Page 49 of Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Duchess
Andrew inclined his head. “Of course.” He released Kate’s hands, and May scurried forward and grabbed Kate’s hand in her own, and took her to the small vestry.
May closed the oak doors behind them so they could have a moment of privacy. “This is so exciting!” May exclaimed.
“I can’t believe he wants to marry me.” Kate was still in amazement that Andrew loved her and had declared it to everyone. She wanted to pinch herself, but she didn’t want to awaken from this dream.
May frowned and said, “He is lucky to have someone smart like you. Do you know how tiring it is pretending to be stupid? Or to hide your books under your bed lest your sister find them and tease you?”
Kate’s eyes widened. “You read?”
May grinned. “Probably more than you do. You’ve given me hope that I might find someone like the Duke who will love me for who I am rather than what people think I am.” May grabbed a flower from a nearby vase and fixed it to the front of Kate’s gown.
Kate allowed her to fluff her curls and gather a quick posy of flowers from the marble vases that stood in the entryway. The Dowager Viscountess joined them, and the old woman’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at her granddaughter.
“Kate, I always prayed you would find true love. There is something that I wish you to have.” The Dowager Viscountess reached up and took off the small brooch of emeralds and diamonds that she always wore. She pinned it on Kate’s dress. “This was given to me by your grandfather on our wedding day. It was a symbol of his love.”
Kate touched the brooch. “Grandmama, thank you, but I can’t take this from you.”
The Dowager Viscountess stopped Kate from removing it. “Our love doesn’t reside in a brooch or a castle or anything you can see with your eyes. It lies in my heart, just as your love for Andrew does. I don’t need a brooch to remind me of him. I see him every night in my dreams when I close my eyes.”
Kate’s eyes welled. “I shall wear it every day, Grandmama.” She hugged her grandmother. “Thank you.”
“Are you ready to get married?” May asked.
Kate nodded. May walked before her and slid into the front row next to the Dowager Duchess. Kate walked with her grandmother down the aisle. When they reached the altar, the Dowager Viscountess gave Andrew a stern look and whispered, “Treat her well.”
“I will treasure her more than all the rubies in the world,” Andrew said. He turned to Kate. “Are you ready?”
“I am.”
Facing the curate, they bowed their heads as he read from The Common Book of Prayer. When he finished, he continued, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in the holy state of matrimony.”
Kate didn’t recall the rest of the words as they passed in a blur of happiness and a final kiss at the end. She didn’t know what she had been expecting. Perhaps a quick kiss on the cheek or a peck on the lips, but when the curate announced that Andrew could kiss the bride, he swept her into his arms and bestowed a kiss on her that made her swoon. Cheers erupted once more from the watching guests.
The curate announced over the guests, “May I present to you the Duke and Duchess of Devonport.”
Andrew and Kate walked down the aisle and accepted the congratulations from the guests. As they passed the Dowager Duchess, she gave a regal nod of her head to Kate and said, “Well done, child.”
Outside, Harry sat beneath the oak tree nursing his bruised jaw. At Andrew and Kate’s sudden appearance followed by the guests, he had the grace to disappear. Kate’s last glance at him was the back of his head disappearing behind the hedge. A truly happy sight.
Back at Renwood Castle, the guests moved to the dining room for the wedding breakfast. When Kate and Andrew walked in, hand and hand, Mr. Scoville’s face was shocked.
Andrew leaned in and said, “She agreed to be my wife.”
“Very good, Your Grace! I shall inform the other servants. They will be over the moon.” Mr. Scoville said, allowing a smile to crack his normally impassive face.
Mr. Tibbs bounded in. He wagged his tail and lifted up on his haunches, placing his front paws on Andrew’s leg. Andrew reached down and scratched behind his ears. “Mr. Tibbs, do I have your approval?”
The little dog did a little hop and yip before licking Andrew’s hand, much to Kate’s delight. “You have spent more time winning Mr. Tibbs over to your side than you did me,” she joked.
“He took much more convincing. You were guaranteed to love me,” Andrew said and winked when she opened her mouth to protest.
“You are still incorrigible,” Kate declared.
“And you are still stubborn,” Andrew countered.
“Will the two of you please stop arguing and have a seat,” the Dowager Viscountess said.
The servants brought out an array of exotic fruits and trays of sweet breads and more food than Kate could imagine she had planned. She could barely eat she was so full of joy. Unlike the previous evening, guests chatted happily, and conversation flowed.
