She patted his shoulder.“No, you dolt.I told you I loved you ages ago.I was waiting for you to catch up.”
He laughed and leaned down as though to kiss her.
She in turn leaned back.“Xander, be sure.We’re at a ball.Kissing is beyond scandalous.Even this embrace is enough to compromise me.”
“I’m sorry.”He stepped back.
“No, no, don’t run away again.I don’t care in the least.But I want you to be very sure before my father is told we are out here.”
He leaned in and kissed her.“As I said, your wish is my command, my lady.Yours is the only opinion I care about.”
As they turned to go inside, the Earl of Craven was indeed at the doors watching, but not interfering, standing next to North.
Xander sketched a shallow bow and asked, “Sir, may I call on you tomorrow to finalize the particulars of the betrothal?I’d like to claim my bride as soon as possible.”
Her father looked at her and waited for her nod before responding, “I look forward to it.”
Chapter Thirty-One
The contract had been modified for his name, the bans had been posted, and in what felt like no time at all, Xander found himself dressing for his wedding.He’d spent every minute he could with Evie, and every other minute either planning their tour of their properties or doing almost anything to avoid dealing with the logistics of the wedding day itself.
Bruce had made it down from Northumberland, as had Evie’s Aunt Louisa from Rutland.They’d kept the invitations to the ceremony and the breakfast following it to a minimum.
Evie’s father had a few cronies who had been like uncles to her.The Marquess of Hollibrook had been invited, but sent his regrets with his well wishes.And they both agreed that Xander’s new friends should be there.The women at least had been rooting for this union, and he hoped they would become fast friends with Evie.
Despite Bruce and Luke both keeping him company last night and this morning at North’s London home, and the brevity of the guest list, Xander was becoming increasingly anxious.
What if someone took issue with Bruce’s presence?Or for that matter, Belle’s?It wouldn’t do for a duke to engage in fisticuffs at his own wedding.Given his anxiety, if someone said something even slightly derogatory, that outcome would become more and more likely.He did not want to embarrass Evie or upset her or her family in any way.
His mother and North met them downstairs in the front hallway.When Xander yanked at his cravat twice on the way down the stairs, North stepped aside and spoke to the footman.
As the five of them climbed into the carriage, Frazer came hurrying out and joined the coachman on the driver’s seat.
Alighting at the church, Xander yanked at his tie once again.He strode into the building, intent on finding Evie and getting this done.Why hadn’t they hied off to Gretna Green, dammit?He wanted to marry her more than anything, but the formality of this even more than balls was unnerving.
The others hurried after him.
His mother caught his arm and said, “I see Cravens’ carriage on the street.Allow Frazer to fix your cravat and then keep your hands off it for a quarter hour, please.”
“Yes, Mama.”He modified his internal dialogue.He didn’t want to embarrass Evie or his mother.Taking a deep breath, he focused on the fact that he was marrying the love of his life.Once Evie’s hand was in his, even before the words were spoken linking them forever, he’d relax.
His mother put her palms on his cheeks, then dropped one hand to hold his and reached for Bruce’s with her other.“I am so proud of both of you.You are both good men, and I am glad Xander has found a lovely woman who recognizes that.I am so happy.”
With that she burst into tears.As the brothers rolled their eyes and patted her shoulders, North hurried over.He steered her away and folded her into a hug, freeing Xander to Frazer’s ministrations.
They paced down the center aisle, nodding to guests already in attendance.The organ began, and all fidgets and feelings of strangulation flew out of his head, because there was his bride.The first thing he noticed was her gleaming chestnut hair.No more scratchy caps for her, and although jeweled combs kept it away from her face, his fingers itched to run through the rest of it.She was in a copper gown, the folds of the skirt catching the light and shining as though they were truly metal.He smirked.The color both mocked and elevated the idea of a brown maid’s uniform, and the grin lurking on her lips told him it had been a deliberate choice.Only his Evie would think of such an idea.Her lips were a warm rose against her pale face, and he guessed he might not be alone in his nerves.He clasped her hand in his as she reached him and gave it a quick kiss, ignoring her mother’s gasp.The clergyman had to clear his throat twice to get Xander’s attention off his bride.
After the ceremony, he could not say what transpired.He would never be able to recall his full formal address that included several lesser titles.Thankfully, Jacob Lancaster had been happy to provide those to the minister presiding over the ceremony.
At last, he and Evie were in the carriage.Alone.Only then did he release her hand to cradle her head and angle his mouth across hers.Sweet peace swept over him.She was his.He was hers.Forever.
There was still the wedding breakfast to get through, and he was still uncomfortable with the various titles, names, and nicknames.It seemed most of the men had at least one nickname, sometimes more.He’d learned some on his previous stay with Luke and Belle—Luke was South, or Lyon, or Lynwood, as well as Luke.It was exhausting, trying to recall how to introduce people to others.Once inside, he again clutched Evie’s hand on his arm with his other hand and refused to let go, declining food or drink.
They would be at his London home for the night before departing for two of his homes in the south to evaluate them for sale.North and his mother had hosted the breakfast thankfully, so he hoped to escape this purgatory soon.
When Evie asked for a private moment, he sighed in relief and nodded.When they stepped into the rear drawing room, his parents were waiting.
Evie turned and said, “I already said my goodbyes to my parents.It’s been clear you are not enjoying yourself, so say farewell, and I will have the carriage brought around.”
