Page 46 of A Duke's Unwanted Bride
“With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship.” Warner cleared his throat, spots of colour flooding his cheeks and Adele’s.
There can be nothing between us.
Adele leaned against him as the ceremony concluded, and he put an arm around her as they walked down the aisle. He knew they had a part to play.
I just wish it was not so easy to play it.
“Congratulations, Adelaide. May your union be long and happy.” Adele’s father stood before them.
“Thank you, Father.” Adele smiled back at him, and Warner gave her hand a squeeze. “I hope so too.”
“I trust you will both visit us.” Warner towered over the Earl and his wife.
“There is plenty of room at Scarfield castle though I appreciate the journey is rather long.” There was no hint of bitterness in Adele’s voice, and Warner felt a surge of pride as he saw the flicker of surprise in her parents’ eyes.
“It is rather far away, but we could always break the journey at Durnstable.” Lady Pinket smiled at her daughter.
“Whatever would be most convenient for you.” Adele replied, and Warner studied her face for some sign of discomfort or distress, but he saw none.
“I am sure we can arrange something.” Lady Pinket nodded and then gestured around them. “We can discuss it another time; no doubt there are others who wish to congratulate you before you leave.”
“Yes. There are.” Adele moved away from her parents, and Warner let her take his hand in hers and pull him towards the widows.
“Are you all right?” he murmured in her ear.
“I am.” Adele chewed on her bottom lip. “I… I thought it would be much harder than this, but it is not. I suppose you would think me a terrible person if I said I was actually rather enjoying myself.”
“Why would I think that?” He canted his head towards her.
She gestured around them, her usual defensiveness giving way to embarrassment. “Because none of this is real.”
“Tell that to the priest.” Warner gestured towards the man. “As far as the law is concerned, we are married.”
“You know what I mean. This is not a real marriage; it is not even my first and yet…” She trailed off, her cheeks going a bright shade of scarlet.
“And yet?” he prompted.
“It just feels more like me. It feels warmer, cosier somehow. I am less nervous than I was last time.” She swallowed. “I spent the whole day feeling out of sorts. It was beautiful and so full of life and colour, and yet… I do not know. It did not really feel like me.”
“I knew you did not like Regent’s Punch!” He teased her and saw her roll her eyes.
“Well no, but that is not what I was talking about. I think… I think it is something else.” Adele shook her head. “It just feels different. I cannot really explain more than that.”
“I suppose after your last wedding, the standard for a good time is rather low.” He laughed softly.
She laughed with him. “That is certainly one way to look at it.”
At that moment, the widows appeared, and they each embraced Adele. He watched as they stole her away, and he saw the easy grace with which she chatted to them. Her whole face lit up as she laughed with them and they teased her.
His chest squeezed. He forced himself not to take a step towards her but then found himself at her side.Like a moth to a flame.He swallowed.
“The carriage is ready, Your Graces.” The footman swept into a low bow and gestured to the carriage.
“When did you arrange this?” Adele gasped as she turned to Warner.
He shrugged. “Did you think we would journey to Scarfield in the Phaeton? Those things are death traps. Besides, I was toldthat you have rather a soft spot for a fairy tale carriage, and four white horses seemed the least I could do.”
He saw her throat convulse as she swallowed, and he fought back the urge to stroke her skin with his finger. He linked an arm through hers and guided her into the carriage. He could feel every eye on him.
