Loving a Fearless Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Book(36)

Edward handed the Father the special licence Nash received earlier from the Archbishop. He read it, looked up at Nash, then read it again. Nash surmised he didn’t see many marriage licenses from the Archbishop. The priest put it aside and directed the bride and groom in front of him with Edward and Cecilia on each side.

He started the ceremony, but Nash couldn’t stop thinking about getting married. It made him grin. They were in a room off the side of the altar, the sacristy, that looked to Nash like a storage room.

It wasn’t large nor was it overly neat, but he didn’t care as long as Penelope didn’t care. When the Father was done, they would be married. That was what mattered. That’s why they were here.

Nash wondered if Avery would ever try to force him to reveal their marriage. Was he making guesses and assumptions that would prove to be true? Was he making Avery nervous? Would Avery never try to force Penelope’s hand? He hoped so.

It didn’t matter if he was overreacting by hurrying the wedding. He wanted to marry Penelope. Today was a good day for it. The big wedding would be soon enough.

***

So many people thought Penelope would never make it to this point. The only people who believed it were all in the sacristy with her. There was a time she didn’t believe it either. Now, she was standing before a priest with the man she loved, a man who didn’t define Penelope by her scar. Penelope was sure Nash loved her, scar and all. Penelope thought she was so lucky to have Nash, Penelope’s mother, and Edward in her life.

Her life had turned around since the beginning of the season. Coming to London from the country estate was the best thing to happen to Penelope. On the estate, the only person giving Penelope any attention at all was Henry. And it was all attention feedback. How did she know it could be different?

Once Penelope’s London friends got a good look that was it. No comments, no embarrassment. It was still hard to meet someone new, but good people who didn’t care about her scar surrounded Penelope. And Nash led the way. He didn’t care, so they didn’t care. Penelope loved him so much.

“I do,” Penelope said.

“I now pronounce you man and wife.”

Nash turned and gave her a deep kiss Penelope tried to disentangle from, but couldn’t. He finally pulled away and looked at her, his eyes twinkling. “Hello, Mrs Finch, Duchess of Norfolk.”

“Hello, you old married man.”

He whispered in her ear, “Can we please go back to the townhouse for an hour then go to the Harrington ball? It’s important to me.”

She whispered back, “Is it that important to you?”

“Yes,” Nash said.

“All right,” she said. “But don’t think you’re going to get your way every time you ask for something.”

Nash looked at Cecilia and Edward. “We’ll all get in the carriage and drop you off at the ball. Then Penelope and I are going back to my townhouse. Will meet you there in an hour?”

Edward laughed. “Should I come with you? Is there any way I can help?”

Penelope laughed. “Go to the ball. We’ll catch up.”

***

After the carriage dropped off Cecilia and Edward, Penelope turned to Nash, “I must confess. The whole time the priest was conducting the ceremony, I didn’t hear a word. I was thinking of you.”

Nash laughed. “I did the same. I’m so happy we did this. It’s a relief for me. Now we can have fun planning a wedding.”

The carriage lurched to a stop, and the footman put down the stairs and opened the door. After Penelope and Nash were out, Nash told the driver to wait.

The door opened to a semicircle of servants who curtsied and bowed. “Congratulations, Your Grace,” they said in unison. Nash leaned into her ear and told her the servants weren’t talking to him.

“Oh, how wonderful of you.” Penelope went around the semicircle, thanked the servants personally, and asked each their name. Then Nash thanked them all and put his hand on Penelope’s lower back, directing her to the stairs.

The bedchamber door closed, and Nash turned. “This is our room. I’ll show you around later.”

He stepped toward Penelope and grabbed her two hands in his. “My wife.”

He kissed her passionately, and it helped calm her nerves. This was her husband, the man she loved.

***

When Edward and Cecilia walked into the Harrington ball, Henry almost immediately greeted them.

“Good evening, Henry,” Cecilia curtsied.

Henry gave a bad imitation of a bow.

“Where are Nash and Penelope?”

Edward gave a quick, knowing look to Cecilia. “I don’t know. You haven’t seen them? Mother, have you seen them?”

Cecilia gasped. “No, I haven’t. What are we going to do?”

Henry turned red in the face. “They’re supposed to be here. It’s important they are here.”

“Why?” Edward asked.

Henry stamped a foot. “I told you it was important.”

“And I asked you why?” Edward said, using a modulated voice for the benefit of others at the ball.

“Are they here or aren’t they?” Henry said through gritted teeth.

Edward talked slowly in case Henry couldn’t understand what he was saying, “I don’t know.”