“Oh yes, she is. His Grace hired her especially for me. There is no one who can do my hair the way she can.”
“You could have asked her to help you get ready today. I would not have minded,” Ruth told her, lying through her teeth.
“I did,” Felicity answered, unable to keep the smile from her face.
“What?” Ruth spun to look around the room, her brows lowering when she found it empty save for the two of them.
“Ruth, if you want it, the position is yours. Come with me. I do not wish to do this without you.”
It took less than half a heartbeat for Ruth to agree, hugging Felicity tightly.
“Enough of that,” Ruth declared firmly. “We have to get you ready.”
The two spent the next hour curling and pinning Felicity’s blonde hair into place, weaving little white flowers into it. Her face and body were rubbed down with fragrant lotions and oils, making her skin glow. Ruth had just slipped the final piece of her dress over her shoulders when her mother came back in with a knock.
“Oh, my dear. You look absolutely lovely.”
They all tried to fight back the tears, but a few slipped through.
“Here, I want you to have this,” her mother said, holding out a large piece of white lace. “This was the veil I wore on my wedding day. I hope it brings you luck for a fruitful marriage and the most amazing children, like I have.”
Felicity fingered the lace gently, admiring the intricate beauty of it.
“Thank you, mother. Will you put it on me?”
Felicity crouched so the fabric could be pinned in place. When she looked in the mirror, her breath was stolen from her. She found a bride staring back at her, and she could not be more excited. The lace veil covered her face, reaching the top of her dress and running down the back, trailing after her in waves. The white of the lace matched the white of her gown perfectly. She had opted for an off the shoulder neckline with tiers of lace ruffling out around her elbows. The bodice of her dress was tucked in tight to her waist, covered in a smooth satin with a panel of lace hanging off the neckline. Her skirt was in a matching satin that pleated out around the hoop skirt she wore, swishing around her legs. She loved the classic, simple look of it all. She was surprised to find just how beautiful she felt.
The rest of her family was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs, and as she walked down to greet them, a wave of gasps sounded from her sisters. Her vision was a bit blurred by the veil in front of her eyes, but she could have sworn her father had wiped away a tear. Delilah handed her a small bouquet of white flowers with greenery peeking out around the edges. Without any time to spare, they made their way to the carriages waiting out front for them and headed towards the chapel and the rest of her life.
* * *
Excited nerves fluttered in Felicity’s stomach as she looped her arm through the crook of her father’s elbow, standing outside the chapel doors.
“Ready?” her father asked, smiling proudly at her over the sound of the music coming from inside.
She had never felt more ready for anything in her life. She wanted nothing more than to start her life with Benjamin.
Felicity nodded, unable to trust her words, and two footmen pulled open the doors. Every pew in the cathedral was packed with people who now stood, twisting to get a look at her. She tightened her grip on her father’s arm as they stepped into the church, walking over the carpet of flower petals that had been laid down by the flower girls.
Her eyes flicked all around the room, scanning the faces of the crowd. It seemed that the majority of the ton had decided to attend their wedding, but a few familiar faces poked out too. Ruth was already dabbing away tears as was Hope, and the Abbotts were whispering to themselves. The man she had come to know as Lord Owens was standing off to the right, tall and proud and happy. Delilah mirrored his position on the opposite side of the aisle, resplendent in her sage green maid of honor gown. But all of that faded away as soon as her eyes found his.
Benjamin stood tall in his blue military coat, the gold brocades swagging across the wide expanse of his chest. The white sash that hung over his shoulder and across his body was pinned in place with his honorary medals and awards, sending a surge of pride through her. But what captivated her the most were his eyes. They were wide, warmth and love pouring from them as she locked her eyes with his. She would never grow tired of the way his eyes shone only for her.
By the time she made it to the end of the aisle to stand in front of Benjamin, all of Felicity’s nerves had fled. The rest of the ceremony flew by in a whirlwind as she stepped away from her father to face Benjamin. The priest spoke, and she was sure it was important for her to listen, but she could only stare at the man that was soon to be her husband. When the time came to say their vows, Felicity did her best not to stumble over the words but found her emotions got the best of her. Benjamin, however, had no such problems as he repeated the priest’s words with all the conviction in the world.
And then they were wed. The priest announced them as man and wife, the Duke and Duchess of Ferndown, as Benjamin shot her a wide smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling in happiness. He took a step towards her, crushing her skirts against his legs. Then he picked up the edge of the lace concealing her and tossed it back over her head, revealing her face. Without a moment’s hesitation, Benjamin slid one hand around her waist, the other on her cheek, and then wrapped it behind her head, pulling her towards him. Her own hands landed on his chest before snaking their way up around his neck. He bent his head and closed his eyes as she did the same. Applause rang out as he kissed her deeply.
It was the kind of kiss that promised a lifetime of love and happiness. The kind of kiss that told her just how much he cherished her. It was the kind of kiss that sealed their forever, and it was perfect.
* * *
“Dance with me, wife?” Benjamin asked, bowing over his offered hand.
Felicity doubted she would ever get used to being called a duchess, let alone his wife. She loved the way it sounded.
“I would be honored, Your Grace.”
Their reception had started a while ago with the hundreds of guests filtering in from the cathedral and down to the dance hall. They had served tables and tables of food with a cake taller than she was. She loved having her family, her entire new family, share the table with them.