Page 36 of Bound to the Scarred Duke (A Duke’s Game #1)
The Wait is Over
“Where is it? Oh goodness, where on Earth can it be?” Charlotte muttered, rifling through the drawers of her dresser with rising panic. “Why must this happen today of all days?”
There was a knock at the door, and a moment later, Philippa appeared beside her. “What are you looking for?”
“Mother’s necklace. You know, the emerald one? I took it out last night so it would be ready for today, and blast if I can’t find the thing anywhere.” Charlotte looked at her sister. “It was right here, I swear.”
“Perhaps it fell on the floor? No, I will look; you must not ruin your dress.”
“What are you doing?” Evelyn called from the doorway.
“We are looking for Mother’s necklace.”
“I have it,” Evelyn said, sounding nonplussed as she procured it from seemingly thin air.
“You have it?” Charlotte whirled around, staring at her sister.
“Yes, it needed polishing.” Evelyn handed her the necklace. “I swear I told you last night.”
“Well, evidently you did not, given how panicked our dear sister is.” Philippa was dusting herself off and glowering at her twin. “Honestly, married life has apparently removed your brain.”
Evelyn ignored her twin’s remark. “I am sorry, Charlotte, I did not mean to worry you.”
“It is fine. I am just glad we have found it.” Charlotte bent her neck as Evelyn fastened the delicate chain with its emerald pendant around her. “And at least my search did not disturb my makeup.”
“Indeed.” Evelyn gently brushed some dust from Charlotte’s shoulders. “You look absolutely radiant.”
“We all do.” Charlotte clutched her sisters’ hands.
“But you most of all.” Philippa beamed at her.
Charlotte smiled at her reflection in the mirror. She was wearing beautiful green dress of the most delicate muslin with detailed embroidery etched across it. She had fine silk gloves and dark green shoes to match.
Her hair was styled up, and she almost could not believe that the wonderous woman in the mirror before her was actually her.
Evelyn and Philippa were each wearing matching yellow dresses, brand new and ordered just for the occasion.
“Are you ready?” Lady Bellmore appeared and clapped a hand over her mouth, tears filling her eyes. “Oh Charlotte, you look simply wonderful.”
“Thank you,” Charlotte answered. “Though do not be too nice to me, or I will ruin my makeup.”
“And we cannot have that. After all, it is her wedding day,” Philippa added.
“And it is high time, we get you to the ceremony.” Lady Bellmore gestured to the clock.
“It is only in the gardens,” Evelyn pointed out.
“And you have never been on the sharp end of the Dowager Duchess’s tongue. That is not a woman I would like to keep waiting.” Lady Bellmore winced.
“But Charlotte is marrying her grandson, not her,” Philippa pointed out reasonably.
“Not if she does not get to the ceremony! At this rate, he will think she is not coming.” Lady Bellmore tugged on Charlotte, urging her out of the door.
Charlotte smiled at her. “Dominic has more faith in me than that, but perhaps it would be best not to test him too much.”
***
Dominic stood in the doorway, the wind gently blowing through and tugging at his top hat. He felt a dull ache in his chest and picked a sprig of lavender from his pocket.
He smiled, thinking of how Charlotte had tucked it in there the previous night. He sniffed it, breathing deeply and feeling his muscles relax.
“If you keep pacing, you will wear a hole in the garden,” Frederick pointed out. “Besides, you are making me nervous, and I am not even the one getting married.”
“I cannot believe I am getting married.” Dominic shook his head and let out a low whistle.
“Nor can I. But I am happy for you. And Lady Charlotte is rather wonderful company.” Frederick clapped him affectionately on the shoulder.
“It will be your turn next,” Dominic teased his cousin
“Do not say that too loud, or you will give grandmother ideas.” Frederick and Dominic both glanced at the Dowager Duchess.
She was sitting in the front row in a resplendent purple outfit with a hat styled with peacock feathers. Cecily was beside her, and the rest of the chairs were full of his relatives. And this is just the few hundred closest to us.
“You have the rings?” Dominic asked.
“For the hundredth time, yes, I have the rings.” Frederick sighed. “Or more accurately, they are tied to little Fortuna’s collar.”
Beside them, the puppy gave a delighted bark. Dominic beamed at her. Her mother, Venus, barked back in answer. It had not taken much convincing for Charlotte to take Fortuna home with them, and Dominic was glad of the puppy’s reassuring presence while they waited for his bride.
He bent down and affectionately stroked her. “You are just as excited as I am to see her, aren’t you? Though you must promise not to jump up on her; she will not thank you if you muddy her dress.”
Fortuna wagged her tail. At that moment, music began to play, and the priest appeared, beckoning for Dominic to stand up straight. He glanced at Frederick, who gave him a reassuring smile as he took Fortuna’s lead.
“It is finally time.” Dominic murmured, and he turned to find Charlotte walking towards him.
He gasped. She looked like a goddess, practically gliding down the aisle, arm in arm with her father. His heart soared, and he had to remind himself not to gape openly.
She smiled at him, and all the worries he had had melted away. He mouthed, “You look beautiful.”
“Flatterer,” she mouthed back before winking. “You look rather handsome yourself.”
A chuckle escaped him, and as she drew level with the altar, everything else faded from existence. Everything but her.
***
Charlotte had known that Dominic looked wonderful in tails but had not quite been prepared for how handsome he looked. Or how the sight of him practically gaping at her would make her heart turn into a thousand fluttering butterflies.
She would have tripped if it had not been for her father’s steadying arm. “Careful, my dear.”
“Thank you, Father,” she murmured.
As she reached Dominic, the priest began to speak, the words reminding her of Evelyn’s wedding the month before. And now, it is my turn.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony.”
The words seemed to wrap themselves around Charlotte, and for a moment, she was sure she must be dreaming. Until a wet nose pressed itself against her calf, and she saw Fortuna looking up at her.
She suppressed a laugh and subtly tried to direct the puppy back into Frederick’s waiting arms. Fortuna resolutely remained pressed to Charlotte’s leg until Fredrick scooped her into his arms, murmuring profuse apologies.
Dominic laughed and exchanged a look with Charlotte, who tried not to giggle herself.
The priest cleared his throat, clearly unimpressed with the turn of events as he said, “Who Giveth this woman to this man?”
“I do.” Her father took her hand and placed it in the priest’s.
He gave her an encouraging smile and then joined her stepmother on the pew.
The priest placed Charlotte’s hand in Dominic’s right and instructed him to repeat his words.
Charlotte’s heart sped up as Dominic squeezed her fingers reassuringly and said, “I, Dominic Dorson, Duke of Verimore take thee, Lady Charlotte Nettle, to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.”
As soon as she heard the final words, Charlotte’s heart squeezed. She planned on that parting being a long, long time in the future. Dominic finished his part, and then it was her turn.
She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry as she began to speak. “I, Lady Charlotte Nettle, take thee, Dominic Dorson, Duke of Verimore, to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.”
Dominic beamed at her, and Charlotte felt tears of joy prick at the corner of her eyes. She gently dabbed at them with her free hand while the priest blessed the ring Fortuna was reluctantly presenting to him.
She watched as he handed it to Dominic, who then slid the ring onto her finger where it sat above her engagement ring. The simple gold band stole her breath away.
“With this ring, I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen,” Dominic murmured, adding too softly for anyone else to hear, “I love you, Charlotte.”
“I love you too,” Charlotte mouthed back.
***
As soon as the ceremony ended, the gardens were filled with delighted woops and cheers. In predictable fashion, Dominic’s family called out and clapped.
“Kiss her!” yelled someone.
Dominic grinned and swept Charlotte into his arms, kissing her deeply. She returned the kiss, laughing, her salty tears of joy running down her face. As they broke apart to tumultuous applause, he wiped the tears away.
“We are married,” Dominic murmured.
“We are,” Charlotte agreed, leaning against him.
His family was swarming around him, offering their heart felt congratulations as Fortuna yipped excitedly around their ankles. The press of the crowd made his chest squeeze.
Charlotte leaned against him and placed a hand on his chest. “Breathe, Sweetkins. Just breathe.”
He did as she asked and took a deep breath in. Music began to sound, and Charlotte gently led him to the dance floor, away from the crowd.
He smiled at her. “You are always looking after me.”
“Is that not what a wife is for?” Charlotte laughed at him. “To look after my husband?”
“I think it is a husband that should look after his wife,” Dominic replied as they began to dance.
“Perhaps we can look after each other,” Charlotte said.
“I think I should like that.” Dominic kissed her gently. “I think I should like that very much.”
“I have a gift for you,” Charlotte said after a moment, procuring something from her purse.
“You know it is custom to receive gifts at a wedding?” Dominic raised an eyebrow at her.
“Just take it.” She placed something soft in his hand.
He glanced down. It was a pressed, white rose. He looked up at her, his heart beating fast.
“I do not understand.” Dominic tucked the flower into a pocket as they continued to dance.
“I wanted you to know that you are worthy of me, Dominic Dorson. And this is a reminder that I have measured you, weighed you, and come to love you.” Charlotte kissed him gently. “You will always be worthy of me, my Sweetkins.”
“As you are of me, my Precious Plum,” Dominic replied.
“Of course,” Charlotte laughed, and the sound filled him with hope. “This is how we begin.”