Page 64 of A Captain For Clarissa
“Arthur!” The screech from the door made them both turn around. “You cannot seriously be countenancing this… thistravesty!”
“Sit down, Lavinia.” The earl patted Clarissa’s shoulder, urging her gently towards the door. “Go pen a note to your aunt, telling her and Glenkellie to come to dinner and bring the good captain with them,” he said quietly. “Leave your mother to me.”
As Clarissa gratefully fled the study, she heard her father firmly saying “Lavinia, my dear, one of our daughters may have married a duke, but it is quite unreasonable to expect them all to have such success…”
Marianne turned out not to have left the house at all; perhaps she had seen Clarissa go into the study and decided to wait in thedrawing-room to discover the outcome. One glance at Clarissa’s flushed cheeks and joyous smile, and Marianne stepped forward to embrace her.
“Oh, my dear girl! He conceded?”
“He did. Thank you so much for speaking to him.” Clarissa hugged her aunt tightly.
“Pshaw.” Marianne shrugged off her thanks. “He’d have seen reason eventually, but I am gladdened if I could help speed your happiness even a small amount.”
“A very great amount, dearest Aunt! Why, if you had not invited Diana and I on your wedding trip to Italy, I should never have met Rafael in the first place!”
“I suppose that is true,” Marianne said, looking a little surprised. “And I daresay Diana would not have married Balford, either. I did do exactly as I hinted to your mother I might – found you both the perfect husbands, although that was never my intention. I just wanted to offer you the opportunity to see some more of the world.”
“An opportunity I will be forever grateful for.” Clarissa embraced her once again. “You – and Uncle Alex, of course – will always be honoured guests at Torre da Rochedo.”
“I shall be delighted to see how the vineyards bloom for their new mistress. Now, why don’t you pen a note for me to deliver to Rafael, with your good news?”
The sunlight streaming through the windows of Creighton House’s grand ballroom cast a bright golden light across Clarissa’s ivory gown as she stood at the entrance, her heart fluttering like a caged bird. She took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of lilies and roses, huge arrangements of which adorned every surface, and tightened her grip on her father’s arm.
“Ready, my dear?” the Earl of Creighton asked gruffly, his usual stoic demeanour betrayed by a slight tremor in his voice.
Clarissa nodded, unable to form words as the string quartet began to play. As they took their first steps down the aisle between rows of seated guests, she caught sight of Rafael at the front of the room with the vicar who would perform the ceremony, his sea-green eyes locked on her with an intensity that made her knees weak. In his naval uniform, he cut a dashing figure against the backdrop of white flowers and golden candelabras.
“I never thought I’d see the day,” her father muttered as they walked. “My little hellion, all grown up and marrying a Portuguese sea captain.”
Clarissa couldn’t help but giggle. “Did you ever imagine I’d settle for anything less adventurous, Papa?”
The earl harrumphed, but Clarissa felt his arm tighten around hers. As they reached the front of the room, he turned to faceher, his eyes suspiciously bright. “Clarissa, my girl,” he said, his voice rough with emotion, “I love you. And no matter where your adventures take you, you’ll always have a home here.”
Tears pricked at Clarissa’s eyes as she embraced her father. “Thank you, Papa,” she whispered.
As her father placed her hand in Rafael’s, Clarissa felt a thrill of excitement course through her. She gazed up at her soon-to-be husband, marvelling at how fate had brought them together.
“You look radiant, meu amor,” Rafael murmured, his accent sending shivers down her spine.
Clarissa grinned mischievously. “And you, my Captain, look positively dashing.”
The vicar cleared his throat. “Dearly beloved,” he began, “we are gathered here today…”
As the ceremony began, Clarissa’s mind wandered to the life that awaited them in Portugal. The challenges of restoring Rafael’s family estate seemed less daunting now, with the promise of facing them together. And as they exchanged their vows, Clarissa knew that no matter what the future held, their love would be the compass guiding them home.
As the newly wedded couple turned to face their guests, Clarissa caught sight of her mother dabbing at her eyes with a lace handkerchief. Lady Creighton’s shoulders shook with quiet sobs, her face a mixture of joy and sorrow.
“Oh, Mama,” Clarissa whispered, her heart clenching. She hadn’t expected her mother to be quite so emotional.
Before she could move to comfort her, Diana glided over to their mother’s side, her face glowing with a secret joy. Clarissa watched as her sister leaned in close, whispering something that made Lady Creighton’s eyes widen in surprise.
“What do you suppose Diana’s telling her?” Rafael murmured, his hand warm on the small of Clarissa’s back.
Clarissa shook her head, puzzled. “I’m not sure, but whatever it is, it seems to have worked wonders.”
Indeed, Lady Creighton’s tears had ceased, replaced by a beaming smile as she embraced Diana tightly. Clarissa caught her sister’s eye, raising an eyebrow in silent question. Diana merely winked, patting her stomach discreetly.
“Oh!” Clarissa gasped, realisation dawning. “I do believe we’re to be aunt and uncle quite soon, my dear husband.”
