Page 20 of A Deal with the Earl (Necessary Arrangements 1)

The doors opened at that moment. Julie, holding on to her father’s arm, started walking down the aisle. The orchestra started playing; the light streamed from behind, casting a vast shadow on their path. She heard the ripple of outraged whispers and gasps. She looked up and saw a tall figure at the end of the aisle. She blanched and faltered in her step. Norfolk tightened his hold on her and whispered threats through his clenched teeth.

Suddenly she couldn’t hear the music anymore, nor the whispers, or her father’s threats. All she could hear was John’s voice, loud and clear as if he were right next to her. “Promise, you’ll wait for me. Promise me.” She closed her eyes. “I promise,” she had vowed three years ago. And now, she was going to break that vow and cover it with another—this one more sacred in front of God. To the man she did not love, the man she didn’t even know. She lifted her eyes as she felt herself being handed to a set of firm hands.

The pair of gray, laughing eyes met hers. His features at once hardened, and his face hid behind an inscrutable mask. She felt her icy hands suddenly grow warm in the hold of her betrothed. She stared at his severe and stony face. This man she was going to pledge her life to, and she could barely catch her breath at the sight of him. He probably felt her nervousness because his hold on her hands tightened.

“Dearly beloved,” started the priest, and the world went blank.

* * *

The bitter taste in his mouth accompanied Robert all morning on his wedding day. He sensed he was making a huge mistake. What if Lady Julie was truly in love with someone else, and he was ruining her life? Would her father let her marry that other man if he cried-off, or was he saving her from a worse fate? The doubt plagued him all the way to the altar.

The feelings intensified as he entered the church, seeing the throng of people who all waited for his wedding. Everyone except for his bride, who was either late or not coming at all. His nerves got the best of him, and he was ready to call off another of his weddings before it could even start. But all his turmoil stilled once he saw his bride coming down the aisle.

She wore a hideous pitch-black gown with a ridiculously long train. Her gloves, her veil, and even her slippers were also black. Think what he must about his bride, but she knew how to make a statement. With this ridiculous display of a gown, she showed the ton, her father, and most of all him what she thought about this marriage. It was not a celebration; it was a mourning of love lost. He should feel bitter toward her or even angry. Somehow, he only felt admiration and something akin to pride. His lips twitched in laughter as she stood in front of him. He couldn’t help but admire this young girl who’d made a deal to marry him so she could get her sister, or as his grandmother thought, her daughter out of the asylum. This girl didn’t care for his title and money and showed it to the world with her mockery of a wedding gown.

His expression completely changed as she lifted her veil, and he saw her pale, troubled face. She was not enjoying the joke, the wedding, or anything that was happening. She was repulsed by the mere idea of being married to him. His eyes took on a stony expression as he stared down at her and saw his entire future. The silent dinners, the cold nights together, the accusation in her eyes every time she looked at him. He almost stopped the wedding right at that moment.

What was the alternative? Marrying anybody else would yield the same results. With one difference, they would pretend affection before the wedding and cuckold him to their hearts’ content once they married. Robert took a deep breath.Please, God, let this all turn out all right.He took her icy hands in his and squeezed them tight. As if assuring himself that she wouldn’t run off, as if assuring himself that he wouldn’t run either.

“Dearly beloved,” the priest began.

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