Dark Passions

38.

They turned to face the crowd, his arm tightly around her waist, as everyone broke into cheers and applause. Meredith could see Rose and a few of the other maids standing in the background, wiping their eyes, and waving their hankies in the air. It was an overwhelming response, and she felt her head spinning a little as she clung to Derek for support. "Are you all right?"he whispered, feeling her clutch him a little tighter.

"Yes, just a moment of dizziness," she confessed.

"You need to sit down, let's go, shall we?" he asked, starting to walk back down between the rows of well wishers. Izzie and Marcus fell in behind them, as he tucked her hand into his, giving her a sensual smile. Kate took Alexander's arm as he smiled at her, and she felt a sudden unaccustomed tremor, as he escorted her along behind the other couples. Something about his eyes reminded her sharply of William, and she had to concentrate on her steps, his muscular arm firm beneath her fingertips.

Derek made sure he found Meredith a shaded spot to sit, and called Rose over to fetch some water for her. "Really, I'm fine, Derek."

"This is your day, you can sit for awhile," he assured her softly, tracing her cheek with his fingertips. "There will be time enough during the dinner to greet everyone."

Then a sudden hush fell over the crowd, and Meredith looked up, puzzled. Hodges had appeared, escorting a distinguished looking man, carrying an envelope, leading him over to where Derek stood beside Meredith. "Your Grace, I am sorry to intrude on your wedding day, uninvited, however, I bring a note for your new wife."

Meredith looked up at Derek, then at the stranger. "What do you mean?" Derek asked, putting his hand on Meredith's shoulder.

"It's from her father..."

"My father's dead..." Meredith said unsteadily.

"I assure you, m'lady, he is very much alive."

"But..."

"You had better not be pulling some joke," Derek said tersely.

The stranger handed over the envelope. "Nay, sir, no joke. The Duke of Roxburghe is quite alive and well."

"The Duke of Roxburghe is Meredith's father?" Derek asked in amazement.

"The letter explains everything, my lord," the other man said, handing it over with a small bow. "I am to wait for a reply to take back with me."

Derek nodded, turning the envelope over to Meredith, who fingered the rich vellum in shock. "Hodges, see that he is fed, and his horse watered."

"Very good," Hodges bowed and escorted him away, leaving the crowd buzzing. The few people that had been close enough to overhear, all stared at each other in surprise.

"My dear, Meredith," Eleanor said, taking Meredith's hand. "Is this possible?"

"I don't know...my mother always said he was dead..." Meredith felt overwhelmed from the emotion and the surprise. "Why would she lie?"

"To protect you, no doubt," Eleanor said soothingly. "Read the note, dear. I'm sure it will explain everything."

Meredith broke the heavy seal on the envelope carefully, pulling out a single sheet of paper.

My dear Meredith,

I realize you do not know me, but was unable to come forth and say anything to you until now. In truth, I did not know how to contact you, until I heard of the wedding of the Duke of Gracewood to an unknown girl, namely Meredith Grey. What a shock to me, to realize you were to be wed, and to a Duke, no less. Shocked, and happy, though I realize how some members of our society do not accept such things willingly.