Page 57 of Enticed By an Earl
“A duke, I would wager,” Dev spoke up, sliding an arm around Kit’s waist to support him. “A duke who has reason to wish to ruin me due to a personal matter.”
Kit let out a heavy breath, glancing up at Dev. If ever there were a way to counteract the word of a duke it was by bringing the man’s motivations into question.
The vicar must have felt it as well. “I cannot risk the desecration of my office and this church by even entertaining the idea of going against God’s will,” he said.
“God’s will is love,” Lady Russell insisted. “There is nothing abominable in uniting two people in love.”
Kit’s tears continued to flow, but he worried Lady Russell’s comment was too much.
The vicar sighed and sagged, pressing his fingertips to his forehead.
A moment later, he jerked straight again, as if inspired. “I will consent to performing this marriage if Miss Dryden is examined by a physician to ascertain the truth of her person.”
The congregation hummed at the unusual declaration. Kit turned his face toward Dev and sank against his shoulder. A doctor would discover the truth. Everything would be over. He would likely be sent to Bedlam or worse.
Everything seemed decided against him when a gentleman in one of the front pews stood and turned to the congregation, asking, “Is there, by any chance, a physician present who might examine the bride?”
The question itself was enough to spark more gasps and a few looks of outrage from other ladies in the pews.
“That is an outrageous request,” Lady Everly said, standing with her fists clenched at her sides. “What kind of churchman would subject a terrified bride to an examination by a physician on her wedding day?”
No sooner had she finished her protest when a man stood near the back of the church, hand raised, and said, “I am a physician.”
Kit squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, then glanced up at Dev. “I am sorry,” he whispered. “It was never my intention to bring ruin on you this way.”
“My darling,” Dev said, shifting to face him and take Kit’s face in his hands. “You could never ruin me. I love you too much.” He wiped Kit’s tears with his thumbs.
That only caused Kit to cry more. He was certain he looked a fright, between his tears and fading bruises, which, again, might have helped his cause as society widely regarded women as the only ones who wept out their emotions, as he turned to face the approaching physician.
“If you will come with me to the vestry, Miss Dryden,” the physician said, bowing to Kit and Dev. He was a youngishsort of man and handsome with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“I will not allow her to be violated,” Dev said, holding Kit close.
“I will not allow you to manhandle my friend and charge,” Lady Everly said, stepping up onto the chancel.
“I…I suppose it would be wise to have witnesses,” the physician said, glancing to the vicar and raising his eyebrows in question.
“Yes,” the vicar said. “Witnesses.”
Kit did not think his humiliation could be greater. But then the physician turned to the congregation and asked, “Is there a disinterested gentleman who could serve as a witness as well?”
The first sign Kit had that all was not as it seemed was when Mr. Wilkes spoke up from the back of the church with lightning speed and said, “I will serve as a witness.” He started forward to the front of the church before the physician could even call upon him or thank him.
More than that, when Wilkes reached the chancel with the rest of them, he sent Kit a reassuring look.
Something was definitely afoot. As their too-large party moved from the chancel into the vestry, Kit did not know whether to dread what was about to happen or to welcome it.
The vestry was a tight fit for all the people who filled it. Dev stayed close to Kit’s side, eyeing the physician suspiciously. Lady Everly rushed forward to take Kit’s hand and to help lead her to a chair in the corner where she could sit. Wilkes stayed near the door, and when the vicar tried to join them in the room, he blocked the way.
“Reverend, I am certain you can understand the fear and embarrassment of Miss Dryden at having so many men present in such a delicate circumstance,” he said.
“You will leave the physician to his work and you will not upset my bride more than she is already upset,” Dev growled at the vicar.
“I…yes, of course,” the vicar said, bowing and backing up.
Wilkes shut the door on the man, sealing their group into the stuffy vestry.
Kit’s anxiety about the matter did not diminish at all, even though nearly everyone in the room was a friend. The physician was a complete unknown, and he was the only one whose opinion mattered.
