Chapter Two - The Wedding

 

 

Emilia looked around the church. It had all come together so wonderfully.

Not even her mother had had a thought of complaining.

Her mother, now seated in the very first pew on her sister's side, had a wide smile on her face.

 

 

Emilia returned it with a smile of her own before turning back to look at the arch.

Beacon had chosen his two closest friends to stand up for him.

Lydia had told Emilia that Beacon's brother Laurent was quite disappointed that he had not been chosen, and that she believed that his tendré for Rosamond was the primary reason for his exclusion.

 

 

Emilia searched around the chapel for Laurent, an easy enough feat as he was the only guest in regimentals.

He seemed to notice her wandering eye and offered her a small smirk in return.

It was a shame that he was not the one up here escorting her, for while he may not be quite as respectable company as the Duke of Simmendish, she had no doubt that he would be a much better conversationalist.

 

 

Mr. Snaghorn was coming to the end of the vows now and he had done a great service, highlighting the true love between the couple.

 

Lydia looked adoringly at Beacon as he placed the ring on her finger, and just like that their union was sealed.

 

All too quickly, Emilia was being escorted out of the church by the Duke.

 

He had offered her his arm and after a moment of deliberation (and a glance at how Rosa and the Marquess), she had taken it.

She certainly could not deny her sister the chance at time with her beloved.

 

 

As the carriage back to Willowsea began its swaying journey, the Duke suddenly found his voice.

“It was a beautiful ceremony, Miss Wharburton, was it not?”

 

With a start Emilia realised he must be talking to her as Rosa and the Marquess were in deep conversation.

Emilia imagined he truly did not need an answer to his question, undoubtedly any ceremony performed under such circumstances must be beautiful, so she simply inclined her head.

“Your mother and aunt Darley certainly have outdone themselves on this occasion.”

Oh dear, he was furthering the conversation.

Emilia's good breeding demanded an answer to the continued civility.

“Yes indeed, but they cannot be solely to thank I assure you. Rosa and I both were up past half eleven last night helping out as well.”

 

The Duke smiled.

“You do not sound unhappy about such a circumstance, Miss Wharburton,” he observed. “I suppose the first marriage among daughters, and that of a beloved sister is much worth the sleepiness?”

 

She smiled slightly to hear him say so.

"Of course Your Grace."

 

He frowned slightly when he came to the realisation that she would not offer more than that, but rallied his spirits and began again.

“Do you think, Miss Wharburton, that is... do you suppose you may want your own wedding to be of a similar nature?”

Emilia looked at the man curiously.

What business of his was her wedding? As it was, she had no beaux to speak of, so it may be a few years yet in the future. Was the man already trying to beg an invitation?

She certainly could not afford to offend the man, little though she may think of him.

She restrained herself in her answer.

“I had not thought of it,Your Grace. The next wedding to planned will not be my own I expect.”

 

The Duke gazed over at Rosa and turned back to a blushing Emilia.

“I believe you have the right of it Miss Wharburton, but you shouldn't discount yourself either.”

Emilia nodded and inwardly scolded herself for being such a gossip.

It wouldn't do to tell too much to the Duke, friend of Beacon's or not.

As the carriage pulled up to Willowsea, Emilia could see that most of the guests had already arrived having made the short walk on foot.

Once they had entered the large drawing room where the wedding breakfast was being held, Emilia immediately made her way over to Lady Ginevra Drake - sister of the Marquess of Simmington.

Lady Ginevra smiled at Emilia and beckoned her closer before whispering in her ear.

“Do not tell me that was Damien Grey, Duke of Simmendish?”

Emilia sighed and looked at her friend with little patience.

 

“You know very well who it was, silliness is unbecoming on you Ginny.”

Ginny brought her fan to her face and laughed behind it before directing Emilia's attention to Rosa and the Marquess, deep in conversation.

“I believe he spoke of nothing but your sister these three months together, Emi.”

 

Emilia smiled at her friend as she continued.

“You'll be happy to know he has received father's permission to give her mother's ring,” Ginny stated with an air of satisfaction before adding “It should only be a matter of time now.”

“To have two sisters so happily settled... that shall be to my upmost satisfaction.”

“What about yourself? Shall we see this trend happily continuing, Miss Emilia?”

Emilia and her friend turned to face the new speaker.

“Mr. Haynes.” Emilia acknowledged.

Lady Ginevra looked less than pleased at the interruption.

 

 

“They say one wedding begets another,” He said smirking mischievously “I wonder if that will be so.”

Emilia exchanged a glance with Ginny and was about to issue what would probably have been a less than polite answer when she was once again interrupted. The Duke of Simmendish had apparently made his way over and intended to have his part in the conversation.

“I don't believe you are in any position to ask after any young lady's marriage prospects, Haynes. Pray tell, how is Miss Farnham fairing these days? I had thought that your engagement was to be announced in the papers any day now.”

 

Mr. Haynes turned red at the Duke's words.

“I had, that is, we had not... It was never official, you see,” He muttered darkly.

The duke offered to Mr. Haynes what, on any other personage, Emilia would have described as a dazzling smile.

“Ahh, but more is the pity I suppose. I have heard lately she has taken to the family's country estate in any case. No doubt nursing a broken heart Haynes.”

“Perhaps nursing something else entirely, Simmendish.” Mr. Haynes replied nastily.

Both the ladies gasped at the implication, 

 

The Duke looked disgusted, 

 

and Mr. Haynes seemed to remember the company he was in.

 

“Apologies to you ladies, I should not have spoken thusly. Pray excuse me.”

As the two ladies and the Duke watched him stalk away they heard the sound of drawing room door being once again opened.

Upon being granted admission the new guest came bounding excitedly up to the small party.

“Dear Ginny, it has been an age, has it not?” He said, taking his sister's cheek in his hand.”Simmendish, Miss Wharburton, I believe it has been even longer since I have had the pleasure of either of your company.”

Ginny smiled at her brother. “Oh Trevor, that is only because you will not stir outside of your little country parsonage!”

Lord Trevor Drake smiled again at his sister before replying to the well-meant barb.

“What need have I of anything aside from Simpton? The simple country life is enough for me, dear sister.”

He once again smiled to the three of them before excusing himself to congratulate the new couple.

Emilia turned back towards her friend and the Duke and found both to be looking in her direction, Ginny with a calculating smile and the Duke with a blank, humourless expression.

“I do believe you are quite of the same opinion as my brother, Emilia. A simple country life would suit you very finely. Perhaps a small parsonage would do?” Ginny teased.

The Duke seemed to visibly start, before composing himself.

“I see you two ladies are in each other's confidences. I shall leave you to your devices,” the Duke said before bowing stiffly and striding across the room.

Emilia turned to her friend with a scolding look.

“Must you create rumours about me still?”

“Oh Emi, but we could be doubly sisters! In any case, I doubt the Duke would want to start a rumour about you and another man.”

Emilia sighed at her friend's implication.

 

 

“I know what you are implying Ginny. The Duke does not have any tender regard for me, I can assure you,” She said.

“I simply believe I am the only woman who can stand his company for above a quarter hour together.”

 

 

Ginny tittered once again into her fan as Emilia excused herself to greet more guests.

From the opposite corner of the room the Duke of Simmendish watched her make the rounds of the room, but another pair of eyes followed her even closer.