Val patted her again.
“I believe that you deserve everything that any high society bride would get on her wedding day.” he said. “I am thrilled to join your family in celebrating our wedding.”
Tingles went up her spine as he mentioned their marriage. He sounded just as nervous as she felt, though he seemed to be trying to take everything in stride. She forced herself to simply smile and gesture toward the door of the drawing room.
“Shall we, then?” she asked.
Val chuckled, firming his arm’s grasp on hers.
“We shall,” he said.
Cecily walked with her husband to the main dining hall of her family’s home. She was acutely aware that she was doing so for the last time as a member of the Dervinshire Manor household. Tears stung her eyes, but she blinked them away. She did not want Val to think she had regrets about marrying him. Even though deep down, she was worried she had made too hasty a decision.
Once everyone was seated, she heard the chair at the head of the table move across the floor. She turned her face toward her father, knowing he was about to address the party. An instant later, she heard metal clink against glass, and the room went quiet.
“If I may have your attention for a moment,” he said. Cecily could hear the smile in his voice, but she could also sense the tension beneath it. “I would like to thank everyone for attending the wedding celebration of my dear Cecily.”
Cecily stifled a giggle as soft applause fluttered around the table. She thought it moot to thank the guests, as most of them consisted of their own family. Still, she gave her father a warm smile, hoping to reassure him and ease his worry.
“I would also like to offer my sincere congratulations to the Duke and new Duchess of Archington,” he said. His voice cracked, but he corrected quickly by clearing his throat. “On behalf of our entire family, we wish you all the happiness in the world.”
Once more, everyone clapped. Cecily could hear sniffling, and she knew that her mother and sister were crying. As her father reclaimed his seat, she turned her face toward the women in her family. She gave them a reassuring, loving smile, and she could feel them giving her one in return.
The meal was wonderful. Her mother had arranged for them to have fresh fruit and cakes, as well as fried eggs and salted pork and biscuits. Val did not engage anyone in conversation, but he was polite and warm whenever he was spoken to.
Cecily did the same, trying to control the nervousness she felt. She had always imagined that her wedding day would be a happy one. And she was far from sad.
However, she was still pondering the arranged marriage in which she found herself. Everything seemed to be going well, and Val got on well with her family. But was he putting on an act? Would she regret her decision when they arrived at the countryside home?
As the meal drew to a close, the Countess rose. Cecily thought she was going to give her own speech to Cecily and Val and thank everyone for attending. Cecily smiled warmly at her and waited for her mother to speak.
“Rather than hosting a ball after the wedding breakfast, I decided to do something special for my dear daughter, Cecily,” she said. “We would like to give the couple a few gifts as tokens of our love and congratulations. If everyone would please follow us into the parlour, we can begin momentarily.”
Cecily blushed. Her mother really had gone to too much trouble for an arranged marriage. And she knew that her mother had chosen something to continue the celebration that did not involve dancing due to Cecily’s blindness.
Still, it would be the very last time she took part in any event as a member of her family’s household. She loved her mother with her whole heart, and she was grateful for what her mother had done. The other guests rose, and Cecily followed suit, waiting for her husband to escort her to the parlor. When he took her arm, she smiled sheepishly at him.
“I did not know that Mother would go this far with our celebrations,” she said.
Val patted her hand gently.
“It is no trouble, Cecily,” he said. “I think it is very kind of your family to do all this for us.”
Cecily nodded, but she was unsure. His tone was unreadable, but she sensed what she thought was discomfort in him. Was he upset that the party was taking so long? She could not tell, though she tried to read him as they walked from the dining hall to the parlor. But when they joined her parents and sister in the room, he spoke graciously to her family.
“This is a kind thing you have done for us,” he said warmly. “I want to thank you all sincerely for everything.”
Cecily could hear her mother and sister murmur in approval. It sounded as though someone firmly put their hand in someone else’s, and Cecily determined that the earl was shaking hands with her husband.
“We are thrilled to welcome you as part of our family,” he said. He still sounded dubious, but she knew that he only wanted what was best for his eldest daughter.
“We are happy to have you all as part of our family now, as well,” the Dowager Duchess said warmly.
Cecily could hear the women embracing and her father moving away to take a seat. Then, she felt a hand on her shoulder, recognizing Agnes’s perfume instantly.
“Fine,” she said cheerfully. “Shall we get the gifts now?”
Val moved beside her, and she guessed he was looking at her. She blushed and nodded.
