Page 30 of A Duke to Restore her Memory

Newquay Hall. Three months later

“I have never told you how happy I am that you are about to become my sister-in-law,” said Lydia in a hesitant voice, flushing slightly as she turned to Christina. “I want to say it now. I am so glad that this day has finally arrived … and that I did not ruin it completely.”

Christina turned from contemplating her reflection in the full-length mirror to Lydia, trying to stifle the surprise she felt.

This was the very first time Lydia had broached the subject of what had happened between them, even though they had been growing steadily closer over the past months, even planning the wedding together. Lydia had proved a staunch ally.

And now, the day had finally arrived. She was about to become the Duchess of Newquay, a position grander than she could ever have imagined.

But more than that, she was becoming the wife of Sebastian Cavendish. And she was prouder of that than anything in this world.

“I did what I did because I was protecting my brother,” continued Lydia in an anguished voice. “I was scared of my position here being diminished, as well, but it went much deeper than that.” She hesitated, her eyes filling with tears. “I made a vow to our dying mother, Christina, to always look after him. And I took that vow very seriously indeed.”

“I understand,” said Christina softly, reaching out and taking Lydia’s hand. “I would have done the same thing in your position. I think I always knew you were doing what you did out of a fierce love for him.” She smiled slowly. “And I was a complete stranger to you, after all, living under this roof in odd circumstances. You were right to be wary, even if you did take it to the extreme.” She laughed.

Lydia looked mortified, her colour deepening. But then, they started laughing together.

“You look beautiful,” declared Lydia at last, wiping tears of mirth from the corners of her eyes. “I do not think I have ever seen a more beautiful bride, Christina. Sebastian is going to be thrilled. And I am so happy to be your bridesmaid, along with Frances.”

At that moment, Frances entered the room, clutching her bouquet, her eyes shining. “The coach is here.” She stopped short, staring at Christina. “Oh, you are exquisite! Are you ready?”

Christina turned back to the full-length mirror.

A petite woman with golden hair swept up into an elegant chignon, with pearls in her ears and gleaming around her neck, gazed back at her. She was wearing a cream silk and lace gown with a long train. She barely recognized herself.

“I am ready,” she whispered, swallowing a lump in her throat. She turned, reaching out to take the hands of her bridesmaids, drawing them into a circle. She was starting to feel very nervous now. “Thank you for sharing this day with me. Thank you for supporting me.”

The ladies squeezed her hand. They kissed each other. And then, her mother was there, urging them into the carriage. At the bottom of the steps, her father was waiting. His eyes moistened when he saw her.

“You have found your place, my girl,” he said softly, kissing her on the cheek. “And I could not be prouder. I am sorry for all I did so long ago … for betrothing you to that dreadful man …”

“It is alright, Papa,” she whispered, squeezing his hand. “It led me to Newquay Hall … and Sebastian. It led me to my destiny.”

“He is a good man,” declared her father with a smile. “One of the best. He took you in and cared for you. He rescued you from that brute Powell. And then he paid off my debts, under pain of death that I would never force you into a betrothal again …”

“He did what?” Christina’s jaw dropped.

“He never told you?” Her father shook his head incredulously. “Although I suppose it shouldn’t surprise me. He is such a humble man, never wanting praise or reward for anything he does. A true prince among men.”

At that moment, Lydia and Frances arrived, bundling them all into the open landau, declaring they would be late if they didn’t leave now.

Christina climbed into the carriage, her heart filled with so much pride and joy that she could barely contain it.

She had thought that she couldn’t love him more than she did. But it seemed that she was wrong. Was there no end to the kind, generous things he had done for her?

She really was the luckiest woman in the world. And when he finally slipped the ring onto her finger, and she became his wife, she would be luckier still. Tears pricked her eyes.

It could have all been so different. But she had told her father the truth – it had been the luckiest moment of her life when she had inadvertently fallen down that mine shaft. For it had led her to the love of her life.

***

Sebastian adjusted his cravat, trying not to stare at the church door. His palms were sweating now. Daniel, standing at his side as his groomsman, grinned widely.

“Do not worry, old chap, she will be here soon and your misery over,” he quipped. “You look like you are about to walk to the gallows rather than marry the love of your life!”

Sebastian grinned weakly. He felt sick to his stomach. He had been longing for this day with an intensity that had bordered on obsession, and it had arrived at long last. But now that it was here, he felt like he was about to expire from nerves.

I just want it over and done with. I just want her to be my wife.

He had been journeying back and forth from Newquay Hall to Draycott Manor for months to see her, and it was starting to wear thin.

He just wanted her by his side – to see her face when he first woke up in the morning and to see her before he closed his eyes at night. The longing and the love between them had grown so intense that he could hardly think about anything else any longer.

He gulped as he stared at the congregation. And that day was finally here. He heard a murmur through the crowd. He started to panic. Where was she?

At that moment, the door burst open. He turned, his eyes widening, seeing her for the first time. His heart seized.

He had never seen anything more beautiful in his life.

She held her father’s arm, standing with the light behind her. Her golden hair seemed to glow like a halo. She wore a gown of cream silk and lace with a long train that snaked behind her. She looked exquisite, like a fairy princess.

His heart filled with love and pride. He didn’t know what he had done to deserve such a woman; he was just glad he had found her.

As she started walking up the aisle towards him, he was beset by the memory of finding her at the bottom of that mine shaft, deathly pale and unconscious, with a large gash on her head.

He had never been more frightened in his life, thinking she was going to die in his arms. But he had also been stunned at finding the most beautiful woman he had ever seen there.

His heart swelled again. It had come full circle. Now, that injured woman, who had lost all memory of her life, was about to become his wife.

Finally, she reached his side. His heart was racing so erratically now that he could barely greet her. His mouth went dry.

They turned to one another … and he was lost within her eyes. The way he was always lost within her eyes. He knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that he would be lost within them forever.

As the vicar cleared his throat, ready to start the ceremony, he knew that life would never be the same again. And that was truly the most wondrous thing in the world.

***

Christina looked down at her hand resting in her new husband’s hand, feeling a glow unlike anything she had ever felt before.

They had stolen some precious moments alone in the gardens after cutting the wedding cake. Fairy lights twinkled, interlaced around the garden, casting a faint illumination.

“Happy?” whispered Sebastian, pulling her towards him.

“I have never been happier,” she whispered, gazing into his eyes, meaning every word from the bottom of her heart. “I still cannot believe it. I cannot believe that I am your wife. It still feels like a dream.”

“Believe it,” whispered Sebastian, nuzzling her neck. “We are never going to wake up from this dream, Christina. I promise you.”

They gazed into each other’s eyes, lost in a daze of love, leaning into each other … when they both jumped, hearing a noise behind them.

“Shhhh,” whispered Sebastian, grinning. He gripped her hand tighter. “Come with me.”

Giggling, they stole along the path. Suddenly, they stopped in their tracks. Daniel and Frances were there stealing a kiss. Their friends jumped, breaking apart, smiling at them sheepishly.

“We have news,” declared Daniel, taking Frances’s hand in his own and holding it high. His eyes were shining. “I have just asked Frances to be my wife—and she has accepted!”

Christina gasped before letting out a cry of joy and rushing to them. She enveloped Frances in a fierce hug. Sebastian took Daniel’s hand, shaking it heartily.

“Congratulations, old chap,” he said, grinning from ear to ear. “I hope you are as happy together as Christina and me. I think this calls for champagne. Shall we go inside?”

They all shouted their assent, drifting towards the house, their arms around each other, their chatter ringing into the air.

Christina squeezed her eyes shut for a moment. Yes, she was very glad she had fallen down that abandoned mine shaft. In fact, if she were given the choice, she would do it all over again. A thousand times over.