Page 9 of For a Lady's Fiery Heart
"Lord Highclere wanted you to have the best. You need not worry about money anymore, dearest," her mother replied.
Caroline swallowed hard, trying to keep the tears at bay. "I am afraid, Mama," she said softly.
Her mother waved her hand at the maid, signalling that she wanted a moment alone with her daughter. As soon as the maid left, her mother turned her around and took her hands.
"I know that you are nervous. Everything laid before you is unknown, but I assure you everything will be fine. You are kind and compassionate, and strong. You will find a way to make good of this situation. I am certain of it."
Caroline nodded. "Thank you, Mama. I wish there was a way to know that all of this would work out. Even after a month, I barely know James."
Her mother reached up and dried a tear from her cheek.
"I know. However, I have seen that Viscount Hereford is a kind soul. I know that he will be patient with you."
Tears came to her mother's eyes, and she stilled for a moment as if making a memory of Caroline's face that she could carry with her. "Well, now," she said, looking away. "We do not want to be late. We should away to the church."
A half-hour later, Caroline walked up the steps toward the village church on her father's arm. Her mother and Grace went in ahead of them and took their seats, waiting in anticipation for the bride to come through the back doors of the church.
Her father opened the door for her, and she took a steadying breath as they headed down the darkened antechamber toward the sanctuary. Her father glanced over at her, patting her hand linked through his arm.
"You are a vision, my dear girl," he said softly. Tears welled in his eyes, but he did not allow them to drop to his cheeks. "I am very proud of you."
Caroline let out a small laugh.
"Thank you, Papa." Things were still a little tense between her and her father. She could not help but be a little angry at the situation, for it was his carelessness that had forced her to marry in the first place. None of them would be here now if it were not for his gambling.
But there was no going back now. All she could hope was that James would not be the sort of husband to try and dampen her spirit. In the last few weeks of getting to know him, she did not feel James would try to do so.
She looked through the doorway and saw James standing at the altar, his back still turned toward the bishop. Her heart quickened at the sight of him. The organ music swelled, and they started down the aisle. She tried her best to smile as they passed her family and friends on the left and James's on the right.
When they were near the front, she caught Lord Highclere's eye and inwardly cringed. While James had proven himself genuine and kind, she was still unsure she could trust his father. There was something about him that did not sit quite right with her.
Caroline looked away when Lord Highclere met her gaze. She felt something sinister there but had not wanted to say anything to James or her family. She not only accepted his proposal for the well-being of her father and family but for her own sake. There was as good a chance as with anyone else that she and James would be able to build a life together, and one that was not just a surface-level relationship.
Viscount Hereford turned around, and the smile lit his face all the way to his eyes. There was such a look of admiration and attraction that her heart nearly stopped. She had the sense that he was not only marrying her to help further his family's holdings but because he genuinely liked her as well.
"Hello, there," he whispered as she came to stand beside him.
Smiling, she felt a blush rise in her cheeks. "Hello," she whispered back.
The bishop began the ceremony. She did her best to keep her eyes focused on James. As she did so, the nausea she had been battling for most of the morning dissipated.
The ceremony passed in a blur and was very sweet and short. As the bishop announced them as man and wife, they turned around to present themselves to the congregation. Everyone began to clap and offer congratulations as they walked down the aisle and out into the cool spring morning.
They hurried down the uneven stone steps leading to the dirt lane, rice flying above their heads as the village folk congratulated them. She giggled, climbing into the open-air carriage so they could head to her new home at Thorneby Place. James settled beside her, and they waved as they drove through the town.
"You look beautiful," James said, turning toward her slightly and resting his arm over the back of the carriage seat. She turned to him as well, blushing furiously.
"You do, too," she replied. "I mean, not beautiful," she amended quickly. "Well, you know what I mean," she laughed.
He joined in with her laughter and a wonderful sound it was. "Well, thank you." He sighed and looked up at the cloudless blue sky, watching as a flock of sparrows flew overhead. She followed his gaze, leaning her head against the back of the seat.
His arm circled her shoulders, and she scooted closer to him. It was a rare moment of intimacy for which she had not been prepared. Until then, they had been carefully watched by chaperones or their parents. Now, they were entirely alone, and she was unsure how to act or feel. She sat up straight once more, feeling like her heart was about to beat out of her chest.
In all her years since coming out, she had never felt this way about any man. It seemed strange that her heart would flutter so, now married to a man who had been chosen for her rather than someone with whom she had fallen in love on her own. However, life was not a fairytale, as her parents had constantly reminded her over the last few weeks.
"Well, it is a beautiful day, isn't it? I am glad the rain held off."
Caroline said, trying to make conversation. She was not exactly sure what one was supposed to say after being married. How were they to move forward now that the thing was done? She looked down at her ring finger, spinning the exquisite gold and diamond band. It sparkled in the sunlight, and she smiled at her new husband.
