William’s heart pounded in his chest as Emma approached him. He reached out his hand towards her. Her touch was light as her hand rested in his and she stood beside him in front of the captain. Her smile was radiant and she could light up the entire sky with her beauty.
“Are we ready to begin?” the captain asked as he retrieved his communion book from his breast pocket.
It had not been the first time the captain had married a couple on his ship. In fact, both William and Emma had been quite surprised as to how many marriages Captain Moore had performed on his ship, whether it be docked or not.
By Scottish law, it was much easier for couples to wed without the three weekly readings of the Banns, much to their delight.
“Indeed, Captain Moore,” William said after a nod of agreement between himself and Emma.
Captain Moore cleared his throat and opened his book. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this Congregation, however small, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time...”
William did not pay much attention to the captain’s words, as the beautiful woman who stood before him captured his attention completely. He had never gazed upon a more exquisite young woman in his life.
Not only judged so by her features, but by the magnificence that shone through her eyes, and the strength she carried within herself with pride.
She was the epitome of a dream come true for William, despite their unfavorable first meeting. But as his sister-in-law had advised, the best kind of love was that which pulls the rug from under you.
One might fall flat on one’s bottom, but it certainly did make an impact.
Emma had certainly made an impact on William, and he would be forever grateful that he had her in his life.
“Marriage is ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can show any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace,” Captain Moore continued, and both Emma and William glanced at their two witnesses, who stood quietly behind them, smiling happily.
“That is certainly good news,” Captain Moore chuckled in a thick Scottish accent. “It has happened far too many times that a family member has stopped one of the ceremonies I performed. I am certainly guessing that is why none of my lady and my lord’s family are present.”
William shook his head. “Ah, no, Captain.”
Both William and Emma had been saddened by the fact that none of their family members had been able to join them on their special day, but they did not wish to risk the duchess traveling far, as she now large was with child.
Instead they had decided they would have an intimate family gathering when they returned home, where they would all be able to celebrate together.
“Please, do continue, Captain,” Emma said simply, with a faint smile.
“Certainly, certainly,” Captain Moore nodded and cleared his throat. “William Alexander Seymour, will thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Will thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her, in sickness and in health and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will,” William answered and smiled at the woman who would soon be his wife.
“Emma Caroline Carlyle, will thou have this man to be thy wedded husband? To live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Will 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?”
“I will,” Emma answered with a smile, her eyes sparkling with delight.
“My lord, please take my lady’s right hand with yours,” the captain said and William did as he was told. “My lord, you may now say your vows to her ladyship.”
William took a moment to smile at Emma, then began.
“I, William Alexander Seymour, take thee to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward. For better for worse, for richer, for poorer. In sickness and in health, to love and to cherish. Till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth,” William spoke with confidence and sincerity.
“Now, my lady, you shall do the same,” the Captain told her.
Emma nodded and took his right hand in hers. “I, Emma Caroline Carlyle, take thee William Alexander Seymour to be my wedded husband. To have and to hold from this day forward. For better for worse, for richer, for poorer. In sickness and in health. To love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part. According to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.”
There was a moment of silence as they loosened their hands and William retrieved a ring that had been in his family for generations.
He had kept it on his person since the day he had asked Emma to marry him, knowing that he would most certainly need it one day.
Perhaps he had been overly confident, but he did not care now.
That was why it had come as such a surprise when Emma had been the one who had asked him, while gazing out at a picturesque sky on their last night in Edinburgh, whether he would still consider marrying her. He agreed without a moment’s hesitation, as it was what he had wanted for a long time.
Emma’s eyes widened momentarily as the sparkling
