An Inconvenient Arrangement

Chapter 59: The Wedding

The church was so stifling hot that James almost wished that his son had decided to speak his vows in slightly more pleasant weather, but there was no stopping that boy. In fact, it was surprising that he did not cart off his love across the border for a quick elopement- as James had done with Claire.

Neither of them had any wish to make a spectacle of themselves and had contended themselves with a small private ceremony with only their families, after which they had all retired to Carlisle. They'd arranged a ball for the local folk and some family friends, but that had been the extent of the fanfare regarding their wedding.

His son, on the other hand, was getting married in London with an ostentatiously large wedding- even the Prince Regent was in attendance, along with several foreign dignitaries. And his mother and stepfather of course, who were seated right beside James and Claire. Though James had worried that the meeting between his former and current wives might be tense, Sarah had greeted Claire with warmth and grace, prompting Claire to relax as well. The two women had even formed something of a friendship, cooing and fussing over Sylvie in the weeks leading up to her wedding. They'd more than made up for the absence of Sylvie's own mother or sister-in-law with their support. They had accompanied her to dress fittings, they had advised her on what hairstyle she ought to wear, and they had helped her pick out the jewelry she wore now, a set of diamonds and sapphires set in silver that matched her dress. And if the guests looked closely enough, they would notice that the groom too, wore an earring that matched her jewelry.

The vicar's loud voice drew the attention of everyone to the front of the church where the bride and groom stood before the clergymen, poised to say their vows.

"Raphael St. Alexander, 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 other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?"

"I will," the groom replied, his steady, adoring gaze trained on his wife. The bride glowed with happiness, dressed in a becoming gown of blue silk, embroidered with lovely silver, with delicate lace on her sleeves and the edges of her bodice.

"Sylvia Marion Heartwood, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"

The groom's eyes warmed considerably at the word obey in the vows, his bride noticed and flushed a lovely pink that told him she knew exactly where his train of thoughts wandered. And though the bride, too, replied, "I will." The groom knew that the obedience portion was likely going to be restricted to their bedchamber. Not that he had many complaints in that regard.

The vicar offered the groom a ring, which he then slid onto his bride's left hand.

"With this ring, I thee wed, with my body, I thee worship, with my worldly goods, I thee endow," the groom's voice quavered at the very end, but most of the attendees did not notice.

James heard Sarah sob beside him and offered her his handkerchief, only to find that his own eyes were misting as bride and groom kneeled before the vicar and allowed him to continue his prayer.

"....Send Thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in Thy name....."

Somewhere in the crowd Lady Daphne, now the Countess of Pembroke, sighed and declared: "Now that is a lucky, lucky woman."

Her husband pointedly cleared his throat and glared down at her as she grinned.

"......And may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord......."