Page 22 of The Duke’s Reluctant Muse (The Untamed Nobles #3)
Elizabeth felt herself burn with the awareness that every eye was upon her as she entered the church. Her brother had, only moments before, asked if she was quite ready to step into the church and make her way to the Duke and though she had said yes, though she had meant it, she had not expected this weight of awareness to come upon her.
Look straight ahead, she told herself. Look to him.
The last few weeks had been a little strange, though filled with happiness, delight and expectation at the very same time. The ton had still been whispering about the Duke and her, for Lady Ludlow’s words had been believed by some and thus, Elizabeth believed, some of the members of the beau monde were waiting to see if the match was one that truly brought any happiness. Or, mayhap, whether or not it really was going to take place! Elizabeth had tried her best not to care, losing herself in the stolen moments with the Duke, when she had been able to be held tightly in his arms, feel the gentle press of his lips against hers. It had awoken her love all the more and now, as she made her way towards him, her heart yearned for him all the more until everything else fell away.
There was a gentle sheen in his eyes which made Elizabeth smile, wishing desperately that she could take his hand and step close to him – but the time was not yet. Still with her hand on her brother’s arm, Elizabeth waited for the clergyman to begin, aware of the solemnity of the moment.
As the clergyman opened the book of Common Prayer, his expression one of solemnity which added to the weightiness of the moment. Elizabeth dared a glance at The Duke but he was looking away from her, his gaze trained upon the clergyman and with a serious expression on his face, clearly sensing the gravity of their situation just as she did. His eyes turned to hers for just a moment however, and the happiness which grew up within her crept to such great heights, it pushed the corners of her mouth up regardless. She had never imagined that she would find herself wed this Season, had never thought that the gentleman who had saved her from a difficult situation would soon become someone she loved with all of her heart!
The clergyman cleared his throat, looked first to the Duke, then to Elizabeth and then to her brother, who reached to pat Elizabeth’s hand.
Then, he began and Elizabeth’s heart quickened in her chest.
“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, which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocence, signifying unto us the mystical union that is between Christ and his Church. It is not to be taken on unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained.”
Elizabeth closed her eyes, taking in every single word and giving it the consideration it deserved. This was the time when she would become the Duke’s wife, bound to him as he would be to her. It was a beautiful moment and yet one that required her full attention.
“First,” the clergyman continued, “marriage was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy Name. Secondly, it was ordained for a remedy against sin and thirdly, it was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. God Almighty, into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can show any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.”
Elizabeth glanced at her brother, who smiled at her with a twinkle in his eye, for they both knew full well that there was no-one there to protest. Beside her, the Duke shifted his feet, his eyes catching hers as he smiled, perhaps a little impatient for the ceremony to continue.
It will not be long until I can finally take your hand, Elizabeth thought silently, as if he could hear her words. Only a few minutes longer.
“Very well.” Again, the clergyman turned his attention to both Elizabeth and the Duke, clearly satisfied that there was no protestations and that the marriage ceremony could continue. “I requireand charge you both, as you will answer at the dreadful day of judgement when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment why you may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, you now confess it. For be you well assured, that so many as are coupled together otherwise than God's Word doth allow are not joined together by God; neither is their Matrimony lawful.”
Elizabeth looked back at the clergyman as the Duke too remained silent and, with a glance to them both, the clergyman looked back to the book of Common Prayer again.
“If I might begin with you, Your Grace?” The clergyman shifted just a little to face the Duke. “Will you, Jonathan, Duke of Nottingham, take this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep yourself only to her, so long as you both shall live?”
The Duke looked to Elizabeth as he spoke, a love shining in his eyes that sent a thrill of hope and delight up Elizabeth’s spine. “Yes, I will.”
With a brief nod, the clergyman then turned to face Elizabeth, his voice low and solemn. “And you, Miss Elizabeth Jeffries? Will you have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Will you obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only to him, so long as you both shall live?
There was not even a momentary hesitation, her eagerness to marry the Duke beginning to burn through her. “I will.”
“I thank you.” With a slight clearing of his throat, the clergyman then looked to Lord Dennington. “Who is there to give this woman to this man?”
“I am here.” With a nod, Lord Dennington turned to Elizabeth, his eyes a little damp as he smiled and took her hand. “I give my sister, Miss Elizabeth Jeffries to this gentleman, the Duke of Nottingham.” With a quick squeeze of her hand, he set it carefully upon the Duke’s waiting hand and her heart leapt with joy at their touch. Tears burned in her eyes also as her brother pressed a kiss to her cheek and then stepped back, aware of the significance of the moment.
“I thank you. Then,” the clergyman said, looking again to the Duke, “might you, Your Grace, in sight of this congregation and in the eyes of God, speak your vows to Miss Elizabeth Jeffries?”
“I shall. Most gladly.” The words made Elizabeth smile as the Duke turned to face her, his blue eyes alive with all that he felt. “Miss Elizabeth Jeffries, I take you as 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, according to God's holy ordinance.”
Her heart soared to the heavens, leaving her trembling with joy and anticipation – so much so that when the clergyman told her that she was now to speak her words to the Duke, she could barely get the words out.
“Jonathan,” she began, her voice only a little louder than a whisper, “Duke of Nottingham, I take you to be 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.”
His hand pressed hers, her smile brightening his expression all the more as Elizabeth’s breath swirled in her chest, waiting for the moment when she would finally be announced as his wife.
“I thank you.” The clergyman nodded to Lord Dalton, who quickly stepped forward. “Now we come the giving and receiving of the ring.”
Lord Dalton moved quickly to the Duke, handing him the ring which, without even a moment’s pause, the Duke slipped onto the third finger of her right hand. It fitted perfectly, a symbol of the love which she knew burned within his heart for her.
“Elizabeth,” he murmured, quietly, “withthis ring I thee wed. With my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow.”
She let her gaze drift down to their joined hands, taking in the gold ring which now sat on her finger. It would remain there for the rest of her days, telling all who saw it that she was tied to the Duke, that she was his wife and his alone. It served as a reminder of the promises they had made to each other, both before the congregation and before God – promises that Elizabeth swore she would never break.
“Now we come to the blessing.”
Turning, Elizabeth knelt before the clergyman, the Duke by her side as the clergyman led them all in a final prayer of blessing. “EternalGod, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life: Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name; that, as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant between them made, whereof this Ring given and received is a token and pledge, and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
“Amen.” The Duke’s low voice met hers as she whispered the same, feeling the clergyman’s hand settle on both of their joined ones, the final words soon to be spoken.
“Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder,” the clergyman finished, his voice a little louder now as he addressed the full congregation. “In as much as the Duke of Nottingham and Miss Elizabeth Jeffries have consented together in holy wedlock and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a Ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be Man and Wife together. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
Warmth burst from her heart, spreading from the top of her head right down to her toes. The Duke rose, bringing her with him as she trembled lightly, hardly daring to breathe as the moment slowly swept over her.
I am his wife. She looked up at The Duke, seeing how his eyes shone, his lips in a gentle, tender smile. And he is mine.
“Might I offer you my congratulations,” the clergyman said, finally offering a small smile. “We still have the marriage lines, however. Please, do follow me.”
Elizabeth slipped her arm through the Duke’s, her other hand reaching to grasp his arm as she felt a sense of weakness wash over her. It was not a weakness that came from fear, doubt or dread but rather one that came from overwhelming bliss. She was the Duke’s wife now, and he her husband; their hearts bound together in love. Nothing would take them from each other, for rumors, whispers and even Lady Ludlow’s thoughts of vengeance could do nothing. Though they did not have to worry about that since Lady Ludlow found herself utterly powerless after her last efforts of ruining the Duke, having been cast out by the ton for her various intrigues and deceptions.
“Are you quite ready, Your Grace?”
Elizabeth glanced up at the Duke, waiting for him to respond to the clergyman only to realize that the clergyman was speaking to her. Her face went hot as she laughed, shaking her head before going to sit in the chair he offered her. “Forgive me. I did not recognise that I am to be referred to in such a way now!”
“Indeed you are.” The Duke pressed one hand lightly to her shoulder and Elizabeth looked up at him, her hand going to his for a moment as the clergyman found her the quill and ink. With a sigh of contentment, Elizabeth forced her gaze away from her new husband and quickly set to signing her name where she was required to. After a few further formalities, the lines were completed, the marriage sealed and, with a nod, the clergyman left both Elizabeth and the Duke alone together – though not without reminding them that their friends and family would be waiting for their return to the church.
“At last,” the Duke chuckled, wrapping his arms tight around Elizabeth as the door closed. “I think I should be quite contented staying here with you, my love.”
“As I would be with you,” she murmured, her arms going up around his neck, her fingers threading through his hair in an intimacy that she had never before experienced. “We are husband and wife now, Nottingham.” She tipped her head just a little, her eyebrows lifting. “What say you to that?”
“I say this.” Lowering his head, the Duke caught her lips in a fierce kiss, one that stole her breath and shot sparks all through her. She returned it with as much feeling as she dared, her love for him seeming to grow so great, it wanted to burst through her.
When they finally parted, her breathing was ragged, the Duke still clinging to her as though he would never let her go.
“I suppose we must go to the wedding breakfast,” he said, running one finger lightly down her cheek. “Though I would much rather be alone with you, so we might take in this new and extraordinary circumstance we are now in.” He smiled. “A circumstance where we shall never be parted again.”
She lifted to her tiptoes and kissed him again, lightly. “I can hardly wait for you to take me to your estate, Nottingham. I want nothing more than to begin our life there together.”
“To our estate,” he said, softly. “For it shall be our home for the rest of our days, Elizabeth. And it shall be a home filled with nothing but love.”
THE END
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