Page 108 of The Scarred Duchess
He walked past her to be confronted by a bevy of ladies. Two were known to him. “Lady Matlock, Lady Catherine, will you not do the honours?”
Lady Catherine rolled her eyes. “Your Grace, we shall entertain none of your foolish trifling. We have a bride to prepare!”
“An archbishop never dilly-dallies,” he replied drolly, prompting light laughter from the ladies. “May I address the bride?” he asked.
The gaggle parted to reveal a swan, glorious in feathery cream. She held a cream-coloured Easter bonnet with a veil. “Your Excellency,” she replied.
The archbishop studied her for a moment. “You resemble the delightful young lady my young cousin Darcy wed.”
“My sister Elizabeth.”
Mrs Darcy stepped from behind a screen and curtseyed to him. Nodding, he looked round the room. “Is your mother with us?”
A handsome woman of some forty years displayed her deference. “I am Mrs Thomas Bennet, Your Excellency.”
“Have you any more daughters, madam?”
“I have three.”
The archbishop watched as a trio of beautiful youngladies curtseyed. “How fortuitous for England.” He turned back to the bride. “Miss Bennet, might I enquire how long you have known Lord Somerset?”
“All of my life. We grew up as neighbours in Hertfordshire.”
“That must be quite the tale.”
“We would enjoy sharing it with you one day at Somerset Place,” she said, blushing.
“An event I shall anticipate.” As he stepped through the opened door, he turned back. “Recall the wisdom of Shakespeare. “‘Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.’”
He was pleased to see the future duchess put her hand to her heart and sigh.
After the ceremony, Jane stood beside John as they waited to sign the wedding registry. Jane looked up at her husband when he squeezed her hand. “Yes?”
“I am reassuring myself the apparition next to me is of this earth.”
“You silly man. I needed the time to reassure myself that I could make you happy.”
“And my word was not enough?” When Jane shook her head, her eyebrow lifted teasingly, John pressed her. “Who then convinced you to finally accept me?”
Jane crooked her finger, beckoning him to put his ear near her lips. “God whispered your name.” She sighed when he kissed her ringed hand. “For eternity.”
The registry signed, the newly married duke and duchess climbed into their carriage, content in the comfortable silencethat only two people deeply in love can share. Eventually John broke the quiet, his voice light and teasing.“I have a gift for you,” he offered as he kissed her hand.
“Do you?” she asked, her gaze full of mischief.
“I do.” He pulled a small box from his pocket.
“John,” she protested, “I do not need more finery. The current requirements of this office already test my patience.”
“Allthe requirements, my dear?”
Jane kissed him. “As this carriage cannot travel faster, I must then repeat myself.”
John kissed her. “And I shall repeat myself as well.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “If you must, your Grace.”
“I desire I must,” he murmured and kissed her until she was breathless.
