Page 99 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

“In the drawing room, my lord. I shall take you there now.”

“I know my way by now, Rainey,” Spencer said.

Using the walking stick provided by Rigsby, he made his way up the stairs and to the drawing room. He entered and saw a few people already present.

Lord Uxbridge came to meet him. “You are looking well, Middlefield,” the earl said. “Are you ready to enter a state of holy matrimony?” he asked, his eyes twinkling.

Panic seized Spencer. “The special license!” he cried. “Did . . . is it—”

“Yes, Edgar was able to obtain it. He is well acquainted with the Archbishop of Canterbury. In fact,” Lord Uxbridge said, glancing over his shoulder and back to Spencer, “the archbishop will perform today’s ceremony.”

His jaw dropped as he looked across the room and saw Sir Edgar Goulding in conversation with the archbishop.

“Come and meet him,” Lord Uxbridge urged.

They crossed the room and came to a halt in front of the archbishop.

After being introduced Spencer said, “I had no idea that you would be marrying Tessa and me today, Your Grace. I am most grateful to you—and Sir Edgar—for arranging the special license for me since I was physically unable to do so.”

The archbishop nodded. “I was happy to do my old friend a favor,” he shared. “I am sorry of what passed between you and Lord Ellington but I hear that your fiancée certainly put the wicked earl in his place. I met your bride yesterday,” the archbishop continued, “and she is a most formidable lady.”

He smiled. “She is indeed, Your Grace. I am most fortunate to have won her hand—and her heart.”

Lady Adalyn and Miss Goulding approached him, with Miss Goulding saying, “Everyone in thetonhas been asking about you, Lord Middlefield.”

“Since we are to be family, would you please consider calling me Spencer?” he asked.

“I would be happy to do so, as long as you refer to me as Louisa.”

“And I am Adalyn,” the other said. “Neither of us has brothers so I do believe we will adopt you to be an honorary one of ours.”

Spencer chuckled. “And I have had no sisters until now. I am blessed not only to be wedding Tessa but to be marrying into this loving family. I thank both of you for your support in helping this wedding occur today, from my pursuit of Tessa through the actual ceremony today.”

“I do believe you will make a fine husband to Tessa,” Adalyn told him.

Louisa added, “And an even better father.”

Lady Uxbridge appeared and said, “It is almost time to begin, Lord Middlefield. Let me show you where to stand.”

Spencer followed Tessa’s aunt to the large fireplace, where the Archbishop of Canterbury stood facing the room. Lord Wethersby joined him. Spencer had sent a note to the viscount a few days ago, asking him to stand with him at today’s ceremony. He liked Wethersby a great deal and hoped the man might be husband material for either Louisa or Adalyn.

He dipped a finger into his pocket and handed Tessa’s wedding ring to Wethersby.

“This is yours for safekeeping,” he said. “Thank you for agreeing to stand with me today.”

Lord Wethersby grinned. “I would stand by you any day, Middlefield. The honor is mine.”

Spencer turned and faced the door, waiting for Tessa. Moments later, she arrived and his heart almost exploded with love.

As she came toward him, he noticed she had worn blue, the color he liked to see her in the most. But it wasn’t the gown which caught his attention. It was the love shining in her eyes for him, love he knew was reflected in his own.

Lord Uxbridge escorted his niece to her groom, looking like a proud papa as he handed Tessa off. She joined Spencer, slipping her hand through his arm and giving it a squeeze. They gazed at one another for a long moment and both mouthed,“I love you”at the same time, causing a warmth to rush through him.

Adalyn and Louisa joined them, standing to Tessa’s left and they all turned toward the archbishop, who began the ceremony.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God . . .”

Spencer took the words to heart, knowing they bound him to Tessa forever.

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