his forearm. “Everything’s going to be fine, darling,” he said, deliberately keeping his tone soothing. She still looked skittish. “Why don’t we walk down the aisle together? Or I could carry you?”
She shook her head vigorously. “You’ll wrinkle my gown.”
He supposed this wasn’t the time to mention her gown would be in a heap on the floor before long. “I wouldn’t want to do that,” he said, gently patting her hand. “Did I tell you Mrs. Hopper will be playing the organ?”
He spoke of ordinary things as they moved down the corridor to the chapel, wishing to distract her thoughts from whatever was alarming her. When they reached the chapel doors, he shoved them open without hesitating, and walked in before she had an opportunity to balk.
Catching sight of the duke and his bride, Mrs. Hopper spun around on the organ bench and struck the keys with a flourish. The powerful, full-toned chords burst forth, thundering through the small chapel, rising up into the soaring cupola in crashing waves, charming the nervous bride who found Mrs. Hopper’s rustic fervor enchanting.
“The music’s very nice,” Caroline whispered, smiling up at Simon.
He looked mildly afflicted. “I’m sorry I didn’t have time to bring in an orchestra.”
“Does she sing?”
His brows rose briefly. “I certainly hope not.”
They were almost to the altar where Aubrey, clothed in his bishop’s robes, was looking dauntingly officious.
Caroline came to a stop, causing Simon a moment of panic. “Are you happy?” Her bottom lip quivered. “Tell me we’re doing the right thing- that you’re happy.”
He gazed down on the woman he’d known all his life, the woman he thought he’d lost forever, the one with his rubies swinging from her ears. “I’ve never been happier,” he simply said.
She drew in a deep breath, exhaled, offered him a tremulous smile and nodded. “I’m ready.”
“Good,” he said, jettisoning his facetious remark about the gallows for prudence’s sake. He dipped his head toward Aubrey.
“We are gathered here…” the bishop began.
Aubrey kept rigorously to Simon’s program, the ceremony so brief, Mrs. Hopper said afterward in the kitchen that if she didn’t know that the parson was genuine, she might have thought the duke was trying to pull the wool over the lovely lady’s eyes.
“But I saw the marriage license, I did, and the parson had Eaton and me sign as witnesses. So the duke married her right and tight, although you wouldn’t have known it from that double quick pace of that marriage.”
“Might there be a reason fer a right hasty ceremony?” one of the maids asked with a sly look. “Maybe the duke wants his first-born to be his heir, no questions asked.”
“She don’t look in the family way,” another maid countered. “I helped her with her wedding gown and she be right slender in the belly.”
“We’ll see now, won’t we?” a footman noted. “It don’t take that long fer her to show if n the duke’s got a bun in the oven.”
“For heaven’s sake,” Mrs. Hopper exclaimed. “Can’t a young couple want to marry each other in a rush because of love?”
The murmured responses were noncommittal; no one was unwise enough to disagree with the housekeeper. But most of the staff were going to be more apt to count on their fingers than subscribe to Mrs. Hopper’s romantic notions.
The noble class didn’t as a rule marry for love.
Chapter 24
The bride and groom entered the dining room directly after the ceremony. The room was intimate, one of the lesser halls, Caroline noted with relief. A dozen footmen were standing at attention, the duke’s livery familiar and she gave him high marks for organization.
Or perhaps, young Gore was to be complimented.
“Did Gore arrange all this?” she asked, lifting her hand to the liveried staff and sumptuously appointed table.
“You say that like you think I can’t.”
“I’m not sure you know how many servants you have.”
“Good point.” He smiled. “Although, now I have you to count them for me, don’t I?”
She gave him a lowering look. “I haven’t gotten any better at running a household.”
For which she’d always had Bessie’s cousin. “Fortunately, Bessie and Rose are at Monkshood.”
“Rose!” Caroline spun around as much as her train would allow. “She’s with you?” she asked, a flush of excitement coloring her cheeks.
“All your staff are with me.”
Her eyes widened. “Why didn’t you
“Precisely the reason I didn’t.” He gave her a roguish grin. “I wanted to be loved for myself.”
“Not for your title or wealth or charm.”
He winked. “Or my good looks.”
“Arrogant man. I’ll have you know, I married you for these rubies,” she said, lightly, touching her earbobs with a fingertip.
He glanced sideways at the line of footmen. “I need slightly more privacy to tell you why I married you.
“He’s not joining us for dinner?”
Simon shook his head. “He has to leave.”
“At this hour of the night?” She looked at him suspiciously. “You’re driving him off, aren’t you?”
“No. Word of God,” he could say with a clear conscience. “He’s in a rush to get to a Tattersall’s sale.”
“You’re not serious.”
He nodded. “Aubrey’s been waiting for Glouster’s sale for months.” What he didn’t mention is that the Earl of Glouster’s stable would have been beyond his reach prior to his meeting with Simon. “It’s Tuesday next and the roads are bad as you know.”
“Then, I’ll come to say goodbye too.” She half-turned her back to him. “Help me take off this veil.”
They took their leave of the bishop a short time later, exchanging courtesies and offers to visit, as well as mutual thanks. Then Simon accompanied Aubrey to the coach, presumably to give the driver instructions.
Once Aubrey was seated inside, Simon handed him a note. The driver will stop at Netherton Castle first. If you’ll give this to Ian, personally, I’d appreciate it“
“Certainly.” The bishop took the missive. “Will they come after Lady Caroline?”
“They shouldn’t I’ve explained as much as can be explained and we
Aubrey nodded, the duke’s marriage was sure to make a strong statement concerning his sincerity. He didn’t expect anyone in London would have bet a shilling on the duke’s marrying anytime soon. “Your bride seems content… indeed happy,” Aubrey said, perhaps needing justification for his role in so unorthodox an event.
Simon smiled. “She just required a bit of convincing. You needn’t have misgivings. If Caro didn’t have such a temper, we would have been married long ago.”
Simon’s dissolute life had given no indication of an ambition to marry, but Aubrey tactfully remained silent on that point. “Just so, Your Grace. My blessings on you both,” he murmured. “Perhaps, we’ll meet on the turf next
