Page 94 of When He Was Wicked
Henrietta was not nervous. She was certain that Simon would not let her down. It was the happiest day of her life, and even her mother’s histrionics could not upset her. She had chosen a simple cream silk gown trimmed with golden lace. A small coronet of white roses settled upon her auburn locks, and the rose quartz necklace was around her neck.
She was ready well in time for the journey to St George’s Hanover Square. It was to be a fashionable wedding; although as her mother repeatedad nauseum,it would be better if they waited until the following year’s season when everyone who was anyone would be sure to attend. Neither Simon nor Henrietta wanted to wait most of a year before the wedding, and now the wedding was taking place three weeks after they both returned to town.
Henrietta and her maid spent the rest of the time before the carriage was due, trying to calm her mother down and supervising her dressing, the arrangement of her hair and a very subtle application of make-up to reduce the appearance of the sustained weeping she had done. Henrietta knew her mother was happy with her marrying, but she was making a meal of being the sobbing mother of the bride. Finally, her father knocked, “Are you ready? The bridesmaids are all downstairs and looking lovely, and the carriages are at the door.”
Her mother tried to set up another sob, but Henrietta and her maid propelled her through the door and into the viscount’s arms. Her father handed her a bouquet of roses of every color, which Henrietta accepted before gracefully descending the stairs and boarding the first carriage with her father. The second carriage would take her bridesmaids: Annie, Lilli, Eva, and Ellen, her new sister-in-law, who would be her matron of honor. Her mother would travel with Gran in her carriage. All the carriages were festooned with flowers and white ribbons and looked very grand.
Henrietta composed herself on the church’s porch and tried not to grin like a loon. Her mother and gran made their way to their seats, and her father sneaked a look through the doors to check that her groom was present. The bridesmaids were being marshaled by Ellen into order and were all carrying smaller versions of her bouquet. “Thank you, father, for the bouquets. They are beautiful. I forgot to order any.”
“So did I, but it seems that your Lord Hardwick has a practical streak as he sent them over, and corsages for your mother and myself. And he has lavished a sultan’s treasure on the flowers decorating the church. He seems to be utterly besotted. Just as it should be, his outrage at your mother’s suggestion of delaying the wedding managed to keep her quietfor all of an hour. Threatened to carry you off to Gretna at once if we delayed any further.”
Henrietta grinned and diplomatically murmured, “He didn’t. I am so sorry, father.”
“It made me laugh. The earl certainly knows his own mind and knows that he has a gem above price in my precious daughter. I’m proud of you, Henrietta,” he said, kissing her cheek. “Well, I think we are all ready. Shall we proceed?” he asked, offering her his arm to escort her down the aisle. They set off at a sedate pace with the brides’ attendants following behind.
Then Henrietta spied Simon waiting at the altar. He smiled at seeing her, and Henrietta laughed joyously. Some of the society matrons frowned at her joy, but she did not care.
This was a love match, and society could disapprove as much as it wanted, but she would marry her lustful rake and they would be disgustingly happy together.
