“What can I say? You know that my mind on the matter has changed significantly,” she admitted, not taking her eyes off the Duke.
“Well, I’m glad that it has,” Nicholas replied. “And as for finding a bride, you need not worry about me.”
Deborah shot her brother a questioning look, intrigued by his answer. But before she could press him further, the couple finished saying their vows.
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the minister said.
All the guests began to applaud as the couple embraced. The sight warmed Deborah’s heart, and she felt herself growing emotional, forgetting all about Nicholas’s mysterious statement.
Deborah got up from her seat, wanting to congratulate the happy couple. The sight of them exuded so much joy, and they seemed truly ecstatic at having finally tied the knot.
Emma wrapped Deborah in a tight hug as soon as she spotted her.
“Congratulations, my dear Emma and Peter.” Deborah grinned.
“Thank you,” Peter replied. “On our wedding day, we have not forgotten your contributions to making our match possible.”
Deborah smiled as she reminisced about the memory of that fateful night. “Perhaps I need to thank you, as well. For if you had never asked of me that favor, I would have never spoken to Henry.”
“I disagree,” Emma chimed in. “The two of you are made for each other, that much is evident to me. I believe fate would have found a way to bring you both together, regardless.”
Deborah’s cheeks turned a shade of scarlet. Even though it had been three months since their engagement, and she had gotten used to the idea of being his betrothed, it still made her blush whenever someone commented on their relationship.
But to her relief, the topic was discarded quickly, as the couple was pulled away by another guest, eager to congratulate them on their big day.
Later at the wedding breakfast, Deborah sat beside the Duke. Now that they were officially engaged, they were expected to appear together.
“Three months have passed by in the blink of an eye,” the Duke remarked as Deborah chewed on the piece of cake she had happily piled onto her plate. “I hope time flies by just as quickly for our wedding.”
“Emma seems to disagree, Henry.” Deborah smiled. “She told me how grueling the wait feels, as if time has slowed down.”
“Ah, I can relate to that. Every day without you feels quite the torturous occasion,” the Duke admitted.
Since their engagement, the couple had had a few opportunities to meet each other. Additionally, they had written to each other regularly. Deborah had been pleasantly surprised when she had discovered that the Duke was quite the romantic, and it had only taken a little opening up for him to reveal that part of himself to her.
“I must admit that I haven’t been expending much thought into how exactly our wedding must happen,” Deborah said, chewing on her lip. “But seeing my brother get married has ignited a new sense of excitement inside me, and I suddenly find myself wondering what flower arrangement we shall choose for our day, or what the order of guests should be.”
The Duke let out a hearty chuckle. “My love, I have full faith in you to plan a spectacular wedding. But do not think that you’re alone in doing so. I will assist you if you need help at any step.”
Deborah’s eyes glinted with excitement. “Actually, Henry, I had the perfect idea this morning.”
“Pray tell.” He leaned in closer to her, his curiosity piqued.
“What if we were to incorporate some elements of literature in our wedding? With my love for writing, it feels like a perfect homage.”
The Duke raised an eyebrow but nodded at her encouragingly to elaborate.
“I was thinking something along the lines of a poetic reading perhaps?”
“That is quite a wonderful idea.” He nodded. “In fact, considering that one of our early conversations that drew me to you involved books, I would love to make it a part of our wedding.”
“Then it is decided.” Deborah smiled to herself, noting how easy it was to make decisions with the Duke.
Even though their connection still had not lost its spark, they had found that they actually agreed on a lot more than they had initially expected. All their arguments now, if ever, centered around trivial matters.
“Now, to only pick out the passage that will be read out.”
“Another visit to the library is called for.” Deborah laughed.
