Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17

August 1823

The sun was shining. It was a beautiful August morning. And Lily was going to be late to her third wedding.

"He better not think I am going to jilt him," she mumbled, climbing into the second hackney Kate summoned for them.

"He won't, darling," Charlotte cooed reassuringly as she climbed in beside Lily. "Oh, I think this is my favorite dress of yours yet."

She blushed, picking at the detailed hem of ribbons and lace. "My stepmother will hate it. Too practical."

"Yes, but I think more so because it lacks her desired stuffed fowl accessory."

"I wasn't about to wear a stuffed duck on my head."

"Oh, but your father would have loved it."

Lily shrugged, fighting back a grin as her heart thumped in her chest. She hated to be late and, until now, had always been on time for her weddings. And since she had hoped this one would stick, she would like to be at the church promptly.

"Rafe isn't going anywhere. "

That wasn't entirely true. It was early yet in the venture with Mr. Hawkins, but Rafe had secured several investors along with a nice office by the Thames. Lily had visited him there with a picnic lunch with Charlotte, who had graciously chaperoned the visit. Until she suddenly fell ill with a headache at the perfect time.

It was a nice office, and he looked especially handsome strutting across the place with papers in his hands and a pencil tucked behind his ear as he worked at the draft table.

She could have watched him forever commanding that room.

"There you go again with that silly smile," Kate teased.

Lily only stuck her tongue out before peeking out the window. "Did they move the church? Why is this taking so long?"

"He can't be married without you," Charlotte said with a laugh. "He will be there as well as your family and his family and your friends. And they will wait because we all wish for you to be happy. And he loves you more than scones."

Hmm, that was debatable given the time of day, but Lily was inclined to agree. Since returning to London and asking her to marry him, it felt as if they were properly courting. And Lily, though never one to be overly sentimental, certainly enjoyed the flowers and notes and strolls through St. James Park.

They waited three weeks to marry, mostly so they could inform their families and arrange for travel.

"Your father is coming, is he not?" Charlotte asked as if reading Lily's mind.

"Yes, Rafe and Admiral Ackerman dined with him two nights ago."

"And he was... kind toward Rafe?"

Lily scrunched her nose. "It will be a friendly relationship. I won't wait for Papa to suddenly refer to Rafe as his son, but he is at least speaking to him."

"And is he talking to you as well?" Kate prompted.

"We had tea yesterday. It was as if I never left. " She scratched her cheek and swatted away a loose curl. "I believe Admiral Ackerman might have helped smooth matters over. Father told me he didn't wish to speak of it, only that he wished I would be happy. "

"And you are," Kate teased again before becoming sober. "I have decided I will never marry. One rake was one too many, and now everyone avoids me as if I am the plague here in town."

"That will pass," Charlotte urged.

"It's been over a year now. I am inclined to believe I have been well and truly ruined. And I am humbled that you both have still welcomed me into your lives after such a scandal."

Lily rested her head against Kate's shoulder, dear Kate who was all at once so irritatingly endearing and cursed with a wild streak that scared most everyone in society. "I will never leave you."

Kate hitched her shoulder, playfully bumping Lily's head up. "You are getting married, darling."

She glanced up at her friends, her heart so unexpectedly full. "Yes, but I've loved you both for much longer. And I will never abandon you." Lily jerked up from the bench seat. "Oh, the church! We're here. Should I hop out?"

"While heartfelt, your declaration didn't even last a minute, dear," Charlotte teased. "I want nothing more for you to find happiness." She adjusted her bonnet and tugged at her gloves as if she were throwing on armor.

"I am sorry the duke couldn't join us." Lily spoke softly, her heart silently breaking for her best friend once more. He had declined the invitation to attend, claiming he was preoccupied in Italy.

He was always on the Continent it seemed. Or London unless Charlotte was there. If that were the case, he was suspiciously absent.

"I'm not." Charlotte leveled a knowing stare at Lily. "I don't need anyone's pity. Especially yours. It is not a surprise what others say about me. And we didn't part on the best terms. I think it may be wise that we have a few borders between us at present."

"You can't always hate him, Lottie," Kate said, grabbing her reticule. "You loved him once."

"I don't know if I feel anything for the man now. No, let him do whatever he does overseas, and I will do what I do here."

"Open a school for girls and build one the most beautiful gardens in all of England?"

"The school is yours. I am merely the…" She searched for the word, tapping her long fingers at the curve of he r mouth. "I am the benefactor. It is a worthy cause, and the Dandridge estate can afford such an endeavor. As for the garden, that is only a pastime. What else am I to do stuck in the countryside alone? I grow far too restless if I am not riding or out enjoying the beautiful Cumbria air. I am not meant for London, and I am not meant to be collected and stashed away as if I am a doll."

The hackney jerked to a stop, and Kate quickly jumped out, extending her hand for Lily's.

"I am late to my own wedding," Lily groaned.

The church doors opened, and her father stood at the top of the stairs, pacing as her younger stepsister, Mary, rolled her eyes with a sigh. It was not what she had hoped for a response from one of her attendants, but at least Mary had offered.

"Where have you been?" her father barked. He wore a yellow silk vest today, much better than the red when she was about to marry Felton.

Lily smiled, surprised at how easily she threw off his displeasure. It didn't matter now.

"Is that what you are wearing?" he asked after he didn't receive a response.

"I told you it lacked an effective amount of taxidermy and feathers," Kate harshly whispered, soft enough for only Lily to hear. She and Charlotte chuckled.

"Good morning, Father." Lily climbed the few stairs and quickly spun around to watch London buzz around her. This was all so very different than any other time she was about to become a bride.

And for once, she loved the groom.

Rafe fought the urge to peek at his timepiece. Searching for Lily after she left Cliffstone had felt like it had been months until he set eyes on her that night he'd met with Admiral Ackerman. Today? This morning?

It might as well have been years .

She never did enjoy waking up early most mornings. The stars called to her, even in London. It was one small thing he loved about her.

He rocked back on the heels of his boots and studied the full pews of the small church, which had all been graciously decorated with small white posies by the duchess.

"It's funny to think a bride who was jilted twice, jilts you," Henry whispered behind him.

Rafe turned around, glaring down at his brother. It was no use. He was in no mood to argue. "Don't be an arse."

"Watch your mouth. We are in church." Henry surprised him with a deep chuckle then. "She will be here, Brother. I am sure there is a good reason why she is late."

Lily always had a good reason. It was admiral except for when it was irritating.

Tilly waved to Rafe and smiled when he faced the guests again. She was dressed in bright green and looked as if she were about to head out on stage. Tilly's brothers and sisters sat beside her, elbowing one another and bouncing up and down from their seats in anticipation. His nephew, Ethan, who he had only met earlier that week, was playing with his sister Mari as his mother looked on.

His family.

He hadn't thought it possible. Not after the accident with Mari, not as he lay sleeping inexcusably drunk and lost on that gaol's floor last winter, not when Lily left Cliffstone.

Hell, he hadn't thought he would be eagerly waiting on his bride to walk down the aisle toward him, but he was learning to embrace life's unexpected turns.

Like leaving the Royal Navy to start R & L Shipping with Liam Hawkins, who currently was attempting to woo Miss Bancroft. Given that she was hiding behind her fan to talk with the duchess instead, the flirtation wasn't off to a great start.

Lily's stepmother and stepsisters were also in attendance, as well as Admiral Ackerman and his family and Liam Hawkins.

And everyone was there to see Rafe marry Lily. After years at sea, believing he would be doing the same for many more to come, it was strange to witness a life on land suddenly become a reality.

The back doors of the church opened, and Lily's stepsister Mary walked down the short aisle to stand opposite him.

He nodded at her, but she only rolled her brown eyes and turned her focus to her mother instead, who was signaling for the girl to adjust the comically large adornment in her hair.

"Good Lord, no wonder Lily was eager to find a husband," Henry whispered from behind.

Rafe quietly laughed, suddenly overwhelmed at the thought of what was about to happen. He felt the air squeeze from his lungs as Lily stepped into the sun shining through the tall stained-glass windows.

Heaven and all the stars above. Rafe had never been one to pray, but he wished more than anything in that moment that Lily wouldn't turn and run out.

She was gorgeous.

Her dark brown hair was tied up simply and decorated with small sprays of white flowers. Her dress was light-blue lamé over a silver tissue slip. The short sleeves and hem were trimmed in blue flowers, and the front was secured with a beautiful starburst brooch.

Time stopped, and Rafe was struck watching, waiting as she floated toward him.

"You're beautiful," he mouthed.

Lily blushed, glancing down as they stopped before Rafe, and her father gruffly gave her away and sulked off toward the pew to sit beside his wife.

It was torture not touching Lily as the vicar performed the ceremony. She would peek at Rafe from time to time, flashing him a small smile before returning her attention to the vicar. It reminded him of the stolen glances she would take of him as they traveled together in the carriage on their way to Cliffstone.

And then, all at once, they were married.

Lily squeezed his hand while they raced down the church steps as guests showered them with rice before they hopped into the carriage. The sound of her laugh was intoxicating. He would never tire of hearing her so playful, in comparison to the stubborn bluestocking he'd first met that fateful day at Stonehurst.

Who he loved all the same.

"Well, you have done it now, Mrs. Davies," he said as she settled back into her seat. "You are well and truly married."

"As I intended."

He leaned forward, taking her hands in his. "Always a plan, my Lily."

She arched her brow. "Speaking of plans, would you like to hear mine for how we should spend the remainder of our day?"

"Almost certainly, especially if it involves you without that beautiful dress on, kissing me on a bed, or sofa, a table top… I'm open to suggestions."

Lily scrunched her nose up and gave a small chuckle. "Always so charming, Husband mine."

"I am your husband, and I will do whatever you wish for the rest of your days. That is a promise, love."

With a brief tug, she pulled her hands out of his and settled back into her seat. "Then bring me home."

"We'll be late for the wedding breakfast."

She shrugged. "I was already late for the wedding. I'm sure they can carry on without us for a bit."

The carriage took the corner, and Rafe drew her toward him, hauling her into his lap. He cupped her face in his hands, realizing then he held his entire world, before he kissed her softly. "I love you now, and forever and a day, Lily. Now, tell me more about these plans. I promise to be a good listener as well."