Baggs scurried over to the door and opened it a crack and there was whispering. She turned to the Duchess and said, “It is Mr. Skeffington wishing to have a brief, but important audience with Your Grace and MissEmily.”
Grandmamma needed to think about the propriety of that but finally granted his wish by waving her hand atBaggs.
“Very well, show himin.”
Silas came in. He was dressed quite elegantly and presented a pleasing figure. The Duchess studied him through her lorgnette and asked, “What is it, Silas. This is quiteirregular.”
“Your Grace, Miss Emily, I have come to most humbly beg your forgiveness for my dastardly past actions—especially toward you, Emily. I am filled with remorse and can only explain my actions as being an aberration of my twisted mental state at the time. It was quite unlike the person I aspire tobe.
“I wish to stand by the Duke’s side at the ceremony in his dear father’s place, but he insists that both of you must forgive me before he will allow me to do so. Might I have that grace fromyou?”
He stood there with his head bowed and waited for theirreply.
The Duchess tapped the lorgnette against her other hand and appeared to be circumspect as she struggled for a reply. “That really depends on what Emily has to say. Mark has advised me of your several rather deplorable exploits, but it was mostly directed toward her. If she can forgive you, then I shall consider it.” She turned to Emily. “And what is your reply, mydear?”
“Mr. Skeffington already knows I have forgiven him. However, it shall only be provisional and depend on his continued good behavior toward me and other youngladies.”
Silas bowed hishead.
“My dear, you are already beginning to sound like a Duchess,” Grandmamma said. “I can see you shall serve the position well. Very well, Silas, I forgive you in the family’s name. But you must continue to be worthy if you are to remain in our goodgraces.”
“Ever your servant, Ma’am,” he said, and then turned andexited.
Emily’s mother and sister were seated staring up in wonder at Emily. Mother took a handkerchief out of her sleeve and dabbed at her eyes. “Is she not the loveliest bride you have ever seen?” shesniffled.
“Mother you said that about Ruth,” Teresa answered, verysensibly.
“Well she was, too, at the time, but now just look at our Emily. Is she not aprincess?”
Alice nodded to Baggs, who went over and whispered to theDuchess.
“Yes, yes, it is time,” she said, as Baggs disappeared into the bedroom and returned with the Cavanaughnecklace.
“Here, let me,” Alice said, taking the necklace fromBaggs.
Alice whispered to Emily as she placed the jewel around her neck, “I am so proud and happy to have you as my sister. And I know how very happy you have made mybrother.”
“Thank you,” Emily said, as she reached up and put her hand on the necklace and turned to themirror.
Then everyone in the room was silent as they gazed at her reflection. There she stood, as beautiful and regal as any queen. The dress was the definition of beauty in simplicity. The delicate bone-white fabric flowed from the high-waisted bodice down to the floor in multiple layers. The waist was worked as a belt in a filigree of small pearls—the only accent on the gown, except for the belt, were the delicate sheer, short sleeves that also had a pattern worked intothem.
The Duchess stood and studied her, and then said, “One moment.” And she retreated to the bedroom and returned and placed a delicate diamond tiara with a light blue sapphire at the apex in the center on her head. “There, my dear. I think you are now ready to be married and become the new Duchess ofEdgerton.”
* * *
Alice had volunteered her twins to serve as flower boys, since there were no young girls in the immediate family to throw petals as the bride walked down the aisle. They did not seem to mind, and rather liked the idea of throwing handfuls of flowers on the carpet leading to the altar. However, keeping them in their dress up clothes was presenting a problem as they wanted to shed their jackets and pull the shirts out of theirtrousers.
There were far too many guests to fit into the small chapel, so when Emily and her father walked toward the door, guests were lined on either side of the walkway offering wellwishes.
Once they were at the chapel door, Alice pushed her boys forward and they began throwing the petals, some landing on guests more than on the floor, and a fanfare of trumpets blared forth when Emily and her father began the march down theaisle.
Emily’s heart was beating so fast, and she was so filled with emotion, that she could barely hear the music that followed the trumpet’s blast. She held on tightly to her father’s arm. As she passed the front row, she saw her mother, both of her sisters, and Ruth’s husband beaming up at her. The Duchess was on the other side of the aisle, and Mark and Silas were standing with the pastor on the dais. The chapel was aflame with flowers—garlands along the pews—and the altar bursting with an array of flowers that staff had been growing in the conservatory for months leading up to thewedding.
As Emily came nearer to Mark, her heart stopped racing and her breathing calmed. To be near him was to feel his strong confidence and his tender care which calmedher.
Her father stepped away when she was in front of Mark, and the ceremonybegan.
After the vows were delivered and the newly wedded couple turned to the crowd, a fanfare rang out again as they walked back down the aisle to theoutside.
