Chapter 27 #2
“You must be the snarkiest bride I have ever met – not that I make it a point of duty to meet brides. What troubles you, sister? Why do you look so pale on a day when you are meant to radiate utter joy?” her brother murmured, walking forward to hold her hands.
Isobel focused on the warmth of his hands as she said quietly, “I am simply in disbelief. I never thought – did not expect that such love would find me. But it has, and now, I worry I might be unworthy. I also miss my mother and father greatly. Mother tried her best to hide it, but she was always worried about me finding a husband. And now that I have, she is not here to witness my union. Neither is father, who had always said I would make a beautiful bride. It feels as though there is a hole in my chest, and no matter how hard I try, I cannot seem to draw enough breath. I am happy and heartbroken, and I do not know what to do, brother.”
Graham quickly pulled her into his embrace, and she inhaled deeply, his familiar scent soothing some of the frayed nerves within her. Then he gently patted her back, much like their father used to do when she was younger and the tears threatened to spill once more.
“Father was right. You are a beautiful bride. One of the most beautiful I have ever seen. And mother is undoubtedly relieved, knowing that you are to be wed in a few moments. You and I know that she is watching over you closely – there isn’t much else she would want to do anyway.
As for wondering if you are worthy… Isobel, your father never told you this, but that day when he had found you at the monastery and brought you home, he was gravely upset because he could not understand how someone could leave a beautiful child behind like that.
Especially one who was clearly born to be loved.
I might not wholly trust your groom, but I trust the words he has said.
That man understands that you are to be loved – utterly and wholly, and I think that is commendable.
You are worthy of love, Isobel. Gregory Wightman may not have understood that, and he can go to hell for all we care.
You, my darling sister, are loved greatly and you forever will be. ”
Graham’s words felt as though they sank into her skin to soothe the deepest parts of her discomfort, and before she knew it, she could breathe easier again.
She inhaled deeply and tightened her hold on her brother, her heart swelling with affection and gratitude for the family that had found her and loved her immensely.
And now, she would go on and make her own family and put the love she had received there.
“Are you ready?” Graham asked softly.
Isobel nodded, inhaling deeply.
“I am,” she said and meant it.
“In that case, I believe it's time to escort you down the aisle.”
It felt surreal, walking down the gorgeous pathway in Graham’s greenhouse that had been arranged for the occasion.
There were only a handful of guests, consisting of Isobel’s siblings, in-laws, and friends she had made.
The atmosphere felt so incredibly warm as their gazes followed her to meet her husband.
Richard was waiting for her with a look of serenity on his face, and she could not help but blush as Graham handed her to her husband-to-be with a gentle kiss on the cheek.
Once her brother was gone, Isobel focused solely on Richard, and her heart tumbled over him as she was nearly overwhelmed by the feeling of love within her.
The ceremony passed by far too quickly for her to grasp anything more than the vows they had recited to each other. That particular moment had been ingrained within her forever, and she could still feel the love coursing through her veins when the priest declared them ‘man and wife’.
The wedding breakfast was an exciting affair, and Isobel spent the better part of it receiving congratulations from the guests.
Valerie had held her tightly and expressed her excitement for Isobel, giddy that they both had married within weeks of each other. Adrian was also in attendance, and he fondly teased Richard for acting as though his world was ending when he intended to go after Isobel from the start.
Catherine came along with her husband, Sampson Richards, duke of Rosehall, in a tow, and they earnestly wished Isobel the very best, both of them hugging her tightly.
Margaret urged her to relish in every feeling that came with being a new bride, and her husband, Lysander Millington, duke of Windermoor, expressed his dismay that Isobel would no longer have time to tease Graham with him.
“I will always have time for that,” she told him seriously. “That is never going to change, I can assure you.”
Although she had seen them when the ceremony began, she was still surprised to see the friends her siblings had introduced her to present.
“Our darling Isobel has been whisked away!” Eleanor Montague, duchess of Ironvale, cried, wrapping her arms around Isobel fondly.
“Do try not to sound so heartbroken, dear,” her husband Frederick Montague, duke of Ironvale, implored. “Her husband seems ready to bring down anyone who stands between him and his wife.”
“If I recall correctly, you were the very same,” Aaron Bolton, duke of Crauford, stated blankly.
“As were you, dearest,” his wife and duchess Selina chirped, reaching out to embrace Isobel too. “Congratulations, my darling friend. You look utterly radiant today.”
“Congratulations, Isobel,” Thalia Pratt, duchess of Ravenwood, beamed kindly, one of her hands intertwined with that of her husband, Benedict’s, as the other reached for her friend. “I pray your new home is blessed with immense joy and love.”
“We are all so very happy for you, and we hope that you will be happy for the rest of your days.” Nora Gale, duchess of Bancroft, said cheerily.
“Hear, hear! To Isobel and Richard!” Nora’s husband, the duke of Bancroft, Samuel Gale chanted, holding up his glass of wine.
The entire room followed suit, and Isobel felt herself flush from the love and adoration, smiling up at her husband.
“Let’s be happy together, for the rest of our days.”
Richard smiled back, leaning in to kiss her as he whispered against her lips,
“I can think of no better plan. I love you, Isobel.”
She smiled, feeling whole, content, and blessed, eager to see what lay ahead of them as she echoed the sentiment to her husband.
“I love you too.”