Page 48 of Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Duchess
Her grandmother pursed her lips and made a small sound of satisfaction. “I think everything has turned out as it should. Don’t you, Petunia?”
The Dowager Duchess made a sound of agreement. “It has but look at all of this expense and bother gone to waste. You realize that this wedding that never was will be the talk of thetonfor ages, Rose. Another blemish on my family’s reputation.”
“Yes, but it is better to have a blemish than have two people marry who would eventually destroy each other, don’t you think?” Kate’s grandmother said. Her eyes lost their sparkle, and she said, “It’s all been rather much, hasn’t it? I think we should retire to my sitting room and have a glass of sherry. I don’t care if it isn’t even noon, yet. My nerves need fortification. Kate, can you have them bring the carriage for me? I fear a walk back to Renwood would be too much after so much excitement.”
Andrew stepped forward before Kate could call for a servant. “I’m sorry, but I need everyone in the chapel first. It’s important that everyone hear what I am going to say. Grandmother.” He motioned for her to take his arm and he helped her up the steps.
Kate couldn’t let him make the announcement to the guests alone. She helped her own grandmother up the steps and said, “I’ll tell them the wedding is canceled, Andrew. It’s not your responsibility.”
“If you could please, for once, allow me to speak first, Kate.” Andrew’s voice was firm, and Kate felt the sting of his reproach.
“All right.” Her voice faltered, and she bit back a sharp retort. Something in his eyes told her that he needed her to trust him. And she did trust him with her heart and her soul.
The two grandmothers had a seat next to each other on the pew by the front altar. The small choir that had arrived that morning to sing at the ceremony shuffled their feet and looked uncomfortable, not sure what was going on. At an inquiring look from the curate, Andrew hurried over to him and whispered in his ear. The curate nodded and sat down on the small wooden chair behind the altar.
Andrew motioned for Kate to join him at the front of the chapel by the altar. She joined him and gazed down at the floor, unsure of herself. He faced the guests and cleared his throat. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience as we dealt with a delicate situation. I’m afraid that the Earl of Winfield’s marriage to Miss Roves has been canceled.”
Like angry bees disturbed in their hive, the buzz of talking started immediately, but Andrew held up his hands and asked them to stay quiet for a few minutes longer. “I have one more announcement to make.”
Epilogue
The buzz quieted down, and Kate finally looked up at Andrew. He gave her a reassuring smile. He took her hand in his own. She stared up at him, confused.What is Andrew doing?
His grip tightened. Kate looked at her grandmother, who gave her an approving nod. “As I was saying, there won’t be a wedding today unless Miss Avery agrees to marry me.”
A gasp rose from the guests, echoing Kate’s own. “Pardon?”
Andrew turned to her and took her other hand in his. “Kate Avery, I am declaring to you and the world that you are exasperating, stubborn, opinionated—”
“Is this a proposal or a trial?” A voice called from the guests, followed by a burst of laughter from the other guests.
Andrew smiled. “A proposal that I clearly am doing a horrible job of saying the right thing.”
Kate’s eyes glistened with tears, and she whispered, “I think it’s the best proposal I’ve heard, but I’d like to hear all of it.” Her heart tripped a quick beat at his smile.
“As I was saying, you are all those things and more. You are smart and passionate, and you sing like an angel. You make me laugh, and I feel like I could never smile again if you didn’t agree to marry me. Say that you will, Kate. Say you will be my wife.”
“Yes,” Kate’s voice faltered. She cleared the catch from her throat and said a little louder, “Yes, Andrew, I will marry you.”
A cheer of happiness erupted in the chapel, startling the curate. The choir members looked at each other and at a nod from their choirmaster, they began to sing.
Andrew turned toward the curate. “Will you have us married?”
“You wish to marry today?” Kate felt dumbstruck by the events of the past twenty-four hours. It was as if her life had been turned upside-down in the most amazing way.
“I can’t wait for you to be my wife, Kate. I love you,” Andrew said softly. He turned back to the curate. “So, will you?”
The curate looked confused. “This is all a bit unusual.”
The Dowager Duchess gave him a reproving look and said, “I shall make a large donation to your church’s coffers, Curate.”
The curate’s face cleared, and he brightened. “Of course.”
May DeClancy stood up. “If everyone could wait a moment, please.”
Viola looked at her sister and hissed, “May, what are you doing? Sit down.”
May shook her sister’s hand off. She looked at her mother for approval and when her mother gave her a slight nod, May continued. “If this is to be a proper wedding, we need to have a moment with Miss Avery to help her prepare. Your Grace, may I steal your bride for just a few minutes?”
