Page 80 of The Secret Love of a Gentleman (The Marlow Family Secrets #3)

Caro’s heart played a wild drumbeat as Drew came into her room. ‘It is time for you to legitimate this child.’ He smiled.

‘Rob would have married me months ago, and our daughter would already have her father’s name, if you had not deterred us.’

There had been no more blood, the child had moved this morning and the heartbeat was strong, so, the doctor had decreed she would be safe to get up from bed as long as she was cautious.

Ellen had helped Caro dress in the ivory gown with Belgium lace that she and Mary had chosen in Maidstone.

‘I will carry you out to the carriage,’ Drew said. ‘You should not take the risk of being on your feet for too long.’

She wrapped her arm about his neck as he lifted her into his arms.

The former Pembroke Dukes stared down at them from the portraits as he carried her along the hall.

‘My lord, my lady.’ Finch stood in the downstairs hall. He opened the front door, so Drew could carry her out to the carriage.

‘Put me down. I can climb the carriage step. ’

He did so.

Within the carriage, cushions had been arranged so she could sit with her feet up. Drew climbed in and sat beside her. Rob’s family would already be at the church.

‘You look beautiful,’ Drew told her.

‘Thank you.’

The carriage driver kept the horses at a walk, so the carriage would not rock aggressively as they drove the short distance to St George’s Palladian-fronted church.

When the carriage halted, a footman opened the door. Drew climbed down, turned and helped her.

‘Hold my shoulders,’ he said.

‘You are not carrying me along the aisle. I will walk.’

He hesitated.

‘The doctor did not say I must keep off my feet entirely, only to take care.’

He sighed and offered his arm. ‘I love you, sister, I just do not want you to come to harm.’

She smiled. ‘And I love you, brother, and if I am half as happy in my marriage as you and Mary are, I shall never come to harm.’

‘We will walk slowly,’ he said. ‘Are you ready to face the gossips?’

‘I think so.’

The church organ played as they walked in. Rob’s sisters were waiting there to walk behind her, all dressed in pale green, as was Mary, who came behind them. As Caro walked along the aisle with Drew, Rob stepped out from the first pew at the front and looked back at her, smiling.

She smiled too, thanking God that this determined, passionate, moral man loved her.

When she reached the altar, though, Caro noticed a scabbed cut in his ear .

I love you , he mouthed.

I love you too.

Drew passed her hand to Rob.

They recited the words.

‘In sickness and in health…’

‘For better or worse…’

‘I, Caroline Miriam Kilbride take thee…’

‘I, Robert Marlow take thee…’

‘I give you this ring…’

Her heart raced throughout as the church full of people stared at them.

‘I now pronounce you man and wife… What God has joined together let no man set asunder.’

Caro had heard those words before, and the man she had been joined to had torn her apart. She trusted this pure-hearted man to fulfil his every vow.

Rob held both her hands, and his eyes glowed with pride. ‘How is our daughter?’

‘Kicking, but I am to be off my feet as much as I can. Drew carried me out of the house.’

‘Then I will carry you home. It is my privilege as your husband anyway.’

‘You cannot. You have your leg to think of.’

‘Leave me to worry about that.’

‘What did you do to your ear?’

He smiled and touched it. ‘John’s valet was too eager when he cut my hair. Shall I carry you down the aisle?’

‘No. I will walk to the carriage. Imagine the gossip it would create if you fell and dropped me.’

He laughed. ‘Very well.’

‘Congratulations.’ Drew touched her shoulder.

The organ boomed out a dramatic ending to their wedding as they walked back along the aisle, followed by their family and guests.

The street was full of people who had come to stare at the bride in all her finery, and as she climbed into the carriage the crowd increased as people came out of the church.

‘I cannot wait to go away with you,’ Caro said.

‘We will eat our wedding breakfast then leave. Our journey is going to be slower than planned. We will stop frequently to be sure the child is safe.’

At Pembroke House, Rob helped her down from the carriage. ‘Put your arm about my shoulders and I will carry you.’ She did so, and he picked her up. He climbed the steps steadily and carried her through the hall to the dining room, to the applause of their guests.

Of course, only a few of them knew why he carried her.

He kept a hold of her, determinedly hiding his limp and carried her all the way to a chair in the centre of the table.

‘Mrs Marlow.’ Finch bowed to her.

The name struck Rob in the chest. She was Mrs Marlow, Caroline Marlow. The novelty of it clutched about his heart.