Page 10 of The Blind Lyon (The Lyon’s Den Connected World)

What if he failed her? What if she regretted marrying a man with his shortcomings?

Dear God, I cannot do this.

Annette tightened her fingers on his arm. “It is taking everything within me to remain here by your side, Peregrine,” she said to him in a barely audible whisper. “If I can manage it, so can you. There is time enough to come undone afterward.”

He appreciated her candor, for it made him think he wasn’t alone.

The minister continued before either of them could say more, but his thin voice as he talked about the holy state they were about to embark upon ruined a bit of the day.

Leather cracked. Perhaps Mr. Teeters had opened his book wider.

Allan could just imagine a worn leather spine.

All too soon, the minister addressed him.

“Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony?

” He paused, whether for affect or some other reason, Allan couldn’t say.

“Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor her, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”

That was the question, wasn’t it? A knot of emotion formed in his throat.

I want to fall in love with this woman, but only time will tell.

“I…” Pull yourself together, Masterson. You need this to pay your dues to the title.

Then he cleared his throat; this was his lot, and he’d known that since he was old enough to realize he was a duke’s heir.

“I will,” he uttered from his tight throat.

“And I will do my level best to be the sort of husband Annette will need.”

From his side, she inhaled sharply. Why was she fidgeting?

He could fairly feel the fright and misgivings vibrating from her.

Should he call off the ceremony? But if he did that, Mrs. Dove-Lyon would smear his mother’s name throughout the ton.

At the last second, he attended the minister’s words, acknowledging them as they finally sank through his worry-clouded brain.

Yet, as she trembled again, no doubt beset with the same sort of doubts that bore down on him, a wave of protection welled for her. None of this truly had been her fault. She’d merely been shoved into the marriage by her parents because her father was dying.

And no one should spend their life alone. If they could somehow become friends, then they would both fare better than they would apart, and during that time, perhaps they could help each other become better versions of themselves.

“Excellent.” Mr. Teeters made a sound of acknowledgment.

“Now, Mrs. Jennings. I’ll ask you the same.

Wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony?

Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live? ”

Dear God.

The muscles in Allan’s gut pulled tight. Never had he cause to think about the words said during a nuptial ceremony. The last one he’d attended had been Captain Huxley’s, who was in much the same situation that he was in now, but Simon had wanted the union because he was done being alone.

Love. Would there ever be such an emotion between them?

Perhaps they’d find that within a lifetime…

Perhaps not. Theirs was not a love match, but one arranged through the machinations by the crafty owner of a gaming hell.

No expectations between him or Annette had been discussed.

Right now, he assumed theirs would remain a marriage of convenience, and it suited his needs just fine, but what of the future?

As he’d said yesterday, he would eventually need an heir, and she would still be his wife.

Beside him, the soft sound of crying came from Annette.

“I married for love years ago, and when that love was abruptly taken from me, I honestly thought I would die. Yet I remained, and the pain felt long after he left takes me by surprise. So when I pledge my troth to the duke, I can’t help but wonder how I will survive this second marriage with the knowledge that everything can be taken away in an instant.

It rather puts a damper on what I know about love. ”

“Good heavens, Annette, stop this nonsense,” her mother hissed from somewhere nearby. “Answer Mr. Teeter’s question.”

Another protective instinct flared within him for his soon-to-be wife.

“If you need some time, take a few moments to compose yourself,” he whispered to her.

He was a duke, damn it, and they could all wait on his whim.

Not knowing what else to do, he took one of Annette’s hands and squeezed her gloved fingers.

“If you need time, I’ll give you that. If you want understanding, it’s yours.

If you crave space, I have a few different properties you can pick from.

And most assuredly, I will protect you to the best of my ability, but none of that can happen unless we speak our vows. ”

“Oh.” The sound of sniffling came from her. “Thank you.” She squeezed his hand. Then, she finally answered the minister. “I will.” Her answer came out breathless, and in a choked whisper, but she had come up to the mark admirably.

Perhaps she would make a splendid duchess after all.

“Every once in a while, couples I marry begin their married lives together on shifting sand, but that is to be expected,” Mr. Teeters said with a touch of humor in his voice.

A few good-natured chuckles came from the assembled guests, for many of them knew why that was, especially if the match were orchestrated by Mrs. Dove-Lyon.

By increments, Allan relaxed. Was that woman in attendance?

He’d need to ask Annette afterward. He was instructed to take her right hand in his right hand.

When she trembled, he squeezed her fingers.

There was nothing else he could do at the moment, for they both knew there was nothing solid upon which to build a foundation except for the fact they were both flighting their own demons while facing heavy doubts.

But they were here.

Mr. Teeters addressed him. “Your Grace, repeat after me…” He intoned words that Allan quickly memorized then directed them to the woman at his side. It was the first time—except when he’d had to procure the license, that he felt pride for what he was doing.

We are going to weather this storm. I can feel it.

“I, Peregrine Allan Barrows—Duke of Masterson—take thee Honorable Annette Lynn Jennings 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.” His voice wavered on those words.

Had he ever loved and cherished a woman at all excepting his mother, sister, and perhaps grandmother?

He cleared his throat. “’Till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth. ”

They were directed to release hands, and Annette was told to then hold his right hand with her right hand. Mr. Teeters addressed her. “Mrs. Jennings, repeat after me.” He gave her the words, and Allan waited with held breath to see if she would offer a protest or another torrent of tears.

“I, Honorable Annette Lynn Jennings, take thee Peregrine Allan Barrows—Duke of Masterson—to my wedded husband.” She paused in order to sniffle.

“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.” A half-stifled sob escaped her.

“But it is the love that can hurt so very deeply when it’s gone,” the aside was said so softly he had to lean close to catch it, “but since this is my lot right now, I’ll say once more, ’till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance.

” She lowered her voice to a whisper choked with tears. “And thereto I give thee my troth.”

“Let us hope for the best, hmm?” he whispered back to her. “I mean, Mrs. Dove-Lyon could have picked out someone worse. I’m not abusive, I know how to read and play music, and I’m not ugly, according to my friends. I also have all my teeth, possess a fortune, and I share my life with a cat.”

A few chuckles came from his friends in attendance.

Finally, she giggled, and the unexpected sound went straight to his length. “I appreciate that. Thank you.”

They were instructed to again release their hands.

After quick instruction by the minister, Allan dug a ring from his waistcoat pocket, gave it to Mr. Teeters.

A soft throat clearing from that man prompted a wave of heated embarrassment while Allan produced a small, leather pouch of coins to pay for the services of the minister and his clerk. He gave that to the minister as well.

“My apologies. I’m rather new at this.”

“Thank you,” Mr. Teeters said, and a grin could be heard in his voice.

Annette leaned into him. “He tucked the pouch away in his jacket, but he’s now returning the ring to you. That means you can put it onto my finger; I have already removed my glove.”

In appreciation of her guidance, he nodded, found her hand, and then slipped the ring onto the fourth finger of her left hand.

“Lady Ashbury helped me to choose the ring, but it’s from one of the parures that belonged to my grandmother that she was given later in her life.

I hope it will suit you; the matching jewelry is yours as well.

” The thin band of was gold and it featured an oval-shaped emerald surrounded by tiny circle-shaped diamonds.

“It’s lovely. I’ve never had anything like this before,” she said in a choked whisper.

Mr. Teeters once more cleared his throat. “Your Grace, if you could please say these words?” And he said them aloud.

“Right.” Allan nodded. “With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow.” His voice wavered slightly for this had been a trying few days.

She was now his wife and his duchess. From this point on, they would share everything, and his first responsibility was to her care and happiness…

if they would ever have that in each other’s company.

“In the ame of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

Please help us to find common ground and make this union a success.

The sound of Mr. Teeters closing his book echoed in the silence. “Let us all say a prayer for the newly married couple. If the two of you will kneel?”

Once they’d both sunk to their knees, the minister began. As the words of a prayer droned on, Allan dared to clasp one of her hands. He leaned closely and put his lips to the shell of her ear. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “You deserve better than to have the weight of a blind duke around your neck.”

“You are not a burden.” Conviction rang in her whispered tone. “But I am sorry as well. I’m certain you would have chosen someone better suited for a duchess if given a choice. A woman prone to becoming a watering pot who is frightened of everything will reflect rather poorly on you, I’ll wager.”

The faint scent of pears and vanilla once more wafted to his nose.

It was fresh and pleasant and innocent, instead of overblown and cloying, like the perfumes his mistresses had favored.

How… surprising. “We will manage,” he whispered back.

“I am a flawed man made up of broken pieces. Perhaps I need an equally flawed woman by my side to make this work.” It was the most truthful he’d been, and the fact that he’d admitted even that to this woman astonished him.

There was something to be said for having a common bond forced upon them.

No thanks to Mrs. Dove-Lyon.

“At the very least, we won’t be alone, even if every part of my body is screaming at me to run and hide,” she finally replied, and the heat of her breath skated over his cheek before she pulled away.

Finally, the minister’s prayer ended. When Allan stood and he assisted his new duchess to her feet, Mr. Teeters said, “I now pronounce thee husband and wife.”

Polite applause broke out from the guests in the room.

Feeling the stares of the friends, Allan brought Annette’s hand to his lips and kissed the back.

“Congratulations, Lady Masterson.” Though he smiled, he felt oddly empty inside his chest, and suddenly, he had no proper idea of what to do next.

They hadn’t discussed what sort of marriage they’d wanted.

“Thank you.” She squeezed his hand. “I, uh… Would it be possible for you to show me to my rooms? I desperately need a few moments to myself.”

“Of course. I shall take you abovestairs as soon as we can get away.”

Annette poked him in the ribs. “The minister is trying to get your attention. Apparently, he’s forgotten you can’t see.”

A half-grin tugged at one corner of his mouth. “Might I assist you, Mr. Teeters?”

“Yes, yes. If you’ll just step over to where my clerk is waiting, you’ll need to sign the register and other bits.”

“Of course. Thank you.”

“Come.” With her hand firmly in the crook of Allan’s elbow, she led him across the room, stopping several times so they could receive congratulations.

Once the menial tasks were performed, the butler announced that the wedding breakfast was now being served in the dining room.