Beauty and the Blacksmith (Spindle Cove #3.5)(40)

Diana’s heart twisted in her chest. “I understand. I do, and I love you for it. Please be happy for me today. I promise, you will never need to worry for me again. With Aaron, I will be loved and safe and protected. Always.”

“I suppose that is all I can ask.” Mama noisily blew her nose into the handkerchief. “Oh, but I had such dreams for you. My intuition insisted that one day a handsome duke would roll into this village in a splendid carriage, ready to choose his bride. But I suppose it’s not likely to happen.”

“I suppose not,” Diana said. “And even if it did, I would still marry Aaron.”

Mama grasped her hand and squeezed it fondly. “Mr. Dawes may not be a gentleman, but your ring is nicer than Minerva’s. There is that.”

Diana smiled. Some things never changed.

“Are we ready?” Colin Sandhurst, Lord Payne, appeared in the vestibule, looking as handsomely attired as always and quite ready to have this done.

He offered an arm to Mama and walked her down the aisle. Charlotte followed, fizzing with joy for her role as bridesmaid—or at least, for the new frock it occasioned.

Diana brought up the end of the procession.

As she walked down the grand, carpeted aisle, moving ever closer to the handsome, broad-shouldered figure at the front of the church, she saw their whole future painted for them in rich, stained-glass hues. They would marry here. They would make Christmas and Easter memories here. They would christen their children here.

If her arithmetic was correct, they could be doing that christening part in a little less than nine months. She hadn’t given Aaron any idea—it was too early yet to be sure. But she thought he might have formed his own suspicions.

As the organist played the last verse of the hymn, he drifted close. His strong arm brushed hers, and a shiver of delight passed through her. Strangely enough, she couldn’t gather the courage to look up at his face. Her whole heart would be in her eyes, she knew. And though her heart would be forever his by the end of this ceremony, she wanted to guard it just a few moments more.

“You are radiant,” he murmured. “And you look like a woman with a secret.”

“Just a little wedding present for you,” she whispered. “You’ll find out later.”

“Good. Because I have a present for us both.”

“Oh?”

He leaned and spoke in her ear. “I hired a cook.”

She had to clap her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing aloud. Oh, she loved him so.

“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” The vicar looked to Lord Payne, who was standing in the first row.

Luckily, her brother-in-law remained enough of a scoundrel to be easily corrupted. As she’d asked of him, he remained silent.

“I do.” Diana looked up at Aaron and smiled. “I give myself.”