Chapter Twenty-Six

James' heart pounded furiously as he stood at the front of the church, waiting for Lady Temperance's arrival. Unable to prevent the swirl of fear within him, afraid that something dreadful might happen still, he swallowed tightly and bounced gently on his toes. What if Lord Barlington had discovered that there was to be a wedding? What if he came to disrupt the ceremony? All had gone rather well thus far but all the same, until both he and Lady Temperance were wed, James could not help but feel a little fear.

"You need not look so concerned. Here, she is coming now."

James looked first to Lord Thurston who was standing beside him as his groomsman, only to then turn and look to the door of the church.

Lady Temperance was walking towards him, resplendent in a beautiful, cream gown which swished lightly as she walked. Her fair curls danced at her temples, her face unhidden as a beautiful smile curved her lips. She was not afraid, as he was. The sheer joy on her face made James' own heart pull free of his anxiety as he let out a long, slow breath.

Lady Temperance was to be his wife and even if Lord Barlington was to appear, he could do nothing to prevent it.

"My dear," he murmured, his voice echoing around the almost empty church despite the fact that he had kept his voice low. "How beautiful you are."

She smiled up at him, her green eyes clear though her hand still stayed on her father's arm rather than reaching for his. It was not yet time even though James yearned for her touch.

The vicar cleared his throat and, forcing his gaze away from Lady Temperance, James gave him a small nod. He was more than ready for the ceremony to begin.

Opening up his Book of Common Prayer, the vicar's eyes darted around the church, taking in the three others present: the Duchess of Danfield, Lady Thurston and Lady Hartford.

And then, he began.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy matrimony. It is not to be taken in hand unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which matrimony was ordained. Therefore, if any man can show any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace."

James smiled at Lady Temperance as the quiet few moments continued to dance around them. There was no-one to protest and yet, the vicar continued to wait. Everything had to be done correctly, despite how desperate James was for the ceremony to continue.

After what felt like an age, the vicar then turned his attention back towards James and Lady Temperance, a light smile on his lips. "I charge you both, as you will answer at the dreadful day of judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why you may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, you do now confess it."

Again, James shared a glance with Lady Temperance, seeing the gentle smile on her lips as she held his gaze for another moment. No, he wanted to shout, there is no impediment! All he wanted was to have his moment to declare his love and devotion to Lady Temperance and thus far, it seemed an age in coming.

"Very well." The vicar paused again, then looked at James, a seriousness in his expression. "James, Earl of Calverton will you have this woman as your wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep only unto her, so long as you both shall live?"

"I will." The words could not have been spoken more quickly and James' heart lifted with happiness as Lady Temperance smiled up at him.

"Then Lady Temperance?" Again the vicar paused as though Lady Temperance might wish to take in the solemnity of the moment. "Lady Temperance, will you have this man as your wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep only unto him, so long as you both shall live ?

"I will." Her voice was soft but the promise sincere and despite the importance of the moment, James could not help but smile broadly. How much he wanted to take her hand! How much he desired to have her near him!

He did not have to wait much longer. With a nod, the vicar then turned to the Duke of Danfield, who had been standing solemnly beside his daughter since the very beginning of the ceremony.

"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"

"I do." The Duke took a step closer, with his daughter beside him. The vicar smiled briefly, then took Lady Temperance's hand and, after a moment, turned towards James.

He was more than ready. Reaching out, he took Lady Temperance's hand in his own, a thrill racing up his arm and into his heart as she finally not only stood near him but looked up into his eyes, her hand in his own.

"Then, Lord Calverton, might you repeat these words?"

James nodded and did as he was asked. "I, James, the Earl of Calverton take you Lady Temperance to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance."

Tears came into Lady Temperance's eyes as she then took her turn, repeating the words after the vicar. "I, Lady Temperance take you James, the Earl of Calverton to be my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance."

James pressed her hand gently, seeing how she blinked back the tears of happiness.

"Lord Thurston?"

After a moment, Lord Thurston handed the vicar a small, gold ring, having it then placed on the Bible, the vicar held it out to him. With a broad smile, James took it from him and taking Lady Temperance's hand, held it to her finger.

"Lord Calverton, speak these words after me," the vicar intoned, as James nodded. Lady Temperance looked into his eyes, her lips curved softly and James' heart exploded with all the love he felt for her .

"With this ring, I thee wed. With my body, I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods, I thee endow."

The vicar nodded. "In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

At that, James pushed the ring onto Lady Temperance's finger and then pressed her hand again with his. He took in a deep breath and then let it out again, overjoyed at this wondrous moment which was so near to completion.

The vicar set his hand over their joined ones and then looked out at the sparse congregation. "Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder. For as much as James, the Earl of Calverton and Lady Temperance have consented together in holy wedlock and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth to each other and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be Man and Wife together, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

James turned, taking Lady Temperance with him as they both knelt down, ready to receive the final blessing. His heart was pounding, relief and joy twining together and rushing through his veins as the vicar prayed over them both.

"May God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you. May the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you; and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that you may so live together in this life, that in the world to come you may have life everlasting. Amen."

"Amen," James murmured, hearing Lady Temperance say the very same thing. He turned to look at her and saw one single tear drip to her cheek, though her smile was dazzling. Did she too feel the very same delight that he did? Was she too just as relieved, just as contented as he? The next few minutes passed by with great speed as the marriage lines were signed and, thereafter, James looked down into his bride's face and, after a moment, caught her up in his arms. Normally such a thing would not have been permitted at a wedding service but, given that there were so few guests and the church such a small one, James did not care.

"My hearty congratulations!" Lord Thurston clapped James on the back as he released Lady Temperance, though caught her hand immediately thereafter. "This brings us all such great joy. "

In an instant, Lady Thurston, the Duchess of Danfield and Lady Hartford surrounded them both, each exclaiming with great joy and with all the ladies taking out their handkerchiefs to wipe away lingering tears. James could not help but beam with pride and delight, Lady Temperance's hand on his arm – only for a loud exclamation to interrupt them all.

"What is the meaning of this?"

James reached across and kept Lady Temperance's hand on his arm, feeling her jump in surprise as Lord Barlington strode into the church, his face a picture of anger. His brows were low over his eyes, his gaze sharp and angry, his hands curling up into tight fists.

" I am engaged to Lady Temperance," he hissed, pointing one hand at Lady Temperance. " We are to be wed! This is nothing but a sham!"

The vicar cleared his throat. "I was unaware of – "

"That is because this man is telling you nothing but lies," the Duke interrupted calmly, turning to face the vicar. "You did as you were expected to do and there was no-one to protest. As Lady Temperance's father, I can assure you that I have never given consent to my daughter being wed to Lord Barlington. Besides which, you saw the license yourself, did you not?"

"Yes, I did." The vicar, said clearly relieved, then chose to step away, leaving them all to face Lord Barlington without his presence.

James did nothing but smile as Lord Barlington's angry gaze turned towards him, his hands now planted at his waist as he glared at him.

"There is no reason for you to be here, Lord Barlington," the Duke said, firmly. "We do not desire your presence."

" I am engaged to Lady Temperance!" Lord Barlington exclaimed again, only for the Duke to take a step forward.

"No, you are not," he stated, firmly. "You did not come to seek my consent and I did not give it. Instead, you thought to threaten my daughter with horrific consequences if she did not do as you asked."

Lord Barlington's mouth fell open, his eyes flaring wide and for a moment, James thought that the man might protest, that he might state he had done nothing but instead, he simply shrugged.

"I have married Lady Temperance and am now her husband," James told Lord Barlington, seeing the man scowl darkly. " And before you begin to even think that you will bring about the consequences you threatened, might I tell you that the Duke of Danfield himself has only recently returned from London!"

Lord Barlington's eyes flicked to the Duke of Danfield.

"Hearing you speak of my daughter and the cruelty you planned to inflict upon her changed my opinion of you very quickly, Lord Barlington," the Duke said, crisply. "Sir Jeffries informed us of your impoverished state and you, in your drunkenness, confirmed it all. So, given that I thought to go to London to get the Special License, I decided that I would, at the same time, inform the ton about your present new situation. I can tell you that there were those within the ton who were very interested indeed to hear about such things. I also had the pleasure in telling them where you resided at present and you may soon find yourself discovered, Lord Barlington. You may have unexpected guests, each seeking out what you owe them."

James smiled grimly as Lord Barlington took a small step back, shock beginning to drain away his dark, angry expression.

"You will never have my daughter's hand." This time, it was the Duchess who spoke, her words practically hissing out of her. "Never. I believed you when you told me how much you regretted ending the engagement, but I see now that it was nothing more than greed on your part. You wanted to take Temperance's dowry and her yearly income and save yourself from your circumstances – circumstances which you have brought upon yourself! I caused my daughter a great deal of pain because of your words and have nothing but regret."

"You did not know, Mama," Temperance said softly, as James offered the Duchess a small smile. "There is nothing either myself or my husband hold against you."

At the name, ‘husband', James' heart leapt furiously and he smiled, looking down at his bride.

"This is a day of joy," he said, quietly. "Lord Barlington, your presence is no longer required here." He looked back at the gentleman, then cut through the air between them with one hand, dismissing him. "There is nothing more you can say or do in this situation. You shall not have what you hoped for, what you schemed for. Good day, Lord Barlington. If you will excuse me, I fully intend to take my bride back to my manor so we might begin our life together. "

Without another word, James walked past Lord Barlington, his wife on his arm, and made his way out of the church. Once outside, he turned, gathered Lady Temperance in his arms and, without hesitation, kissed her.

All the world fell away as he held her close. Everything that had hindered, everything that had pulled them back was gone. Lord Barlington had no hold on them any longer, no threats of his could stand. All there was now was their bright, golden future that was waiting for them.

"I love you, Temperance," he murmured, his words brushing at her lips. "We are man and wife now, are we not?"

She giggled, free from the shadows Lord Barlington had cast over them both. "Yes, Calverton, I believe we are." With her hands, she framed his face, her eyes melding to his. "And I love you too."