Page 72 of The Duke's Stubborn Wallflower
Alexander asked. “Are you ready?”
“Is it normal to feel that you might be sick?” Nigel’s stomach gurgled.
“Perfectly. Especially after two bottles of wine?” Alexander made it a question.
“God, I have no idea.” Nigel shook his head. “But I do not think it is the wine.”
“It is probably love then.” Alexander clapped Nigel on the shoulder. “Come, Lady Cotswalts has made all the arrangements and will have both our hides if we are late.”
“And I suspect if she does not, my lovely wife certainly will.” Nigel smiled.I love the sound of that.
“She will not be your wife if we do not get to the house.” Alexander strode from the room, and Nigel followed him.
In Pembleton Manor, Olivia stared at herself in the mirror. Her dress was everything she had imagined.I look like royalty.Her hair was elegantly curled atop her head, and she wore a pearl necklace that her mother had worn on her own wedding day.
Beside her, Jane’s eyes filled with tears. “You look wonderful.”
“Thank you.” Olivia turned to face Jane, feeling a peculiar fluttering sensation in her stomach. “Goodness, I feel almost as though I might faint. In a good way though.”
Lady Cotswalts nodded sagely. “I felt much the same on my wedding day.”
“As did I.” a voice said from the doorway.
Olivia’s mother, Christine Rokesby, the Dowager Duchess of Emberly, walked through the open door and held her arms wide. “It is so wonderful to see you, my darling girl.”
“Mother!” Olivia threw herself at her mother, letting herself be wrapped in her tight embrace. “I am so glad you’re here.”
“I would not have missed your wedding. I am only sorry I did not arrive sooner.” The Dowager Duchess smiled. “I had planned on being here sooner, and indeed we were making good time, but then the horse threw a shoe, and the carriage wheel broke.” The Dowager Duchess shook her head. “I confess, I was worried that we would miss your special day altogether.”
“Well, I am deeply grateful you are here. And are the twins and Marie with you too?” Olivia asked glancing around, half expecting her three siblings to rush through the door at any moment.
“Of course. They wanted to see you, but I thought it would be more lovely if they were surprised when you entered the garden.” Olivia’s mother nodded towards the window.
When Nigel had first suggested they get married by special license, Olivia had agreed on the basis that they would be able to get married anywhere and at any time they wanted.
“I am not from a family of early risers.” Olivia had laughed.
“Nor I, so that is lucky.” Nigel beamed at her. “Where would you like to get married? We could rent a palace or a house.”
“How would you feel about the gardens at Pembleton Manor?” Olivia asked.
Nigel paused for a moment. “I think that sounds perfect.”
In the present, Olivia looked out of the window at the marquee that Lady Cotswalts had arranged. She was deeply curious about what would be waiting for her, but Lady Cotswalts had insisted that it be a surprise.
The clock chimed ten, and Olivia’s breath caught.It is time.
“Are you ready?” the Dowager Duchess asked, her eyes brimming with tears.
Olivia nodded. “Yes.”
Nigel tried not to fidget as he stood in front of the floral archway. It was a marvellous creation of magnolias and lavender. The smell reminded him of Olivia. He breathed in deeply and felt a strange calmness settle over him.
He glanced behind him and locked eyes with his mother, who smiled and mouthed, “not yet.” His glance showed him that the small collection of guests was still trickling in.
The first few rows had been reserved for their families, and Nigel had spotted the Rokesbys and Rose all chatting to Lord Pembleton and Rose’s other sister, Emily.
Behind them sat servants. Originally, the seats would have been for various members of the ton but having cancelled their wedding and then un-cancelled it at such short notice, they had decided not to bother telling anyone.
