Page 46 of An Arranged Betrothal with a Beast
“I have had a good many things to consider and I realise that you were quite right.” Lord Townsend turned to her a little more, though her hand rested on his arm, ready for her to step into the church and make her way down to Lord Crestwood. “I should not only have been thinking of myself and yet that is precisely what I have been doing.” His eyes closed for a moment, his jaw tight. “And I will admit that I have been thinking solely of myself as regards your marriage and your future. It was my debts that concerned me – debts that I did bring upon myself, I will admit.” He turned beseeching eyes to her. “Might you think to forgive me?”
“Father.” Abigail looked up at him steadily. “I am happy. I am contented. In fact, I am overjoyed to marry Lord Crestwood! I love him and he loves me in return. Though that does not excuse what you did nor your selfishness, for I will admit that it is precisely what you have been, it has come to some good, Father, and I am more than eager to step forward this day and become Lord Crestwood’s bride.”
Lord Townsend blinked furiously but nodded rather jerkily. “Then I am contented.”
“Though I should like to ask you something,” Abigail continued, holding back even though every part of her wanted to do nothing more than hurry into the church. “I should like your word on it.”
Again, her father looked at her but there was a steadiness in his eyes that she had not seen before. “Yes, Abigail. What is it?”
“I want you to make certain that Charlotte can pick her own husband,” Abigail replied, firmly. “And to swear that you will not touch her dowry, now it is substantially greater than it was before. I know that you have said you did not take a single penny from my dowry and I am grateful for that, but I should like you to promise that you will not do so to Charlotte’s dowry either.”
Her father lifted his chin and for a moment, Abigail thought he was going to rail at her angrily only for tears to spark in his eyes. Dropping his head, he paused for a few moments before putting his hand over hers as it sat on his arm.
“I give you my word, Abigail.”
She smiled and leaned into him. “Thank you, Father.”
“You are better than I could ever be,” he told her, nodding to the two footmen who held the doors. “Now come, let me see you happy.”
Abigail took in a long breath, steadying herself as the doors were pulled open. She did not look to the right nor to the left but only straight ahead, seeing the gentleman she loved standing there, waiting for her, with Captain Harrington beside him. Her heart leapt with joy, her face wreathed itself with smiles as she walked down towards him, her father beside her and her happiness overwhelming. She wanted to cry for the sheer joy of it but managed to contain her tears, seeing the love in his gaze as he waited for her to reach him.
Coming to stand beside him, Lord Townsend still between them both, Abigail dragged her gaze to the vicar, watching as he opened The Book of Common Prayer and, with a glance to them both, began the ceremony.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man’s innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee; and is commended of Saint Paul to be honorable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men’s carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which matrimony was ordained. First, it was ordained for theprocreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy Name. Secondly, it was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continency might marry and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ’s body. Thirdly, It was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore, if any man can show any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.
Abigail looked up into Lord Crestwood’s eyes, smiling as the silence wrapped around them both. She did not expect anyone to speak up and though the wait became almost unbearable – for all she wanted was to make her vows – the vicar finally continued.
“Very well. Now, I shall speak to you both. I require and charge you both, as you will answer at the day of judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment why you may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, you do now confess it.”
Again, Abigail was forced to wait though a small smile began to spread across Lord Crestwood’s face. Did he too feel the same agony as she? Was he waiting for the moment where he might make his promise to her, where they might finally be declared as husband and wife?
“Very well.” With seemingly agonizing slowness, the vicar cleared his throat and, thereafter, turned to Lord Crestwood.
“Arthur, Earl of Crestwood, will you have this woman as your wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep only unto her, so long as you both shall live?”
“I will.” Lord Crestwood said those words so quickly, a quiet murmur of mirth ran around the church and Abigail herself smiled so brightly, even Lord Crestwood grinned.
“Miss Abigail Townsend, daughter to Viscount Townsend, will you have this man as your wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep only unto him, so long as you both shall live?”
“I will.” Abigail spoke clearly, seeing Lord Crestwood’s expression soften as she smiled up at him.
“And,” the vicar intoned, “who gives this woman to be married to this man?”
Lord Townsend cleared his throat. “I do.”
Nodding, the vicar gestured to Lord Townsend and, much to Abigail’s joy, her father took her hand and placed it upon Lord Crestwood’s. The touch of his hand to hers had her heart beating a little more quickly, her eyes fastening to him, knowing now that they were about to make their final vows to one another.
Lord Crestwood cleared his throat, speaking in rich, deep tones that flooded right through Abigail, settling him into her heart all the more.
“I, Arthur, the Earl of Crestwood, take thee, Miss Abigail Townsend, as my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.”
Tears of joy burned in her eyes as she spoke her promises, her voice shaking slightly but her happiness increasing with every word she spoke, with every vow she made. “I, Abigail Townsend, take you, Arthur, Earl of Crestwood, as my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.”
With a deep breath, Lord Crestwood turned and Captain Harrington stepped forward, offering Lord Crestwood the ring he was to place upon Abigail’s finger. Holding her hand out, her heart beat furiously as Lord Crestwood took her hand and held the ring to her fourth finger.
“With this ring I thee wed. With my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow. “
Abigail watched as the ring was slipped onto her finger. It tied her to him, proclaimed to all that she was his wife and that he was her husband. Lord Crestwood smiled softly as he pressed her fingers and it took all of Abigail’s strength not to lean into him. The vicar cleared his throat gently and Abigail turned, her hand still in Lord Crestwood’s as they turned to kneel.
