Chapter Twenty-Five

August allowed Pole to bathe and dress him for his wedding day. He reflected on what his life had been like a year ago. He had still been an army officer, a captain leading his men into battle, still living a charmed life.

He had thought losing his eye and his commission was the end of his life. Instead, fate had led him along a road he never would have thought to have traveled, but it had given him a companion in life to make that journey for decades to come. August looked forward to the years ahead as he and Georgina shared a life together and created a family of their own.

Pole finished tying an elaborate knot for August's cravat and stepped back, looking pleased with his efforts. August glanced into the mirror and saw not a man marred by physical blemishes—but one who was in love.

Turning to his valet, he said, "You have done an excellent job, Pole."

"I have everything ready for the trip to Edgefield, my lord."

"Good. We will only stay there for a handful of days, and then we will make our way to Scotland, where we will remain throughout the summer."

"Scotland?" the valet asked. "Isn't it rather cold there, my lord?"

"My mother once told me the summers there are quite cool, but the beauty of the land made up for any chill you felt."

"Then I will see that we are ready to make the journey after our short stay at Edgefield," the valet promised.

A knock sounded at the door, and Pole answered it, briefly speaking with a servant before turning to August.

"My lord, if you wish, His Grace has invited you to have coffee with him before the ceremony."

"Then I shall make my way to the breakfast room," he said, tucking the tissue-wrapped brooch he had brought to Shadowcrest into his pocket.

August went to the breakfast room and found Seaton seated there, along with Silas.

His old friend leapt to his feet, coming to him, and slapping him on the back. "Are you ready for your wedding day, August?"

"What are you doing here?" he asked, his gaze turning to the duke.

Seaton merely shrugged. "I can take no credit for Lord Blankenship's presence. That is all my duchess' doing. She knew of your longstanding friendship, and she thought it would be a fine idea for Blankenship to attend the ceremony."

He smiled at his friend. "I am delighted you could come today, Silas."

"We went through a lot together as boys and young men. I hope our friendship will continue to flourish until we are old and gray, August."

The three of them sat and lingered over coffee until the butler came in and spoke to his employer.

Seaton said, "It is time for you to make your way to the chapel. A coach is available if you choose, but it is only a short walk there."

"I know exactly where the chapel is located. Georgina took me to it after tea yesterday," August said. "We will walk and leave the carriage for the ladies' use. But I do have one favor to ask of you, Your Grace."

"James," the duke prompted. "Remember, you are now family."

A warm feeling filled him as he removed the brooch from his pocket and handed it over to the duke.

"I assume you will see Georgina before the ceremony begins. If you would give this to her and ask her to wear it. It belonged to my mother."

"I will do so," the duke promised.

He and Silas left the house and walked the short way to the Shadowcrest chapel.

"It is a fine day for a wedding, August."

Looking about, he saw the blue skies with only a few scattered clouds in them. "I couldn't ask for a better day—or a better life, my friend. Will you stand with me when I make Georgina my wife?"

Silas grinned at him boyishly. "I would be happy to do so."

They entered the chapel. Georgina had not let him set foot inside it yesterday, telling him that Lyric wanted it to be a surprise for the both of them. And surprised, he was. Even Silas gasped.

"This looks like a wonderland in spring," his friend said. "Who spent all this time bringing it to life?"

"That would be Miss Lyric Strong, a cousin of Georgina's. She is known in the family for her talent with plants."

"I have a bit of an interest in gardening myself," Silas admitted. "I need to meet this cousin and talk blooms with her."

They wandered about the chapel, admiring the flowers, and then a voice called out, "Might you be Lord Edgethorne?"

He turned and saw a clergyman, accompanied by a woman whom August assumed was his wife. That proved to be the case, as the man introduced himself, telling August he would be performing today's ceremony.

The clergyman went through a few brief notes with him, and August told him that Lord Blankenship would be standing with him.

"The bride and her family should be arriving soon." The clergyman paused and then said, "Thank you for your service to our country, Lord Edgethorne."

"I was happy to do what I could for Great Britain," he replied, recognizing for the first time that no bitterness sounded in his tone regarding his service.

"There you are," he heard.

Turning, he saw Georgina's sisters and cousins had arrived. He introduced Silas to the five, and then Mirella said, "We should go ahead and take our seats. Georgie will be here at any moment. Go stand at the altar, August. You, too, Lord Blankenship."

The two men did as Mirella asked, while Allegra sat at the pianoforte. He had learned that Mirella would have been the one to play for them, except for her injury, which kept her from practicing and playing.

Moments later, the doors opened. The duchess, the dowager duchess, and Aunt Matty entered the chapel. All three women smiled warmly at him as they took their seats. Again, August thought how much his life had changed in a year's time and how openly the Strongs had accepted him into their tightknit family.

Anticipation filled him as he gazed at the door, waiting for Georgina to make her appearance. When she did, on the arm of her brother, a rush of love for her swept through him, causing his throat to thicken with emotion.

Her gaze met his as Allegra began playing, and Georgina seemed to float down the aisle. She reached him, and her brother kissed her cheeks. The duke turned to August and offered him his hand.

"Take care of her, my friend," James said.

"I will," he promised, taking Georgina's hand, and slipping it into the crook of his arm.

Mirella had stepped forward, joining them at the altar, standing beside her sister as August and Georgina recited their vows to one another.

When the clergyman pronounced them man and wife, August turned and framed his bride's face in his hands, lowering his lips to hers for a tender, lingering kiss.

Applause sounded in the chapel, and August broke the kiss, beaming at his new marchioness.

"Thank you for the lovely brooch, August," she told him. "I felt your mother's presence as I pinned it to my gown. I am glad she was here with us today, and I am especially happy we will get to see her family's land at Dalmara."

"This is the first day of the rest of our lives together, Georgina. You loving me has made all the difference in my life."

August bent and kissed her again, hearing laughter from the others present.

"Take the carriage back to Shadowcrest," James told them. "We will all be there shortly."

Spontaneously, August swept his bride off her feet and into his arms, marching down the aisle to the cheers of her family. He reached the carriage and set Georgina onto her feet again, handing her up and then following her.

Inside the carriage, he lifted her into his lap, kissing her the entire way to Shadowcrest.