Page 49 of A Sonata for the Fiery Lady
“Well, you’ll soon get a chance to see it for yourself. Though Oliver and I were married by a priest in Italy, it seems England won’t honour it. So, we are getting married again in a fortnight at the church in town. I was hoping you and Mr Lockwood would attend, and perhaps consider being my maid-of-honour,” Melisa said.
Eliza looked at Melisa with surprise. “You’d want a commoner as your maid-of-honour?” she asked in disbelief.
“There is no other person who would be best suited for the role. Yes, Eliza, I want you to stand up with me on my wedding day,” Melisa confirmed, causing Eliza to giggle excitedly.
“Of course, I will, my dear. It would be my great honour,” Eliza replied, eager to accept.
“And, of course, Morgan, you must stand up as my best man,” Oliver added.
“I better be your best man, Oliver. You do owe me one,” Morgan said as the two laughed together.
The rest of the meal was filled with conversation over the wedding, Eliza’s pregnancy, and all that had happened in England since Oliver and Melisa had departed. It gave Melisa joy to talk to Eliza once more, detailing her trip to Italy and all about the Davone family. For Melisa, she couldn’t think of anything better than being reunited with her best friend and seeing how happy Eliza had become since she’d parted.
~*~
Melisa stood in the foyer of the church, wearing the wedding dress of her dreams. The gown had been designed of white silk detailed in white lace and pearls. The bodice had been encrusted in diamonds that caught the winter sun as she travelled from the townhouse with her parents to the church. The train of her gown flowed behind her as she’d walked up the church stairs on her father’s arm, feeling like a member of the royal family. Her hair had been curled and pinned up with pearl tipped pins, her white veil covering her face as well as down her back.
Despite the cold winter day, Melisa was warm with excitement as she now stood ready at the entrance of the church, listening to the organ being played with a mix of voices from all those who had come to see her be married. Despite her parents’ reputation, many of society’s finest had come out to see who the new Earl of Prescott was and who he was marrying. All of it brought much excitement to Melisa as she prepared to walk down the aisle with her father.
“Are you ready, my dear?” Lord Stanton asked as theWedding Marchbegan to be played.
“I am,” Melisa replied as she looked up at her father through her veil.
On Lord Stanton’s command, the grand church doors to the chapel were opened for them, allowing Lord Stanton to escort Melisa into the warm church. All the patrons stood and turned towards Melisa as she entered on her father’s arm, her face filled with a grand smile as she looked down the aisle towards the alter where Oliver stood in stunning black attire. She could see that Mr Lockwood stood up with him, and Mrs Lockwood was on the other side, waiting for her to arrive. Signornias Gabrielle and Vivian looked stunning in their gowns as they stood to the side with Eliza.
Though Melisa couldn’t take her eyes off of Oliver as she was ushered down the long aisle, she could at least tell that the whole church had been filled with patrons who had come to pay their respects to the new couple. In the crowd were many of Lady Stanton’s friends who she’d reclaimed after the news of Lord Quinn’s wedding was published in the papers, along with a thrilling article over the restoration of the Prescott name.
Magistrate O’Reilly was also in attendance, along with Constable Williams. They’d both been recognized for their assistance in restoring the Prescott name and had received honourable awards from the royal judge himself. Now, they’d come to witness the wedding of two new good friends as Lord and Lady Quinn had become acquainted more with the two gentlemen.
In attendance was also Mr Mathews, the cobbler, who was pleased to see that Edward Quinn’s son was getting the happy ending he deserved. The same thought was being shared by Edward’s good friends from Luthiers, the dealer Oliver had met the one time he’d venture in, along with the bearded man with the accent. Both had attended once they learned that their good friend was actually an Earl, and that his son was getting married. They smiled once they realized who the son was, recognizing him from that one day in Luthiers.
As Melisa reached the alter, Lord Stanton had the honour of unveiling her before giving her a kiss on the cheek and placing her hands within Oliver’s. Melisa watched as her father gave Oliver a kind smile before joining his wife in the front pew. Melisa turned her eyes to Oliver’s, gazing deeply into his brown eyes as the priest began the ceremony.
Though Melisa could hear the words the priest was saying, all her mind was filled with was how happy she was to be standing together with Oliver, being recognized in all of England as his wife. And though they’d always share the simple wedding ceremony they’d experienced in Italy, even without the need of wedding rings, there was something about standing up with Oliver now before all of society that filled Melisa with a sense of completion.
Now, they’d never need to hide their love or relationship from anyone. Even though Oliver was born into a common life and gained a reputation as a skilled pianist, now together, they’d be able to do so much good for others as Lord and Lady Quinn. Melisa was filled with so much happiness and joy to know that they’d still be able to live freely, regardless of what anyone thought of them. Even if Melisa and Oliver had once run away from all of England, now they could stand firm in their decision, knowing they didn’t need society’s approval to feel fulfilled in life.
After exchanging their vows and being presented by the priest as Lord and Lady Quinn, Oliver and Melisa exchanged a tender kiss that was soft and sweet. It was appropriate for society’s eyes, but still conveyed the true love that they shared with one another. As the organ began to play the closing song, Oliver escorted Melisa down the aisle as they exchanged many greetings with those who had come to watch the ceremony, receiving many praises for the beauty of the ceremony, as well as Melisa’s gorgeous gown.
It took some time to reach the doors of the church where a coach waited to take Oliver and Melisa to the dance hall where the wedding reception would be conducted. Mr Lockwood would be performing with many of the musicians Oliver had spent years working with. It was his way of repaying his old friends for all that they’d done for him in the past.
As Oliver helped Melisa up into the waiting carriage, taking some extra time to gather her long gown and make sure it was situated in the carriage, Melisa took several deep breaths as excitement washed over her. Oliver soon joined her in the carriage, and as their eyes locked as the footman closed the door, Melisa realized that she’d never been happier in her life.
Words weren’t needed as Melisa leaned forward and kissed Oliver on the lips as his arms came around her. He held her close as they shared a passionate kiss, a fire burning within Melisa’s core that she’d been feeling for some time. And now that they were alone together, Melisa couldn’t deny her deep desire for her husband in a way that only he could satisfy.
“My love,” Melisa said as she broke their kiss, leaning back in his arms so she could look up into his eyes. “When we reach the dance hall and I change into my evening gown, I want you there to help me change.”
“But Miss Price is waiting for your arrival to help you change,” Oliver spoke up, referring to Melisa’s new lady-in-waiting. Melisa had hired the girl the moment she’d been able to locate her with Eliza’s help. It was the least she could do after the young lady was fired because of her and had not been able to find any suitable employment since.
“I think Miss Price will understand that I want some time alone with my husband before the beginning of the celebrations,” Melisa said in a lusty voice as she traced Oliver’s lips with her gloved fingers.
“Are you sure you’re ready, my love? I know it’s been some time since we’ve talked about being intimate in that way,” Oliver said kindly. Melisa could feel the gentleness in his voice, but she wanted him to understand how much she desired him.
“I’m more ready than I’ve ever been,” Melisa confirmed as she pushed her lips to Oliver’s once more, hoping to convey just how eager she was to feel him again within her.
The moment they arrived at the dance hall, the footman was quick to open the carriage door, the cold winter air seeping into the carriage once more. Oliver was quick to alight from the carriage and help Melisa carefully down without ruining her gown. Then together, they mounted the dance hall steps and met Mr Moses within the foyer.
“Good afternoon, Lord and Lady Quinn. Let’s get you out of the cold,” Mr Moses said as he closed the door behind them. “Your rooms have been prepared at the top of the stairs.”
