Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
* * *
Nevertheless, he was happy with her progress and with his life. Only one black cloud hung over him and that was the disappearance of Lord Hemsworth. The magistrate had called upon him at his home, and had been informed by his staff that the viscount had bolted to the Village in the dead of the night.
* * *
He had sent word to London, to have the man apprehended on sight but so far, no one had reported seeing him. It was a weight on Arthur’s mind as he did not know what the man and his accomplices intended to achieve by this.
* * *
He had therefore boosted the number of guards around the compound and hoped that would be enough. He was glad that they lived in a small community where the presence of strangers would immediately be noted.
* * *
On the morning of his wedding, he awoke early and went out for a ride on his horse. He needed to feel the wind in his hair and calm his mind for what was ahead. He rode down to the lake and was somehow not surprised to see his betrothed there, sitting in the grass and seeming to be lost in thought.
* * *
“Second thoughts?” he called.
* * *
She turned her head and smiled at him. “Not at all. Just savoring my last minutes of freedom.”
* * *
He huffed in amusement, alighting from his horse and coming over to flop down next to her with a sigh. “Never fear. I shall not curb your wandering urges.”
* * *
She’d followed his progress from his horse and now sat regarding him fondly. “That is good to know. I too shall not curb whatever urges you may have.”
* * *
His mouth twisted and he looked away. “You may come to regret that,” he said softly.
* * *
“How so?”
* * *
He turned to face her, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Because you are central to most of those urges.” His eyes raked her body just in case she missed his meaning. The blush that stained her cheeks deep red was worth it.
* * *
“Oh, you.” She hit him lightly on the shoulder and then sighed. “Am I terrible if I admit that I am looking forward to that?”
* * *
He shivered. “Do not say such things to me now. I wish for us to stand before God with clear consciences later today.”
* * *
She laughed out loud. “Is it only the actions of today that are regarded as of any import? Because if not, I am afraid that ship has sailed.”
* * *
“You seem quite blasé about it.”
* * *
She shrugged. “I suppose I am. I cannot see what we did as wrong. They were acts of love.”
* * *
“Yes. I suppose you’re right.”
* * *
“Of course I am.”
Emily had made her a gown of gold to wear for her wedding. It shimmered in the early morning sun, seeming to move as she did. Aside from its color, it was fairly simple with a high waist and short puffed sleeves. It fell to the floor in a long, a-lined train. She wore matching satin gloves and a bonnet on her head, decorated with yellow primroses and white roses from their mother’s garden. She wore a simple pearl choker around her neck and tear-drop earrings.
* * *
She walked slowly down the stairs, her sisters flanking her and the rest of her family looking up at her in awe. Her face hurt from smiling.
* * *
Lord Benjamin came forward and took her hands, looking intently into her eyes. “My darling girl, when did you grow into this lovely young lady who is abandoning me?” His eyes were shiny with tears. “Your mother would be so proud,” he whispered hoarsely, “If she could see you now.”
* * *
Janice tried her best to speak but she was too choked up. Instead, she pulled her father close and embraced him tight. “She is here. I feel her in the breeze, in the smell of these roses, adding her own bittersweet symphony to the occasion.”
* * *
Her father tightened his hold on her. “You’re right as always my dear.”
* * *
She pulled back, wiping the tears from her cheeks. “No wait, that’s Emily.”
* * *
They both laughed wetly as Emily made a mock-annoyed sound behind them.
* * *
“Come come,” she said, “It’s time to go or we shall be late.”
He waited at the altar, Lord Sarandon by his side to act as witness. He was not at all surprised when Janice walked down the aisle accompanied by her entire family while the organist played a somber tune. As they reached the front bench, her sisters, brother, uncle, and aunt filed into the aisle while her father brought Janice right up to him and put her hand in his. He nodded, bowing to Lord Benjamin, before turning to Janice and leading her up the two steps to the altar.