Edward greeted him with a polite, “Good morning, Father.”
The older man met his gaze.“Good morning, Lord Marsdale, and welcome.I trust you’re in good spirits today?”
“How can I be anything else when I’m about to wed the loveliest woman in the world?”
“Hmm…” Whether or not the vicar was convinced by Edward’s attempt at playing the eager groom, he refrained from remarking upon it.
Much like yesterday, when Edward had met with him to schedule the ceremony, the man kept all personal thoughts to himself.
Returning to his task, the vicar did, however, choose to say, “Marriage is without doubt a wonderful thing.The joining of hearts and souls in the eyes of God.A promise to love and to cherish another person for the rest of our mortal lives.”
“Indeed.”Edward swept his gaze down the length of the aisle.He would not let the vicar’s words instill any form of guilt in him.Melody would be his wife, exactly as he’d wanted and still wanted, albeit for a new and far more necessary reason.
The door opened, and Harlowe appeared.He was accompanied by three young women, one of whom Edward recognized.She’d been with Melody the same night he’d discovered she was much more than Lady Heathbrooke’s companion.
And now Adrian was arriving along with Samantha.Their attention went first to Harlowe, to whom they spoke a few words, before they continued toward Edward.
“We can begin as soon as your bride arrives,” said the vicar, who’d stepped to Edward’s side.
A reminder that Melody had yet to show up.
Edward gritted his teeth.Should she choose not to, his humiliation would truly be complete.
6
Even though it was a sunny day, the early May air was chilly.Standing beside Lady Heathbrooke, Melody drew her shawl more securely around her shoulders while looking toward Saint George’s church with growing apprehension.Her life was about to change, undoubtedly for the worse before there was any chance of it improving.
Edward hated her, and she would soon be bound to him forever, unable to escape.
“You can still get back in the carriage,” Lady Heathbrooke said.“I can instruct the driver to take you directly to Dover.”
Run, was the older woman’s message.As if Melody hadn’t considered it.
She turned to the dowager marchioness and attempted a smile.“Thank you for the kindness you’ve shown me these past two years.I’ve enjoyed every moment and am sorry you now have to find a new companion.If there’s any way in which I can help, please let me know.”
“I appreciate that, my dear, but I do believe I’ll manage.”She seemed to consider adding something more, but refrained, for which Melody was grateful.Her ladyship would have to be blind not to have noticed Edward’s standoffish manner when he’d come to call, and the fact that Melody probably looked like she was off to the gallows instead of wedded bliss.Yet she had clearly elected not to comment and Melody had no wish to explain.
“Well,” Melody said, determined to face this with the same courage she’d faced Finn O’Leary’s thugs.“I’d better not keep Marsdale waiting.”
She offered her arm to Lady Heathbrooke and together they made their way up the church’s front steps, past the stone columns that lined the portico, and into Saint George’s hushed interior.Melody noted the presence of those in attendance.Harlowe, Tara, Holly, and Hazel, Samantha and Mr.Croft, the Duke and Duchess of Moorland.
Marsdale.
He stood by the altar, his posture stiff, his expression severe.
Melody’s pulse leapt in warning.She forced herself to ignore it in favor of escorting Lady Heathbrooke to a vacant spot beside the duchess.
“Know that you will always be welcome at Number 2 Portman Square,” Lady Heathbrooke told Melody.She squeezed her hand, then released it, and slid into the pew.
The kind words managed to break past Melody’s defenses.She drew a quivering breath and fought to regain her composure.Now was not the time to start weeping.
Intent on staying strong so she could face Marsdale with dignity, she closed her eyes briefly and focused on blocking off all emotion.When she approached the altar a moment later, she was more battle-ready than ever before.
Dressed in the lilac gown she’d chosen for the occasion, she deliberately met Marsdale’s gaze and smiled.You are not forcing me to do anything I have no wish to do.I am here of my own volition.
Something akin to uncertainty flickered within those somber eyes.Melody merely broadened her smile and stepped up beside him, ready to face the vicar.
To Marsdale she whispered, “You should know that I shall strive to make amends by loving you as deeply and as thoroughly as you deserve.”
