Page 106

Theodore fidgeted as it seemed like an eternity before Catherine appeared. Darcy grinned at him from where he stood. Not so very long ago, Theodore had ribbed him as they stood at the front of the same chapel while Darcy was waiting for Elizabeth to appear.

It was not so very different from last time as most of the same people were there.

Elizabeth was there, though this time she was on the front pew with young Artie on her lap.

He was waving happily at everyone and was certainly adopting a more extroverted approach to life, a departure from his father's preference for solitude. In that, he took after his mother.

Kiernan sat beside Elizabeth, home on a break from Eton.

He was glad to make it to another one of his “sister’s” weddings.

As always, he was happy to entertain Artie as necessary.

As he picked up the toy Artie had carelessly tossed, he handed it back with a gentle smile and playfully tousled the child's hair.

The boy had entered another record growth spurt and would soon be as tall as some of the women he had so lovingly adopted back in Hertfordshire.

Kiernan had met Timmy before the wedding and thanked him for helping Catherine.

The two had gotten along well despite their age difference, which was good because Kiernan’s family had taken Timmy in.

They could use the extra help on the home farm and Kiernan’s mother always had an abundance of motherly nurturing to dole out.

Timmy had been wary at first but was starting to let the family into his heart.

Jane and Bingley had come sometime before the wedding, happy to socialize with the ever-expanding family.

This time, they had their small, blue-eyed bundle of joy in tow.

Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins sat nearby with their own son, Mathew, who, strangely enough, was only two weeks younger than his niece.

Mrs. Hawkins was beaming, not because her daughter was becoming a countess, but because her daughter was happy to be marrying a man she loved.

Above all, her greatest desire was for her daughters to find happiness in their marriages.

That Theodore was now an earl was immaterial.

There were new people present. Miss Burgess had been eager to come see her friend wed and, of course, her brother was in attendance as well.

Theodore did not miss how he kept looking at Lydia.

They were both young enough and Lydia was not even out yet, so there should be some time before another wedding should they continue along those lines.

Mr. Goulding had come as part of the house party that had been thrown together.

He was gazing longingly at Mary whenever he thought no one was looking.

Theodore made a mental note to talk to Darcy and Bingley before he and Catherine left for Matlock that afternoon.

He had an interesting idea that might help the two star-crossed love birds.

Lord and Lady Derby were also in attendance as well as their son and daughters.

They were quite fond of their cousins, the Gardiners, all of whom were also in attendance.

Before they had left London for Pemberley, Theodore had become closer with the Derby family.

It was a relief to receive insight about being an earl from someone who possessed a genuinely kind demeanor and no underlying motives.

He might have lost his dear brother and his traitorous mother, but he was not alone. His life had become enriched by the presence of many wonderful individuals, all brimming with love and goodness.

Theodore’s musings stopped the moment he saw movement at the back of the church. There, being escorted down the aisle by her Uncle Gardiner, was his bride. Catherine's smile was glorious, and in a room full of joyful individuals, her radiant smile outshone them all.

How had he succeeded in securing the companionship of such an awe-inspiring woman for the rest of his life? He had nearly let it slip through his grasp, but somehow love found a way, like a delicate butterfly landing on his fingertips.

And then she was there, walking to him. He could not say what she wore besides noting that whatever it was, it complimented the glow that she seemed to exude.

With every step she took, he felt his breath catch.

It was a splendid agony watching her approach.

He was torn between wanting her by his side and prolonging the intoxicating effect of witnessing her approach which set him ablaze.

Then, finally, she was next to him, and he could not stop himself from reaching out and taking her hand.

He brought it to rest over his thudding heart.

Ignoring the curate who was ready to start the ceremony, Theodore focused only on Catherine.

Smiling down at her glowing face, he whispered, “I thought you would never get here.”

Catherine looked up at him with a teasing glint in her eye. “I was never very far away.”

Theodore observed Catherine, captivated by the genuine happiness radiating from her expression, surpassing the power of any spoken language.

“Any time you are not by my side, you are far too far away.” They were finally going to be able to start their life together and they would not be separated again.

Not if he could help it. A rather loud throat clearing finally got their attention back to why they were all there.

“If I may begin?” the young curate questioned them both, eyebrows raised.

Theodore looked at the man, and he had the decency to blush before responding. “By all means. The sooner she is my wife, the better.”

Laughter echoed through the chapel as, once again, the curate had to wait to gain the attention of those gathered before beginning the ceremony. In the end, it did not take them long to be joined in holy matrimony.