Chapter 32 #2
Beth handed the phone back to Callum and clapped her hands. “That’s one down and the next to go. The second one, I’m not so sure about.”
This time, I took up the paper and scanned the writing.
Beth dipped under my arm and read with me. “See, the difference with this one, the criminal record thing, is that it doesn’t say on entering the marriage state. We might have enough time before your birthday to have my record cleared.”
“If we don’t, I don’t care,” I said, still full of fear but also of hope. “Please, marry me.”
“Why do you think I’m doing this?” Then Beth’s face fell, and she peered up at me, examining my expression. “You thought I was calling it off? James! We just needed to work this through. I don’t know if it’s enough, but it’s the best we can do.”
I held her tight in my arms, vaguely aware of the vicar shuffling out with Mattie and Callum, giving us privacy.
“The best we can do is be together,” I replied, breathing her in, trying to control my emotions.
“Then let’s get married.”
“And you don’t care if I wind up poor?” I’d work every hour to take care of her, to let her get her degree and choose her own career.
“Stop! I don’t want to cry before we’ve even said our vows. No, I don’t care about anything other than you. Whatever happens, we’ll get through it.”
Then, together, we walked back out into the church.
All eyes snapped our way, and the congregation gave a collective exhale as we once more took our places at the front. Barely thirty minutes had passed, but it had been almost the worst of my life.
“Shall I…” The minister made a go-on gesture.
At our decided nod, he sighed in relief then read out vows for us to repeat.
Once again, it was just us. I gazed into Beth’s bright eyes and made my promises to her.
“I, James Sebastian Moncrief Durant, Earl Fitzroy, take you, Elizabeth Grace, to be my wife. All my worldly goods I gift to you. I vow to protect and to hold you, cherish and love you, for better or worse, where not even death can part us, according to God’s Holy law, and this is my solemn vow. ”
I heard Belle’s little yip at my full name and title, and when Beth repeated the vows back to me, her grin spread.
We’d changed the words of the traditional vows, because death wouldn’t part us. I’d once told her that not everyone who loved her, left. I meant every word.
And all of my worldly goods? If it was mine to give, I’d start with the garage of cars back home.
The paperwork was already underway with the lawyer, giving Beth ownership and total control.
If I had to get into a fight with her to persuade her to accept it, I would.
My lips curled at the thought, and Beth’s eyes flared like she knew what I was thinking.
The minister dipped his head, a fond expression on his face. “Who has the rings?”
Callum stepped forwards, and the minister took the pair of rings that had belonged to my grandparents. Mum and Dad had their own, and they had taken them to the grave.
Beth went first this time. When we’d met the minister, she’d been happy to go along with any kind of ceremony, religious or otherwise, in a church or anywhere, so long as she got to claim me first. I loved that she needed this.
Her fingers warmed mine as she slipped on the heavy ring, a solid gold band I could recall my grandfather wearing. “Let this ring be the sign and seal that I am yours and you are mine.”
I placed hers back on her finger—it had been taken off only last night, with Callum under pain of death to protect it—and I repeated the commitment.
The minister clapped his hands together.
“I will give the blessing. Now you will feel no rain, for each will shelter the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each will warm the other. Now you will feel no solitude, for each will company the other. Now you are two persons, but both will lead one life. Go now to your dwelling together. And may your days be good and long upon the earth.”
To rapturous applause, we leaned in and kissed.
Despite the crowd, my lips lingered, and I closed my eyes. This kiss was new—the first with my wife, and I couldn’t hurry. Her soft lips moved under mine, and we both pressed a fraction harder, the feeling too great to break away.
Beth palmed my face and stole my breath. I carefully held her head and returned the favour.
Someone chuckled, and Beth’s mouth slid into a smile. We laughed against each other, opening our eyes to pure happiness.
It was done. We belonged together.
At the end of the service, Beth and I walked back down the aisle, immersed in joy, and no small relief, and smiling at the congratulations being called our way.
Mathilda joined us at the car. “Gordain’s men made sure Richard didn’t return. He’s gutted that interruption happened.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” I directed my comment to Gordain who waited by the door.
“Actually, I’m glad your uncle was here.
” Beth’s gaze followed the road along the loch to the point the hills rose and took it out of sight.
“Not only because he let us fix a potential problem in the nick of time, but also because now he knows he lost. Seeing you getting happily married in a way he never signed up to… Maybe this will make him rethink how he betrayed you. Maybe he’s even sorry. ”
I kissed her hair in acknowledgement but, though I hoped for the same, I wasn’t sure it would happen. But today was my wedding, and Richard had had enough of my life. He wouldn’t get a second more of my time.
All my attention belonged to my wife. I was hers, signed and sealed.
At the castle, we sat down to a meal in the dining room.
White-shirted waiters carried silver trays, and Beth and I picked at the food, exchanging blazing glances and revelling in thoughts of the night to come.
Sheer politeness over Mathilda’s preparations kept me in my chair.
My blood rushed in my ears as our friends made speeches, Mrs Hinchcliffe holding the floor with tales of my childhood, Belle providing the same for Beth.
We cut our cake after the meal, and I’d never been more relieved for formalities to be over. I’d lived a formal lifestyle, and from now on, Beth and I would do whatever the hell we wanted.
And I wanted her. Over and over.
Her gaze met mine over the slice of cake in her hand. She took a dainty bite, licking the crumbs from her lips in a way that sent heat straight down my body. Then she offered it to me.
“I love you,” she said.
I leaned in. Wasp readied the camera he’d been using all day to capture the event.
I opened my mouth. Beth’s lips curved into a grin. Then, without warning, she pushed the cake into my cheek, spreading it over my mouth rather than in it.
“Sorry! New tradition.” She burst out with laughter and grinned for the camera.
I licked the creamy, sugary mess from my lip then caught hold of her arm.
“No!” she shrieked.
Wasp kept on clicking, capturing the kiss I gave her, cake and all. Then I swept her up, my arms under her knees and back, and strode to the door.
“Say goodnight, Beth,” I said, a mess, but unembarrassed, and utterly and unequivocally in love.
“Goodnight, Beth. Night all, don’t expect us back down for a few days,” she yelled.
I carried my wife to bed.