Page 122 of When a Marquis Chooses a Bride
Matt raised a brow. “Thinking she’s jilted you?”
Less than three weeks ago, Dom wouldn’t have understood his cousin’s joke. Then he remembered Fotherby. “No. Thea is safe. She’ll be here. It is not like her to be late.”
Matt shoved his pocket watch under Dom’s nose. “It’s not nine o’clock yet.”
“Have you looked in there?” He pointed to the church. “Why the devil are there so many people?”
Matt cracked a laugh. “They are not so many. It’s mostly the children.”
Heaving a sigh, Dom stopped pacing. It had seemed like more than that. “Did you go through this?”
“No, we had a small wedding.” His cousin smiled. “Just the children, a cousin or two, and sundry other relatives.”
In other words, half of London. “Men should be warned.” Good Lord. Was he actually growling, “This must be the most nerve-wracking thing I’ve ever gone through.”
“At least you have a honeymoon to look forward to.”
Dom glanced away from the street to his cousin. He’d forgotten Matt had not had any time alone at all with Grace, and he was stuck chaperoning for the Season. “I’ll tell you what. After Thea and I return to Merton, send the children to us.”
Matt was silent for a few moments. “You’re serious?”
“Yes, of course I am. We’ve plenty to keep them busy. I’m sure Thea will enjoy being with Charlotte and Louisa, if they’re not married by then.” Dom smiled. “It’s the least I can do. After all, if you hadn’t been so dead set against me marrying Thea, I might have let her cry off.”
“I don’t believe it. Once a woman gets to you, it’s impossible to let go.”
“That was part of the problem. Thea scared me to death. She was exactly what I wasn’t looking for.” Yet she was everything he needed.
“You can stop worrying. They have arrived.”
His large dark green lacquered landau pulled to a stop. Sir Henry alighted before handing Thea down.
The wind rushed out of Dom as if he’d been punched in the stomach. How did she become more beautiful every time he saw her? His valet had been right. The sapphires were perfect. He reached out, took her hand, and stared.
A light blush rose in Thea’s cheeks as she smiled at him.
“Come on now.” The duchess’s voice ripped him out of his daydream. “You gentlemen are all the same. Can’t wait for your bride to arrive, then you do nothing to the point. We’ve got a wedding to make happen, guests arriving in less than an hour, and you’re standing here mooning.” She prodded him on his back with her cane. “Let’s go.”
“Yes, Grandmamma.”
“Impertinent jackanapes.”
He resisted when her father took Thea’s hand from his.
“Don’t worry,” Sir Henry joked. “I’m going to give it right back. Have to do this properly or I’ll never hear the end of it.” He lowered his brows. “She’ll be yours in a few minutes, young man. Take care of her or you’ll answer to me.”
The tension he’d felt since she’d left him this morning faded away. “I will.” Dom grinned. “And I am positive she’ll tell me if I make a mistake.”
Sir Henry placed Thea’s hand on his arm. “Welcome to the family, son.”
Dom tried to swallow past the lump in his throat as they walked into the church. Matt had been right; only their families and a few friends were present.
Several minutes later, Sir Henry placed Thea’s hand in Dom’s. He captured her gaze when he said his vows to her. Thea’s calm never seemed to waiver. In a clear, strong voice she promised to take him as her husband.
The vicar, a younger man, grinned as he pronounced them man and wife. “I wish you both a long and happy life together.”
As soon as they signed the register, it was as if some spell had been broken. The children’s voices rose and they were engulfed in hugs and kisses.
“Well, Vicar,” Matt said, “you’re getting better at this.”
