Hunt scowled. “Don’t even think to start that conversation. I am quite happy with my choice of a wife. I might not have anticipated marriage to Diana, but the more I think about it, the smarter my decision seems to be.”
“Hardly your decision,” Driscoll said as he nodded toward the back of the church. “It appears your bride has arrived.”
Diana stood at the back of the church in a white satin gown, that being the chosen color of most brides the last few years. Quite fashionable in style, the sleeves reached her hands, a row of pearls down the center of each sleeve.
The fabric had been pulled back, outlining her stomach and clinging nicely, but modestly, to her breasts. She carried a bouquet of some sort of pink flowers. A white veil that hung almost to the floor covered her head, with a ring of small roses anchoring it to her crown.
Hunt’s mouth dried up, and he had one thought, only.
They should skip the wedding breakfast and go right to bed after they chased away the few guests from the church. She raised her head and looked down the aisle. Their eyes met, and Hunt’s heartbeat sped up.
“Pull yourself together, man. You’re drooling.” Driscoll spoke from the side of his mouth.
Hunt straightened and scowled at his brother. “I am not drooling.”
She made her way down the aisle on her father’s arm. Hunt had met the man for the first time only two days before. Not very impressed with the man, or how he allowed Diana’s grandmama to simply whisk her away from him years ago with very little contact over the years, he found it hard to be more than just polite.
Hunt reached out and took her hand when she joined him. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. I don’t mind telling you I am quite nervous.” She took a deep breath, bringing Hunt’s eyes right to her breasts.
“Nothing to be worried about, darling. Just another step in life.”
She smirked. “More like a leap if you ask me.”
The vicar cleared his throat, obviously warning them he was ready to start the ceremony. They turned to him and he began.
“Dearl
y beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this Congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency—"
Hunt’s mind wandered, and he spent his time during the very lengthy introduction to the ceremony thinking about what he was doing. Marriage was forever. Whether Diana turned out to be his perfect mate, or the worst woman he could have ever chosen, it didn’t matter.
She was his and would always be his.
He glanced over at her. She seemed to be listening to every word the vicar said. Was she changing her mind? Deciding she didn’t want to ‘love, honor and obey’? He almost laughed at the ‘obey’ part. Diana would never obey him. Certainly not like one of the sweet young debutantes he’d first thought would be his choice. He shuddered thinking about standing here with Lady Eunice alongside him.
“I require and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgement when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, ye do now confess it—"
Hunt returned to his own thoughts as the vicar droned on, which might have been a bit sacrilegious considering the enormity of what he was undertaking. He really should be paying attention, but he was horrified to realize all his thoughts were now focused on the wedding night.
He was thankful that the wedding breakfast would be held at Diana’s house with Lady Greystone, an old friend of her grandmother’s, hosting the event there. That way when they were finished eating, he could whisk his new wife off to his townhouse and not have to be concerned with ushering lingering guests out the door.
He managed to pull his attention back as they spoke their vows. Diana’s hands were ice cold, and she looked scared to death. “It’s all right, sweetheart.” He offered her a smile and repeated the vicar’s words.
With this Ring I thee wed, with my Body I thee worship, and with all my worldly Goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
He slipped the simple gold band on Diana’s finger. Their eyes met, and they both grinned. He knew right then he had made the best decision in his life.
18
With so few people attending the ceremony at the church, it didn’t take Diana and her new husband long to sign the marriage register and proceed to their carriage, accepting well wishes from the few attendees along the way.
Even though when planning the wedding she had indicated a small wedding breakfast would be her preference, now she was glad Hunt had insisted on a large one. With the ceremony over, she felt more relaxed and would enjoy a bit of celebration. And food.
Grandmama’s fondest friend, Lady Greystone, had offered to oversee the event at Diana’s house since Lady Greystone lived in a very small townhouse.
With Diana’s father unavailable, Hunt had worked out the marriage contract with Diana’s solicitor, and it had been decided she would maintain her townhouse because, with all of Grandmama’s things still there, Diana did not have the heart to sell it. She had a few ideas on how to make use of the dwelling. Perhaps a residence for homeless women or neglected children.