Elise stood before the mirror, admiring her wedding gown. The dress was the loveliest creation she’d ever seen. Cut in elegant lines, the pale green silk did wonderful things for her skin. The square lace-edged neckline suited her oval face and made her neck appear long and slender. She hoped Drake would be pleased when he saw her.
He’d returned to Charles Towne only this morning, so there had been no chance for them to speak in the week since she’d last seen him. She’d tried to keep busy in his absence. There’d been more than enough to do. She’d thrown herself into wedding preparations, visited friends and gone on long walks around Brixton Hall. Hours had been spent riding Freedom, praying she’d made the right decision.
Every time she remembered what she’d agreed to, her palms began to sweat and her lungs constricted until she couldn’t breathe. She swallowed thickly, remembering the choice she’d made between principle and practicality. Her conscience rebelled at having to spy on Drake, but Zechariah’s offer to free Prin now instead of waiting until the war’s end had muted her protests. That, and the fact that if she declined his offer to report any unusual information, he promised to send Prin to an upriver plantation notorious for the mistreatment of its slaves.
How else was she to view the situation than as an answer to prayer? She’d spent long hours begging God for a way to see Prin, the baby and Kane set free. Her marriage insured Prin and the baby’s safety. Now all she had to do was convince Zechariah to let her buy Kane.
She prayed Drake wasn’t plagued by second thoughts concerning their marriage. She’d had none once she admitted he was her heart’s choice for a husband. Even the distrust of men she’d learned from her father and stepfather’s cruelty could not dim the hope she harbored for her future with Drake.
But Drake was a duke. As much as she loved him and wanted a life with him, she couldn’t fathom his insistence to marry her, a colonial girl, when he could have any woman he chose. That he wanted her for his wife seemed incredible.
The soft strains of a violin filled the high ceilings and large open space of St. Michael’s church. Anticipation raced through Drake as he waited in the wings to take his place at the altar. Today he would wed. He was as excited as a lad on Christmas day. He’d never been so nervous or so hopeful about his future.
The week he’d been parted from Elise had stretched like an empty eternity, but he’d had much to attend to. Besides paying Zechariah an outrageous sum for Elise’s maid and horse, he’d secured the special marriage license, overseen the preparations for a rental house that would afford them the necessary privacy owed a newly wedded couple and written his solicitor in London announcing his nuptials. His primary concern revolved around safeguarding Elise’s welfare. If anything happened to him she would be well provided for and free to do as she liked without the Sayers’ charity.
He’d also doubled his efforts to hunt down the Fox. His informants inhabited every corner of the city, spreading the word that his reward for the spy had tripled. The Fox would eventually make a mistake and be caught, or someone greedy enough would turn him in.
If anything, Drake was more determined to avenge his brother and see the matter done. He looked forward to returning home with his bride and starting a family. Hawk Haven needed reviving, and Elise was just the woman to see it done.
The church’s pipe organ boomed to life. The intricate notes throbbed, rattling the delicate stained-glass windows that cast colorful patterns on the polished wood floors. Footsteps sounded behind him. He turned to see John Kirby and Charles Beaufort rushing his way.
“Are you ready, sir?” the captain asked.
“I’ve never been more so, Charles. John, do you have the ring?”
The lieutenant patted the pocket of his new vest. His fingers delved into the brown wool and extracted the circle of gold. “Right here, sir. I’m honored you’ve given me the chance to serve as your best man.”
“Yes, especially since Lord Anthony would have been your choice if not for his untimely demise,” said Beaufort.
Drake lost some of his exuberance. “Yes, my brother’s presence is missed today most of all.”
Beaufort smoothed his blond wig. “You know it would have been my honor to stand in his stead if it weren’t necessary to keep our relationship a secret, sir. However, I’m happy to lend my presence here to ensure you have at least one family member to witness your union.”
Drake straightened his navy waistcoat and slipped on the matching jacket. He clasped Beaufort on the shoulder, refusing to have his good mood marred by his cousin’s awkward attempts to earn his favor. “Come, cousin, I’m to wed. I have no wish to wait a moment longer.”
Taking his place at the front of the church, he held his breath as Elise floated down the center aisle, a vision in light green silk and creamy lace. Until he’d been separated from her, he hadn’t been aware of how alone and empty he’d been. Just one look at her replaced his loneliness with joy.
As he took Elise’s hand and spoke his vows, he thanked the Lord for the gift of her. Humbled by God’s mercy and kind forgiveness, he marveled at how blessed he felt for the first time in years.