The great hall of Monsale Castle was abuzz with activity and chatter. Servants were continually moving about, placing large pots and vases of roses all about the room. Pink silk curtains had been draped around the high windows. The proceedings for a wedding were continuing, and the mood was definitely romantic.
“I swear I saw Lord and Lady Marshall’s travel coach leaving earlier. And no one seems to know where Lady Euphemia is,” said Stephen.
Bridget, who was cradling baby Elizabeth Rose in her arms, Toby by her side, skimmed the room. “More importantly, where is Monsale? No bride. No groom. I have a horrible feeling that this wedding may not be going ahead.”
Her husband leaned in and placed a tender kiss on his wife’s cheek. He took a gurgling Elizabeth Rose from her and wrapped his daughter into the warmth of his jacket. Toby gave a friendly wave to the baby.
Harry and Alice entered the room; they were followed by Gus, Evangeline, George, and Jane. Behind them walked the Duke and Duchess of Redditch, baby Jonathan lay asleep in his grandfather’s arms.
Bridget frowned. All the guests were here except for Lady Naomi Steele.
“I hope this day is not so terrible an ordeal for Naomi that she couldn’t bear to come to the service. Poor girl, she had her heart set on marrying Monsale for such a long time. I just can’t understand where it all went wrong.”
The arrival of the local church minister dressed fully in his official robes set the hubbub of chatter to an even higher level. The question on everyone’s lips.
“Where was Monsale?”
The Duke of Monsale’s silver-haired steward Adan appeared in the doorway. He marched into the middle of the great hall; a large ebony staff held in his hand. When he reached the front of the room, he stopped, turned, and faced the gathering.
“His grace the Duke of Monsale!”
He rapped the staff on the stone floor, the sound of it echoing in the cavernous space.
All heads turned as Monsale strolled into the room. A hum of whispers quickly followed as the guests all took in the sight of Lady Naomi Steele, her hand held in his, as they walked side by side. She wore a pale pink gown with matching silk roses which trimmed the edge of the bodice. In her hair sat a dazzling diamond and ruby tiara.
Bridget and Alice exchanged a hopeful look. The Duchess of Redditch gasped and put her hand over her heart. “The Monsale tiara, oh Naomi.”
Monsale led Naomi to the front of the room. “Thank you,” said Monsale, as a smiling Adan stepped aside. The steward gave a nod. “Your grace.”
Monsale slipped his hand from Naomi’s and turned to her, bowing low. “My love.”
Bridget promptly burst into tears.
“I expect you are all wondering what on earth has occurred this morning,” said Monsale.
“That would be a large understatement,” grumbled the Duke of Redditch.
Naomi held her hands together and laughed. Joy coursed through her whole body. The happiness, she had thought lost only a short time ago, now sparked once more to life. The only thing which shone brighter was the priceless Monsale tiara.
“Lady Euphemia and Lord Walsall have eloped to Scotland. They went with my blessing. I informed Lord and Lady Marshall of this development earlier this morning, and understandably, they decided to return to London immediately,” announced Monsale.
There was not a dry eye in the house as a smiling Monsale went down on bended knee. “I love you, Naomi. You are my world. By refusing to accept our love, I hurt you. I am so, so terribly sorry to have made you suffer. When I finally came to understand how much I do love you, it made me see so many things through your eyes.”
He loves me. Be still my beating heart.
“I love you too.”
It was all she could manage.
“In front of everyone here today, I am declaring myself to you. Offering you a full partnership in my life. Lady Naomi Steele, love of my heart. Will you do me the greatest honor ever and be my wife? My duchess.”
Naomi glanced at her mother. A tearful Kitty nodded. She knew how much this moment meant, how long her daughter had waited.
“Yes.”
Cheers and applause erupted as Monsale got to his feet and hauled Naomi into his arms. He captured her lips, kissing her without restraint. She didn’t care if her parents were watching, this moment was everything. They were both panting when they eventually drew apart.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper, then handed it to the priest.
“I think you should find the special license is all in correct order. Especially the names of the bride and groom.”
Naomi’s mouth opened and then closed. Monsale had arrived at the castle with the marriage license in hand. Her future husband sensibly avoided her gaze as it drilled into him.
You dirty, rotten, wonderful man.
“I should go back to the beach and get one of your pistols and shoot you,” she said.
“I think it might be bad luck to murder the groom at his wedding. Especially before the service. Speaking of which, did you want to take some time with your mother now and prepare? I mean, I don’t know what women do before weddings, but if you want…”
“No.”
“What about talking to your parents?”
Naomi waved her father over. “Papa, will you give this marriage your blessing?”
The Duke of Redditch wrapped a fatherly arm around Naomi’s shoulder. “Only if this truly makes you happy. Your mother and I have always said that love is more important than money. If you think Monsale has come to see the error of his ways, which it looks as if he has, then yes. I give you both my blessing.”
Monsale bowed his head. “Your grace. I will do everything in my power to make Naomi’s life one full of happiness.”
The duke slapped his future son-in-law on the back. “Then get on with it.”
As her father took his place once more alongside his wife, Naomi decided she wasn’t going to waste another minute, she was more than ready. She turned to the minister; hands gently clasped together. Monsale joined her.
When the priest reached the part of the service where he asked if anyone present knew a reason why they shouldn’t be lawfully married, a ripple of laughter rang through the room. The bride and groom both shook their heads.
Family and friends, heaven love them were the very worst. And the very best.
“I suggest we throw them all out the moment the wedding is over. None of them are getting fed,” whispered Monsale.
Naomi shot him a conspiratorial look. “I hope you retrieved your weapons from the beach. Because if you try to get between Gus and food, there will be a riot.”
The rest of the wedding service went without incident. An emotional Naomi struggled to back the tears when Monsale opened an elegant silver box containing six gold wedding bands of different sizes all arranged neatly on a red velvet cushion.
“I wasn’t sure of your size,” he said.
After trying several rings, they found one which fit perfectly. Monsale slipped it on Naomi’s finger.
“It’s a little late, for this, but you may now kiss the bride,” said the priest.
As the bride and groom locked lips, a roar of applause and cheers rang through the hall. Adan struck the staff on the floor once more and cried. “Huzzah!”
Naomi gazed lovingly into the eyes of her new husband. “I will do everything in my power to be the wife and duchess you need. To make you proud of me.”
Monsale brushed his hand over her cheek. “My love, you are already more than I could have ever hoped to find in a wife. I am so very proud of you Naomi. You stood your ground and refused to settle for being anything other than my first and only choice.”
He wrapped her gently in his arms and whispered. “This is forever.”
“Rome has fallen!” cried Harry.
“All hail Naomi, Lady Monsale,” added Alice.
I am a duchess. But more importantly I am Monsale’s wife.
Hand in hand they went to receive the congratulations of their friends and family.