Two maids entered to help them ready for the day, her worries were set aside, once again replaced with her excitement over her coming nuptials.
And three hours later, she made her way out to the back garden, her arm laced through Brax’s.
The duke had volunteered to escort her down the aisle and Priscilla was so grateful, though she’d had a few moments where she missed her father.She’s always assumed he’d be the man to give her away and she felt his loss keenly in that moment.
Her fingers tightened on Brax’s arms as they waited for the music to begin, her cue to walk outside.
He gave her a side long glance.“A viscount, hey?”
She tucked her chin, smiling.“A viscount.”
“And you put an ad for him in the paper?”
She laughed.“That’s right.If Mona and Charlotte could both use the paper to find husbands I thought it might work for me too.”
He scratched his chin as he considered her words.“I supposed they both did, though neither of them were nearly as direct as you.”
Priscilla shrugged.“I’m not sure either of them were in quite such a desperate situation.”
Brax nodded.“Tenacity.That’s what I’ve always liked about all you ladies.”
“Thank you,” she said, cocking her head to the side.“Is that why you married Mona?Her tenacity?”
He gave her a wicked smile.“Among other things.”
“Let me ask you, did you ever consider her other accomplishments?”
“Such as?”
Priscilla thought back to the day she wrote her ad.“Oh, I don’t know, perhaps her ability to play the pianoforte or crochet?”
He cocked a brow.“That’s woman’s talk and in my estimation tools women use to rate each other.Men’s likes are far different.Beauty, kindness, a bit of fire.”He gave her a wink then.“Don’t be afraid to put your man in his place.He likes it when he’s done being angry.”
Priscilla laughed.A likely very different talk than her father might have given had he been here, but useful nonetheless.“I’ll take your advice to heart.Thank you, Brax.”
He nodded.“And don’t be afraid to ask me for help, Priscilla.Mona and I are always available if you need us.”
Her heart swelled with gratitude, but Priscilla didn’t ask more as the music started.Her hand on Brax’s arm, they entered the garden and started down the path that led to the trellis where the ceremony was to take place.
Her groom waited for her and she was more than ready to be his bride.
* * *
Wyatt watchedPriscilla float toward him, the pale pink gown she wore highlighting her pearly skin and halo of dark hair.
He’d never seen anything more beautiful.
And when her hand slipped into his, Brax returning to his seat next to his wife, he reached for the other, sure he’d never let go.
This was where he belonged.
She smiled at him, her brown eyes dancing with little gold flecks as color flushed her cheeks.
She stole his breath.
The ceremony began, the words flowing over them as they repeated their vows of commitment to one another.
And when the clergyman presented them to the crowd and announced that Wyatt could kiss his bride, he’d never been more ready for any kiss in his life.
