The last month had been the longest, most excruciating month of Drake’s life. Not even days on end spent at sea, where he’d seen nothing but ocean water, had been as tormenting as the last four weeks. Every day had felt as if it had forty-eight hours in it rather than twenty-four, and the hours that weren’t dragging by, those which he spent with Meridith, left him with an aching need that nothing could ease.
Other than her. When he made her his wife in every way.
Today was finally the day that it would happen.
Drake stood at the altar of the church, where pews were filled with people dressed in their finery. Grace and Della and Archibald, along with their families, were in the front row, and he felt a new appreciation for all of them. For being his family. Falling in love Meridith had changed so many things.
Michael, the Duke of Turnbill, was standing next to him in the role of best man. Now he leaned over and whispered, ‘I haven’t noticed any potential threats yet, have you?’
Drake cracked a grin. ‘No.’ Just last evening, while visiting with Michael and Rosemary, his adoring, soon-to-be wife had given them all a lesson on what it meant to be the ‘best man’. History had been another one of the subjects that she had excelled in at her finishing school for young ladies in Bath.
Centuries ago, when abducting brides was commonplace, the best man was chosen because he was the best fighter of the clan and was given the responsibility of stopping any would-be thieves from stealing the bride away from the groom before they were wed.
‘Good, I wouldn’t want to fail at my duties,’ Michael replied with a grin.
‘I don’t believe you will,’ Drake said.
‘In all seriousness,’ Michael said, ‘I couldn’t be happier for you. Meridith is the perfect choice for you. She’s as adventurousas you, and I look forward to hearing of the places the two of you go.’
‘Thank you,’ Drake replied. ‘She changed my life.’
‘For the best.’
‘Yes, definitely for the best.’
‘That’s how it should be.’
In full agreement, Drake nodded.
Michael then whispered, ‘This fighting role I’ve been given, protecting you two at all costs, it doesn’t count when it comes to elephants, right? That wouldn’t be a fair contest.’
Drake laughed. Meridith had suggested getting married at the zoo so Hugo could be present but had conceded to her sisters and their objections, and agreed to a church wedding. Still, as Drake had told Michael last night, he wouldn’t be surprised if she’d arranged for the elephant to be brought into the church.
He was still smiling, still thinking that there was so much about Meridith to love, when she appeared in the doorway. Dressed in a white, flowing gown, carrying a bouquet of flowers, and holding on to Chesterfield’s arm, she slowly made her way up the aisle.
Drake’s heart thudded in his chest.
A thin veil of lace covered her face, but it couldn’t hide the glow on her cheeks, the smile on her lips, or the sparkle in her blue eyes. Nor did the gown hamper the speed of her steps like the gown she’d claimed made her look like a rosebush.
It hadn’t. It had complemented her beauty. Like the one she wore now.
Chesterfield patted her hand more than once, encouraging her to slow her steps as they walked forward, past the pews filled with people pivoting their heads to watch brother and sister progress to the front of the church.
Drake met them as they arrived and took her hand, leading her the last couple of steps to where they stopped before thepriest. He hadn’t been in churches all that often since taking to the sea, but at this moment, he knew in his heart, soul, and mind, he was exactly where he belonged.
The ceremony might have seemed uneventful to some, for no one attempted to steal the bride, and neither he nor Meridith made a mistake while reading their vows. However, it wasn’t uneventful to him. It was sacred, and he was honoured by the devotion in her voice as she vowed her love to him.
He had never felt as proud as the moment when the priest announced them as husband and wife. He also felt privileged to be united with her for evermore. The kiss he placed on her lips was brief, but held promises of more to come soon.
So did the shimmer in her eyes as they took their first stroll together along the aisle between the pews as husband and wife.
As the crowd erupted with joyous applause, he glanced at Meridith and gave her a wink, which caused her to lean back as she laughed jubilantly.
They stopped in the vestibule of the church to sign the paperwork, sealing their marriage, and once Meridith had set down the pen, she turned to her family who had gathered nearby. ‘You did it,’ she said. ‘You married me off.’
‘You did it,’ her sister Diana said. ‘You found yourself the perfect husband.’
‘And I married him,’ Meridith said, looking at Drake.
