Page 33 of The Heart’s Choice (Cotton Cops Mysteries #1)
Chapter 32
Matrimony
W aiting for his bride, Roger sensed people filing into the pews behind him. Miles had no hesitation in turning round to check. “Fillin’ up,” he declared with satisfaction.
Roger felt proud when he heard his mother’s name being whispered. No doubt she was marching up the aisle, head held high. He loved and respected Lucinda Sandiford and owed much of his success to her sacrifices, but peace filled his heart when he acknowledged that a different woman now held dominion over him. Beatrice had come into his life and changed the future completely. They shared love of a different sort. Duty would bind them, but passion had already united their souls.
He looked back at his mother as she took her rightful place of honor in the pew behind him. She didn’t return his smile, but sparkling eyes told him she was happy for him.
Suddenly realizing he’d been holding his breath, he rose with the rest of the congregation when the organ announced his bride’s arrival.
When he turned, it vaguely registered that the church was packed. Every eye followed the smiling bride. He too couldn’t take his eyes off the beautiful woman walking toward him. The white gown’s neckline was modest yet it revealed enough of her tantalizing bounty to harden his arousal. Her burnished hair was piled into an elaborate arrangement, her neck caressed by curling tendrils designed to drive a man mad. He couldn’t wait to pull the red glory loose. Her laughing eyes suggested she knew what he was thinking.
He barely noticed his sister trailing far behind an enormously long train until she came level with Beatrice and took her bouquet of yellow roses. Stunned when Philippa bestowed a genuine smile on him, he was jolted back to the solemn reality of the proceedings when Arthur placed Beatrice’s delicate hand in his.
“I love you,” he whispered—three little words that didn’t begin to describe the emotion filling his heart.
* * *
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered 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 vicar’s introduction was an abrupt reminder for Bea that they were in a holy place, and throwing herself into the arms of the smiling man she loved would be deemed inappropriate. She struggled to control her rapidly beating heart and bowed her head. Roger’s thumb tracing circles in her palm didn’t lessen the heat flooding her body. The naughty man knew very well he was making matters worse.
She held her breath when the vicar asked if anyone knew of any impediment to their marriage. She half expected Peter to shout his objections, a scenario she admitted inwardly was nonsensical because he was in prison.
She chastised herself when it became evident the vicar had finished his preamble and moved on to the vows.
“Roger Sandiford, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together according to God’s law in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will,” he replied, squeezing her hand.
“Beatrice Abigail Parker, 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 other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”
She looked into Roger’s loving gaze as she vowed, “I will.”
Following the vicar’s prompts, they each promised to be faithful to each other for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death parted them.
Miles stepped forward and placed a ring on the Bible. The vicar blessed it before offering it to Roger. Her bridegroom took hold of her trembling hand and slipped the ring on her finger. “With this ring I thee wed,” he said. “With my body I thee honor, and all my worldly goods with thee I share. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
Bea was reminded of a time when she’d been tempted to settle her hand in his. Her heart had known then that Roger was her soulmate. She relished the warm strength of his hand as she murmured, “I love you.”
The vicar then bade them kneel and invoked a prayer. “O eternal God, 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, living faithfully together, they may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt 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,” resounded from the congregation.
Perfect love and peace sounded like heaven to Bea.
“Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder,” the vicar announced. “Forasmuch as Roger and Beatrice 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.”
Rising from her knees, Bea pursed her lips, expecting Roger to be given permission to kiss her, but the vicar then commenced the order of service for communion.
By the time the epistle, the gospel, the eucharist, and the final prayers were offered, she was desperate to lose herself in Roger’s embrace. When the vicar gave leave for a kiss, the congregation cheered as their lips met. They were still clapping and whistling a full five minutes later. The vicar’s polite cough broke them apart.