Page 42 of The Duke's Gamble
“Might you ask the question again?” Florentina asked carefully, hoping that the vicar would not think her improper. “My brother is here now, and he will give me away.”
The vicar took another moment, only to nod and smile, clearly aware that something significant had taken place. “But of course.” He paused, then gestured to Florentina. “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”
“I do.” Her brother squeezed Florentina’s hand and then, with great solemnity, set Florentina’s hand upon the Duke’s. A thrill raced up Florentina’s arm and into her heart as she finally not only stood near to him but was hand in hand with the gentleman she loved.
Her brother stepped back.
“Hearing this, then might you, Your Grace, repeat these words?”
Following the vicar, the Duke spoke his words of promise to Florentina. “I, Samuel, the Duke of Dartmoor, take you,Lady Florentina,to 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.”
Tears came into Florentina’s eyes as she then took her turn, repeating the words after the vicar. “I, Lady Florentinatake youSamuel, Duke of Dartmoor, 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.”
The Duke pressed her hand gently as she spoke, perhaps seeing the tears of joy shining in her eyes.
“Then might we have the rings?” The vicar looked at Lord Crawley—a gentleman soon to be Florentina’s brother given his recent engagement to Christina—and the fellow handed a ring to the vicar.
“Then if you are ready, Your Grace, speak these words after me.”
“I am ready.” The Duke took in a breath and looked into Florentina’s eyes as he spoke. “Lady Florentina, with this ring, I thee wed. With my body, I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods, I thee endow.”
The vicar nodded.
At that, the Duke picked up the ring and set it on Lady Florentina’s fourth finger. Florentina’s heart burst with overwhelming joy as she looked down at their joined hands, the symbol of their forever connection now set on her finger.
After a brief pause, the vicar placed his hand over theirs and looked out at the congregation, drawing their attention to the moment. “Those who have joined together, let no man put asunder. For as much as Samuel, Duke of Dartmoor, and Lady Florentina have consented to this union and have witnessedthe same before this company, having given and pledged their troth to one another, and declared it by the giving and receiving of rings and by the joining of hands, I now pronounce them husband and wife.”
Florentina’s face broke into a wide smile, her eyes briefly closing as she acknowledged that her promise to the Duke was now complete and that she would be his wife for as long as she lived.
Her new husband squeezed her hand, and Florentina knelt, the vicar ready to give them both the final blessing of the ceremony. Her heart was filled with light and happiness, her lips curving into a soft smile as the vicar extended his hand towards them. "May you be blessed with love, joy, and strength in your union. May you be guided with favour and grace, living together in peace and harmony, and may you find fulfilment and happiness in each other for the rest of your days.”
“So it shall be,” Florentina heard the Duke say, his voice firm and determined and, as she looked at him, she saw the joy shining in his eyes. There was no time for her to say anything, however, for the marriage lines had to be signed in a room away from the congregation, with only the vicar and her brother to witness it. Florentina’s hand trembled as she wrote her name—not from fear but from the overwhelming happiness which flooded her. The moment it was finished, the very second she rose from her chair, the Duke snatched her up in his arms, pulling her tight to him, and Florentina melted into his embrace.
“I love you so very much,” he whispered into her ear, her hands around his neck as she blinked back joyous tears. “We are wed now, husband and wife.” Releasing her gently, he framed her face with his hands as the vicar and her brother eased out of the room, leaving them alone. “Bound together for the rest of our days.”
“We are.”
His eyes searched hers. “You are still pleased to have wed me, I hope?”
Florentina’s eyebrows lifted. “Of course I am! I could not have any more happiness in my heart, I am sure, else I would quite explode with joy! I cannot express how happy I am in this moment, Dartmoor. I cannot find the words to tell you just how glad I am to be your wife.”
It took just a moment longer but, eventually, the Duke smiled and lowering his head, kissed her gently. Florentina leaned into him, their first kiss shared as husband and wife. It was a significant moment, one that sent sparks rushing through her, excitement and anticipation flooding her.
“I suppose I should take you back to the congregation,” the Duke murmured against her lips, as Florentina let out a soft sigh. “Loathe though I am to do it.”
She laughed softly, feeling the very same way. “I suppose we must, however.”
“I am glad that your brother came to the wedding.” Leaning back gently, he caught her hands in his. “That must have been a wonderful moment for you.”
Florentina smiled. “It made the day all the happier, yes. Though, as he has said, there is much he needs to talk about.”
The Duke’s expression grew heavy for a moment. “As do I,” he answered, quietly. “I need to apologise for what I did, in taking your brother’s house from him when he was too much in his cups. Though, I must say, in giving up the house I have been given something all the more precious, though I still believe I do not deserve you, Florentina.”
She slipped one hand around his neck. “You need not dwell on the past any longer,” she murmured, reaching up on tiptoe to kiss him again. “Now all we have to focus on is the future and I can already see just how wonderful it is going to be.”
***
Having thoroughly delighted herself at the wedding breakfast, Florentina sat back in her chair, contented. She was married now to the most wonderful gentleman in all of London—as far as she was concerned, of course—and now all that was left was to think about what her future was going to be like.
