“Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.” Lifting his hand, he turned his gaze to the small group of family members, spreading his hands wide. “In as much as Nathanial, the Duke of Ashbourne and Lady Ameila have consented together in holy wedlock and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a Ring, and by joining of 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.”
It was over and Amelia swallowed hard, seeing the Duke smile, hearing his breath of relief and finding her own heart filled with the very same emotion. It was at an end, it was complete and now she was wed to the Duke of Ashbourne. She was his bride, she was his wife and there was nothing now that could keep them from each other. Lord Wilcox’s plans had been foiled, his debts would be many and she would have to think no more about him.
All that was left for her to consider was just how she was to tell the Duke of Ashbourne that she did not only care for him, but she also loved him desperately.
They were married now so no matter what she said, he could not remove himself from her but still, that nervousness lingered in her. When the Duke turned to walk with her to sign their marriage lines, she could barely look at him, such was her worry.
But then she had much to do. She had words to write, her name to sign and then the Duke of Ashbourne took her by the arm and led her to the front of the church. It was over. They were wed and nothing now could separate her from him.
Why then did she still feel so much turmoil?
“You are now a Duchess, my dear Amelia.” The Duke walked alongside her, her arm through his as they made their way together to the end of the church. Amelia swallowed hard, seeing her mother dabbing at her eyes, her lips in a happy smile while Charlotte smiled warmly, her own Lord Stirling beside her. “Are you happy?”
Amelia looked up at him, stepping out into the sunshine and then nodding, her heart aching just a little. “I am contented, Your Grace.”
“Ashbourne,” he reminded her, softly. “You are to call me Ashbourne – now, more than ever! There is to be nothing between us, my dear Amelia.”
The tenderness in his voice made her smile and though she wanted to say more to him, there was not time. The air around her exploded with light and laughter and joy as her parents, sister and the Duke’s family came to surround them. Amelia could not help but smile, finding herself leaning into the Duke as rice and flower petals were thrown over them both.
“Have you told him yet?”
Amelia shook her head, leaving the Duke for a moment so she might embrace her sister. “I have not.”
“But you must! You should have told him before you made your vows.”
“There was not time.” Amelia wrung her hands. “This all happened so quickly, I hoped there would be opportunity but there was not.”
“Then tell him as you make your way to the wedding breakfast,” Charlotte insisted. “He must know that you love him.”
Amelia tried to smile and then went to embrace her mother before greeting and thanking the rest of her family. Before long, however, the Duke was leading her to the closed carriage and helping her up to sit inside it.
It was the first time Amelia had been in such a small space with the Duke of Ashbourne and though she tried to smile, though she tried to find something to say, she felt herself frozen with the awareness and the significance of what it was she wanted to say to him.
“We are married, you and I.” The Duke smiled, reaching across to take her hands as he sat opposite her rather than beside her. “You are my wife. I am your husband. I find that utterly incredible, I must say.”
“You – you are happy?”
Obviously hearing the slight falter in her voice, the Duke’s eyes widened and his hands clutched hers, sitting forward in his seat as he looked into her eyes.
“My dear Amelia, I can think of nothing better than to be married to you. It is all that I have wanted in some time.”
Amelia tilted her head, studying him. “Truly?”
“Truly. Why would you doubt it?”
Amelia took in a breath and steadied herself, her shoulders dropping a little as she licked her lips, trying to find the words to tell him what was in her heart. “My dear Duke, there is something which is on my heart which I have wanted to share with you since the beginning of this situation. I am thrilled to be your bride, truly I am, but there is more in my heart than just mere contentment.” The Duke did not look away from her and Amelia, caught by the intensity in his eyes, found her breath hitching. She had begun now and there was no way for her toend the conversation without saying what it was she had begun. “There is an affection for you in my heart, Ashbourne… no, more than that. I… I love you.”
The way his breath caught in a gasp had Amelia closing her eyes, her face hot as she felt the impact of her words strike not only him but her also. She did not know what to do, did not know what else to say and yet still, the Duke said nothing.
The carriage rolled suddenly, lurching to one side as the driver let out such a loud shout, Amelia’s eyes flared wide, her hand clutching at the Duke’s as the carriage lurched to the other side.
And then it came to a sudden stop.
Chapter Twenty Six
“Stay here.” Nathanial wished with all his heart that the carriage had not come to a stop as it had done, not when Lady Amelia had told him what she had felt. There was so much he wanted to say in return, so much that he wanted to express to her but instead, he had found himself staring at her in shock and amazement – only for his driver to exclaim and pull the carriage to a stop. Releasing Amelia’s hands, Nathanial pushed open the door and stepped out of the carriage, only to come face to face with Lord Wilcox.
“I have you now!” Lord Wilcox declared, triumphant. “I was told that you would be taking Lady Amelia to the church but you will be prevented, Your Grace! Do you know how many gentlemen have bet against me? Do you know how much I shall have to pay them if I fail?”
