Page 7 of A Gentleman's Wife

Thomas blinked, heart tripping in his own selfish blindness. Had he rushed into this without even considering his future wife’s needs? “Is this an injury of some sort? Surely we can delay if you need to rest.”

She shook her head, finally looking up from under her bonnet in earnest. “Oh no, please. I promise I am well enough. And I would hate to disrupt things, especially since everyone is already present. I only intended to prepare you so you’re not surprised. And know that I will strive to keep from embarrassing you.”

Had Thomas’s heart not already been occupied, he’d surely have called his new bride quite pretty. Large blue eyes, so pale they looked almost crystal. Strong brows and lashes, a long nose at the center of her oval face, and full, pink lips. She stood a head shorter than him, and he could have rested his chin atop her brown hair with ease… Lady Finley, too, had brown hair, but the woman before him was nothing like her. Where Lady Finley exuded confidence, Miss Taylor was all doe-eyed innocence. Where Lady Finley could charm and deceive, Miss Taylor’s only request had been to warn him of her hand so as not to embarrasshim. The difference was astounding.

Holding out his left hand to her, Thomas said, “Then I shall strive to take your hand gently so as not to embarrass you either.”

Her cheeks pinked, but she did not smile, simply placed her clenched hand in his. It was not so blatantly obvious that anyone would notice the difference, so he led her to the chapel doors.When the piano sounded, the small congregation stood, and Thomas led her down between the pews to the front of the church where the vicar awaited them. The guests sat, and then he opened the Book of Common Prayer to begin.

“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…”

Thomas let his eyes fall to the stained-glass windows, thinking of his boyhood in this very chapel. He hardly remembered his parents anymore, didn’t know how their relationship had fared before their deaths. Would they have anticipated him marrying a stranger in an arranged marriage? Would they have been happy and proud? Grandfather had told him repeatedly that he was, but it didn’t do anything to fill the emptiness in Thomas’s chest. It should have been a happy day, so why wasn’t he?

“Therefore, if anyone can show just cause why these two may not lawfully be joined together, let them now speak, or else hereafter forever hold their peace.”

The long pause allowed Thomas a moment to wish for Lady Finley to break through the doors and tearfully admit her wrongs against him, beg him to marry her instead. But she would not. He would have to give up his desire to be with her once and for all. For today, he would become a married man, and she would be lost to him forever. Thomas squared his shoulders and lifted his chin. As if she weren’t already.

“Very well. Let us proceed.” The vicar went on speaking of the ordination of marriage, the connection between God and man, and the reasons marriage was necessary. To keep his thoughts away from Lady Finley, Thomas turned his attention to the woman beside him about to become his bride. The weight of her gloved hand in his was not heavy, but the fist was tight and strained, making him wonder on the nature of her hand. Perhaps she would not be opposed to having his grandfather’s doctor examine her to ensure there was nothing amiss. No doubt he would have to, seeing as how she would be his responsibility going forward, and he would not allow his wife to suffer if he could help it.

The vicar then turned to Thomas, catching his attention. “Wilt thou have this woman as thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”

All things he’d longed to promise to Lady Finley, but Thomas closed his eyes, wanting to shake the thought from his head. When he opened his eyes, he met the timid gaze of Miss Taylor, and with all the assurance he could muster, he said, “I will.”

Then the vicar turned to her. “Wilt thou have this man as thy wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”

Thomas did not miss the movement in her throat, no doubt a swallowing of nerves. Miss Taylor gave a brief nod and said, “I will.”

More blessings were given by the vicar, and then the ring was presented to Thomas. He reached for Miss Taylor’s left hand, and repeated the phrase, “With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

It didn’t seem possible for Miss Taylor to be any more stiff and terrified than she was, but somehow her fear felt tangible with every growing moment. There was something amiss, that he could tell. Something he hadn’t been fully informed of with his new wife. Did she love another and married him reluctantly? Had she been told about his attachment to Lady Finley? Or was her tension a result of her relationship with her family? Regardless, he had just promised to take care of Miss Taylor in every sense, and he was not a man who shirked his duty.

Then they knelt and prayed. More scriptures were read and blessings bestowed, and when they rose, she was Miss Taylor no more, but Mrs. Ramsbury.

They signed their names to the registry and then turned to greet their family as newlyweds. It was not a large congregation; the guest list had been intentionally small with just their families. Thomas regretted not telling James and Henry of the event, not knowing how to explain it all on such short notice. Surely, they would forgive him in time, but he had other things to worry about. Like his new wife.

The congratulations flowed, and the family members all exited the chapel, making their way to the carriages for the wedding breakfast.

“We shall all make way to your estate,” Mr. Taylor announced.

Thomas’s new wife stiffened on his arm. “What of my maid?” she asked.

“She will ride in our carriage. You have a husband to think of now.” Mrs. Taylor gave her daughter a stern look before waving her off.

He could tell she wanted to crumble, but Thomas tried to keep her afloat a while yet. “Come, make yourself comfortable here in my carriage. This summer heat can be overbearing at times.” He opened the carriage door and saw her seated before giving his instructions to the driver and seeing himself inside, sitting across from her. Once the carriage lurched forward, Thomas let out a deep breath and tried to smile, even though she would not meet his gaze.

“Now, I suppose I can give you some information about your new home that will help you be more comfortable.” She looked up at him and gave a mechanical nod. “I was very young when my parents died, so I came to live with my grandparents here at Primrose House, and it was the only home I knew for most of my life.”

“I’m sorry for the loss of your parents,” she whispered.

“Thank you, but I don’t remember much about them. Besides, I have a new family of my own now.” He tried to smile, but his words did not cause a great amount of joy.

“Will this be your first time staying away from your home and family?” he asked gently.

She nodded.

“Then I’m glad you’ll have your maid with you to ensure you’re comfortable.”

Still, she remained quiet, and Thomas wasn’t sure how to draw her out. “I suppose I won’t be able to call you Miss Taylor any longer. Shall I call you Mrs. Ramsbury or Marianne?”

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