Page 28 of Duchess By Accident
Melody shook her head. “I want to. Besides, Nanny Green will be with me.”
“If you are sure.” Adrian took out his pocket watch. “We should make our way there. The ceremony is about to start.”
Melody nodded and for a moment, Adrian thought she was going to hold his hand, but instead, she fell into step beside him and they made their way to the garden.
Nanny Green was waiting to escort Melody to her seat. “Let us go around the side, it will be less crowded.”
Adrian watched Melody look towards the crowd and the tent, stiffen and then nod.It is better that she is not seen. She does not need that scrutiny.
Silence fell as he entered the tent, and Adrian stood taller. With the adjustments to the height of tent, he struck an imposing figure, but did not need to stoop to accommodate his height and hat. He could feel the gaze of the congregation upon him as he made his way towards the dais.
“I wonder what is so special about this Lady Natalie that someone like her caught his eye.” The statement drifted over to him, and Adrian followed it to a woman sitting in the back row with her friend.One of the ton gossips. Miss Carmichael, I believe.
Their eyes met briefly, and she snapped her mouth shut, colouring slightly and looking away. He smiled and continued to saunter down the aisle, pausing to greet most people, and then taking his place on the raised dais they had erected.
“Good to see you, Bishop.” Adrian greeted the wizened man before him, ensuring his voice rang out and feeling the eyes of the congregation snap toward him..
The bishop nodded. “And you. Your Grace.”
At that moment music began to swell. The doves that Lady Natalie had requested be released upon her entrance, took flight. He had, of course, doubled their number, and the sight of two dozen doves obscured her from the crowd.
“And now to see this masterpiece.” Adrian muttered to himself, as he waited for the birds to get out of the way.
The crowd gasped, and only many years of schooling his face and emotions prevented Adrian from gaping. Even so, for a few moments, all he could do was blink.
Lady Natalie stood tall and regal, holding a delicate bouquet of flowers in her hands. The lines of her gown turned her height into a majestic figure, like a Greek goddess somehow made flesh. She wore white flowers tucked into a fine lace headband. And her smile made her even more radiant.
“I understand why the dress cost so much.” Adrian muttered taking it in as she walked towards him, her brother, Duke Emberly beside her.
The dress looked as though it were starlight made into fabric. It was elegantly cut white silk, with silver embroidery that caught the sunlight. The neckline was low as was the fashion, drawing attention to her smooth skin.
“Well she has certainly done well for herself!” one whisperer muttered.
“That Duke is a lucky man. I wish she were my wife.” A man said.
Adrian could not tear his eyes from Lady Natalie, but felt a surprising swell of satisfaction at the stranger’s words.They will want what I have.They did not need to know that it was not a real marriage.
Each step Lady Natalie took seemed to make her more ethereal, more beautiful. Adrian’s mouth was suddenly dry, and he swallowed, trying to bring himself back under control.
His eyes met Lady Natalie’s and he realised his lips were parted slightly. Not enough to be a gape, but more than he had intended. He clenched his jaw, tight, but he saw the gleam of triumph in her eyes. The corners of his mouth quirked upwards, and he inclined his head towards her just the slightest amount.
“A point to you.” He murmured as she drew level with him.
“I have no idea what you are talking about. You asked me to find a new dress, and a new dress I have.” Lady Natalie answered sweetly.
Lemon and bergamot wafted over him, the smell of her perfume seeming to permeate every part of his body.
“And you are not afraid I will be unable to resist temptation?” Adrian whispered, smiling wolfishly.
Spots of colour appeared on her cheeks, but her own smile did not fade. “If there is one thing I am sure of, dear Duke, it is your capacity for control.”
Before Lady Natalie could say anything else, the Bishop began to speak. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony.”
Adrian barely listened to the words the bishop was saying. His eyes seemed determined to drift to the woman next him. Each time he looked at her, there was some new subtle detail he noticed.Is that an embroidered fox?
Their eyes met, and Lady Natalie flashed him a wolfish grin. He forced himself to stare at the bishop.What is wrong with me?
“Adrian Stone, Duke of Blackwood,” the sound of the bishop saying his name caught his attention, and he felt relief was over him. “Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
