Page 44 of The Best Marquess

She almost laughed. Fine as a Thoroughbred was the highest compliment her father paid. “Yes, I’m ready.”

“Good, good. Exton is standing up with Knighton. I know Lilian wishes she could be here, but I think sending her husband to add even more consequence to the occasion was the next best thing, eh?”

Pippa took his arm. “Indeed. Shall we?”

It was only a short walk to the adjoining chamber, yet with each step, she could feel her knees knocking and perspiration gathering at the nape of her neck. Hopefully her stomach wouldn’t growl like an angry bear in the middle of the ceremony; she had been too anxious to eat anything, even when the Pinehurst kitchens sent up a tray of still-warm buttered bread and sliced fruit to tide her over until supper.

As she approached from the hallway, a liveried footman bowed then set a violin to his shoulder and skillfully played a merry tune. Touched at the kind gesture, she nodded at the young man, took a deep breath, then entered the chamber.

Oh.

Someone had worked miracles to transform the space from a dark, forbidding room to something lighter and rather romantic. Most of the furniture had been moved to one corner, and the walls were draped in lengths of white and gold satin. Gold bows adorned the window, and flowers—paper flowers—had been fashioned into a heart shape, where Finn currently stood. But the way he was looking at her, with such open-mouthed awe…

Pippa blushed and bit her lip. Finn looked exceedingly handsome himself in formal black jacket, black trousers, embroidered silver waistcoat, and intricately arranged cravat. She’d scarcely noticed Exton standing nearby, and he usually dominated any space.

Archbishop Manners-Sutton beamed at her as Lord Kingsford placed her hand in Finn’s, then moved to join Xavier and Georgiana, who were sitting with Grandmother and Lady Pinehurst to the right. To the left, Lord Pinehurst had been propped up higher on pillows in his bed, and he deigned to give her a tiny nod. Behind him were the lawyers, bankers, and physicians, thankfully keeping their distance.

Finn rubbed his thumbs over her knuckles, making them tingle. “You look magnificent,” he whispered.

“Why thank you,” she whispered back. “As do you.”

“My lords, ladies, and gentlemen,” said the archbishop, as he opened his bible. “We are gathered here in the sight of God to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate…”

He had such a calm, soothing voice, and Pippa relaxed as the words washed over her like a gentle breeze. Due to Lord Pinehurst’s condition, certain non-essential parts of the ceremony had been set aside such as hymns and a sermon on the sanctity of marriage.

“…Therefore, if any man can show any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace…”

Finn actually glanced around the chamber, and at the door, and Pippa nearly giggled. Surely, he didn’t think some lovelorn swain—or paid actor—would shoulder his way into the room? Although to be fair, she had glared rather forbiddingly in her grandmother’s direction.

“…Finlay Charles Knighton, wilt thou have this Woman to thy wedded Wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”

“I will,” said Finn in a firm voice, rubbing her knuckles again.

The archbishop continued, “Pippa Pearl Nash, wilt thou have this Man to thy wedded Husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”

“I will,” she said.

The rest of the ceremony passed in rather a blur, as they made promises to one another and Finn slid a delicate and surprisingly lovely emerald and pearl ring on her fourth finger. Then they knelt on two cushions, and the archbishop led them in prayer and a final blessing. Last of all, they both signed an official document with their full names to be added to the church records, and watched Lord Pinehurst’s secretary carefully enter the date and time of their marriage into the Knighton family bible.

Good lord. It was done. She was officially Viscountess Knighton.

For better or worse.

He was a married man. Pippa’s husband.

Even a few hours after the ceremony, since they’d signed documents, drank champagne, and eaten a remarkably sumptuous supper considering how much time the kitchens had been given to prepare, it was difficult to get his head around the fact.

But the lawyers and bankers had departed now, as had Archbishop Manners-Sutton, Gabriel, and the other Nash family members. His mother had retreated to her chamber, and the physicians would continue to examine Lord Pinehurst on an hourly basis and inform him immediately if his father deteriorated.

Finn was now alone in his bedchamber with Pippa.

And had no idea what to do or say.

Well, that wasn’t precisely true. He’d dreamed of a wedding night with Pippa for years. But how could he ask that of her after everything else? The fact that the ceremony and the supper had invigorated him didn’t mean she felt the same. Pippa might want nothing more than to collapse and sleep for a few days, which would be entirely understandable.

Gah. He’d literally just married his best friend. They talked nearly every day about every topic under the sun. Why was the thought of honest discussion suddenly so difficult?

Finn rocked on his heels. “I…er…apologize for the state of my room.”