Page 79 of Under the Seductive Ladys Charm
Now though, he hardly cared who led Charlotte in. The woman shone with a delicate beauty that made his breath catch in his throat and his pulse quicken. The gown of pale blue she wore clung to her all too well, and Graham had to tear his eyes away.
He met her gaze as Amanda held Charlotte’s hand out to him. Graham had never accepted a gift with more gratitude as he took Charlotte’s hand. His smile came without any effort at the woman before him.
Charlotte looked up into his eyes and her warm brown eyes hid nothing. Graham turned with her to Mr. Wilson. The ceremony was a blur of the guests reciting the customary passages and repeating well-known oaths. It really did not last that long, but it was still torturously long for Graham.
Finally, Mr. Wilson said the command that Graham had been waiting, “You may kiss your bride, Lord Easterly.”
Graham drew Charlotte to him and kissed her softly. Her lips on his beckoned for him to continue and kiss her soundly, but he broke the kiss with reluctance. They shared a smile as Mr. Wilson told them to face the crowd.
Mr. Wilson raised his voice to proclaim, “I present to you Lord and Lady Easterly!”
There was a round of applause, but soon enough they were being escorted to sign the marriage lines and Graham exhaled a breath of relief.
Those in attendance within the church gave them a polite round of applause as Graham escorted Charlotte outside. There were flowers and the such strewn on the processional path that led from the church.
As an extra custom of the region, some of the lower classes even employed the act of whipping the couple as they fled straight to their home in an uproarious act that was meant to ensure fertility. Graham was glad at that moment that it was not customary to do so with his station as he walked out of the church with Charlotte on his arm.
The crowds had doubled along the road in front of the church. Charlotte whispered, “There are so many people.”
“I do think that Amanda’s prediction has turned out to be true. It looks as if the whole town, if not the county is out today.” Graham gave her a smile and led her down the church steps.
As soon as the crowd saw them, they began to call out their good wishes and applaud. Graham spotted many familiar faces. The guests inside the church filed out behind them to witness the procession. Graham spied the carriage at the end of the short road and he smiled. Soon enough they would be away from all of this.
Charlotte waved at someone behind them. Graham turned and saw Mrs. Wilson with her children in tow. He nodded his head and noticed then that Lord Allerton had been in attendance. How had Graham missed the man when he greeted the guests?
He gave the man a nod of his head, which Lord Allerton returned with a smile. Graham turned his gaze forward and pondered the man’s presence. Quickly enough Charlotte had his attention again with light pressure on his arm.
When they reached the carriage, he helped her up into the seat, and swiftly joined her. Charlotte leaned up and gave the crowd another wave before the carriage lurched forward. She turned to him as the carriage moved away.
“Finally it is over,” she said with as much relief as Graham felt.
He pulled her to him and kissed her deeply. “At last.”
Charlotte leaned her head against his shoulder as she pressed against him in the carriage. “It is too bad that there is still so much of the daylight left.”
Graham could not help the chuckle that her words brought on. “I have had the same thought myself.”
When they reached the manor, Graham escorted Charlotte inside. They barely had time to get through the door before Amanda came in right behind them. “Brother,” she whispered. “Lord Allerton is here.”
Graham sighed as he turned toward his sister. Charlotte was clinging to his arm, clearly still eager to get to their shared rooms, but Amanda did not seem to notice. “Yes. I saw him.”
“No, brother, he asked to speak with me. I agreed for him to come here.”
Graham groaned. “Today of all days?”
“It could be important,” Charlotte said coaxingly.
Graham breathed on a sigh and nodded. “I hope he is on his way.”
They all turned at the sound of a carriage pulling up outside. “That will be him,” Amanda said as she wrung her hands.
Charlotte came over to her and put her arm around Amanda’s shoulders. There was a knock at the door and Graham motioned for the doorman to open it.
Lord Allerton stepped inside at the doorman’s urging and looked at the gathered family awaiting him. “Lord and Lady Easterly, my most heartfelt congratulations!” He gave Charlotte a bow and shook Graham’s hand.
Graham returned the man’s firm handshake. “Thank you, Lord Allerton. I was surprised but pleased to see you in attendance. We had not heard if you would be able to make it.”
“Forgive me my rudeness for not sending word. I was travelling when I received news of the invitation from my staff,” Lord Allerton said before he turned toward Amanda. “Miss Easterly, it is a delight to see you again.” He gave her a low, graceful bow.
