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“Certainly, Lord Huntington,” Reed said. “I was just concerned with your little one as she seems—”
“As I stated, Miss Furniss’ concerns are mine. There is no need for you to worry yourself about how she seems,” Lucas interrupted, any regard for basic politeness evidently no longer even being attempted. “I see you brought the documents.”
Not one used to being made to feel judged, far more comfortable with doing the judging himself as was his God-given right as a man of the cloth, Reed watched as Huntington finally managed to pry his hands off the little beauty in order to reach into his coat and withdraw his wallet. He handed some folded notes to Reed as payment for the special license he had requested.
“I certainly appreciate your time and service on our behalf,” Lucas said.
Despite wanting nothing more than to smite the arrogant look off the patronizing man’s face, Reed managed a smile and nodded. “Think nothing of it, Lord Huntington.” Reed looked down at the woman he desired. “Though again, I feel I must state that yours has been something of a whirlwind romance. Perhaps you’d consider—”
“As the good book states, the Lord will speak to my heart even as he speaks to the one I’m to spend the rest of my life with,” Lucas said, looking down at his fiancée and once more reaching out to pull her to his side before he looked at Reed again, a smile on his lips. “I don’t recall it saying a single word about a specific time to wait to wed.”
Reed knew the man was mocking him and practically committing blasphemy but reluctantly released his hold on the papers when Lucas reached out to take them. The moment they slid from his fingers, any chance of Lucy being free to wed another disappeared. “It was my pleasure to be of service. When would you desire the ceremony to take place?” Reed asked with a barely concealed sigh.
Chapter 6
Lucy had stood quietly at Lucas’ side, listening to every word exchanged but also understanding there were so many left unsaid. Pastor Reed’s disapproval rolled off him in waves and yet Lucas seemed totally unconcerned and when he pulled her close, assuring the pastor that he knew Lucy was his soul mate, her heart had swelled and her churning emotions had calmed. As Lucas took possession of whatever papers Pastor Reed had prepared, she saw Edward and Louisa approaching. Hearing the question Reed asked, she suddenly realized that everyone she loved was in this room.
She turned to Lucas. “Must we wait?” she asked, and watched as Lucas’ eyes widened in surprise. She blushed, suddenly embarrassed at her outburst as if she were begging he wed her before he came to his senses and realized she was not the woman he truly desired. Instead of looking at her aghast, Lucas smiled and traced a finger down her cheek.
“Are you so anxious to wed that you wish to forego a more formal ceremony and all that entails?” Lucas asked.
She hadn’t considered the fact that he might wish to take some time to do whatever it was that men preparing to wed did. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t think. If you’d rather wait—”
His blond head shook as he smiled down at her. “No, kitten, don’t be sorry. I’m honored you’re as anxious as I and we can wed this moment if that is what you wish. I neither desire nor need a large ceremony. All I care is that you become my wife and my little one.”
Lucy’s heart stuttered again at his words. She unconsciously ran her hands down the fabric of her pinafore, accepting that she would have an unconventional wedding dress, as well as an unconventional role as Lady Huntington. She also knew she had no desire to wait another single moment to begin that role.
“Please, Lucas,” she said looking around the room. “I don’t need a special ceremony. Everyone I love is here. I-I want to be your wife before you spa...” she stopped, realizing that Reed was listening intently. She didn’t need to continue as she could tell by his squeeze of her hand, the look in his eyes that Lucas understood exactly what she left unsaid.
“Yes, my love, it would give me great joy if we wed now,” Lucas said and turned to Reed. “If you can spare us the time?”
Reed looked as if he’d love to say he had far more pressing matters, but gave a curt nod and practically snatched the license back from Lucas. “This is completely unorthodox, but then again, Lord Huntington, it seems you are an unorthodox man. I’ll be waiting,” Reed announced before turning to brush by Edward as he left them to enter the church proper.
Edward walked toward his ward, a gentle smile on his lips. She returned the smile as he drew her into his arms. “Are you sure, little one?” he asked, quietly. She nodded quickly.
“Yes, sir, I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life,” she answered, without hesitation. She saw Louisa smiling as well, and Lucy knew her decision was the correct one.
Edward kissed her cheek. “You do realize that wedding now will not release you from the discipline you have earned, Lucille?” Edward asked.
Lucy met his gaze and nodded, understanding his happiness for her did not release him from his responsibility in guiding her until she was wed.
“Yes, sir, I know,” she answered, blushing at the reminder of the debt she still owed for her misbehavior. “I’m sorry I was so naughty this morning.” Lucy lowered her voice until it was barely a whisper, “Honestly, sir, I wasn’t trying to get out of the… the spanking I know I’m due. It just feels right to marry now.”
Edward nodded and smiled. “Then marry you shall,” he said and after another hug, released her
“Thank you, sir,” she said, her smile of happiness pushing any thoughts of pending punishments to the rear of her mind. Yes, she’d be spanked, but first, she had her wedding to attend.
“Go with Louisa, Lucille,” he instructed. “You will have a few minutes to talk, and then you shall wed. Lucas, seems like I’m to be your best man, shall we join Pastor Reed and give our ladies a few moments?”
Lucy’s face shone as Lucas gave her a smile and a wink before following Edward.
“Oh, Lucy, I am so happy for you,” Louisa said, enveloping her twin in a hug.
Lucy hugged her back, the two dancing around as they had as children, sharing joy in a way that only those who’d shared every moment of their lives together could. Lucy could feel her heart pounding, her blood racing as she realized she was indeed marrying in a few moments. She pulled away.
“I am getting married,” Lucy said as if it were news. Louisa giggled, and Lucy’s delightful laughter soon joined hers. When they regained their composure, Lucy leaned toward her sister. “Louisa, I love him so much but… but I’m scared. What if I can't be all he demands? How will I know what to do…” Her voice trailed off as her mind buzzed with thousands of questions for which she had no answers. Eyes widening as she looked toward the doors leading into the sanctuary, she said, “Maybe Pastor Reed is right and we should wait.”
Louisa reached her hand to her sister's cheek. “What is your heart saying?”
