Page 50 of King of Rogues
Harry and Alice entered the room; they were followed by Gus, Evangeline, George, and Jane. Behind them walked the Duke and Duchess of Redditch, baby Jonathan lay asleep in his grandfather’s arms.
Bridget frowned. All the guests were here except for Lady Naomi Steele.
“I hope this day is not so terrible an ordeal for Naomi that she couldn’t bear to come to the service. Poor girl, she had her heart set on marrying Monsale for such a long time. I just can’t understand where it all went wrong.”
The arrival of the local church minister dressed fully in his official robes set the hubbub of chatter to an even higher level. The question on everyone’s lips.
“Where was Monsale?”
The Duke of Monsale’s silver-haired steward Adan appeared in the doorway. He marched into the middle of the great hall; a large ebony staff held in his hand. When he reached the front of the room, he stopped, turned, and faced the gathering.
“His grace the Duke of Monsale!”
He rapped the staff on the stone floor, the sound of it echoing in the cavernous space.
All heads turned as Monsale strolled into the room. A hum of whispers quickly followed as the guests all took in the sight of Lady Naomi Steele, her hand held in his, as they walked side by side. She wore a pale pink gown with matching silk roses which trimmed the edge of the bodice. In her hair sat a dazzling diamond and ruby tiara.
Bridget and Alice exchanged a hopeful look. The Duchess of Redditch gasped and put her hand over her heart. “The Monsale tiara, oh Naomi.”
Monsale led Naomi to the front of the room. “Thank you,” said Monsale, as a smiling Adan stepped aside. The steward gave a nod. “Your grace.”
Monsale slipped his hand from Naomi’s and turned to her, bowing low. “My love.”
Bridget promptly burst into tears.
“I expect you are all wondering what on earth has occurred this morning,” said Monsale.
“That would be a large understatement,” grumbled the Duke of Redditch.
Naomi held her hands together and laughed. Joy coursed through her whole body. The happiness, she had thought lost only a short time ago, now sparked once more to life. The only thing which shone brighter was the priceless Monsale tiara.
“Lady Euphemia and Lord Walsall have eloped to Scotland. They went with my blessing. I informed Lord and Lady Marshall of this development earlier this morning, and understandably, they decided to return to London immediately,” announced Monsale.
There was not a dry eye in the house as a smiling Monsale went down on bended knee. “I love you, Naomi. You are my world. By refusing to accept our love, I hurt you. I am so, so terribly sorry to have made you suffer. When I finally came to understand how much I do love you, it made me see so many things through your eyes.”
He loves me. Be still my beating heart.
“I love you too.”
It was all she could manage.
“In front of everyone here today, I am declaring myself to you. Offering you a full partnership in my life. Lady Naomi Steele, love of my heart. Will you do me the greatest honor ever and be my wife? My duchess.”
Naomi glanced at her mother. A tearful Kitty nodded. She knew how much this moment meant, how long her daughter had waited.
“Yes.”
Cheers and applause erupted as Monsale got to his feet and hauled Naomi into his arms. He captured her lips, kissing her without restraint. She didn’t care if her parents were watching, this moment was everything. They were both panting when they eventually drew apart.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper, then handed it to the priest.
“I think you should find the special license is all in correct order. Especially the names of the bride and groom.”
Naomi’s mouth opened and then closed. Monsale had arrived at the castle with the marriage license in hand. Her future husband sensibly avoided her gaze as it drilled into him.
You dirty, rotten, wonderful man.
“I should go back to the beach and get one of your pistols and shoot you,” she said.
