Page 51 of King of Rogues
“I think it might be bad luck to murder the groom at his wedding. Especially before the service. Speaking of which, did you want to take some time with your mother now and prepare? I mean, I don’t know what women do before weddings, but if you want…”
“No.”
“What about talking to your parents?”
Naomi waved her father over. “Papa, will you give this marriage your blessing?”
The Duke of Redditch wrapped a fatherly arm around Naomi’s shoulder. “Only if this truly makes you happy. Your mother and I have always said that love is more important than money. If you think Monsale has come to see the error of his ways, which it looks as if he has, then yes. I give you both my blessing.”
Monsale bowed his head. “Your grace. I will do everything in my power to make Naomi’s life one full of happiness.”
The duke slapped his future son-in-law on the back. “Then get on with it.”
As her father took his place once more alongside his wife, Naomi decided she wasn’t going to waste another minute, she was more than ready. She turned to the minister; hands gently clasped together. Monsale joined her.
When the priest reached the part of the service where he asked if anyone present knew a reason why they shouldn’t be lawfully married, a ripple of laughter rang through the room. The bride and groom both shook their heads.
Family and friends, heaven love them were the very worst. And the very best.
“I suggest we throw them all out the moment the wedding is over. None of them are getting fed,” whispered Monsale.
Naomi shot him a conspiratorial look. “I hope you retrieved your weapons from the beach. Because if you try to get between Gus and food, there will be a riot.”
The rest of the wedding service went without incident. An emotional Naomi struggled to back the tears when Monsale opened an elegant silver box containing six gold wedding bands of different sizes all arranged neatly on a red velvet cushion.
“I wasn’t sure of your size,” he said.
After trying several rings, they found one which fit perfectly. Monsale slipped it on Naomi’s finger.
“It’s a little late, for this, but you may now kiss the bride,” said the priest.
As the bride and groom locked lips, a roar of applause and cheers rang through the hall. Adan struck the staff on the floor once more and cried. “Huzzah!”
Naomi gazed lovingly into the eyes of her new husband. “I will do everything in my power to be the wife and duchess you need. To make you proud of me.”
Monsale brushed his hand over her cheek. “My love, you are already more than I could have ever hoped to find in a wife. I am so very proud of you Naomi. You stood your ground and refused to settle for being anything other than my first and only choice.”
He wrapped her gently in his arms and whispered. “This is forever.”
“Rome has fallen!” cried Harry.
“All hail Naomi, Lady Monsale,” added Alice.
I am a duchess. But more importantly I am Monsale’s wife.
Hand in hand they went to receive the congratulations of their friends and family.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The wedding breakfast went on all afternoon, Gus made a fair fist of eating his own body weight, which had Evangeline rubbing his stomach and informing her husband that he was going on a soup diet as soon as they returned to France.
Slipping with ease into her new role of castle hostess, Naomi inquired as to whether any of the guests were going to need supper. Kitty shook her head.
“Your father and I won’t require food. We are going to start back on the road to London shortly, staying overnight in Faversham. I think Harry and Alice are going to do the same.”
After a hurried conversation among the rest of the guests, it was soon decided that the other members of the rogues of the road and their families would also be making their way home. Supper would not be needed.
“You don’t have to go, there is plenty of room at the castle,” offered Monsale.
