Page 21 of The Earl and His Lady

What a way to begin a marriage.

Randal held Lucas’s gloves and hat, which the earl took, then he checked the watch in his coat pocket. It was time to go to the church.

While they were being married, Virginia’s small staff from the Gilbert house would move her things to his home. Then they would take the barouche to the Gilberts’ to collect Phillip and Edward. At least he knew the order of things there.

The church was not far. Thankfully, it was outside of town, so there would not be any curious eyes watching. When he arrived at the church, he was relieved to find the place deserted, except for the vicar.

Lucas came in through the vestibule, going through to the stone church. His grandfather had actually built the place of worship after renovations on Annesbury Park. Every member of his family since had attended services here, when at the manor, and most had been married within its walls. Not he, though. Abigail had wished to marry in London before the season was out.

“Ah, my lord.” Mr. Ames’s greeting drew his attention to the front of the church, just beneath the brightly colored windows depicting the Garden of Eden. “You are early.”

Lucas came all the way down the aisle, the familiarity of walking to the front of the room lost the moment he passed his family’s pew.

“Mr. Ames. Thank you for doing this on such short notice.” He shook the vicar’s hand, but nearly jumped out of his shoes when he heard a giggle from behind.

Turning, Lucas saw two young girls sitting on the front pew, likely no more than ten or eleven years old, hiding smiles behind their hands.

“My younger daughters,” Mr. Ames said, in a voice that sounded more stern than amused with the girls’ shy smiles. “I thought it would be good for them to witness such an important occasion. But if your lordship wishes, they may go on their way.”

“Quite all right. I believe we ought to have introductions if they are to witness my wedding.” Lucas made a polite bow, which caused the girls to leap to their feet and drop curtsies.

“Very well, very well.” Mr. Ames came forward. “My eldest is away at school. But here is Gabriella, eleven years old at present, and Augusta, nine years old.” He looked from one girl to the other, his brows drawn down. “And they will behave themselves.”

The girls’ smiles started to falter.

“I’ve no doubt of it,” Lucas said, keeping his tone light. When the girls glanced his way, he offered them a quick wink.

The door to the building opened with a small creek of protest; Lucas turned to watch Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gilbert enter, both dressed as if for Sunday services. Directly behind them, a hand up as though to straighten her bonnet, came his wife-to-be. Thomas gestured for her to precede them down the aisle, which she did with a nod, and as she drew closer Lucas stood straighter.

Angels above, she’s beautiful. It was thought in half awe and half prayer of gratitude. He’d thought her stately, before. Striking. Lovely. But without her blacks and grays, with a bonnet of green framing her face and a shawl of similar color around her shoulders, her eyes shone. Her hair peeked out around the edges of her bonnet, softening the sharper lines of her cheekbones, framing her features in gold.

The gown she wore, a warm color that made him think of cream, flowed over her curves better than the gray crepe he’d seen her wearing last. The color made her seem more delicate.

When she came close enough to hold her hand out, he realized he had been gaping at her with his mouth half-open. He snapped it shut and took her hand, holding it between his own.

“Are you ready?” he asked, softly enough he doubted anyone else heard him speak.

The fingers in his did not tremble, her gloriously green eyes met his without hesitation. “I am. Are you?”

“Yes.” But was he? Before, he had been saving a widow and children, which struck him as an honorable and noble sort of thing to do. With the reality of an attractive woman standing in front of him, it felt less noble and more self-serving.

Lucas’s unabashed staring at Virginia was finally broken when one of the young Ames girls, Augusta he thought her name was, jumped from her place on the bench and came to where they stood. Wearing a gap-toothed grin, the child held out a fistful of wildflowers.

Virginia’s eyebrows raised and one corner of her mouth twitched. She reached out and took the flowers. “Thank you, Miss Augusta. I quite forgot a bridal bouquet.”

“More sensible to hold a Book of Prayers,” Mr. Ames muttered from behind them.

“Perhaps. But so much about today is already dreadfully sensible.” Virginia made the statement lightly, before the child’s face could fall. Then she selected one of the daisies from the bouquet and held it out to the girl. After the child accepted the flower, her cheeks going pink, she went back to sit next to her sister.

A sensible arrangement. That is all this is for either of us.

Lucas offered her his arm, which Virginia took, and they turned together to the vicar.

“Shall we begin, Mr. Ames?” Lucas felt her hand tighten on his arm when he spoke.

Whatever came after today, he did not think he could regret this moment. As disconcerting as he found her beauty, Lucas knew she needed him. That would be enough to begin on.

Chapter Nine