Page 61 of Debating with the Duke (Second Sons of London 2)

Everett would have to make the time to see her somehow. Though Addie was still an unmarried female, surely the rules of Polite Society could be relaxed somewhat since they were engaged. He felt it imperative that he tell her he loved her before they wed.

*

Everett stood besideSpence in St. George’s, his eyes focused on the door that Addie would come through in just moments.

In a few minutes, they would become husband and wife.

He hoped she had seen the flowers he had sent to her this morning. In the rush of getting ready for the wedding, they might have been overlooked. At least he had gotten her a wedding present. One he hoped she would like. He would give it to her tonight.

Before they made love.

A moment of regret filled him. He had not been able to spend a single minute alone with his fiancée in the week leading up to today’s ceremony. So many things had to be done. He had met twice with the solicitors, ironing out the generous details of their marriage settlements. Twice, he’d visited his tailor for fittings of the suit of clothes he now wore. As for Addie, she was forever busy with her modiste or the florist or talking with Tessa’s cook about the wedding breakfast. In a way, he had felt left out of everything.

Spence had picked up on his mood and assured Everett that a wedding day was all about the bride. The focus should be on her. But it was only one day, Spence reminded him. The rest of their days would be for them together.

Everett only hoped Addie wanted to spend those days with him.

He still experienced twinges of guilt and regret for pushing her into this marriage. He had wanted her so much, though, that he had manipulated her into it. All honor had seemed to fly out the window. He had deliberately ruined her so he could have her to himself. Not Lord Rosewell. Not any other man of theton. Everett wanted Addie as his wife.

He hoped they were not making a mistake.

The doors opened and Tessa and Louisa walked down the aisle together, arm in arm. Addie had proclaimed she could not pick one over the other and insisted they both stand with her as she spoke her vows. The pair reached the altar. Louisa gave him a sweet smile, while Tessa winked at him.

Then Addie appeared in the doorway on her father’s arm. She took his breath away. His heart pounded fiercely as Lord Uxbridge escorted her down the aisle to him.

She wore a gown of the palest blue, which complemented her honey-blond hair and clear, blue eyes. Bridget had arranged her hair high atop her head, with a few wisps escaping to frame her face. As Addie moved toward him, his throat squeezed tight with emotion.

Lord Uxbridge halted and kissed his daughter’s cheek, his eyes brimming with tears.

“I love you dearly, Adalyn,” he said softly and kissed her cheek again. Looking to Everett, he said, “I entrust her to you now, Your Grace.”

He nodded in acceptance and reached for Addie’s hand. Even through her glove, he could feel how chilled it was as he slid it through the crook of his arm. Fear kept him from looking into her eyes. If he did, he was afraid he might see her doubt.

And that would crush him.

The vicar began the ceremony. Everett only caught phrases here and there.

“. . . join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony . . .”

“. . . ordained for the procreation of children . . .”

“. . . one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity . . .”

He blinked, trying to concentrate on the words being said.

“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, 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?”

Everett swallowed hard, forcing the lump down. “I will.”

He heard Addie promise the same as he had.

Then the clergyman had them join their right hands and, for the first time, Everett looked directly into Addie’s eyes. He saw uncertainty in them and wondered if he should stop the ceremony. Then she blinked and her self-assurance seemed to return. She squeezed his hand, seeming to give him consent to continue.

Everett followed the instructions, claiming the ring from Spence and handing it over. The vicar placed it upon the book he held and said a prayer before returning it to Everett. He slipped the glove from Addie’s left hand and placed the wedding band upon her finger before repeating words which bound him to her forever.

“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.”

More prayers occurred, with them kneeling side by side, and then they were declared man and wife.

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