As the organist began to play, father and daughter entered the church, a surprisingly large congregation rising to their feet. Considering everything had been planned in a week, Evelyn had expected a much smaller contingent of guests.
She spotted Frances and Dominic close to the front, and Joan and Laurence. Dominic’s grown-up daughter, Harriet, was there too, alongside another young lady whom Evelyn presumed to be Joan’s younger sister, Victoria. Octavia and Selina too, of course, who looked as proud as true sisters as they stared, misty-eyed, at the bride.
Luke, too, seemed to be on the verge of tears as he smiled at his sister, and she smiled in return.
Then, Evelyn set eyes on Hugo, and the rest of the church and its guests disappeared. There was only him, looking unfairly handsome in a tailcoat of matching midnight blue, so tall and athletic, his brown hair combed and pomaded. He remained the most beautiful man she had ever seen, and she could not believe that she got to marry him.
Excitement set her heart racing, her pace quickening until she was practically tugging her father down the aisle.
Soon enough, she was at the altar, where her father turned to her as if he might say something. Instead, his forehead furrowed into a frown, and with a shake of his head, he passed Evelyn’s hand into Hugo’s.
She liked to think that, perhaps, her father had been about to say something kind, but he had not been able to manage it.
“You look breathtaking,” Hugo said softly, a bright smile upon his handsome face.
“You look rather nice yourself,” she replied, blushing.
Maybe one day she would become accustomed to compliments, but not yet.
“I missed you,” he whispered, raising her hand to his lips and placing a tender kiss upon her glove.
“I missed you too,” she confessed, her heart soaring. “Who knew that a week could be so long?”
“Has it only been a week?” He shook his head. “No, it cannot have been so short. It has felt like months.”
She grinned. “Well, the wait is over now.”
“Indeed it is, my love.” He glanced at the priest, who promptly stepped forward to begin the ceremony.
“I now pronounce you man and wife,” the priest said, to the loud delight of the congregation.
Evelyn’s cheeks hurt from smiling so much, happy tears filling her eyes as she held tightly to her husband’s hands. Hugo beamed back at her, and as he weaved her arm through his, he began to lead her back up the aisle toward the outside world, so they could start their life as husband and wife, the Duke and Duchess of Ravenvale.
However, the exit from the church was not so smooth as the entrance had been, because friends surged forward to be the first to offer their congratulations.
“What a beautiful pair you are!” Joan cheered.
Frances nodded effusively. “Congratulations to you both! We shall have to steal you once you are finished with your honeymoon, Evelyn. Indeed, you must come and help us with our charitable endeavors, for we are always arranging something interesting.”
“Like an auction?” Evelyn asked, flashing a wry grin at Hugo.
“The best decision I ever made!” Frances cheered, as the couple continued on.
Luke stepped out and, somewhat shyly, leaned in to press a kiss to Evelyn’s forehead. “Be happy, would you?”
“I shall do my best,” Evelyn replied. “Thank you, brother.”
Luke bowed his head and stepped back again, allowing the couple to proceed toward the doors, bombarded with congratulations and cheers from every angle.
Indeed, it was quite the relief when Evelyn and Hugo finally made it out into the fresh air, hazy sunlight beating down upon the London streets. The carriage awaited them just ahead, and they hurried into its cool shelter, the driver not hesitating to snap the reins and pull away from the church.
“My duchess,” Hugo purred, as they settled onto the squabs, his arm around her.
Evelyn peered up at him, so overwhelmed with happiness that she did not know whether to laugh or cry. “My duke. My love.”
“How do you feel, my darling?” he asked, his other hand coming up to cradle her cheek.
“Like I am in a dream,” she replied with a contented sigh, her palm coming to rest upon his firm chest.
