Page 99 of Crash Landing
Florence laughed at the look of stubborn resolve on Fiona’s face. Did she not often have that same look when arguing?
She thanked them both and was pleased they were going to witness their wedding, but was adamant about their not interfering with respect to the princess. “It is bad enough Trajan might face her wrath. I’ll not have anyone else hurt in this matter.”
Within the hour, Trajan had obtained the license from a most obsequious parish prelate who, indeed, could not do enough for these four Silver Dukes, and agreed to conduct the wedding ceremony immediately thereafter.
Florence felt so emotional while standing before the altar alongsideTrajan during the brief ceremony.
She never thought she would marry, much less for love. Or marry anyone as handsome, thoughtful, and kind.
If she had a thousand hearts, she would give them all to this man who stood beside her. As it was, she had only the one heart to give him, and she did so fully and completely.
She was sorry her dear friend, Jocelyn, Duchess of Camborne, was not here with her, for her husband was also one of these legendary Silver Dukes, and Florence had hoped they might be in Town. But Camborne’s estates were in Scotland, and she did not think they would often make the long trip south.
However, it was so very nice to have Fiona beside her. She had experienced her own heartaches and found happiness with Durham. Florence and Trajan had been there to see that lovely moment last summer. It was right that Fiona and Durham should now be here for their moment.
A wealth of recollections flooded Florence as she stood at the altar, the years of anguish and frustration in trying to figure out why her family did not love her, all her attempts to win them over. But they thought her worthless no matter how hard she had tried to please them.
Trajan insisted she was not to blame and seemed to think there was something more behind her family’s behavior.
She dreaded finding out the truth.
But she was also coming to believe the fault was never with her.
Then what was the cause?
She could endure the truth because Trajan was beside her. He loved her and would stand beside her because he loved her.
What a miracle this was. He thought she was someone remarkable and special.
Tears streamed down Florence’s face as she said, “I do.”
Trajan’s smile was beaming as he repeated his vows.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the prelate said.
Trajan let out a highly inappropriate whoop that was met with a frown from this man of the cloth, but Trajan did not seem to care. He lifted Florence up in his arms and twirled her in front of the altar. “Your stitches!” she cried.
He laughed. “Let every one of them burst. I have a wife who will tend me if I bleed.”
“Put me down, you wonderful fool! I do not want you bleeding to death on our wedding day.” But she wiped her tears and smiled with radiant happiness, for this marked the start of a happy, new life.
They shared a kiss once he set her down, and then their friends rushed forward to offer their congratulations.
Ramsdale, Bromleigh, and Durham all signed as witnesses, lest there be any questions raised about the hasty marriage.
Florence was floating on air, never happier…until she noticed several royal guardsmen darkening the church’s entry.
As though acting on warrior instinct, the Silver Dukes immediately surrounded her, Trajan—or Weymouth, as she had better get used to referring to him—standing in front of her.
A squawking Fiona was shoved protectively behind all of them, although Florence thought her friend was as fierce as any warrior and was glad to have her on her side, even if it was to take up the rear.
Nor was Florence the sort to back down from any confrontation.
In truth, she wanted to be at the forefront. If there were to be a fight, she did not want Trajan or any of their friends involved or hurt.
One of the guardsmen stepped forward. “Your Graces,” he said, addressing her and Trajan. “Her Royal Highness requests that Her Grace attend her immediately.”
Trajan had sent off their request for an audience just before they left to collect their friends for their wedding ceremony. That the Princess of Wales should respond so urgently meant something was wrong.
