Page 73 of The Duke's Stubborn Wallflower
“Besides, Lady Cotswalts made sure they would all join us at the ball to celebrate afterwards.” Nigel knelt to stroke Dandelion behind on of her ears.
As Nigel faced the archway, he twirled his top hat in his hands. “The congregation might be small, but it is perfect.”
“Hello, it is so good to see you!” he had said as he and Alexander had arrived.
Olivia’s siblings had all thrown themselves at Nigel, demanding a hug and expressing disappointment at not being allowed to see Olivia.
“Well, I expect we shall all be in for a surprise,” Nigel had joked.
“Well, you are the groom! It is bad luck to see Olivia before the wedding,” Rose had chided before giving Nigel a hug and Alexander, her husband, a kiss.
The sound of laughter brought Nigel to the present, and he glanced over his shoulder in time to see his mother, Lady Cotswalts, and the Dowager Duchess Emberly with their heads bowed and giggling hysterically.
They reminded Nigel of three people whose plan had come to fruition, and he felt a sneaking suspicion take hold of him. A breeze rushed through the marquee, and beside him, Dandelion wagged her tail and stared up at him.
“I’m glad you’re here girl.” Nigel ruffled her fur.
Dandelion had a bow tied around her neck and was scratching at it. Before Nigel could stop her, he was distracted by the sound of the musicians beginning to play. He turned to see Olivia, the picture of radiance, walking down the aisle towards him.
“Oh.” Nigel murmured, completely awestruck by the sight of his future wife.She is perfection. She was right to make me wait to see this dress.
As Olivia walked into the garden, she took in just how magnificent it all looked. No expense had been spared, the marquee was an exquisite, sweeping structure of white and gold. At each end of the marquee were two arches. The first, would be where she entered.
As Olivia hovered at the first archway, she caught sight of her mother, Lady Cotswalts, and Nigel’s mother all talking animatedly to one another at the front of the congregation. Realisation struck Olivia, and she shook her head in disbelief.
“They were all in this together,” Olivia murmured to Jane as she looked at the women.
“It would appear so,” Jane agreed, gently gripping Olivia’s arm to stop her entering the marquee to early.
Olivia made a mental note to remember to the power of meddling mothers. She desperately wanted to peer further into the marquee, but Jane held her firmly in place.
“You need to wait,” Jane said simply.
“But it’s just a little peek!” Olivia looked pleadingly at her friend, but the other woman would not be convinced.
After what seemed like an eternity, Alexander appeared at the entrance to the marquee.
“How do I look?” Olivia asked, suddenly worrying at his strange expression. “Is there something wrong with my hair?”Surely Jane would have said?
“You look wonderful. I just… I never expected to see my little sister so grown up.” He offered her an arm.
Olivia smiled at him. “Well, I am.”
“Shall we go in?” Alexander asked.
Olivia nodded, and they entered the marquee. As soon as she stepped inside, the music began.
Her breath caught as she saw the beautiful floral arch that Lady Cotswalts had commissioned. The chairs were full of familiar faces: her family and the servants of the Pembleton, Glassley, and Emberly estates.
Beneath the arch stood Nigel. His characteristically windswept hair was almost hidden beneath his top hat. Olivia could see the slight tension in his shoulders, and she longed to run to him.
Alexander had left Nigel a moment before.Of course, I would marry someone who would have his best man also give me away.
Olivia strode down the aisle in her beautiful white satin dress, the silver lamé catching in the light. She looked like a woman of myth, beautiful beyond anything Nigel had ever imagined.
As Olivia made her way towards Nigel, she wondered that the guests could not hear the pounding of her heart.He is so handsome. He had had a morning suit tailored just for the occasion, and Jane had embroidered a tiny Olive branch onto his lapel.
The adornment was a break from tradition, but seeing it made Olivia’s heart soar. It was a symbol of his love for her and a joke that Jane had made about their relationship needing an olive branch.
