Page 43 of The Duke's Reluctant Muse
It will not be long until I can finally take your hand,Elizabeth thought silently, as if he could hear her words.Only a few minutes longer.
“Very well.” Again, the clergyman turned his attention to both Elizabeth and the Duke, clearly satisfied that there was no protestations and that the marriage ceremony could continue. “I requireand charge you both, as you will answer at the dreadful day of judgement 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 now confess it. For be you well assured, that so many as are coupled together otherwise than God's Word doth allow are not joined together by God; neither is their Matrimony lawful.”
Elizabeth looked back at the clergyman as the Duke too remained silent and, with a glance to them both, the clergyman looked back to the book of Common Prayer again.
“If I might begin with you, Your Grace?” The clergyman shifted just a little to face the Duke. “Will you, Jonathan, Duke of Nottingham, take this woman to thy 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 yourself only to her, so long as you both shall live?”
The Duke looked to Elizabeth as he spoke, a love shining in his eyes that sent a thrill of hope and delight up Elizabeth’s spine. “Yes, I will.”
With a brief nod, the clergyman then turned to face Elizabeth, his voice low and solemn. “And you, Miss Elizabeth Jeffries? Will you have this man to thy 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 others, keep yourself only to him, so long as you both shall live?
There was not even a momentary hesitation, her eagerness to marry the Duke beginning to burn through her. “I will.”
“I thank you.” With a slight clearing of his throat, the clergyman then looked to Lord Dennington. “Who is there to give this woman to this man?”
“I am here.” With a nod, Lord Dennington turned to Elizabeth, his eyes a little damp as he smiled and took her hand. “I give my sister, Miss Elizabeth Jeffries to this gentleman, the Duke of Nottingham.” With a quick squeeze of her hand, he set it carefully upon the Duke’s waiting hand and her heart leapt with joy at their touch. Tears burned in her eyes also as her brother pressed a kiss to her cheek and then stepped back, aware of the significance of the moment.
“I thank you. Then,” the clergyman said, looking again to the Duke, “might you, Your Grace, in sight of this congregation and in the eyes of God, speak your vows to Miss Elizabeth Jeffries?”
“I shall. Most gladly.” The words made Elizabeth smile as the Duke turned to face her, his blue eyes alive with all that he felt. “Miss Elizabeth Jeffries, I take you 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.”
Her heart soared to the heavens, leaving her trembling with joy and anticipation – so much so that when the clergyman told her that she was now to speak her words to the Duke, she could barely get the words out.
“Jonathan,” she began, her voice only a little louder than a whisper, “Duke of Nottingham, I take you to be 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.”
His hand pressed hers, her smile brightening his expression all the more as Elizabeth’s breath swirled in her chest, waiting for the moment when she would finally be announced as his wife.
“I thank you.” The clergyman nodded to Lord Dalton, who quickly stepped forward. “Now we come the giving and receiving of the ring.”
Lord Dalton moved quickly to the Duke, handing him the ring which, without even a moment’s pause, the Duke slipped onto the third finger of her right hand. It fitted perfectly, a symbol of the love which she knew burned within his heart for her.
“Elizabeth,” he murmured, quietly, “withthis ring I thee wed. With my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow.”
She let her gaze drift down to their joined hands, taking in the gold ring which now sat on her finger. It would remain there for the rest of her days, telling all who saw it that she was tied to the Duke, that she was his wife and his alone. It served as a reminder of the promises they had made to each other, both before the congregation and before God – promises that Elizabeth swore she would never break.
“Now we come to the blessing.”
Turning, Elizabeth knelt before the clergyman, the Duke by her side as the clergyman led them all in a final prayer of blessing. “EternalGod, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life: Sendthy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name; that, as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant between them made, whereof this Ring given and received is a token and pledge, and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
“Amen.” The Duke’s low voice met hers as she whispered the same, feeling the clergyman’s hand settle on both of their joined ones, the final words soon to be spoken.
“Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder,” the clergyman finished, his voice a little louder now as he addressed the full congregation. “In as much as the Duke of Nottingham and Miss Elizabeth Jeffries have consented together in holy wedlock and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a Ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be Man and Wife together. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
Warmth burst from her heart, spreading from the top of her head right down to her toes. The Duke rose, bringing her with him as she trembled lightly, hardly daring to breathe as the moment slowly swept over her.
I am his wife.She looked up at The Duke, seeing how his eyes shone, his lips in a gentle, tender smile.And he is mine.
“Might I offer you my congratulations,” the clergyman said, finally offering a small smile. “We still have the marriage lines, however. Please, do follow me.”
Elizabeth slipped her arm through the Duke’s, her other hand reaching to grasp his arm as she felt a sense of weakness wash over her. It was not a weakness that came from fear, doubt or dread but rather one that came from overwhelming bliss.She was the Duke’s wife now, and he her husband; their hearts bound together in love. Nothing would take them from each other, for rumors, whispers and even Lady Ludlow’s thoughts of vengeance could do nothing. Though they did not have to worry about that since Lady Ludlow found herself utterly powerless after her last efforts of ruining the Duke, having been cast out by the ton for her various intrigues and deceptions.
“Are you quite ready, Your Grace?”
Elizabeth glanced up at the Duke, waiting for him to respond to the clergyman only to realize that the clergyman was speaking to her. Her face went hot as she laughed, shaking her head before going to sit in the chair he offered her. “Forgive me. I did not recognise that I am to be referred to in such a way now!”
“Indeed you are.” The Duke pressed one hand lightly to her shoulder and Elizabeth looked up at him, her hand going to his for a moment as the clergyman found her the quill and ink. With a sigh of contentment, Elizabeth forced her gaze away from her new husband and quickly set to signing her name where she was required to. After a few further formalities, the lines were completed, the marriage sealed and, with a nod, the clergyman left both Elizabeth and the Duke alone together – though not without reminding them that their friends and family would be waiting for their return to the church.
“At last,” the Duke chuckled, wrapping his arms tight around Elizabeth as the door closed. “I think I should be quite contented staying here with you, my love.”
