Page 44

S arah leaned toward the carriage window, watching the landscape pass her by. Her one hand rested on the windowsill while her other covered the butterflies flittering around her stomach.

“Everything all right, dear?” Sarah’s mother’s voice drifted into her thoughts.

Sarah turned to Charlotte, who, along with her younger sister, Beatrice, was riding in the carriage with her.

Sarah shook her head. “Yes, Mama. Just a bit nervous.”

Charlotte leaned forward and took her daughter’s hand. “All will be well, my love. From what I’ve heard he is a fine young man.”

Sarah smiled. “I know, Mama.”

“I’ve heard he was carried out of Brooks the other night.” Beatrice said while paging through her book.

Sarah’s mother reared back. “Beatrice! Why would you say such a thing?” She leaned in closer to Beatrice. “And where did you hear such a thing?”

“I heard Eleanor and His Grace talking about it.” Beatrice blinked up at her mother innocently. “Why? Is that bad?”

Sarah hid her grin. Her sister was two years younger than her, but the chit knew more than she allowed anyone to believe.

Worry settled between Charlotte’s eyes as she looked back to Sarah. “Don’t worry, Sarah, I’m sure there is more to the story than what she heard.” Charlotte said as she nudged her youngest daughter.

Sarah dipped her head. “I’m not worried, Mama. I’m not naive to his reputation. And it’s true I haven’t known him long, but he comes from a good family, vetted by our own Duke, mind you, so I’m sure all will be well.”

Sarah’s hands played with the ribbon from her reticule.

She spoke with her sister, Eleanor, and her husband, Derek, the Duke of Graynor, about her upcoming nuptials.

While there seemed to be some curious discourse about the family years ago, they’ve mostly minded themselves and done their due diligence where the family’s duchy was concerned.

Eli was a staple in most society papers, but his grievances were mostly harmless: too much drink and good times—nothing out of the ordinary for most men his age.

Sarah’s eyes returned to the passing scenery.

Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief. “Yes, His Grace. Who would have thought that he would become such a pillar of strength for our family? There was a moment there I thought he would leave us all to fend for ourselves after how you girls reacted to his coming.” Charlotte sighed a laugh as she covered her heart for dramatics.

Sarah smiled at the memory of the brooding Duke of Graynor coming to claim his title and throwing their world upside down. Luckily for her, and her family, he didn’t count on her older sister Eleanor being there and stealing his heart.

Speaking of which…

Sarah turned to her mother. “Have you spoken with Eleanor? Will she be at the church when we get there?”

Charlotte nodded. “Yes. The Duke and Duchess will both be in attendance for your big day.”

Charlotte was beaming. Marrying her daughters off was a symbol of great pride for Charlotte. Having one marry a Duke and another marry the brother of one was enough for Charlotte to live off for, well, until it was Beatrice’s turn to marry.

Then Charlotte would return to her hunt and make poor Beatrice’s life miserable until she, too, was settled.

Sarah looked back outside and pushed out a breath that tussled a loose curl that framed her face. Knowing her older sister would be there alleviated some of her nerves.

She began to chew her bottom lip.

“Sarah?”

Sarah returned her gaze to her mother. She saw the concern in her mother’s eyes, how her lips were pinched tight and how her hands were fidgeting in her lap.

“Mama.” She reached out and placed a hand on her mother’s bouncing knee. “I’ll be fine. I promise. You’ve said countless times how you were practically strangers with Papa when you were first married.” Sarah lifted a shoulder to shrug. “I actually find it exciting and romantic.”

Beatrice cocked her head in confusion. “Romantic? How is it romantic to tether yourself to someone you hardly know? He could be a killer!”

Charlotte guffawed. “Charlotte! Do not test me or I will take away any and all books you are reading. Honestly. Where do you come up with these ideas!” Charlotte was completely flabbergasted at her daughter’s remarks.

Sarah chuckled. “Don’t worry, Mama, I don’t read the same books Beatrice reads. I’m more for the damsel in distress and the brave, strong hero who comes to save her.”

Beatrice rolled her eyes. “Correct and last time you lived out that scenario in your head you tried running away with that Byron boy. Thankfully His Grace stopped you or where would you be now?”

Sarah blushed. Bryon.

Her first love, or at least, her first foray into feelings she didn’t quite understand. She was always a bit embarrassed when she thought of how she acted, trying to run away in the night to be with him. She shook her head at the memory. The ignorance of youth, she laughed to herself.

“It’s no secret I am a romantic at heart.

I’ve learned a lot since then. I’m willing to wait for those feeling to develop this time.

Eli has been nothing but sweet and generous when he called on me.

I’m excited to watch our relationship grow and blossom.

” Sarah sighed and felt the warmth of promise settle within her.

“It is my biggest dream that we develop as deep as your love with Papa, Mama.”

Charlotte’s eyes lined with tears. “It is mine as well, my dear. Mine as well.”

Beatrice looked outside and nudged Charlotte. “We’re here!”

Sarah followed Beatrice’s nod and saw the church come into view. This was it, the moment she had been waiting for her entire life. She’d read countless stories about love and marriage and dreamt about the day she’d have both.

She may not have love currently, but by the end of today, she will have marriage. That’s something, right?

“You look absolutely stunning, Sarah.” Eleanor enveloped Sarah in a warm hug. Sarah sighed into her sister’s arms. She felt safe there, and for a moment, all her nerves settled, and all was right in the world.

Sarah pulled away from her sister just in time to see Eleanor’s eye flitter toward her husband, Derek. A crease formed between Eleanor’s eyes, and she looked worried.

Sarah looked between the two of them. “Is everything all right?” Sarah’s heart sank. “Is everything fine with the baby?”

At the mention of her daughter, Eleanor’s features softened. “Yes, everything is fine with her. Look, she’s here in the carriage.” Eleanor pointed to the small baby carriage a few steps away, tucked out of the sunlight streaming through the open door.

Sarah covered her mouth. “Oh goodness, I am so nervous for my wedding I didn’t even realize my beautiful niece was right next to you in her carriage.”

Sarah bent over the pram to gaze at the little cherub face of her niece. Angela was the spitting image of her father, but luckily for her, she had her mother's unruly curly auburn hair. She’ll most likely be a spitfire, like her mother, as well.

Sarah righted herself and turned to the rest of her family, who were now lined up facing her. Sarah got the uneasy sensation she was standing in front of a firing squad. Tension hung heavy in the air between them.

“Why are you all looking at me like that?”

She went down the line from Charlotte, to Beatrice, to Eleanor, finally landing on Derek. The Duke was not known for being verbose, so in this divine moment, he just nodded to the aisle and altar behind her.

She turned to look down the aisle, where she found the altar empty.

She looked back to her family. “Where is Eli?”

All eyes jumped around, looking everywhere but at Sarah.

Confusion and dread swam in her blood, but she pushed them away. She’d read countless books like this. Of course , she thought.

“He must be running late.” She laughed. “Men never know what’s going on. Don’t you say that all the time, Eleanor? That if you weren’t there Derek wouldn’t know when to get dressed in the morning?”

Eleanor’s face turned a bright pink. “I did not say that!” She exclaimed at the same time Derek sputtered and looked at his wife.

Eleanor took a hold of the baby carriage and nodded to the front of the church. “I think it’s time we take our seats, don’t you dear? Mother,” she looked at Charlotte. “Are you coming?”

Sarah watched Eleanor walk away, pushing the carriage, with a grumbling Duke at her heels.

Charlotte stopped in front of her daughter and kissed her cheek. “Remember, all will be well, just trust the process.”

Sarah smiled, willing the apprehension to recede to wherever it came from.

“I know, Mama. I’ve heard you say that to Eleanor a million times and it all worked out for her.

Oh!” Sarah had a thought. “There is a side door up by the altar, perhaps he’s just out there until I get up there. Has anyone checked?”

Charlotte opened her mouth and closed it again. She looked down the aisle to Derek and Eleanor, who were engaged in a quiet yet, no doubt, heated conversation.

Charlotte looked back at Sarah, who was at the main door looking out at the carriage meant to take her and her new husband to their home afterward.

“Sarah? Wait here, I’ll go ask Derek. I’m sure that’s where he is.”

Charlotte took a breath, kissed her daughter’s cheek one more time and made her way to the front of the church.

Sarah smoothed out her dress and checked to make sure none of the carefully pinned curls fell out.

She watched her mother reach Derek and Eleanor. Her nerves were making her clothing itch. She began to pace in the back before she realized she had started walking down the aisle.

No sense in waiting for the inevitable “go ahead.” Might as well walk down there and see for myself. I’m certain he’s there.