Page 102 of The Curious Life of the Unfortunate Duchess
“Indeed, he does. I am so blessed.”
“We are all blessed,” Elizabeth conceded.
“What are we waiting for?” Frances demanded, tugging her brother’s arm. “Let us be wed.”
They lowered their veils and primped one another quickly before restarting their steps. The siblings reached the landing and stared below at the crowd of guests waiting for their arrival. A slow murmur flowed through the group as they parted to make way for the Folletts. Never before had Elizabeth enjoyed being scrutinized so closely but she knew the present company only had genuine good wishes for the ladies of Gordon. Elizabeth and Frances had come to Pembroke and won them over with their kind hearts and good spirits. Elizabeth was no longer the subject of tawdry gossip and Frances had been accepted as a sweet, kind woman despite her afflictions.
We have come so far in such a short time. Our futures are bright and secure,Elizabeth told herself with confidence.
At the altar stood the bridegrooms, each carrying his unease in a different fashion. Herbert shifted his weight from one foot to another while Leonard flashed a smile to anyone who caught his glimmering emerald eyes. Yet both men relaxed at once when they laid eyes upon their respective brides and Elizabeth could sense Frances, too, was calm.
We all deserve happiness,Elizabeth thought, casting her brother a sidelong look. Last she had heard, he still courted Lady Chamberlain and their affair was public in Gordon. David held no shame in the matter and Elizabeth was forced to concede that her brother’s contentment was far more important than the opinions of other people.
“Who does give these women to their husbands?” the vicar intoned.
“I do,” David replied, stepping forward to present his sisters to their betrothed.
“Let us begin.”
Elizabeth did not hear another word. She was lost in her groom’s eyes and he, in hers. From her peripheral gaze, Elizabeth saw Frances shaking with the anticipation of a newborn puppy and it brought a smile to her face.
“He will take good care of her,” Leonard breathed softly. “You need not worry.”
“I am not concerned,” Elizabeth whispered back.
“I will take care of you, also.”
She smiled.
“You already have, Leo.”
To her surprise, he moved her veil aside. A gasp escaped the crowd but Leonard did not seem bothered in the least.
“I do not wish to be married to your veil,” he said loudly enough so that all might hear. Elizabeth smothered a giggle, knowing the vicar would not approve but she kept her eyes trained on his face.
“Shall I continue, Your Grace?” the clergyman growled.
“I do not wish to wear a veil either!” Frances declared and there was more tittering from the audience.
“Then you shall not wear one,” Herbert confirmed, raising it from Frances’ face.
“Mr. Barlough, may I commence again?” The vicar was clearly losing his patience with the lot.
The men exchanged a small smile and nodded at the vicar.
“Indeed.”
Yet Elizabeth could not wipe the smile from her face.
He does not mind what others say. He is steadfast in his own beliefs and desires. I have already learned so much from Leonard. I cannot wait to see what the years bring between us.
* * *
“You make a lovely bride, Elizabeth,” the Duchess told her. “I do wish Aylmer was alive to see our son so blissfully content. Ours was not a union stemmed from love.”
The reception was thinning and the guests beginning to leave but not before stopping to congratulate the brides and grooms, offering their bits of advice in a drunken slur. Mary was no exception.
Elizabeth was surprised to learn that the late duke and duchess were not wed for love. Leonard had told her with many tales of his parents’ union and from all she had heard, she would not have guessed theirs to be arranged.
