Chapter Five #2
“It seems like it’s been a lifetime since we first met.
” Caroline met his gaze with sparkling eyes.
The smile she bestowed upon him almost knocked him off his feet.
In the silver gown with the clear glass beads, she resembled a fallen star, sent from heaven to personally guide his path. A flush stained her pale cheeks.
“A year, actually.” But yes, he agreed with the sentiment.
“There is still time to change your mind,” she whispered back as her smile faded, only to be replaced by an expression of worry.
“Such gammon you speak, Miss Ives.” He winked at Mary when their gazes met.
“I might have dragged my feet with my proposal, but I can’t wait to take you to wife.
” No matter what, they were partners. “I’d tell you that you’re beautiful, but it seems like such an ordinary word, and I have already used it today. ”
“All the admiration I need is reflected in your eyes,” she whispered as a wash of tears came into hers. “We will be all right, yes?”
“We will.” And he would do his level best to make that a reality.
Mr. Phillips smiled. “Since it appears the pair of you wish to do this straight away, we shouldn’t waste another moment.” He glanced at the guests. “Please be seated.”
As fabric rustled and excited murmurs went through the room, Felix took a few deep breaths.
The next few moments would change his life forever.
Would he prove a good husband to her? That was the hope.
He glanced at her, and the trace of fear in her eyes took him aback.
Were there too many years between them? Should be give her up and let her marry someone younger?
Then Caroline laid a hand on his arm and the feeling of calm once more descended on him. “Felix?”
“All is well.” Yes, this was the right path, and perhaps he’d known it all along.
“Let us begin.” Mr. Phillips included them both in his gaze.
“Please face me.” When they did, he looked past them and his clerk handed him the leatherbound book.
The clergyman opened the Book of Common Prayer 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… ”
I am about to be married.
It was both heady and frightening. Felix had difficulty focusing on the clergyman’s words for the whole of his concentration rested upon the woman at his side.
Dear God, he was truly readying to say vows to her and begin their life together.
She turned her head and met his gaze with a smile.
It might have been a touch wobbly, but it was enough.
He returned the gesture and then gave his attention to Mr. Phillips.
The man continued, his voice a pleasing timbre as he talked about the holy state he and Caro were about to embark upon. He held the prayer book in his hands, the brown leather spine cracked and worn, while he addressed Felix.
“Wilt thou have this Woman to thy wedded Wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony?
” His lips curved with a smile, as if he already knew what the answer would be.
“Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor her, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
Did it matter that there were secrets about his soon-to-be wife that would be revealed imminently?
Secrets that might cause a shift in their relationship?
In the space of a few heartbeats, he considered it, then he nodded.
“I will.” He peered at Caroline and flashed the grin he hoped would forever charm her.
Though he might be grouchy more often than not, she made him want to seek out more of the positive in the world.
“Ah, lovely,” Mr. Phillips said. Chuckles circled through the gathered guests.
Then he addressed Caroline. “Wilt thou have this Man to thy wedded Husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony?
Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love him, honor him, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live? ”
The delicate tendons in her neck worked with a hard swallow. “I will.” Caroline’s whispered answer danced across his skin like a fleeting caress.
“Good, good.” The clergyman instructed Felix to take her right hand in his right, which he then did, and Caroline’s hand shook.
Was she nervous or merely excited? Surely, she knew he would always protect her and strive to build a wonderful life with him.
Then another thought occurred to him. What if she truly was guilty of killing Lord Danforth?
What would he do? Would he suddenly fall out of love with her based on a moral failing?
He couldn’t answer that question right now.
“Major Kourier, please repeat after me…”
With solicitous attention, Felix made an effort to memorize the handful of words even though his mind was in a pelter.
Seconds later, he uttered them aloud. “I, Felix Richard Kourier, take thee Caroline Marie Ives 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, until death us do part…” His throat tightened as he spoke those most sacred of words that would forever bind him with her, no matter what.
“… according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth. ”
The clergyman nodded. “Please release hands. Major Kourier, take Miss Ives’ left in your left hand.” Once they’d done as instructed, he trained his attention on Caroline. “Miss Ives, repeat after me.” He gave her the words, much like the ones he’d said to Felix moments before.
The delicate tendons in her neck moved with a heavy swallow, but she found his gaze.
“I, Caroline Marie Ives take thee Felix Richard Kourier as my wedded Husband.” Her voice broke on the last word.
A sheen of tears made her eyes luminous and bright, but he squeezed her fingers and she continued.
“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, ‘until death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance.” A tear fell to her cheek, but she smiled, so she wasn’t in distress.
Was she? “And thereto I give thee my troth.”
“It’s seems this couple is overcome with emotion, which is as it should be.” Mr. Phillips grinned. Lines framed his eyes and mouth. “Please release your hands.” To Felix, he whispered, “Now is the time to offer up a ring and any respects you might have for my services.”
“Ah, thank you for the reminder. I have no knowledge of such things.” Chuckles went through the room while Felix dug the ring from the pocket of his waistcoat, which he gave to the clergyman, who rested it upon his open Book of Common Prayer.
He followed it with a small leather pouch as payment and gratuity for services rendered while Caroline removed the glove from her left hand.
“Much appreciated.” Mr. Phillips returned the ring to Felix.
“You may present the ring to the lady.” As soon as Felix slipped the thin gold band onto the fourth finger of Caroline’s left hand, nestled snugly against the emerald ring he’d given her upon their engagement, the clergyman spoke again, the words directed to him. “Please repeat after me, Major.”
A shudder went down Felix’s spine. This was it.
No turning back now. For good or for ill.
He held Caroline’s gaze and rejoiced in the happiness in those dark blue pools.
Yes, it was mixed with worry, but perhaps that was as expected given the circumstances.
“With this Ring I thee wed, with my Body I thee worship, and with all my worldly Goods I thee endow. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.” Then he raised her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it.
Mr. Phillips smiled. “Major, if you and your bride will please kneel? I invite everyone to pray with me.”
As the words of the benediction flowed over him, Felix dared to peek at Caroline. She looked back at him with a serene smile curving her lips and tears in her eyes, and a shiver of anticipation went down his spine. Then the prayer was over, and Felix stood. He smoothly brought his wife to her feet.
Shit. She is now my wife.
The clergyman closed his book. “I now pronounce thee husband and wife.”
Applause broke out among the guests gathered.
Felix turned, as did she, and he caught her hand in his.
“You are my wife,” he whispered to her, but she didn’t reply as people surged forward and offered congratulations and murmured well-wishes.
He stood back merely to watch her interact with their friends and guests.
She was as elegant and gracious as a duchess, and he couldn’t believe she was his.
Legally and rightfully. For the rest of his days.
Then a new thought occurred that chilled his blood. Since he was well below her in station, what if she grew tired of the life he gave her? What if it wasn’t enough? What if he wasn’t enough in all the ways that mattered?
“You’re worried,” she said from his side as she slipped her arm through his.
“Yes.”
“About the case?” Tears sounded in her voice, but she struggled to contain them.
“Not fully.” With a glance at her, he caught the fear mixed with love in her gaze, and fell into those deep pools. “You deserve a man so much more than I am, deserve more than I’ll be able to give. Especially if…” He didn’t dare to finish that thought.
“Don’t borrow trouble, Major.” She shook her head. “As I told you once before a long time ago, you are perfect for me, and I’ll never tire of you. Neither will I ever complain about the style in which I’m kept.” A sigh escaped her. “However, you might regret marrying me after today.”
“I rather doubt that.” God, he hoped that was true. Never had he been vexed before beginning an investigation. Even still, a knot of anxiety pulled in his belly. “You realize I’ve married you for nothing other than love, don’t you?”
“I do, and it’s one reason I’m tip over tail for you, so stop fretting.
” As if she’d rallied from the doldrums she’d come to the ceremony with, she gently tugged on his arm, she led him across the room.
While he’d been mentally dithering, the guests had gone, probably to partake of an excellent wedding breakfast being served outside.
Even the clergyman had exited the room. “It seems we’ve been left alone. ”
“So it does.” Awareness of her rippled over his skin. Would that they didn’t need to go through with the remainder of festivities this morning.
“Will you do something for me?”
“Of course. What is it?” Surely, she didn’t hope to confess…
Caroline turned into him and slid her hands up his chest. “Kiss me.” Though the look in her eyes gave off a blatant come-hither air, the wobble of her chin spoke to a vulnerability she’d had for the past few days. Was all well with her?
The poor thing. “As if I could deny you anything.” Yet his mind screamed a warning.
Because of that, he stepped slightly away from her, hating himself for the confusion that popped into her eyes.
Was he trying to protect himself? Unconsciously distance himself in the event she proved a murderess?
God, I’m such a coward. “I can’t wait to have you alone, can’t wait to explore our life just the two of us,” he whispered in the hopes that would relieve her worry.
“Oh.” Caroline wrenched away. Her lips trembled, and her expression didn’t reflect the joy or happiness of a new bride. If possible, her eyes were haunted. “I suppose you wish to interview me.” It wasn’t a question.
“Not just yet.” His own elevated mood crashed at the reminder of what had happened this morning.
Was that her way of managing guilt? Or did she simply want the looming talk out of the way?
Regardless, the air around them shifted, and as the sound of laughter from the beach filtered to his ears, he felt suddenly awkward in her presence.
Had the trust between them broken already?
“Why do you wish for the interview immediately? You deserve to enjoy this morning.”
“I, uh, I suspect you’ll prove disappointed in me after I explain…”
Though he frowned, Felix shook his head. “I doubt that.”
Christ, had she truly murdered Danforth after all?
Before Caroline could respond, her mother bustled back into the room.
“Caroline, you can talk to the major later. The guests are waiting for the nuptial couple to appear so breakfast can be served.”
“Right.” As her mother came over, grabbed her arm, and then led her from the room, she glanced over her shoulder at him with eyes shadowed and unreadable.
Damn.
Immediately, he regretted not kissing her; she seemed so lost, which was odd for her and not at all in character, but she was definitely guilty of keeping something from him. With some resignation, he slowly followed them from the room. The next few days would be hell, no doubt.
What a way to start a marriage.