“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God…signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church…therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men’s carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding…”
He nearly choked as Millie appraised him with a sidelong gaze.
“….reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly…” The man droned on with his exhortations.
Neville resolved to keep his mind pure. Butthat dress.
The Vicar turned to him. “Wilt thou have this Woman to thy wedded Wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
Though his throat had gone tight, he managed, “I will.”
Millie’s brow quirked a little when the minister addedobeyandserveto her vow, but she answered with her own, quiet, “I will.”
The minister received Millie’s hand, then delivered it to Neville.
Neville repeated the minister’s words, pledging his troth. Millie did the same.
Then, the vicar delivered the ring. Neville fixed it to Millie’s hand, putting extra emphasis onwith my body I thee worship.
Together, they knelt, hands joined and received the Vicar’s prayers.
He hardly heard the words. He did not need them. His prayer was a moment of transcendence—a sense of divine duty, heavenly blessed. And his gratitude carried through what seemed like hours of biblical warnings, advice, and encouragement.
The Vicar pronounced them wed, he and Millie signed the parish registry, and then they all prayed for the miracle of Harbury’s full recovery.
As Neville escorted the man back downstairs, he wondered if the poor clergyman was going to think himself a saint when Harbury was back to being himself in only a few days.
He returned to the room, finding his mother, Sarah and Cassie admiring the filigree band he’d chosen for Millie. She met his gaze across the room, and after a moment of hesitation, smiled. He leaned back against the door to cover the devastating effect.
“Well, now,” Millie said. “I would like to thank you all for saving my reputation.” She smiled that smile again. “Especially my husband.”
Too weak-kneed to move, he held out his hand. She came to him readily and then threaded her fingers through his.
“Your reputation,” Sarah replied, “is not quite fully secure. But allow me to demonstrate.” She turned to his mother. “Lady Neville, will you pretend to be my dear, gossipy friend Mrs. Jasper?”
His mother dipped into a curtsey. “Charmed.”
“Oh, Mrs. Jasper!” Sarah leaned toward her. “I have sworn not to tell, but I justcannotkeep such a deliciouson-ditto myself a moment longer. If I tell you, will you promise to keep it in the strictest confidence?”
His mother pressed a hand to her chest. “I won’t tell a soul, I swear.”
“Well, my sister-in-law’s tender devotion to the duke quite overcame my cousin Neville. Seeing this, and being unsure of his recovery, Harbury urged Neville to declare himself.”
“Ah.” Harbury gazed off into the distance. “What else could a man with a heart as tender as mine do? When I saw my cousin’s stuttering admission—”
“No stuttering!” Neville said.
With an indignant bark, Harbury’s spaniel rebuked Neville for the interruption.
“When I saw,” Harbury began again without missing a beat, “my cousin’s reluctantly given admission, and my dear Millicent’s blushing response, I urged Neville to march straight over to Doctor’s Commons and procure a license. I was far too weak, even then, to attend a church wedding.”
“Oh!” his mother gasped. “How utterly romantic.”
“Andthenyour reputation will be saved.” Sarah made as if she were wiping her hands. “Your story, as we want it to be known, will travel all over creation, as Mrs. Jasper will be sure to visit everyone so she can “not” share the news.”
“Now, will someone procure me something to eat?” Harbury demanded. “I am starved!”
Neville exchanged a glance with his wife.His. Wife. “If you all will excuse us, my wife and I will take our meal upstairs. She’s had a trying few days.”