Page 66 of From Best Friend to Bride
“Hey,” I whispered back, letting my smile go.
She inhaled sharply, then relaxed like someone had turned off an anxiety switch.
Nana beamed between us and took my hand. “Look after my girl, Freddie.”
I bent down and kissed her powdery cheek. “Always, Nana. I promise.”
She nodded and returned the kiss. “Don’t let her bully you,” she whispered in my ear.
With a laugh, I assured her I wouldn’t, and she whispered something to Deli as she kissed her.
Probably told her not to bully me.
Nana linked our hands together then stepped back, retaking her seat.
I turned my gaze to Deli, lightly squeezing her fingers. “You good?”
She nodded shakily. “Get on with it before I pass out.”
The officiant cleared his throat, and the wedding officially began.
At Granny’s behest we’d opted for the non-religious ceremony. Deli had breathed a firm sigh of relief at it, and I couldn’t say I was unhappy about this turn of events. As the officiant worked his way through his speech, I kept my gaze firmly on Deli.
She was a flight risk right now.
If anyone was going to run away from her own wedding, real or fake, I’d always had money on it being her.
As if she knew what I was thinking, she shot me a look and pursed her lips. Her eyes flashed with mischief, and I grinned. She squeezed my hand, poking her nail into my finger, and I just about managed to hide my wince as the sharp pain shot through me.
That was my warning.
I choked back my chuckle just as the officiant got to the vows. It was my turn first, and my heart skipped again as I met Deli’s eyes. She was nervous, but there was an unwavering trust in her copper gaze, and that trust snaked around me, strengthening my resolve.
“I, Frederick Albert Wellington, take you, Delilah Elizabeth Peters, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do us part,” I recited, finishing with a smile.
“Do you, Delilah Elizabeth Peters, take Frederick Albert Wellington, as your lawfully wedded husband?” the officiant asked, turning to Deli.
She swallowed, making her throat bob. “I, Delilah Elizabeth Peters, take you, Frederick Albert Wellington, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do us part.”
“The rings, please.”
Max stepped forwards and handed them over, and we both took one. They were simple gold bands, made to sit perfectly with Deli’s engagement ring. She rested her hand in mine, and I hovered the band over her fingertip.
“With this ring, I wed you and pledge to infuriate you for the rest of our lives.”
She pursed her lips, fighting back a laugh. Some among the guests weren’t as restrained, and even the officiant cracked a smile.
I slid the ring onto her finger, and we switched sides. Deli’s hand was cold as she took mine, and she squeezed my finger a little too tightly.
“With this ring, I wed you,” she said softly, pushing it over my fingertip. “And pledge to bring chaos to your days for the rest of our lives.”
I grinned, keeping my eyes on her face as she pushed it all the way down my finger.
“In accordance with the couple’s wishes, they will now make their formal vows to one another,” the officiant said. “Lord Frederick, Delilah, do you promise to respect each other as an individual and as your life-partner? Will you live together in happiness and as equals today and forever?”
Deli met my gaze, and we both nodded. “I will,” we echoed.
“With these words of promise to one another, may you live together in joy and peace. May you always find each other in companionship, laughter, and comfort.” He smiled, pushing his glasses up his nose. “I now pronounce you husband and wife, Lord and Lady Coventry.” He took a step back. “My lord, you may kiss your wife.”
