Page 28 of The Viscount's Diamond Bride
Graham closed his eyes. He’d heard the wedding sermon countless times before. He had imagined that one day, he would be hearing that sermon for himself, but the reality was far stranger than he could ever have imagined.
Was it his imagination, or was Ursula trembling ever so slightly? He glanced down at her out of the corner of his eye.Yes, she was certainly nervous. Her expression was set, her brow furrowed, and her jaw was tight.
Graham wished he could say something or do something to make her feel more at ease.
I can hardly blame her for feeling unsettled,he thought miserably.Once we are husband and wife, she’ll be bound to me irrevocably.
It was odd to think that matrimony was framed as some sort of wonderful, blissful state for women, when everybody knew the reality was entirely different.
The rector droned on, with a slight bored and faraway expression on his face. No doubt the man enjoyed the sound of his own voice more than he would like to admit. Graham glanced at Ursula again. She was fidgeting this time, transferring her fresh-smelling bunch of flowers from one hand to the other. Her gaze was still fixed on the rector, but the frown between her brows hadn’t disappeared.
Graham wasn’t sure what made him reach out, gingerly touching the back of her hand with his forefinger. She flinched at the touch, but the rector did not seem to notice. She half-turned to look up at him, then seemed to remember where she was and what was going on. Graham offered a brief smile, which she returned after a moment. He hoped that the smile was an encouraging one.
A sense of unease was taking root in his gut. After the ceremony, the wedding breakfast would take place, andthatcelebration would likely last for hours. Following that, therewould be nothing left but for Graham and his new bride to climb into a carriage and return back to his home.
And then the question of the wedding night would begin.
Graham wasn’t a fool. He knew that young brides rarely knew what was in store for them. He’d heard sad tales of women who believed that babies came from prayer or grew on the outside of one’s body like a growth, only to be plucked when the time came.
He imagined that their first introduction to the realities of life was not particularly pleasant.
Should I insist on sharing her bed tonight, and get it over with?Graham thought, heart pounding.The matrimony must be consummated, after all. Perhaps she expects it, and is resigned.
Well, that was an unpleasant thought. No true man would ever lie with a woman who was onlyresigned. If left to consult only his own feelings, Graham knew exactly what he would do.
Ursula was beautiful, and intriguing, and made his blood pound faster in his veins. The idea of taking her in his arms was a fascinating one. He could make the experience agreeable, he knew that.Morethan agreeable. Ladies had to remain maids until they were wedded, but gentlemen had no such expectations placed upon them, assuming that they were reasonably discreet.
An ache formed in the pit of Graham’s stomach.
She does not love me,he reminded himself.I may be the lesser of two evils, but I should not convince myself that any true affection resides within her.
Not yet, at least.
“And now we shall move onto the vows,” the rector said, making Graham flinch. He turned to face Ursula, who stared up at him with that same crease between her brows.
“Do you, Lord Graham Sinclair…” the rector began, intoning the usual vows. Swallowing hard, Graham spoke.
“I do.”
“And do you, Lady Ursula Fairmont, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
Ursula’s response was much fainter, but still loud enough.
“I do,” she responded.
The rings were exchanged in silence. Graham noticed that Ursula’s hand shook when she pushed the ring onto his finger. Her hands were cold, and he felt a sudden urge to take them in his own hands and press some warmth into them.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the rector concluded, sounding thoroughly pleased with himself. Dutiful applause broke out over the congregation.
Taking Ursula’s hand in his, Graham turned silently to face the assembled throng.
Lord and Lady Sinclair. We are now Lord and Lady Sinclair.
He had almost decided that it was best to start as he meant to go on. Their matrimony would be a proper one.
If she allowed it, he would share Ursula’s bed that very night.
Chapter Ten
