Page 64 of Rescuing a Tantalising Heiress
“I promise I’ll be everything a husband should be…and I promise I won’t have second thoughts, either,” he said, blushing as Isabella laughed.
“I’ll hold you to that,” she said, just as a barking outside the drawing room door announced the arrival of Caesar.
He was scratching at the door, and it was opened by Anne, who let out a cry of delight at the scene before her. Edward was still kneeling on the floor, his hand in Isabella’s, and Isabella had a radiant smile on her face.
“We’ve got some wonderful news, Anne,” she said as Caesar came bounding up to her, eager to share her happiness, too.
Chapter 29
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man’s innocence, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church…” the curate said, reading from the prayerbook, as Isabella and Edward stood at the altar.
It was the day of their wedding, and a large congregation had gathered at the moorland church to hear them pronounce their vows. The church had been decorated with wildflowers and heather, and Isabella was wearing a pretty white dress with a veil and posy of flowers from the garden Howdwell Heights.
The duke had given her away, and Augusta was acting as her bridesmaid, whilst the Baron of Longley had taken the part of Edward’s attendant.
“I, Edward Charles Horatio Talbot take theeIsabella Lucy Anne Burlingtonas my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth,” Edward said, holding Isabella’s hand as they made their vows.
She promised the same, and as the marriage service concluded, the curate gave them his blessing and pronounced them man and wife. Isabella could not have felt happier in that moment, and she knew Edward felt the same.
It had been only a month since his proposal and the events of the kidnapping, but neither of them had seen any sense in a prolonged courtship, and with Edward having connections through the secret society to Lambeth Palace, a special license had swiftly been forthcoming.
“I love you,” Isabella whispered as the final words were spoken
“I love you, too, Isabella. I love you with my whole heart, my whole being. I couldn’t imagine my life without you,” Edward said as he kissed her and slipped his hand into hers.
“And you don’t need to. We have our whole lives ahead of us—together and forever,” she replied.
Augusta smiled at them, and she came forward to be the first to congratulate them, followed closely by Hugh and Isabella’s father.
“I couldn’t stop crying. It was just…oh, what a beautiful couple you make. I’m so happy for you both!” Augusta exclaimed.
Isabella thanked her. They were like sisters now—theyweresisters, and after all they had shared, Isabella knew they would always be the closest of friends.
“Congratulations to you both—what a happy day,” Benjamin said, and Edward shook the baron’s hand.
“You’ll be next, will you?” he asked, and Benjamin laughed.
“I don’t think so. I’ve not finished indulging my rakish ways just yet, though perhaps I’ll settle down eventually,” he replied, winking at Isabella, who rolled her eyes.
Her father now congratulated them, placing his hand on Edward’s shoulder and smiling.
“I wasn’t sure about you at first. Circumstances rather threw us all together, didn’t they? But you’ve proved yourself more than worthy of being called my son-in-law. I know you’ll take good care of my daughter,” he said, and Edward nodded.
“I will. You can be assured of it. But I think your daughter’s already proved she can take good care of herself. She’d foiled Victor’s plans twice, and her evidence in the court made all the difference,” he said.
Victor had been sent to the prison hulks, and his businesses and assets seized. They had been made the property of the crown and gifted to Edward for his family’s support of the monarchy. Edward had wasted no time in setting free those slaves still forced to work on the plantations in the Caribbean and had sent word to his agent of the need to treat his workers fairly and pay them a decent wage for their labours.
“I was only too glad to do so. I don’t feel any pity for him,” Isabella said, shaking her head.
At that moment, a bark came from the back of the church, and the curate raised his eyebrows as Caesar came bounding down the aisle towards them. He had a red ribbon tied to his tail, and Anne had spent a considerable amount of time brushing his coat and making him presentable—as well as doing the same for Isabella. Now, she came hurrying after the dog, apologizing for his presence.
“I tried to keep him outside, my lady, but he wouldn’t stay put,” she said, but the rest of the company laughed as Isabella lifted the dog into her arms.
“My darling, Caesar—how could I get married without you being here to wish me well?” she asked before she put him down as he led them from the church.
The other guests included all the members of The Order of the Restoration, along with Isabella and Edward’s extended families. He had many cousins, and it amused Isabella to think of herself as having been counted amongst them. An open-top carriage was waiting to take them back to Howdwell Heights, where all the guests were invited to dine, and as rice was thrown, a cheer went up from the gathered crowd who had come to wish them well.
“I couldn’t be happier,” Edward said as he helped Isabella into the carriage, the train of her dress wrapped around as he climbed in beside her.
