Page 46 of Enamored with a Brooding Earl
Lady Hartford shrugged. “I will simply make the excuse that Temperance is unwell and cannot have company. Believe me, Lord Calverton, I can make certain that he does not set foot into this house!”
“Though that does mean that you will have to remain indoors until your father returns, Temperance,” Lord Calverton said, looking back at her. “I know how much you love walking along the cliffs and the shoreline. Will you be able to refrain from such a thing?”
She laughed, an idea for a painting coming to her. She knew exactly what she could do during these few days. She adored painting the outside landscapes, she thought there was nothing better than standing out at the shoreline, sketching the ever changing waves and clouds but now, standing with Lord Calverton, Temperance finally saw something even more wonderful. She had once drawn him standing on the shore, albeit without realizing what she was doing, but now she had time, opportunity and inclination to draw him just as she was. These next few days, she would think only of him, would sketch only his profile, would paint only his features. It would be her wedding gift to him – and,mayhap, she might paint him one new painting every year. That would be her way of showing her affection for him, showing him how much he had come to mean to her. In an instant, the thought of being alone with only her paints seemed an excellent one. “Yes, I think I shall be able to endure it, Lord Calverton, especially in light of what is waiting for me in only a few days’ time.” Her hand squeezed his. “Though will you be able to make preparations for the wedding without me? If I am to be ill, then it is not as though I can go running about the house and the grounds for fear that Lord Barlington might spy me somehow. He can be very determined when he wants and his suspicions might very well grow despite Lady Hartford’s insistence that I am too unwell to see him. He is well aware that I do not want to wed him and is more than likely to see that this is an excuse.”
Lord Calverton nodded. “Of course, do not fear about such things. Your aunt and I can arrange everything, I am sure.” He looked to Lady Hartford who smiled her agreement. “I can hardly wait for that day, Temperance.”
Sighing gently, she leaned into him again, wishing that her aunt were not present. “Nor can I, Lord Calverton. I already know that it will be the happiest day of my life.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
James’ heart pounded furiously as he stood at the front of the church, waiting for Lady Temperance’s arrival. Unable to prevent the swirl of fear within him, afraid that something dreadful might happen still, he swallowed tightly and bounced gently on his toes. What if Lord Barlington had discovered that there was to be a wedding? What if he came to disrupt the ceremony? All had gone rather well thus far but all the same, until both he and Lady Temperance were wed, James could not help but feel a little fear.
“You need not look so concerned. Here, she is coming now.”
James looked first to Lord Thurston who was standing beside him as his groomsman, only to then turn and look to the door of the church.
Lady Temperance was walking towards him, resplendent in a beautiful, cream gown which swished lightly as she walked. Her fair curls danced at her temples, her face unhidden as a beautiful smile curved her lips. She was not afraid, as he was. The sheer joy on her face made James’ own heart pull free of his anxiety as he let out a long, slow breath.
Lady Temperance was to be his wife and even if Lord Barlington was to appear, he could do nothing to prevent it.
“My dear,” he murmured, his voice echoing around the almost empty church despite the fact that he had kept his voice low. “How beautiful you are.”
She smiled up at him, her green eyes clear though her hand still stayed on her father’s arm rather than reaching for his. It was not yet time even though James yearned for her touch.
The vicar cleared his throat and, forcing his gaze away from Lady Temperance, James gave him a small nod. He was more than ready for the ceremony to begin.
Opening up his Book of Common Prayer, the vicar’s eyes darted around the church, taking in the three others present: the Duchess of Danfield, Lady Thurston and Lady Hartford.
And then, he began.
“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. It is not to be taken inhand unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which matrimony was ordained. 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.”
James smiled at Lady Temperance as the quiet few moments continued to dance around them. There was no-one to protest and yet, the vicar continued to wait. Everything had to be done correctly, despite how desperate James was for the ceremony to continue.
After what felt like an age, the vicar then turned his attention back towards James and Lady Temperance, a light smile on his lips. “I charge you both, as you will answer at the dreadful 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, James shared a glance with Lady Temperance, seeing the gentle smile on her lips as she held his gaze for another moment. No, he wanted to shout, there is no impediment! All he wanted was to have his moment to declare his love and devotion to Lady Temperance and thus far, it seemed an age in coming.
“Very well.” The vicar paused again, then looked at James, a seriousness in his expression. “James, Earl of Calverton 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.” The words could not have been spoken more quickly and James’ heart lifted with happiness as Lady Temperance smiled up at him.
“Then Lady Temperance?” Again the vicar paused as though Lady Temperance might wish to take in the solemnity of the moment. “Lady Temperance, 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.” Her voice was soft but the promise sincere and despite the importance of the moment, James could not help but smile broadly. How much he wanted to take her hand! How much he desired to have her near him!
He did not have to wait much longer. With a nod, the vicar then turned to the Duke of Danfield, who had been standing solemnly beside his daughter since the very beginning of the ceremony.
“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”
“I do.” The Duke took a step closer, with his daughter beside him. The vicar smiled briefly, then took Lady Temperance’s hand and, after a moment, turned towards James.
He was more than ready. Reaching out, he took Lady Temperance’s hand in his own, a thrill racing up his arm and into his heart as she finally not only stood near him but looked up into his eyes, her hand in his own.
“Then, Lord Calverton, might you repeat these words?”
James nodded and did as he was asked. “I, James, the Earl of Calverton take you Lady Temperance to be 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.”
