Page 35 of Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love 3)

My wife.

He wanted so much to grab her and race from the church. Take her to their bedchamber and, indeed, worship her with his body. For hours. Perhaps days.

Instead, they both knelt for a prayer. Then the vicar joined their hands. “Those whom God has joined together let no man put asunder.”

Alex helped Patience to her feet as the vicar addressed the people gathered. “For as much as His Grace, Alexander Stephen Pemberton, Duke of Bedford, Marquess of Tavistock, Viscount Egerton, and The Lady Patience Mary Grace Browning, have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a Ring, and by joining hands, I pronounce that they be Man and Wife together. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

Another long prayer, along with the singing of a psalm followed, before the couple turned to face the small gathering. Patience grasped his arm as she lifted her skirts and they started down the aisle. The tension in her body had seemed to ease now that the service was over. They made their way to the door of the church where they, the vicar, Hawk, and Miss Suzanna Blake signed the parish marriage register.

“Felicitations, Bedford.” Hawk gripped his shoulder. “You’re the first to marry. I hope it’s not contagious.”

Miss Blake stifled a giggle as she took her place alongside Patience. She seemed to be a sweet young lady. Alex had met her for the first time the evening before at dinner. Another event that had kept him and Patience from having any time alone together.

The last of the guests filed out—to the Abbey for the wedding breakfast—when Alex placed Patience’s hand on his arm to lead her from the church. He looked out at the attendees and came to an abrupt halt as his heart gave a jerk. He tugged Patience a little closer to his side and stared at the back of a man hurrying away. There was no doubt in his mind. He’d spent a year looking for him and weeks on a ship holding him prisoner. An unexpected guest at his wedding.

Lord Loverly.

…

Patience felt the tension in Alex’s arm. She looked up at him, and he appeared pale and distracted, his lips tight. “Are you well?”

He patted her hand, staring off into the distance. “I am well, my dear. Please excuse me for a minute.”

And then he was gone.

Patience watched him stride away, as if on a mission. He stopped to talk to his three friends, and they all scattered in different directions, just as determined as Alex. It took her a few moments to compose herself, then she turned to the now dowager duchess and her parents. “I believe His Grace will join us shortly. Shall we retire to the Abbey and greet our guests?”

“Whatever possessed him to walk off like that?” The dowager sniffed and frowned at Patience as if she were the one who had committed such a faux pas.

“I am quite certain ’tis an important matter.” She waved in the direction of the Bedford carriage. “Shall we?”

They all moved to the waiting vehicles, forming a queue to head to the Abbey. A long string of local townsfolk lined the pathway to cheer for the duke and his new duchess. Patience waved to those assembled, feeling rather foolish with Alex missing.

It took less than a half hour to arrive at the Abbey’s front door. The driver helped the earl down, who turned to help Mother, the dowager, and then her, out of the carriage.

Still confused, Patience did her best to appear as if everything was perfectly normal. She entered the house and greeted the guests, who had arrived before them and had been directed to the ballroom where the wedding breakfast would take place.

Mother pulled her aside. “Where did His Grace go?”

Patience whispered back. “I don’t know. But I am sure whatever it was he won’t let it take too long.”

No more than ten minutes had passed before the four men strode through the ballroom door, shoulder to shoulder. They all wore frowns, which Alex wiped from his face when he spotted her. He came to her side and took her hands. “I am sincerely sorry for abandoning you like that.”

“What was that all about?”

“Do not trouble yourself over it.” He kissed her knuckles and nodded to the butler to announce breakfast. Linking their hands, he led her to the table.

Well, then.

Alex’s abruptness, and dismissal of her concerns, stung. Apparently, this marriage was not to be a sharing one. It was somewhat unorthodox to abandon one’s bride barely after the vows were spoken to go on some type of a hunt with one’s friends.

It was a small gathering, no more than about seventy guests. Lord Hawkins, Mr. Templeton, and Lord Campbell offered several toasts. They also volunteered several jokes and innuendos to Alex during the meal. The more ribald ones were mumbled so only she and Alex could hear. She tried her best to keep her blush down.

Despite Alex’s pretense, it was obvious something troubled him. He glanced several times at his friends who all exchanged a look that had her confused. They were certainly a group of handsome, powerful men. The type of men whose presence one could never ignore.

Except her cousin, Suzanna. Patience had seen Mr. Templeton casting glances in her direction and attempting a conversation with her. Suzanna was polite, but certainly not impressed with the man, or at all encouraging. That caused her to smile. As much as she loved her cousin, Suzanna had a certain loftiness about her. She had sworn, from the time they were children, that she would only marry a man with a title.

Cook had gone out of her way to prepare a lovely breakfast consisting of warm rolls, eggs, ham, baked trout, bacon, chocolate, and of course, a wedding cake.