Page 117 of A Dashing Duke for Emily

Papa then began clapping his hands and announcing, “Time to go to the church. Everyone, the church is just down the street to the left. We are to walk there.” He then went to the garden to announce to theothers.

Emily said, “I had better get back to Ruth. I will see you after the ceremony. And everything is taken care of for thereception.”

“Wait until you see the cake. I heckled the baker all week to make certain it wasperfect.”

“You are adarling.”

* * *

The church service went well. No surprises. No accidents. And even the children were fairly well behaved. And it was a joyous crowd that followed the family and the bride and groom to Harrods which was not a long walk. It seemed much easier than dealing with many jostling carriages or hansomcabs.

Papa knew of many musical groups from running the music store, and he had hired a lively ensemble that kept the guests dancing most of theafternoon.

The wedding cake was displayed on a table on the side of the room and it was time to cut the cake. The bride and groom were poised to make the first cut, when Emily was shocked to have a pair of arms reach around from behind and take her by the waist. She gasped, startled, and turned to see Mark’s smilingface.

“I thought I might surprise you,” he whispered in herear.

“Are youalone?”

“Not at all.” And he turned his head and Emily looked in that direction to see Alice beaming ather.

Emily reached out her hand and invited Alice to join them. Alice came over and Emily linked her arms with Mark and her dearfriend.

“I had no idea you would be here,” she said turning to themboth.

“Had to celebrate with our new family,” Alicesaid.

“I am so pleased you are both here,” she said. But just then, a roar went up from the guests as the first slice of cake was cut, which diverted their attention to the bride andgroom.

But as soon as the servers took over and began serving cake to the guests, the music started up again and couples resumeddancing.

Mark turned to Emily and said, “You realize we have never dancedtogether?”

“Well, that can be remedied rightnow.”

Alice had just accepted a slice of cake and was content to be left alone as the two joined three other couples to dance the quadrille. It was not possible to hold much of a discussion during the dance, because the couples were constantly interacting, but they were able to exchange smiles and loving glances with eachother.

When the dance finished, Mark led Emily to where Alice sat at a small table forfour.

“I secured a piece of cake for each of you,” Alice said, as Mark and Emily sat with her, still holdinghands.

Emily turned to Mark and said, “I cannot tell you how pleased Papa was with your most magnanimous gift of a carriage. Mark, that was so very generous ofyou.”

“Mark parted with one of his precious carriages?” Alice asked in mock horror with a twinkle in hereye.

“How many do you have?” Emilyasked.

“Maybe twenty. Well, nineteen now,” heanswered.

And, as if on cue, Papa and Mother appeared at thetable.

“Oh, Your Grace, we did not know you were to grace us with your presence today,” Mother said,curtsying.

“Just wanted to pay my respects to the family—as we are soon to be united in marriage,” he said patting Emily’shand.

“How can I ever thank you enough for your most generous gift of a pair of horses and a carriage, Your Grace,” Papa said, taking hold of Mark’s hand and shaking itvigorously.

“I wanted your family to ride in comfort when you come to visit us at Linfield,” Marksaid.