Page 77 of Unmasked By a Captivating Lady
Ruth smiled. “Only a little bit, Ara. Fashionably late. We do not want Miles to think he is getting youtooeasily, do we?”
Ara laughed, staring at her cousin fondly. Ruth looked beautiful today, in her new bridesmaid’s gown of mauve silk. Lilacs were twisted into her dark hair, and her blue eyes shone with fierce joy.
“Come along, now,” said her father, who was sitting next to her. “It is all well and good to be fashionably late, as you term it, Ruth, but we do not want Lord Comerford to think that you have deserted him entirely. Not after all the man has done to finally get you, daughter.”
Ara turned to him, laughing. “No, indeed, Papa!”
They climbed out of the carriage. Ara took her father’s arm.
“You look beautiful, my dear,” he whispered, his eyes shining with tears. “This is a very proud day for me, walking you down the aisle. I must admit, I thought that it might never happen…”
Ara smiled lovingly. “I sent you up the garden path quite a few times, didn’t I, dear Papa? You were so patient with me.” She exhaled slowly. “I am sorry for how difficult I was…”
He patted her arm gently. “All’s well that ends well, as they say, daughter! I know that she doesn’t say it very often, but your mother is proud of you, too.” He hesitated. “We are both so glad that you have found someone who is your true match, dearest Ara. There are not many men out there who could hope to tameyou, but Lord Comerford is your equal in every way.”
Ara blinked back tears. She squeezed her father’s arm tightly.
“I love you, Papa,” she said, in a tremulous voice.
Ruth handed her the bouquet of lilacs and wild daffodils. Ara smiled, staring at it, lost for a moment in contemplation.
Wild daffodils, which would forever remind her, of the first time he had taken her, and made her his own, in the meadow…
Suddenly, her nerves dissipated, like ice melting. She was eager; so eager, that she could barely restrain herself from sprinting up that aisle towards him.
***
The organ started the minute the church doors opened, almost deafening her.
The congregation all turned, almost as one, staring at her. She gripped her father’s arm tightly, taking a deep breath, before they slowly started the march up the aisle.
Her eyes swept over the people, who had all assembled here, to witness their special day. There were many locals, who she had known forever, looking a little uncomfortable in their finest attire. She saw Mrs. Scott, dressed in a frilly, overblown purple gown, a mob cap of white lace perched on her head. The woman smiled widely in encouragement.
There were many others that she didn’t know, either. Friends of Miles, who had travelled here from London and Kent. Fashionable people, who looked a little out of place in this country church. She quivered inside, just a bit, remembering the scandal she and Miles had created at the Duke’s ball. But they all smiled at her, seemingly willing to forgive and forget.
Her mother was sitting in the front pew to the left, nervously adjusting the bodice of her new gown. But she turned, smiling radiantly at her daughter. Ara knew by the gleam in her eyes how proud she was, in that moment. All of her dreams were coming true; to see her only daughter well married, after all.
Ara smiled, recalling their past battles, over marriage. It seemed a hundred years ago now. Had shereallybeen that headstrong girl, constantly butting heads with her mother?
Miles changed me,she thought, in wonder.He has made me the woman that I am today.
Finally, she was almost there. He was standing there, gazing at her, his dark eyes shining, drinking her in. Her heart quickened, as it always did when she saw him.
To his left stood his brother. TherealDuke of Lancaster, she thought, grinning. Lord Andrew Comerford was his brother’s best man. She watched his eyes widen at something, or someone, behind her.
She turned her head slightly. Ruth. He was watching Ruth take her place, as bridesmaid, at the altar. Her cousin was aware that he was staring at her, too. Ara knew it, by the way she blushed, gripping her bouquet tighter. Her blue eyes swept down, staring at the floor, demurely.
Ara’s grin widened. Well, well, well, she thought. The Duke and Ruth.
Suddenly, she remembered that Ruth had said something had happened at the Duke’s ball, in London. That she had a chance with someone. Had her shy cousin been referring to the Duke of Lancaster himself? Had they danced, or talked, and formed a connection?
She couldn’t ask about it now, of course. But later, at the wedding feast, she would make sure she cornered her cousin for the details. And she would make very sure that Ruth and the Duke had ample opportunity to talk and dance. She would do everything that she could to help their fledgling romance. She recognised those ardent looks they were exchanging, after all. And she desired, with all her heart, that her cousin could find the same passion and love that she had found, so unexpectedly.
The next minute, her father passed her arm to Miles. She gazed up at her future husband, completely forgetting Ruth and the Duke. She forgot everyone, and everything, drowning in his eyes.
It might have been just the two of them, in that church, as they turned to each other, and finally made their vows, to love and honour each other, forever.
***
