Page 19 of The Truth about the Lady (Whispers of the Ton #6)
EPILOGUE
W alking down the aisle of the church, Hyacinth did nothing other than fix her eyes on Lord Thorne, trying to ignore everyone else present in the church. The last four weeks had been a mixture of happiness and frustration, for though she was utterly delighted with Lord Thorne, the whispers about what he had revealed at their engagement ball had been particularly difficult to ignore. However, at the very same time, she had been overwhelmed with his determination to exalt her and her work, setting her into the ton’ s consideration while he stepped back.
Looking forward, she caught Lord Thorne’s eyes as he turned to look at her, seeing the soft smile on his lips and feeling a thrill of anticipation race through her. There had been only a few stolen moments with Lord Thorne, when she had been able to be held in his arms, when he had brought his lips gently to hers. His profession of love had filled her completely and there was nothing more that she either wanted or needed, nothing other than him.
Standing close to him made her desire for his nearness bloom. Wishing she could take his arm, Hyacinth prayed silently for patience as the clergyman began the marriage ceremony. Opening the book of Common Prayer, the clergyman looked first to Lord Thorne and then to Hyacinth, though he smiled gently as he did so as though he truly was delighted at their connection.
“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 honorable 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.”
Hyacinth forced herself to breathe slowly, to listen to each word so that it would not simply wash over her.
“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.”
Her father shifted his feet and cleared his throat and when Hyacinth looked, he was fixing his gaze firmly on the clergyman, making her fight against her smile. Evidently, her father was just as eager for this marriage to take place and was, perhaps, a little frustrated with the time the clergyman was taking to move through these required steps of the ceremony!
“Very well.” Again, the clergyman turned his attention to both Hyacinth and Lord Thorne, though to Hyacinth, it seemed like he spoke a little more quickly now. “I requireand charge you both, as you will answer at the dreadful day of judgment 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.”
Remaining silent, Hyacinth threw a glance to Lord Thorne, just as he too looked at her. Her heart leaped, a slight tremor in her frame as the time for the vows began. This was the moment when she would make her promises to the Marquess and before God. The time when she would no longer be Lady Hyacinth but instead, the Marchioness of Thorne.
“Lord Thorne?” The clergyman gestured to him. “Will you, Samuel, Marquess of Thorne, 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, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep yourself only to her, so long as you both shall live?”
Rather than speaking his words to the clergyman, Lord Thorne turned to look at her as he spoke. “I will.”
Her heart exploded in her chest.
“And you, Lady Hyacinth, 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, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only to him, so long as you both shall live?
She did not hesitate, her fingers burning to touch his. “I will.”
The clergyman nodded. “And who is there to give this woman to this man?”
“I am.” With a small smile, her father bent to press a kiss to Hyacinth’s cheek and, settling her hand on Lord Thorne’s arm, stepped back. The heat in Hyacinth’s frame did not dissipate as she had expected, but rather it grew, her desire now to be wrapped up in Lord Thorne’s arms and held tightly against him.
The clergyman nodded. “Lord Thorne, your vows, if you please.”
Turning to face her, Lord Thorne looked down into Hyacinth’s eyes, his expression one of tenderness. “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.”
Hyacinth’s throat constricted as joyous tears burned in her eyes. She heard the clergyman speak to her but fought to find her composure, closing her eyes to hide from Lord Thorne for only a moment. “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.”
Her words were only a loud whisper but much to her relief, they appeared to satisfy the clergyman. Opening her eyes, she saw Lord Thorne smiling gently, a lightness in his expression which she knew spoke of love.
“Now we come the giving and receiving of the ring.”
It was Lord Elledge’s responsibility to hand Lord Thorne the ring, and he did so with a broad smile on his face. His wife, Lady Elledge, was seated in the church and Hyacinth, who had already been introduced, thought her the most wonderful creature and hoped they might soon become close friends.
“Here.” Taking her hand, Lord Thorne pushed the ring onto her third finger, shifting just a little closer to her as he did so. “Hyacinth,” he murmured, quietly, “withthis ring I thee wed. With my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow.”
She could not seem to look away from the ring. It was a symbol, a promise, and a reminder of all that they had shared in these few minutes. She was bound to Lord Thorne now, and he to her. Her lips lifted gently as happiness tugged her closer to him, his fingers pressing lightly on hers. This truly was the most wonderful moment of her life.
“Finally, we come to the blessing.” The clergyman prayed over them both but Hyacinth barely took in a word. All she wanted was to be in Lord Thorne’s embrace, to have him hold her close as they whispered their words of love to each other. Her heart was pounding, her breathing quickening as she looked into Lord Thorne’s eyes as they whispered an ‘Amen’, wondering just how long it would be until they were entirely alone.
“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 Lord Thorne of Nottingham and Miss Hyacinth 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.”
I am now his wife. Fresh happiness, such as she had never known before, burst into her heart and poured through her frame, making her tremble. Lord Thorne set one arm about her waist and tugged her lightly against him, though even now, she could not express herself as she wished. It was only when he led her through to the back of the church for the marriage lines that they were finally able to steal a few moments alone.
“It is done.” Lord Thorne closed the door to the vestry behind him and, though the clergyman went on ahead, he lingered, keeping Hyacinth between him and the door. “What say you to that, my dear?”
She giggled as he ran one finger lightly down her cheek, feeling as though every part of her was alight. “I can say only good about it, I think.”
“You think?” His eyebrows lifted and she laughed softly, only for her laughter to fade as he wrapped both arms about her waist. He did not kiss her, however, seeming to wait for something as he searched her eyes with his own.
“What is it?” Tilting her head a little, she pushed her fingers through his hair by his temple, smiling gently. “You are happy, yes?”
The edge of his lips tipped upwards. “Happy? I am ecstatic! You cannot know the joy that is in my heart at this moment! To have you as my wife is a happiness that I cannot express for it captures every part of me.”
Hyacinth stood on her tiptoes and brushed her lips across his, only for Lord Thorne to let out a low growl and kiss her soundly, sending a curl of heat into her stomach. When they finally broke apart, Hyacinth was forced to catch her breath, another giggle escaping her as she settled one hand against his heart.
“You say the very things that I feel,” she told him, speaking a little more softly now, wanting to find the right words to express all that she felt. “I did not ever expect this joy but to know that I am in the arms of a gentleman who loves me as much as I love him brings me such happiness, I can barely believe it.”
Lord Thorne smiled and cupped her cheek, leaning closer to her again. “You have captured me completely, Hyacinth. It is because of you that we have found this happiness, because of you that we are stepping forward into a future together.” His thumb brushed lightly across her skin. “I love you with all of my heart, and I swear to you that I always shall.”
H yacinth and Lord Thorne turned out to be a perfect match!
This is the last book in the Whispers of the Ton series. Have you read the first book in the Only for Love series? The Wallflower’s Unseen Charm
Read ahead for a sneak peek!