Page 53 of Adoringly, Edward
Please hurry,she begged.I can hardly stand to wait any longer.
“So close now, Eddie,” Clara reassured. “You’re almost there.”
But unable to hold himself up any longer, Edward slumped down on the stone staircase leading into the castle, the remaining stairs taunting him with jeers and laughter. There were too many. He couldn’t do it.
“I need to rest for a moment.”
Over the last several days, he’d noticed his energy returning. His heart episodes became less frequent. His body and mind didn’t feel quite so fatigued. The palace doctor said it was a good sign, and that he would likely recover all the way from his poisoning. But it would still take some time to heal, especially for his lung.
Before he could gasp for another breath, two people grabbed him beneath the arms and hoisted him up the rest of the staircase, only for him to discover it was Barnaby and Charles with Tobie trailing behind. He couldn’t help but laugh at his weakness, even as his heart warmed with gratitude.
At the top of the stairs, they placed him back on his feet but heavily supported his weight.
“You were taking ages!” Barnaby cried. “We were on our way to hand deliver you to the altar ourselves. We never thought your delay was because you couldn’t make it up the stairs.”
“I was doing just fine,” Edward jested, brushing a piece of lint off his dress jacket. But as a servant rushed forward with a glass of water, he downed the entire thing in a few gulps and handed back the glass. “I’ll be there. I need to quickly take care of one more item of business.”
“All right,” Tobie tsked, wagging a finger at him. “But if you’re even five more minutes, we’ll drag you by the scruff.”
His friends disappeared down the hallway, and Edward took a moment to straighten his clothing before rounding another corner with his sister in tow. Duke Hastings sat in a chair, a disgruntled expression on his face.
“Don’t miss the wedding,” Edward murmured quietly to Clara.
“I won’t,” she promised, out of breath and clearly nervous when her hands kept wringing over gloved fingers.
“What is this about, Beaumont?” the duke growled as he stood. “Why did you want to meet?”
“Just a simple social visit. You remember my sister, Clara.”
Unbothered by the man’s attitude, Edward guided Clara forward, and she hastily dipped into a curtsy. She touched the Duke’s ruby necklace clasped around her neck and glanced shyly at the man. “I am flattered over the gift you sent me, Duke Hastings. You have such fine taste in jewelry.”
“I did what? No, they weren’t for you. They were for…” But then he trailed off, blinking slowly as his gaze took in his sister as if looking at her in a new light. She looked beautiful today, wearing a daring red dress and a hairdo that had taken a servant two hours to complete. Red was a striking color against her black hair. Striking and bold. Which was exactly what she needed to be today.
And then Hastings’ expression softened, and Edward didn’t miss the hint of hope in his eyes. “Ah, yes. The gift for Lady Clara.” He cleared his throat. “I am so glad you like them. You know, they were imported from across the seas from this beautiful city called Valhedra.” The man offered Clara his arm, and his voice moved farther out of reach as they ventured down the hallway together. Over her shoulder, his sister mouthedthank you.
He simply smiled, wanting to see her happy. Perhaps their sibling relationship could still be mended. It would likely take time, but he finally had hope.
But then his eyes widened as he spun around and quickened his pace down the hallway until he turned the corner andentered the corridor leading toward the back entrance of the palace chapel.
His heart jumped to his throat when he spotted his beautiful bride pacing back and forth before the window, dressed in a stunning green and cream gown with golden accents in the embroidery.
His mouth dried. His skin flushed. Her dress was beautiful. But the woman wearing it managed to outshine it.
His gaze traveled down her curled hair flowing over her shoulders and to the foresty crown lying on top of her head. Emotion caught in his throat when he spotted the necklace of pine cones he’d made for her weaved into the crown as if she were a forest nymph, her beauty next to none.
Behind her, the warlord nodded in Edward’s direction, and a moment later, Vivienne spun around to face him. Relief spilled over her features as he approached and kissed her cheek.
“You look absolutely ravishing.” He took her hand and spun her in a slow circle, admiring the way the dress flowed around her with the movement.
“Edward!” she giggled, playfully swatting his shoulder. “You ought not to see the bride before the wedding. Where have you been?”
“I was occupied.”
She placed her hands on her hips, bringing his attention to the short, lacy gloves covering each delicate finger. “Too occupied to attend your own wedding? My mind worked through every possible terrible scenario, and I felt every possible emotion in your absence. I would be far too angry at you for putting me through so much distress if I didn’t love you so much.”
When she spotted her fan he still hadn’t returned in the breast pocket of his dress coat, splayed out to reveal a lace similar to that of her gloves, a large smile spread across her face.
“I was taking care of Clara and settling a debt.” He winked. “I’ll act like I haven’t seen you yet. Viscount’s honor.”
