Chapter Twenty-Five
The clergyman opened the book of Common Prayer, his expression one of solemnity while Amelia herself felt nothing more than a twisting nervousness. The Duke of Ashbourne was looking away from her, standing beside her but yet keeping his gaze trained upon the clergyman. Did he feel as anxious as she? Was he concerned that, at any moment, Lord Wilcox might rush into the church and attempt to break apart their ceremony in some way? After all, he could protest that they were not able to marry because of something he knew, something which, no doubt, he could make up but speak of with such confidence, even the clergyman himself might doubt whether the marriage could go ahead. Lord Wilcox did not like being bested, it seemed, and yet that was precisely what the Duke of Ashbourne and she were attempting to do. She could only hope that her heart, which was now solely filled with an affection for the Duke of Ashbourne himself, would not be injured for though she was sure the Duke of Ashbourne had a tenderness for her, it was not the same as loving her. And love was what filledherheart.
The clergyman cleared his throat, looked first to the Duke, then to Amelia’s father and finally, to Amelia. He smiled gently and then began. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation – ” There was a pause and Amelia managed to hide her smile. The congregation was only her mother, sister and Lord Stirling, as well as the Duke of Ashbourne’s mother and brother – so it was not particularly large by any means!”
“Thiscongregation,” the clergyman continued, “to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony, whichis an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocence, signifying unto us the mystical union that is between Christ and his Church. It is not to be taken on unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained.”
The clergyman continued on and Amelia closed her eyes. It was not because she wanted to focus on what it was that the clergyman was saying but more that she could focus solely on her own concerns and worries. The longer the clergyman spoke for, the more opportunity Lord Wilcox had to discover them and ruin what was to be a most joyous moment.
“First,” the clergyman intoned, “marriage was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy Name. Secondly, it was ordained for a remedy against sin and thirdly, it was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. God Almighty, into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can show any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.”
Amelia glanced to her right and to her left, aware that this was not the sort of marriage she had thought she would be given but, at the same time, that this wasexactlythe sort of marriage she had hoped for. Yes, it had all come about very quickly but she had no doubt that marrying the Duke of Ashbourne was the right thing for her to do. Her heart would not have been happy with any other – it was only that the Duke himself did not know of her heart. Not as yet, anyway. Would she have the courage to tell him the truth once they were wed?
“It appears that Lord Wilcox has lost his opportunity,” the Duke murmured, as Amelia looked up at him. “He has not arrived, has not burst through the door and made sort of fuss. That is a relief.”
“It is.” Amelia nodded lightly and then turned her attention back towards the clergyman.
The man looked to them both again, clearly satisfied that he was not about to be interrupted and that the marriage could, therefore, continue. “I require and charge you both, as you will answer at the dreadful day of judgement when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment why you may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, you now confess it. For be you well assured, that so many as are coupled together otherwise than God's Word doth allow are not joined together by God; neither is their Matrimony lawful.”
Amelia looked back at the clergyman without hesitation, her eyes steady as she held his gaze for a few moments. The clergyman then turned his attention to the Duke of Ashbourne, studying his face for a short while as though the Duke had something he was suspicious required to be revealed. The Duke merely held his gaze steadily and, after a moment, the clergyman continued. Amelia’s heart leapt as the clergyman began by asking the Duke to make the very first of his promises – there was no turning back from this moment now!
“Your Grace, 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, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep yourself only to her, so long as you both shall live?”
The Duke nodded without a single flicker of hesitation. “I will.” Again, he did not look at Amelia as he spoke and when the clergyman looked to her, Amelia’s stomach twisted sharply, herbreath hitching. The clergyman gave only the smallest nod and then turned his attention to Amelia.
“Lady Amelia, 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, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only to him, so long as you both shall live?
He had barely finished speaking before Amelia answered. “I will.” Again, the clergyman gave a nod and then looked to Amelia’s father and, instinctively, Amelia’s hand tightened on her father’s arm.
“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”
“I do.” Lord Stanton smiled gently as he looked to Amelia and in that moment, tears began to burn in Amelia’s eyes. Her father was delighted for her and she found her heart squeezing with the love she had for her family. Yes, she was to marry the Duke of Ashbourne but she would still love and care for her father, mother and sister – even when her sister would move to Scotland!
“Then you shall both make your vows to each other. Lord Stanton, if you may?”
Amelia blinked back her tears as her father took her hand and settled it upon the Duke of Ashbourne’s. There was so much happiness within her that she could barely contain it and yet, even in that, there came the concern that what she had to share with the Duke of Ashbourne would not be returned, that her love would not match his.
But it was too late to speak of that now.
“Your Grace,” the clergyman murmured. “In sight of this congregation and in the eyes of God, speak your vows to Lady Amelia.”
The Duke turned so he might look Amelia straight in the eye, his eyes burning with a passion which Amelia had not expectedto see – and her heart lurched in her chest. “Lady Amelia, I take you as my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance.”
At the mention of love, Amelia’s tears returned fiercely but she blinked them away quickly, aware now that it was her duty to make her vow to the Duke of Ashbourne. “Nathanial, Duke of Ashbourne, I take you to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance.” Her voice wobbled, her emotions rising to the fore as she looked up at the man who was now to be her husband, seeing him smile at her as she spoke. Was he truly as happy as he appeared?
“And now, the ring.”
The longer the ceremony continued, the more that was said, the less Amelia began to fear that Lord Wilcox would come into the room and break apart their bond. She watched the Duke of Ashbourne take the ring and slip it gently upon her finger. Her throat tightened as his thumb ran lightly across her knuckles.
“Lady Amelia, with this ring I thee wed. With my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow.”
The clergyman smiled and Amelia took in a long, slow breath. Their vows were spoken, their promises made and Amelia’s heart began to sing with a great sense of joy.
“Let us pray together.” The clergyman lifted his hand and Amelia bowed her head, though her hand was still kept tight in the Duke of Ashbourne’s gentle grip.
“Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life: Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name; that, as Isaac and Rebecca livedfaithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant between them made, whereof this Ring given and received is a token and pledge, and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
“Amen,” Amelia murmured, as the clergyman lifted his hand to put over their joined ones. Her breath swirled as the man took a breath and then smiled.
