Rescued by a Duke (16 page)

Sasha grinned. "I am. Oh, I
am
. I've come to think of her as family."

"Then I shall as well."

She leaned forward and hugged him. When she pulled away, he took her face in his hands. "Ah, my beautiful Sasha. I cannot wait to marry you." He pressed his lips to hers, soft and sweet. Warmth flowed through his midsection and below.

Sasha pressed her body closer to his, grasping his coat front tightly. A moan came from somewhere. Was it from him or her? Someone cleared his or her throat.
Who…?
It wasn't him or Sasha who'd made the noise.
So that means
…

He ended the kiss much sooner than he'd intended and pulled away from Sasha. Glancing toward the door, he frowned. He had no doubt he'd closed it when he'd entered. It now was open. Lady Johnsing stood, staring at them.

Garrett had a mind to punch her, friend of his mother or not.

Chapter Twelve

Sasha gazed at the woman in the mirror. The reflection was that of a stranger, yet it was she. The transformation from the poor, thin girl she had been to a… princess… took her breath away. Maryann had taken such care, such love in preparing Sasha for her wedding ceremony.

The dress had been altered to fit Sasha's small figure. Her hair was swirled and piled atop her head, with just a few wavy tendrils hanging down around her ears beneath the veil. And Maryann had given her an old lacey blue handkerchief of her mother's for Sasha to carry.

Surely her own mother could not have done any better to prepare her for this moment, although Sasha wished with everything in her that her parents and brother could be there with her on her most special day.

"There now, your grace, don't cry." Maryann dabbed tears with a plain white handkerchief from Sasha's face, tears Sasha hadn't even realized were there.

Sasha sighed. "I'm just so happy, Maryann. This seems all a dream."

"But 'tis real, your grace."

"You cannot address me as 'your grace'. I am not yet a duchess. What if someone were to overhear?" Sasha lifted one corner of her mouth. Although not official, 'your grace' comfortably rolled from her lips.

Maryann smoothed Sasha's veil around her face. "You are to me, your grace." She hugged Sasha carefully. Was she trying to not wrinkle the dress? A maid would not, of course, normally be so familiar with her mistress, yet she and Sasha had formed a bond as strong as family.

"Thank you for all you've done to get me ready for today."

"'Twas my joy, your grace." Maryann exited the room without a sound.

Sasha fingered the satin material of the long sleeves.
Her wedding
. She could hardly believe it. Garrett was more than she'd ever dreamed possible in a husband. Not that she'd been sure she would ever marry at all. Women of her level had nothing to offer a man by way of dowry or status. Her thought had always been that, if she were to marry, it would be someone of the working class. A man who perhaps worked in a butcher shop or a manufactory. But now…

And best of all, Garrett would never lie to her. She'd never feel helpless, not like Samuel had made her feel.

A deep sigh escaped her lips. A queen on her coronation day could not feel more special than she did right then. Was this a dream? She blinked back tears, both happy for the day and sad her parents and brother couldn't rejoice with her. Oh, that her family could meet Garrett, that they could be part of her life now. But that was not meant to be.

Would she ever know who had taken Samuel's life? Garrett had offered to search for the person responsible, but Sasha was not able to discuss it. It hurt too much, the pain too raw from the recent loss. Maybe someday… maybe after she and Garrett were settled into their married life and some time had passed, she'd be up to helping search for the murderer.

She glanced down at the floor. Not that it would return her brother. Nothing could do that. And nothing would ever be the same for her now. She angled her head toward the mirror. A sad smile crossed her lips at the sight of herself, a poor girl without family, dressed as she was in the finest clothing and ready to wed a duke. Yes, she'd lost Samuel, but she was gaining Garrett. Surely she was most fortunate, indeed.

A knock on the door signaled the wedding was about to begin. Checking her reflection one last time, Sasha whispered into the empty room, "All right, Sasha girl, it's time to marry your duke."

****

Garrett paced at the front of the chapel, his every nerve tingling. He wanted this more than anything.
Why am I anxious?

"'Tis common, your grace," said the vicar in a low whisper. "Worry not… It will all be fine."

Garrett glanced at the older man and whispered back, "Thank you, Vicar. I'm most happy to wed Miss Douglas. I'm just—"

The vicar patted Garrett on the shoulder. "I know. I've never met a groom yet who wasn't at least a little nervous."

Garrett relaxed. Yes, it would be fine. He was marrying a woman he adored. A sudden fierce protectiveness toward Sasha enveloped him. She would be his wife and he would protect her from all ills. His love for her would know no bounds.

The music began, signaling Sasha's arrival. Guests murmured to one another as the rear doors to the chapel opened and the bride stood ready to walk down the aisle. Garrett knew that some guests would never approve of Sasha as his wife because she was not wealthy and of proper standing. It mattered not to him. He loved her. If it meant never sharing company with those people again, Garrett was ready for that. Sasha was his life from now on.

As she approached, Garrett's mouth went dry. Sasha was even lovelier in her wedding finery than he could have imagined. But how was it possible? For she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever met, even when he'd found her in the well, dirty and waiflike.

Since Sasha had no living relatives, a distant cousin of Garrett's walked her down the aisle. Garrett wished it were

Sasha got closer. Garrett saw the tears that brimmed in her eyes beneath the veil. Were they of joy? Or was she, too, wishing Samuel were the one walking next to her? He vowed in his heart that he would bring her only joy from this day forward. Nothing would mar her life once they were wed. Garrett clasped his hands together, eager to get through the ceremony so he could legally have Sasha for his own. And after the ceremony and breakfast… the wedding night. Heat seared his stomach and lower. Better to hold off those thoughts for now. His face heated, surely blushed.

Garrett's cousin Loomis raised the corners of his mouth and bowed to Sasha before he took his seat near the front of the chapel. Garrett and Sasha stood together in front of the vicar. Garrett couldn't help sneaking glances at his bride. How had he come to be so fortunate as to be marrying a sweet, wonderful woman such as she?

The vicar droned on about men, women, and the responsibilities of marriage. Couldn't the man speak any faster? Surely Garrett would expire before the end of the ceremony. Next came several passages of scripture and admonitions of having and caring for children.
Yes, yes, fine to all of that. Please hurry!
The musicians then played three hymns, four verses each. Slowly. Surely Garrett would have aged a year before it was all through.

Garrett and Sasha lit candles of unity and faith, taking care not to get Sasha's long, lacy sleeve in the flame. Standing once again in front of the vicar, they now had reached the time to say their vows. Garrett repeated his, strong and sure. He wanted everyone to know how much he wanted to marry Sasha. There would be no doubt to anyone there that he loved her with all his heart.

When she repeated her vows, her voice was so soft, Garrett had to lean in for her replies to the vicar's questions. Her breath whispered across his cheek. The vicar, too, leaned in. Was Sasha frightened? Had she changed her mind about marrying him and was unsure about saying her vows? He glanced down. Sasha's hands trembled.

Garrett lowered his eyebrows. He silently pleaded with Sasha to go through with the wedding. To love him as much as he loved her. To—

Sasha finished her vows. She glanced up at Garrett, lifting the corners of her mouth. Garrett knew at that moment that what was in her eyes was indeed love. The poor girl must have just been nervous, as he had. And who could blame her? He darted a quick glance around the chapel. Every person there sat on the edge of his or her seat. Had they wondered if she'd even said her vows, if they couldn't hear her?

A movement in the second row caught Garrett's eye. Lady Johnsing sat, nodding and looking smug. Well, she could be smug for the rest of her days for all Garrett cared. He might even have to thank her, for her interference had brought them here this special day.

The vicar cleared his throat. "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Garrett sensed every person in the chapel holding his or her breath in anticipation. He lifted Sasha's veil and sighed. It was done. She was now his wife. As he leaned down to kiss her, she closed her eyes, her long eyelashes brushing her pink cheek. A chaste touching of his lips to hers was all he would do for the people watching. But later… yes, later… he would kiss Sasha senseless.
And more
.

He pulled away a slight bit and winked at Sasha. She smiled. He reached for her hand as they descended the steps near the altar. They could not look away from each other as they walked back up the aisle. It was a miracle they didn't trip over Sasha's train.

The bride and groom retired to the vestry, where the vicar recorded their marriage into the registry and handed Sasha her marriage lines. Now it was official. Legal. She was Garrett's wife.

Wedding guests passed in front of them in a line, murmuring the expected words of congratulations and wishes of joy. Garrett could tell, however, many of them were insincere. He glanced at Sasha. She knew it as well, but held herself tall and steady with grace and poise. He'd never been prouder of anyone. Right at that moment, their love could conquer any problem thrown their way.

Soon, again agitated, he was anxious for all the frivolity of the wedding day to end. But there was a certain protocol to observe. Even though he didn't give a whit about the people there, for the most part, he owed it to Sasha to give her the most traditional, beautiful wedding he could.

They were seated at the head of the table, with Sasha on his right hand. A wedding breakfast was served. It seemed to take three lifetimes for the servers to accomplish seating and bringing food and drink to the guests. Why had they invited so many? Garrett swirled the wine in his glass.

"Garrett?" Sasha's petite hand closed over his wrist. "Is everything all right?"

While he'd been grumbling about how long the breakfast was taking, he'd been ignoring his bride. The very person he longed to be with. "Forgive me, darling. I just wish—"

"Wish what?"

He leaned closer and whispered close to her ear, "I wish you and I were… alone."

She sighed. "I do, as well. Although I'm…"

"What, my love? What is it?" He held her hand in a firm grip. Oh, how he longed to take her face in his hands and kiss her, but it wouldn't do under the circumstances.

She lowered her gaze, her long dark eyelashes fanning her cheek. "I'm afraid."

Why hadn't he thought of that? Of course she was afraid of the unknown, for he was confident from her demeanor she'd never before been with a man. The first time he'd kissed her, he'd known she was inexperienced. It would make tonight all the sweeter for him. He squeezed her hand. "Don't be afraid, darling. I would never do anything to harm you, in any way. Do you believe me?"

"Oh yes, Garrett, I—"

Loud voices from outside interrupted them. Who would have the audacity to create such a ruckus at a wedding breakfast? Garrett gave Sasha's hand a squeeze then released it and stood. He frowned. The noise intensified. Whoever was shouting was coming closer. Garrett's cousin stepped toward their table. "Your grace, would you like me to inquire as to the problem?"

"Yes, if you wouldn't mind. I cannot imagine it is one of the guests, so we may have to call the magistrate for whomever the interloper is."

His cousin nodded and hurried toward the doorway. Garrett glanced down at Sasha. Her eyes were wide. "Don't be frightened, darling. I'm sure it's nothing. Don't let it concern you."

She nodded and sighed. Oh, how he hated for anything to spoil her day. Surely, though, whoever had caused the stir would be dealt with and dispensed of in a timely fashion.

Instead of the noise dying down, it increased. A man yelled. Garrett tilted his head. Had his own name been mentioned? And Sasha's? He patted her on the shoulder and skirted around their table. By now, everyone was watching the doorway, and several men stood. Garrett forced a pleasant expression on his face as he passed by one guest after another. Why did something negative have to happen today? This interruption would be the talk of the
ton
for weeks to come. As if he needed more attention drawn to his marriage.

Garrett reached the doorway just as he spotted the cause of the trouble. He widened his eyes.
Lucien!
Rushing toward his brother, he grabbed Lucien by the shoulders and shook him. "Lucien, what are you doing here?" He leaned closer. His brother was foxed, although the fact shouldn't surprise him. Lucien was often inebriated. And this time his clothes were rumpled and his hair stuck out at odd angles. But to show up at Garrett's wedding, uninvited, quite foxed, was unforgivable. After Garrett had ordered Lucien away, he'd made it clear it was to be permanent.