Page 74 of His Tempting Duchess

Lady St. Maur strode confidently down the aisle, her chin up, meeting his gaze fearlessly. She was taller than her daughter. Emily was at least a head shorter, despite her pinned-up hair. Focusing on the locks of hair at her neck, Cassian abruptly found himself wondering what it would be like to twine one of those locks around his finger.

He gave himself a stern mental shake.

Be calm, Cassian.This is simply a matter of convenience. She doesn’t love you. You don’t love her. That was never part of the agreement.

Emily reached the top of the aisle. Her mother kissed her on both cheeks, then turned to sit on the front pew. Her face was taut, as if she were fighting back tears.

Emily breathed out slowly and turned to face Cassian.

It seemed that everybody in the chapel was holding their breath. Cassian’s heart hammered. He could have sworn that the world stood still altogether.

“Good morning,” Emily whispered.

“Good morning,” he responded. “You look lovely.”

“Thank you. So do you. Handsome, I mean.”

“I’m glad that I didn’t have to chase you.”

She gave a wry smile. “You would have never caught me.”

He had to smile back, shaking his head.

The rector cleared his throat. “May… May I continue?” he ventured, a little uneasily.

Both Emily and Cassian turned to face him.

“Of course,” Cassian responded coolly.

There seemed to be a collective sigh of relief from the assembled guests.

The rector began, launching into his well-rehearsed spiel. But Cassian was not listening. His gaze strayed, time and time again, to the woman standing at his side.

Emily was staring at the rector, worrying her lower lip between her teeth. She looked nervous, very much so. He half reached out to take her hand, stopping himself at the last moment. It wasn’t proper. Not yet.

Remember your duty.You promised her a marriage of convenience, with the freedom to pursue the things she wants. You must keep your end of the bargain.

He really wasn’t listening to the rector. It was the usual wedding sermon, nothing new. He had a feeling that the guests were not listening either. Instead, they were focused on him and Emily. Cassian shifted his weight and cleared his throat, and there was a muffled gasp from the guests, as though they expected him to do something.

Emily’s bouquet slipped from her hands accidentally, bouncing on the ground, and somebody in the crowd let out a startled yelp. Flushing red, Emily picked up her bouquet, looking uncomfortable, and the ceremony continued, all the way to the vows.

“Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?” the rector asked, eyeing Cassian.

“I do,” Cassian responded, his voice clear and even.

“And you, Miss Emily Belmont, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

Emily drew in a shaky breath. Cassian glanced down at her, finding that he was holding his breath, too.

“I do,” she responded.

A tangible exhale went up from the crowd, along with a good deal of whispering. The rings had been exchanged, the vows said, the banns read.

It’s over.Cassian almost felt a little disoriented.I’m married. We are married.

He held out his hand, and Emily took it a little hesitantly. They turned to face the gawping faces of their wedding guests.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may ki—ahem,” the rector stammered, as Cassian shot him a look.

---