“That bouquet is prickly,” Georgina objected. Rosalyn laughed and released her hold on Georgina, the bouquet still firmly clutched in her hand.
“Thank you, sisters,” she said softly. “I love you both so much.”
“We love you too,” Georgina echoed. Her big dark eyes were full of tears.
“We’ll see you often,” Isabel promised, her voice firm though tears collected in her lovely black eyes as well.
“I will see you, too,” Rosalyn assured them. She waited until they had gone out of the room and then she embraced Betty and walked silently to the door. Her silk slippers were soundless on the wooden floor, and then she was walking down the stairs and towards the front door, ready to begin her new life.
Papa and Sebastian were at the foot of the steps. Rosalyn took her father’s arm, her heart thudding in her chest. The household staff were gathered at the foot of the steps, watching her proceed towards the front door. The housekeeper and the cook were crying. Rosalyn squeezed their hands, her heart filled with love and thanks.
“Bless you, Miss Rosalyn,” the housekeeper stammered.
“We will all miss you so much,” the cook said softly.
Rosalyn thanked them, her heart full. Then she was walking with Papa down the path towards the chapel in the grounds.
Despite the original plan to have the wedding at the duke’s home in the Midlands, they had decided instead to travel to her family estate in Sussex for the wedding. Rosalyn’s heart lifted as they walked slowly towards the chapel where her family had taken mass all her life. Isabel, Georgina and Sebastian went in ahead of them, and she and Papa walked slowly down the empty path together.
At the door, she gazed into her father’s eyes. He blinked, his own tears threatening to fall.
“Bless you, my daughter,” he said softly. “I love you.”
“I love you, Papa,” Rosalyn whispered. She squeezed his hand. She knew that she would see him often, but not every day—the Midlands were too far for that. She swallowed hard andfocused on the door. She had a new life ahead. A wonderful, exciting life with Callum.
Papa helped her to cover her face with the veil. Then he opened the door and they walked into the chapel.
It was dark at first, and Rosalyn struggled to see. The light from the snow outside had been much brighter than the interior, especially through the veil, and it was difficult to orient herself at first. They walked slowly down the aisle. A tall, dark-clad figure stood at the altar. It was Callum. He was standing slightly turned away, his pale face in profile, his thick black hair blending with the shadow, along with his dark grey velvet jacket. He turned and her heart soared.
Two steady, unwavering grey eyes held her own and she could look nowhere else.
She smiled through the veil, smiling so wide that her cheeks hurt. Her heart was soaring, her soul rejoicing with love. Callum must have seen her smile despite the gauzy lace because he grinned back and his smile seemed to light the chapel. She could look nowhere else.
The vicar stood beside the altar, and he, too, smiled when he saw them approach. He cleared his throat and began the ceremony. Rosalyn gazed at Callum. He gazed back.
The words of the ceremony rose and fell in a steady chant, and though Rosalyn tried to focus, the thudding of her own heart drowned out much of it. Her mind and heart were consumed with thoughts of Callum, and the overwhelming joy that surged through her, leaving little room for anything else.
“...and do you, Rosalyn Grace Rothwell take thee Callum Alexander Stanhope to be your lawful wedded husband?” the priest asked. Rosalyn swallowed hard.
“I do,” she said, softly but firmly. She had never meant anything more sincerely in her life.
The vicar turned to Callum. “And do you, Callum Alexander Stanhope, take thee Rosalyn Grace Rothwell to be your lawful wedded wife?”
“I do.” Callum’s voice, firm and deep, rocked through her soul.
The ceremony continued and Rosalyn’s heart thudded as they reached the concluding words. She gazed up at Callum as he turned to face her. Very slowly, very tenderly, he drew back the veil that covered her face. He smiled as he smoothed it carefully over her hair. Rosalyn’s heart raced as he leaned toward her and, so slowly, so gently, pressed his warm, firm lips to her own. She shut her eyes, joy flooding her heart as, so sweetly, so tenderly, they kissed, their lips meeting in a union that made her soul soar.
He straightened up and, slowly and shyly, they turned to face the congregation. Rosalyn blinked, tears filling her eyes as she gazed at all the joyful faces.
They walked down the aisle. As they reached the door, the small crowd in the church erupted in cheers.
“Congratulations!” Georgina yelled, her high, clear voice carrying above all the others. Rosalyn’s heart filled with love.
“Blessings on you both,” Isabel called, more softly.
“Congratulations,” Sebastian said loudly. Beside him, Harriet beamed, calling out her own congratulations to them both.
Rosalyn’s ears were filled with the sound of so many murmurous voices, shouting congratulations and well-wishes as they walked out into the daylight. Her heart was filled with love and thankfulness. Callum grinned at her, taking her arm.
