Page 87 of An Earl's Christmas Seduction
“And for the better,” Amelia replied, glancing behind her at the many other guests who had also joined them to celebrate the happy occasion of their marriage.
Among them was her father, who walked arm in arm with her mother. They had been only too pleased to give their permission for the marriage to take place and had made the journey from London to Devonshire without complaint.
The baron had even made a business proposition to Nicholas, involving the import of brandy from the continent. Another sign, if any further was needed, of Nicholas’ continued acceptance among the wider ton.
“There’s the church. It really is only reachable by foot,” Nicholas said, pointing along the path to where the church stood proudly amid the heathers.
It was an ancient building, appearing almost as part of the moor itself, rising up like one of the rocky outcrops surrounding them. The rector, dressed in a billowing white surplice, was waiting for them, and as they approached, he hurried down the path from the door to greet them.
“Your Lordship, your Ladyship, welcome,” he said, holding out his hand to them both.
“Thank you, Reverend Richardson, and thank you for making the long walk out across the moor to prepare the church,” he said.
The clergyman was a young, energetic man, possessed of a fine frame and figure. He laughed it off.
“Oh, it was nothing. As you know, we only use the church for matins in the summer. I haven’t been here since last September. I doubt anyone has, though I found something very odd as I was preparing for your ceremony today,” he said, and Amelia and Nicholas looked at him curiously.
“Odd? What do you mean?” Nicholas asked, and the clergyman reached into his pocket.
Amelia gasped, for as he opened his hand, there was the locket; Rupert’s locket. She had thought it was lost, but it seemed it had lain waiting to be found, even as Reverend Richardson looked at her curiously.
“Do you know what it is, my Lady?” he asked, and Amelia nodded.
“I do, yes… but… I didn’t realize. It’s my locket,” she said, not knowing what to do or think.
She still thought about Rupert a great deal, but she no longer mourned her own loss, or wallowed in self-pity. She knew it was not what he would have wanted. Their lives had converged, but their paths had taken very different courses. This was her life now, and taking the locket, she glanced at Nicholas, who smiled.
“I don’t mind if you still wear it,” he said, but Amelia shook her head.
“I’m about to put on a different ring. This… well, it’s in the past, isn’t it?” she said, and Nicholas nodded.
She thanked the rector and slipped the locket into her pocket. The rest of the party now came up the path to the church, and the rector welcomed them inside as Nicholas followed behind.
“We’re so close,” he whispered, and Amelia smiled.
Her father and mother now came to stand with her, and she showed them the locket, explaining what had just happened. Her mother raised her eyebrows.
“You’re not having second thoughts, are you, Amelia?” she asked, and Amelia shook her head.
“No, Mother, not at all. I love Nicholas. I know I’m making the right decision. If anything, I know Rupert would want me to be happy,” she replied.
Her mother breathed a sigh of relief, and the organ now thundered into life.
“The viscount,” her mother said, rolling her eyes.
Amelia smiled, and her father now offered her his arm. They stepped into the church, and Amelia was immediately transported back to the night she had sought sanctuary there from the snow and ice. She shivered, remembering the moment of her rescue, and hearing Nicholas’ voice in what had seemed like the far distance. He was standing in the sanctuary, and now the rector beckoned her and her father forward.
“Are you ready, Amelia? I’m just glad my gout isn’t playing up,” her father whispered, and Amelia smiled.
“I’m ready, yes,” she replied, and arm in arm, they walked down the aisle.
Her mother was already in a flood of tears, and as they approached the sanctuary, Amelia caught the eyes of Clara and Isobel, standing with Edmund and Harry at their sides.
They, too, had had an eventful few months, and both pairs were now engaged to be married. Amelia could not have felt happier for them, and she was looking forward to celebrating their marriages in the coming months. As they came to the front of the church, Nicholas turned to Amelia and smiled.
“You look so very beautiful,” he whispered, and Amelia smiled.
“And you look very handsome, too,” she said, as he slipped his arm into hers.
