Chapter Sixteen
Wilmington House
Mayfair, London
“Dear God, I can hardly stand the wait,” Cornelius whispered to Johnathan, as he paced the length of his soon-to-be in-laws’ drawing room despite the twenty or so guests that assembled to bear witness to this special event.
Finally, it was his wedding day, the day he’d marry the love of his life, Lady Penelope, and yet he couldn’t shake the crawling nerves or the twin tremors of excitement and worry that twisted up his spine.
He touched the knot of his cravat to make certain it was straight.
Then he tugged at the bottom of his waistcoat, done in a cheerful ice blue embroidered with vines and tulips.
It was spring, after all. Then he moved a hand to the pocket of his waistcoat, checking to make sure he’d remembered to bring the ring with him.
Was his hair correctly styled? He’d recently had it trimmed at the barber.
Did the expertly tailored tailcoat fit him as it should?
Birchfield snickered. “You’ve waited all of two and a half months for this day. A handful of minutes isn’t going to kill you.”
“I rather think I’ve waited over thirteen years for this day, and the past two and a half months have been nigh unbearable.
” He glanced at the people laughing and chatting in rows of rented, delicate gilt chairs brought in for the occasion.
Though his best friend had slowly come ’round to the prospect of him marrying Penny, Birchfield hadn’t spoken to him for a few weeks after the scandal on Valentine’s night.
Beyond that, Penny’s family had kept her under constant vigilance and company, so he hadn’t been allowed time alone with her over and above what they found at the bookshop, and even then, they’d only come together physically once, for the Chandlers were putting things to right ahead of the sale of the shop.
Now he desperately wanted a return of that intimacy with his soon-to-be wife.
“You’ve truly tossed your hat over the windmill for her, haven’t you?” Birchfield asked in a whisper, as he regarded Cornelius with interest in his eyes.
“I am.” And he didn’t care who knew it. His chest tightened with happiness. “Which is why I’m tired of waiting,” he replied and resumed his pacing. “I am more than ready to bring my bride home.”
My bride. My heart.
The drawing room windows had been thrown open, and a sweet breeze redolent with the scents of flowers moved through the space where an abundance of fresh flower arrangements graced tables, the mantel, and the windowsills.
The floral displays gave the room a cheerful air, and with the May Day sun shining in through the windows, the effect was rather magical.
A fresh start with new beginnings.
“I understand that, but it’s not as if you’ve been completely cut off from her.” Amusement hung in his voice and sparkled in Birchfield’s eyes. “You’ve merely been made to act with decorum instead of scandal.”
“Right, but do you know what it’s been like to not touch her, kiss her, show her how much I adore her the past two and a half months?
” he asked in a whisper, while struggling to contain his excitement and anxiety.
His palms began to sweat, but he resisted the urge to wipe them on his evening breeches.
“You have become quite a romantic, Cornelius.” Birchfield clapped a hand to his shoulder. “I’m sorry I resisted for so long, for I believe you are the perfect husband for my sister. You complement each other. It’s my fondest hope she will help you sort out the mire of your mind.”
“As do I.” He peered out of the window while rustling fabric behind him betrayed that even more guests had arrived. “And Birchfield?”
“Hmm?”
“Please consider finding your own romance. I couldn’t bear it if this world was deprived of your presence.
” The one thing marring the engagement period had been the fact that his best friend struggled with the demons terrorizing his own mind.
He met the earl’s gaze. “Promise me you will continue the fight.”
The other man swallowed hard. “I promise I will do what I can.”
“Good.” Cornelius nodded. “I know it’s difficult, but we all need to look after each other, and I refuse to go through the next portion of my life without you.
” Damn the war who stole the friend that he used to know.
Along with the earl’s responsibilities, the last two years had taken a toll on him.
Instead of answering in the same vein, Birchfield said, “It’s time.”
“Shit.” He tightened his hand on the ivory head of his cane. “Do you think I’m good enough?”
The earl grinned, but the gesture didn’t reach his eyes. “Quite.”
“Thank you.” Cornelius came to rest beside his best friend and glanced eagerly over the assembled guests.
Many of his friends were there, as well as members of the ton.
Plenty of Penny’s friends came as well. When his gaze landed on Penny’s mother, he gave her a nod and a small smile.
She’d eventually come around to the fact that her daughter wouldn’t be marrying a titled man this second time around, for planning the wedding had kept her quite busy.
But the only person he wished to see this morning was Penny.
Then the double doors to the drawing room opened. A clergyman of perhaps fifty or some odd years entered and strode up the aisle between the rows of guests. He nodded and smiled at various people, and when he reached the spot where Cornelius and Birchfield stood, he halted.
“Which one of you is the fortunate man about to marry one of the most beautiful women I’ve just seen in the corridor?”
“I am.” His voice sounded weak and rusty, so Cornelius cleared his throat. “That would be me. I’m Major Montgomery.” With nerves tying knots in his gut, he leaned his cane against the fireplace.
“Pleased to meet you.” The clergyman nodded.
He transferred a much-used copy of the Book of Common Prayer to his left hand and stuck out his right.
“I’m Mr. Anders. Lady Penelope asked that I perform the ceremony.
We’ve met a few times through various charities and causes.
” He gestured with his chin to a youngish man standing at the back of the room near the doors.
“Mr. Podge is the parish clerk who’ll make certain the register is signed, and I see you have more than enough witnesses. ”
“Yes.” Cornelius nodded. He looked at the earl, who winked and then went to sit on the chair next to his mother. “You said she’s in the corridor?” he asked the clergyman, when she still didn’t appear.
“Oh, yes. We chatted a bit, and she’s quite excited for today.” The older man smiled. Genuine pleasure lit his hazel eyes. “She’ll be along soon, I’d imagine.”
“I’m living for that moment.” He clasped his hands behind his back and trained his gaze on the drawing room doors.
Then she was there, pausing long enough for him to feast his eyes on her form, and damn if he forgot how to breathe.
“She’s a vision and well worth the wait,” he whispered and pressed a hand to his wildly beating heart.
Beside him, the clergyman chuckled.
Penny met his gaze with sparkling eyes. The smile she bestowed upon him nearly knocked him off his feet.
Clad in a gown of bright raspberry-pink silk, she moved with grace and elegance as she came into the room.
The frock’s scalloped neckline drew his attention to the tops of her breasts while silver scrolling stitchwork lined the bodice, the flounced hem, as well as the short, puffed sleeves.
A flush of excitement stained her pale cheeks, and her blonde-brown hair, dressed in a low chignon at the nape of her neck, gleamed.
A posey of sweet Williams in a yellow hue and pink rose buds was tucked among the tresses over the loose knot, and he breathed a sigh of relief, for she’d chosen to wear the posey he’d sent over the night before.
“You’re right, Mr. Anders. I’m extremely fortunate, and I hope I always remain deserving of her,” he whispered when he found his voice again. Then she joined him, and the ability to concentrate flew right out of his head. “Hullo, sweeting.”
“Good morning, Major.” Amusement and excitement glimmered in the blue-gray depths of her eyes. She waved to Mr. and Mrs. Chandler, who, of course, had come to see her wed.
“I’d tell you that you’re beautiful, but it seems like such a dull word.”
“All the admiration I need is reflected in your expression,” she whispered back.
She lightly rested a hand on his sleeve.
Her soft floral scent teased his nose with every movement; she was much the personification of spring.
“I rather thought this day would never come, but alternately, the time has flown so quickly.”
“Indeed, it has.”
The clergyman grinned. “Shall we begin?” To the guests, he said, “The bridal pair would like to start; they are quite anxious.”
Murmurs and tittering laughter buzzed through the room as everyone found chairs. Even his mother attended the ceremony.
Then Mr. Anders nodded. He included them both in his gaze.
“Please face me.” When they did, he looked past them and opened his book to the appropriate page.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man’s innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church… ”
Cornelius had difficulty focusing on the clergyman’s words, for the whole of his concentration rested upon the woman at his side.
Dear God, after all this time, he would say vows to her and begin their life together.
No longer was she merely a dream. She turned her head and met his gaze with a soft smile.
He returned the gesture and then gave his attention to the clergyman.