Page 98 of A Naughty Proposal for His Winter Countess
Holding Daniel’s hand tightly, she said, “We’ll see each tomorrow. Good night, Daniel, and pleased to meet you, Mrs. Cullen, however short our time was.”
“You too, Miss Bradford,” his mother replied before retaking her seat. Daniel was tired and bruised but he could not just go to bed and leave his questions unanswered.
“When did you get here?” he asked.
“This evening,” she said. “I took a ship from Ireland, with the hope that you would not turn me away. Your letter didn’t give me any indication you would, but what was to stop you from changing your mind?”
“I haven’t,” Daniel shook his head, “but I got some startling news today. Carrington’s Father was the man you had the affair with.”
“Yes,” she said and her eyes beaded with tears. “I never meant my indiscretion to have the consequences it had. I loved your Father; I do to this day. It broke my heart when he died for my mistake. I’m sorry, Daniel. Please believe me; I didn’t want to leave you, but I know you would never have a good life with the shadow of my affair following you.”
Daniel rubbed his eyes, “And I’m sorry as well, Mother. All this time I thought you ran off because you didn’t care for Father or me. I am sorry that I ignored you for so many years.”
His mother smiled. “Do you think we can start again? I’d love to be in your life now, Daniel.”
Reaching over, he took her rough callused hands and grimaced that the once wealthy Lady had turned to manual labor to live. “You’re welcome, Mother. But can you uproot yourself so quickly? Is there someone in Ireland? Do I have a stepfather, brother or sister perhaps? Over ten years is a long time to live alone.”
“I couldn’t bring myself to bring another child in the world knowing that I had wronged you,” Honora said. “But hopefully, in a few years, I can have some grandchildren to spoil?”
Daniel laughed, “It might take a while Mother. Harriet and I are planning to travel for a while.”
“She looks like a lovely girl,” Honora said. “I know she loves you, Daniel, I heard it when she spoke to the constables about you before they went to find you.”
“Harriet is…” Daniel felt he couldn’t convert the emotions in his heart into words, “the only woman I want to live my life with.”
* * *
Fourteen Days Later
As weddings went, it was hardly glorious, but it was enough. Harriet was standing by his side with a bouquet of white roses in her hands, and a veil resting on her shoulders. He hardly noticed the decorations, or the faces of the people around him…all he cared for was Harriet.
After the sermon, the vicar closed the book and looked directly into his eyes.
“I will now require affirmations and charge you both,” he said in a solemn voice. “Holy Matrimony is a sacred bond, and if any duplicitousness is in your hearts, your secrets will condemn you. If either of you have a reason why you may not be lawfully wed, it would do you well to confess it now. And if anyone may have such a reason, do it now or forever hold his peace.”
The only interruption was the rustle of a dress and the muted drop of a fan. The vicar after scrutinizing the room, nodded in satisfaction.
“Daniel Edmund Barkley” he ordered, “Under the eyes of our Lord, wilt thou take this woman to be thy wedded wife, to love comfort, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live as one after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony?”
“I will.”
The vicar then turned to Harriet with the same question and her answer was the same as his. “I will.”
Then the vicar nodded, “The rings, please.”
With the golden bands resting on a silk pillow, the vicar blessed them and directed Daniel to place her ring on Harriet. Taking her delicate hand, Daniel said, “With this ring, I do thee wed.
“Miss?”
Handing her bouquet off, Harriet took the broader ring and gently slid it onto his finger, “With this ring, I do thee wed.”
The vicar then delivered his final blessings, before declaring them man and wife. It was done; Harriet belonged Daniel; in name, in heart, in body and for the rest of their lives. And he belonged to her.
He took her ringed hand and lifted it to his lips, “I love you.”
Harriet tilted her head with a serene smile, “As do I.”
* * *
