Page 85 of Finding Hope
At last, the guests began to arrive. Major Stuart and Captain Fielding had returned with Colonel Renforth. Max knew Patience would be pleased about that. A few of the local gentry took their places, and then as many members of the House ofLords as the chapel would hold, apparently. How the devil had Diana arranged that so quickly?
Lord and Lady Wilton arrived with Lady Agatha, but Lady Matilda was conspicuously absent. Her behaviour would have been amusing if not for the circumstances threatening Hope at the time. Lord Brosner and Lady Alice had returned for the ceremony as well. Max hoped there were no ill feeling as he knew Brosner had wanted Hope for himself, but all was fair in love, after all.
There seemed to be an interminable pause in arrivals, and Max was hard put not to pace about while he waited. Carriage wheels sounded, signalling the rest of the party, and at last his family was shown in. The Duke was dressed in his finest court regalia, and though it hung loosely about him, his smile detracted from the fact. Diana and Claudia discreetly supported him on either side as Lord Courtenay followed behind. The doors closed behind them and Max knew the time had come.
The organ began to play, and footmen swung the doors open again. Then began a procession of the four lovely Whitford sisters, who, to the unacquainted eye, could have been mistaken one for the other, so similar were they. To his surprise, Joy, with her scar and mischievous twinkle in her eyes, came first, making him wonder if the little cat would make an appearance. He had little doubt the animal would be there. The more demure Grace came next, followed by the practical Patience, and lastly Faith, Lady Westwood. They stood near the altar, opposite his friends, as Lord Westwood escorted Hope down the aisle of the nave. A more beautiful sight he’d never beheld. He was most humbled that she’d chosen him, yet a rare smile that transformed his whole face delighted those fortunate enough to see it. There was no doubt amongst those present that day that both Lord and Lady Rotham had found one of those rare love matches.
Somehow,Hope could not reconcile that this was real. It felt as though she were floating on air and walking through a dream. There had been so many obstacles to this match that it had seemed impossible. Yet here they finally were.
Some kind of miracle had been performed to bring a modiste in all haste from London. Lady Diana had called in some favours, for that Hope knew, though that lady claimed anyone would be happy to put themselves out for the privilege of designing for the next Duchess of Davenmere.
Her gown was an incredible creation in the palest cream and gold silk, which was covered in exquisite Brussels lace with shining gold threads and tiny pearls interwoven through it. The Davenmere parure of white and gold diamonds had been delivered to her chamber that morning, and she adorned as the final touch.
She almost felt like a duchess.
An open landau, pulled by matching white horses, was waiting for her. Faith and Westwood were to accompany her, as another carriage was to convey Patience, Grace, and Joy, escorted by their uncle.
It was perhaps a mile to the chapel in the woods, but the path was curvy and steep, so the horses were kept to a walk.
The chapel was nestled in the trees and seemed almost a smaller version of St. Paul’s in its grandeur. She scarcely had time to assimilate its architecture, but the sculptures, paintings and stained glass were exquisite. She decided she would return very soon, to study every detail, but now her attention was all upon her groom. Her sisters walked down the aisle, where Rotham stood with his closest friends to support him. Asher uncle had just entered their lives, she decided Westwood would her down the aisle. She gazed solely at Max, so she would not have to think about so many strangers watching her. Uncharacteristically, he was smiling widely at her and she almost stumbled from the unabashed pride he wore on his face. It was all for her. A rush of emotion nearly overcame her as tears of humility and gratitude filled her eyes. How had she ever thought she could marry another?
The archbishop began the service, and she scarcely heard a word he said once Rotham took her hand. The ceremony felt interminable, with six prayers and as many hymns. The vows, however, she did remember. The tender way Max looked at her and spoke each word made her feel cherished and worshipped.
Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health? And forsaking all other keep thee only to her, so long as you both shall live?
Max looked directly into her eyes. “I will.”
Wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him, in sickness and in health? And forsaking all other keep thee only unto him, so long as you both shall live?
Hope found her voice. “I will.”
Who giveth this woman to be married unto this man?
Westwood stepped forward with Hope’s sisters. “Her sisters and I.”
Hope barely held her composure, then, as she turned to look at each of her beloved siblings. A few tears somehow managed to escape down her cheek. She turned back to Max and he wiped gently at the tears and held her face as he spoke his vows.
“I, Maximus, take thee Hope to 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 depart, according to God’s holy ordinance, and thereto I plight thee my troth.”
Then it was her turn to repeat his words, after which he turned to his brother for the ring. He placed the gold band on her finger, then rubbed his thumb back and forth over her bare skin in a reassuring manner.
“With this ring I thee wed: this gold and silver I give thee: with my body I thee worship: and with all my worldly goods I thee endow. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
The rest of the ceremony was less coherent, although she did register when the Archbishop pronounced them man and wife. Max took her hand and placed a kiss in her palm, which felt more like a sacred promise than any words they had spoken.
The Archbishop performed their first Holy Communion as a married couple, whereupon they signed the Register and walked back down the nave to greetings and congratulations from the congregation.
They were not yet free of their obligations, however. It seemed many of the villagers had arrived outside to catch a glimpse of the proceedings, and as Hope and Max left the chapel, they were blessed with cheers and a shower of seeds and rice.
As they entered the carriage to return to the house for their wedding breakfast, in their turn, Max and Hope showered the villagers with vails. Then he delighted the crowd with an exuberant kiss on the lips for his fair bride, to many shouts and cheers of approval.
As they drove back down the carriageway to the manor, Max stole another kiss or two.
“Mine at last,” he whispered as he placed a kiss on her ear. “What say you we forget our guests and skip the breakfast?” he asked in a scandalous voice. “They will not notice our absence anyway. I saw how many bottles of champagne were laid out for the occasion.”
Hope laughed. “Perhaps we need not stay long, but I am afraid they might notice if we do not arrive at all.”
“They will only think me wise beyond measure that I took you away.”
