Page 45 of One Naughty Christmas Night

Heath pulled his brother away from the priest. “Were you nervous before you got married?”

Quinn laughed. “I was so nervous I almost fainted. The Duke had to make me sit down before the ceremony so I wouldn’t embarrass myself.”

Heath placed his hand on his stomach, forcing himself to calm down.

She already agreed to marry you. Nothing to be nervous about.

“There’s my boy,” his mother said, drawing his attention to her.

“Mother,” he replied, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

“Now, don’t be nervous, dear,” she admonished with a pat on the cheek. “Everything will be fine.”

“Is it that obvious?” Heath asked, watching her walk down the aisle to greet the guests.

“It is. But don’t worry, everyone gets nervous before they get married,” the Duke said.

His father looked at Quinn, then at Heath.

“However, I always give this piece of advice: Tell her you love her, and often. Even when you might not like her, tell her you love her. Your mother can be a handful, but I always let her know I care about her.”

His mother appeared in the doorway, reaching her hand out to the Duke.

“Darling, you must make an appearance before the ceremony starts. Louisa is waiting for us.”

“Yes, dear,” he replied, stepping over to take her arm to escort her.

The priest shook his head and sighed, a smile creeping onto his face.

“I’m going to head out there,” he said, stepping from the doorway and heading down the aisle.

“Ready?” Quinn asked as the music struck up.

“Yes.”

They headed down the aisle to the end, shaking the priest’s hand before turning back to face the doorway.

Victoria and her father appeared, and Heath sucked in a deep breath at the sight of her.

She was wrapped in white silk, the short sleeves of her gown a soft lace. A ribbon of soft blue was tied around her waist, and she wore long white gloves. A sparkling diamond circlet was placed on her head, and a short veil flowed over her dark hair.

He tried and failed to discreetly wipe away a lone tear that fell, Quinn nudging him with his elbow as he placed his hands back down at his waist.

***

Victoria stood in the doorway of the ballroom, her hand clenching her father’s arm.

“You’re holding on a bit tightly, aren’t you, my dear?” he asked, drawing her attention to it.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, loosening her grip on him. Her hands were sweating inside the white satin gloves she wore, her stomach in knots.

The music started, and he drew her down the aisle, her eyes drawn immediately to her husband-to-be.

Heath was dressed in an elegant dark coat, his waistcoat the same soft pink as her sash, his shirt a crisp white underneath. His trousers were the same color as his coat, andhis hair was styled back from his face, his brandy eyes shining at her.

They made it to the end of the aisle and began the ceremony, happiness welling up inside her.

I can’t believe I get to be his wife.