“If you both shall kneel,” the Captain ordered.
William was the first to kneel and offered his hand of assistance to Emma, which she accepted.
“Let us pray,” the Captain said and closed his eyes. “Oh, Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life: Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man, and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name; that, as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, whereof this ring was given and received is a token and pledge, and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
William opened his eyes and gazed directly into Emma’s sparkling eyes, and could not help but smile at her.
“Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder,” the Captain said and placed his hands on each of the couple’s shoulders. “For as much as Eliza and William have declared their love and devotion, as well as their consent together in holy wedlock, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be man and wife together, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
William and Emma stood from the ground and turned to Captain Moore.
“My lord, my lady, may God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you both. May the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting,” the captain concluded and stepped away.
“Thank you, Captain Moore,” they said in unison,
“My lady,” William said and took her hands in his. “If I have not said it today, I have not gazed upon true beauty until this day.”
“There is no need to flatter me. I have already married you,” Emma chuckled, and William joined in her amusement.
“I do mean it, Emma. I am truly grateful that you have given me a chance to show you how much you mean to me.”
“And it means a great deal to me that you freed me into making decisions. For allowing me to be myself, and to discover who I was meant to be. It means the world to me that you stood aside and allowed me to feel free for the first time in my life,” Emma told him.
“My love, you will never feel caged again, I will not allow it,” William whispered. “And I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life beside you, wherever that may be.”
Emma smiled happily as she led him to the stern of the boat and gazed out at the horizon. “Our next stop will be Denmark, and then,” Emma grinned, “the rest of our lives.”
“I would not have it any other way, my lady,” William replied, cradling her face with both his hands and kissing her with a heart bursting of gratitude, love, and happiness.
The End
Book 1 in the Seymour Siblings is now available! https://geni.us/seymourbook1
Read on for a sneak peak of the first chapter if you haven’t read it already.
The Duke’s Marriage of Convenience.
Chapter One
The air was fresh as a gentle breeze swept across the lush green pastures of a sought-after estate in the county of Somerset. The staff had been busy preparing for a very important visit by two young people, who were arranged to be wed. They were to finally meet, after many months of negotiations between their respective parents.
The atmosphere at Woodlock Manor was bustling as the help prepared. The maidservants served a delicious breakfast on the terrace, the manservants ensured the grounds were in pristine condition. Merriment and excitement were in the air.
However, in the east wing of Woodlock Manor, submerged nearly entirely in warm water, Kitty did not share in the excitement.
Of course, she would not openly admit it in front of the two young maids, who were washing her long, black hair. The sweet aroma of flowers allowed her to drift into a surreal wonderland where there was no need for her to jeopardize her beliefs for a man.
But it was, indeed, a very real world, as she was fully aware. Her mother, Lady Dunne, the Countess of Dunne, had prepared her only daughter for this exclusive gala, as she ceremoniously referred to it, and proceeded to compliment her daughter’s suitor as a man of integrity and outstanding reputation.
He was considered one of the most eligible bachelors in the county—if not the country—and his wealth far exceeded most of the other eligible men. This was the sole reason Lady Dunn and her husband, the Earl of Dunn, had desired that James of Somerset wed their daughter.
Despite the earl’s formidable reputation, their family was on the verge of bankruptcy, as the earl’s business partner had embezzled a great deal of money from their business venture, leaving Lord Dunne to stand among the ruins as they fell down around him.
Arranging a marriage between their daughter and James of Somerset would ensure their financial survival and rescue their family from a life of poverty.
Of course Kitty was well aware of the situation, but it most certainly did not stop her from expressing her distaste for the arrangement itself. Despite not having ever met James, and the fact that she was in no position to judge him or despise him, she
