“First, it was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy Name.”
James. I wanted children with you more than I ever admitted. I wanted to see your face in our son, to see you play with our daughter.
“Secondly, it was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continency might marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ’s body.”
It wouldn’t have been a sin for us to love each other as man and wife. We were bound together in holy matrimony. Ours was a sacred vow. And the love in my heart is the most sacred vow of all.
“Thirdly, It was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity.”
I should have stuck with you through all the adversity we faced. But I gave up. I let my father manipulate and control me. I should have just admitted everything to you when I came in with the annulment papers. I should have trusted you would fight for me. All I want is to help and comfort you for the rest of my life.
Violet looked up, tears in her eyes. She glanced at the innkeeper’s wife. She looked at the vicar. She looked at her father.
“Therefore, if any man can show any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.”
A heartbeat passed. Maybe two. Then three things happened at the same time.
There was a crash from outside the parlor, as if someone had kicked down the front door of the inn.
Then, the innkeeper’s wife shouted, “This is a farce! The lady clearly doesn’t want to marry this man! I object! I object!”
And then a gun went off.
Jebediah tensed up, Lord Redfield’s mouth fell open, and Violet turned towards the door of the parlor.
A second later, it flew open, and James Bolden, the Duke of Attorton,her husband, strode in, a smoking pistol in his hand.
“Sorry to crash the nuptials,” he said into the stunned silence, “but that’s my wife you’re trying to marry.”
Chapter Thirty-One
“James!”
The word slipped out of her mouth without a second thought, without hesitation. Never had a sight brought her more happiness than that of her husband, come to her rescue, and just in time. Violet couldn’t believe he was there.
He came for me!
“Violet!”
Her husband’s voice filled her ears, and she had never loved anything more than the sound of her name on his lips. His eyes met hers, and the warmth, relief, and affection in them lit up every inch of her. She took a step towards him, as if pulled by an invisible thread.
At the same time, she felt a hand close around her wrist. She looked down and saw that Lord Redfield was holding tight to her arm.
“Attorton,” he hissed. “How dare you?”
“How dareyou?”James snapped, and all affection in his expression evaporated as he looked at Redfield.
His face was now thunderous, his eyes narrowed and his lips pressed together in a thin line. He had transformed into the Devilish Duke so suddenly that it took Violet’s breath away. He could transform in a second when faced with the man trying to steal her away.
“That is my wife that you are trying to marry! All the laws of God, man, and nature forbid you from continuing with this farce of a ceremony!”
“The girl has signed an annulment!” Redfield shouted. “She is no longer your wife!”
“Thatgirlis the Duchess of Attorton,” James said calmly. “And no annulment is valid until it has been notarized and approved in the courts. Seeing as how it was signed yesterday, that is not possible.”
There was a moment of silence during which Redfield looked at Jebediah.
Jebediah cleared his throat and stepped forward. “I think, Your Grace, you will find that the documenthas beenapproved in time?—”
