Page 35 of Wicked Is the Duke
Chapter Twelve
Anna entered the drawingroom. Her breath hitched as she caught a glimpse of Henry. He stood next to Norwood, the vicar in between, in front of the French doors leading to the gardens. Upon seeing her, Robert moved to guide her across the room.
"Are you nervous?" he whispered.
"A little."
Robert patted her arm. "You love him, that's all that is important."
"Yes, I do. Very much," she replied. She started to say something else. She wanted to thank the only person in her life who'd been with her through thick and thin, but Robert wasn't having any of her sentimentality.
"Save it for later. You’re about to be married."
Robert brought her to Henry's side and stepped back. Before he did, he kissed his sister on the cheek, smiling at her.
Anna turned toward her groom. He took her arm from Robert and stood beside her, facing the vicar.
The vicar began the ceremony. "We are gathered here together to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony..."
She heard Henry take a deep breath, then exhale next to her. The vicar continued with the rite, but Anna found herself almost unable to concentrate. She wanted to pinch herself. Here she stood with the man she’d fallen madly in love with about to say her vows, promising herself to him for all their lives.
Suddenly, she realized the vicar was addressing Henry. She'd completely missed the vicar asking Henry if he would have her as his wedded wife.
"I will," Henry replied. He stood tall, in a sleek black suit with a sapphire waistcoat and a crisp white shirt and cravat.
Anna then found herself vowing the same things, smiling up at Henry as she did.
A hand encircled hers, and the next thing she knew Henry was staring at her as he said the words. "With this ring I thee wed..." A gold band slid over her finger. The vicar pronounced them husband and wife. She raised her head and met her husband's eyes for the first time.
Henry took a step forward and covered her mouth with his own, deepening the kiss far more than Anna felt he should. At least in front of all these people. But she knew Henry didn't care what others thought. His hands encircled her waist as the kiss continued.
The kiss became something more. More like a bonding, it was daring, sensual and scandalous all at the same time.
Then Henry pulled away as she curled her fingers around his elbow. They turned to face Robert, Jane, and Norwood.
"I believe the vicar has some papers for us to sign," Henry whispered. He led her to a small table where a register and other papers sat waiting.
