, together, and nothing now could separate them.
“If you would come with me?” The ceremony now concluded, the clergyman motioned for them to follow him to the adjoining room where the marriage register awaited. Christina allowed Lord Coventry to lead her, leaning into him and desperately wishing for even a moment, one single moment, to be alone with him.
“My congratulations.” Inside the dimly lit room with only a small window for light, the clergyman gestured to the marriage lines and the ink pot and quill. Lord Coventry took the quill to the ink and then signed his name with care, leaving her to follow after him. A slight trembling took hold as she signed her name beneath his, gazing down at the marriage lines that now declared them husband and wife.
“I will excuse myself for a moment.”
With relief in her chest, Christina watched the clergyman pick up the marriages lines and then step from the room, leaving her alone with her new husband. Turning, Christina took his hand in her own and looked up at him, the significance of their vows and the promise of their future settling over her.
