Page 104 of A Duchess Bound
“But that…that cannot be,” Gerard said. “I have seen the paperwork. I have…”
“Something for the solicitors to handle,” Leedway said breezily. “The sentiment is the same.”
Gerard scarcely dared to breathe as he gazed at Dorothy. She gazed at him with that same tenderness with which he had onceseen her look at Lady Bridget. No one had ever gazed at him with such love. Gerard felt himself nodding.
“I am sorry for the deception,” Dorothy said softly.
“Oh, do not be!” he huffed. “ThankGodit is you!”
Gerard drew her in for a quick kiss, drawing a startled scoff from the vicar. Someone—possibly Leedway—made a low, growling sound. “This is achurch,” Leedway said.
“Are we going to continue?” the vicar asked.
Gerard broke the kiss, grinning victoriously. “Yes,” he breathed. “Yes, I want to continue. I want to marry Dorothy.”
“Gerard Layton, the Duke of Greenway.” The vicar sounded hopelessly confused by the scene unfolding before him, but he seemed resolved to continue. “Wilt thou have this woman as thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will,” Gerard said.
Dorothy’s face brightened, a warm glow spreading over her cheeks. If she would only agree, they would truly be married. Dorothy would be the Duchess of Greenway, his wife. Hiswife!
The vicar turned to Dorothy. “Lady Dorothy Leedway, wilt thou have this man as thy wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him?—”
At the wordobey, Dorothy’s lips twitched into a small, conspiratorial smirk.
“—and serve him, love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will,” Dorothy said, her eyes shining with mirth.
Gerard grinned at her. He just barely refrained from making a sly remark in response.
The ceremony continued, and Gerard began to find it frustrating for an entirely different reason. Now, the ceremony seemed as though it was taking too long because of what he knew would follow. Dorothy would be his wife, and they could tumble into bed together. They could consummate their marriage.
His loins stirred with tantalizing thoughts of Dorothy and him engaged in yet another amorous congress together. At last, the ceremony ended. Gerard let out a breath of air, desire surging through him.
“It is time for the celebration,” Leedway said, smiling. “Welcome to the family, Layton.”
To their family. Gerard stared at Leedway and at his brother-in-law, as the significance of that just sank in. It was not just that he was married to Dorothy, but now, he was a part of this wonderful, loving family. He gave a small nod, uncertain how he ought to react.
“Yes,” Dorothy said, placing her hand at the crook of his elbow. “Welcome, my husband.”
“Shall we inform Bridget that it is done?” Her Grace asked, smiling brightly.
“But she…” Gerard trailed off. “Bridget will still be…”
“Yes,” Leedway said, glancing at the Duke of Sarsen. “She will be, and that is something that has been much discussed among us all. But we will tend to Fourton.”
“The matter should have always been ours to handle,” Her Grace added.
“Yes, within our family,” Leedway said, smiling wryly, “which you are now a part of, but we will consider your contributions at a later date. I anticipate that your attention will be occupied with another matter for some time.”
“Yes,” Dorothy said, pressing her cheek against Gerard’s shoulder.
His wife. She washis wife.
A startled laugh emerged from his throat. “I suppose you are right, Leedway.”
His time would be well-occupied with this wondrous woman, who had promised to be his love forever. Gerard ached to seize her and pull her body flush against his own. He thought of drawing her close and kissing her again and again until she moaned his name and forgot that there were other people in the chapel. He could not do that just yet, but he would be able to soon.
