Page 55 of An Execution, an Earl, and Miss Hughes
Outside St Mary’s a crowd had gathered to watch Sarah enter the church. She walked in on her father’s arm, under an arch of roses, her stomach clenched with nerves, until she saw Lucian.
He stood at the top of the church, his face turned as he anxiously awaited her arrival. As he caught sight of her, he smiled, and in that instant Sarah knew that it did not matter where she lived, as long as it was with him.
Rowan sat beside her brothers and their wives in the front pew, cheeks shining from a vigorous bath. His gap-toothed grin lit up the rafters as she walked up the aisle, and she offered him a wave.
A sea of smiling faces followed her progress. As they reached the top of the church, Mr Hughes handed her over to Lucian with one final warning glare.
I will forever be just a little afraid of your father,” Lucian murmured, as they turned to face Mr Mifford. Then, more softly, “You look beautiful, by the way.”
She smiled. He smiled back. And for the rest of Mr Mifford’s well-meant sermon, they did little more than grin at one another like a pair of gooey three-minute eggs.
When it was done and they were pronounced husband and wife, they stepped out into the sunshine to a roar of cheers from the gathered villagers. Rose petals flew, children shouted, and Mr Marrowbone led a toast from the churchyard gate.
Tears threatened again, as Sarah imagined her new life without the familiar faces of her friends close by.
Sensing her heightened emotions, Lucian pulled her close.
“I hope you don’t mind,” he whispered in her ear. “But I’ve grown rather fond of Plumpton, so I bought us a home here for when we visit—Long Acres.”
Sarah turned to him in surprise. Then, as the words sank in, she kissed him without a second thought for their audience.
The crowd erupted in cheers, and when Lucian finally let her go, even Mrs Canards was smiling.
Just then, Rowan came barreling out of the church and flung his arms around her waist, while Lucian wrapped a proud arm around them both.
And in that moment—with her family gathered close and her future shining bright—Sarah knew she was the happiest woman in all of England.