Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25

C hristmas Eve morning dawned as the perfect winter day.

Overnight, snow had blanketed the grounds from beyond the windows, while the trees were wearing a layer of hoarfrost that was breathtaking.

Noelle would have been married outdoors beneath one of them if she had the choice.

But with their license, the vicar married them in Guilford, a short carriage ride away, but at least they would have the opportunity to walk below the beauty before and after the ceremony as they traveled from the house to the awaiting carriages.

She and Cooper had decided not to see one another last night to avoid any bad luck, which they certainly didn’t need at the moment.

Now, Noelle stood at the back of the church on her father’s arm as the guests awaited them on the few pews at the front.

She hid behind the wall by the door so that Cooper wouldn’t see her as her father stared at her, blinking away his tears.

“Noelle,” he said, patting her hand where it rested on his arm, “you look magnificent.”

“Thank you, Father,” she said, as her heart squeezed. Her father had his faults, that was certain, but she loved him as much as he loved her in turn. She knew that he had done his best.

“I hope you are not doing this for me,” he said gruffly. “I know I have failed you as a father, and if this is not what you want, there is still time for us to walk away.”

“Father, it would cause such scandal!”

“I know, but scandal is better than spending your life unhappy.”

She turned to face him, meeting his eyes, which were so like hers, while her mother had gifted the rest of her features.

“I appreciate that, Father, I do,” she said, considering that, but two months ago, this entire agreement had been concocted because of his actions, and if her father had spoken up sooner, she might have agreed. But now everything had changed. “However, I want to marry Cooper more than I want anything else. I am looking forward to being his wife. I love him.”

Her father let out a sigh as his shoulders dropped in relief.

“I am glad to hear it. I have been worried that you were doing something you had no wish to do, even though Hartwell has promised me that he will take care of you, be true to you, and do what I couldn’t.”

“Which is what?”

“Look after you.”

“You did a fine job, Father,” she said with a watery smile. “Do not believe that you failed me. You provided me with so much love, which is what truly matters.”

“You look just like her, you know,” he said, voicing what they were both thinking – that her mother should be here. “Absolutely beautiful.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, struggling to get the words out. “I wish she was here too, but I am so glad you are.”

“Of course,” he said, patting her hand again before clearing his throat. “Well, should we go get you married?”

“Most definitely,” she said as he stepped forward, leading her down. Hattie began to play Beethoven on the piano, and Noelle lifted her head to meet Cooper’s gaze as they stepped into the very short aisle.

The moment he saw her, Cooper’s jaw dropped and his eyes softened, filling with a look of vulnerability she knew that he never shared with anyone else. He opened and closed his mouth a couple of times as though he wanted to say something, and when Noelle and her father met him at the front, he shocked her by wiping away moisture from the side of his eyes.

“Are you all right?” she whispered, and he nodded.

“More than all right,” he said, shaking her father’s hand and then returning his attention to her. “You are stunning.”

“Thank you,” she said, looking him up and down, so dapper in his dark gray tailcoat and trousers. “You are not so bad yourself.”

They laughed with one another, forgetting the rest of the room until the vicar cleared his throat and lifted his book in front of him.

Noelle had been so focused on Cooper that she hadn’t looked around the church itself. While she was accustomed to simple decoration in a church, Lady Burton had sent servants ahead to prepare for the wedding and, of course, had outdone herself. Greenery hung from hooks and rails to cascade around them, lit candles set within the boughs. Noelle wondered if any evergreens were left in the forest beyond. Noelle had to laugh when she looked up and saw the mistletoe hanging so obviously right above them.

She met Cooper’s eyes, seeing the humor there as the chaplain read his opening blessing and introduction.

She didn’t pay much attention to his words until it came time for them to exchange their vows. As she promised to “love, cherish, and obey,” she infused all of the love she had yet to tell Cooper about into the words. She could have sworn she felt it returned when he promised to “love, honor, and keep” her in return.

The words were written into the book of prayer, yes, and she felt, in her heart, that they shared love now, love that tied them together in a greater bond than a contract ever could.

“It is now time to give the ring,” the chaplain said, and Cooper held her trembling hand in his as he reached his other hand into his pocket to pull out the gold band. Noelle gasped when she saw the setting.

It was beautiful, yes, but it was not just any ring.

It was her mother’s.

She looked up from the ring to meet Cooper’s gaze, seeing him watching her with some hesitation.

“Is this all right?” he whispered, to which she could only nod as she tried to prevent the tears from spilling out and falling over her face.

“More than all right,” she said. “It’s perfect.”

He slid the ring, inlaid with small but beautiful rubies and diamonds, onto her finger. It fit perfectly, as she had known it would.

The prayers and blessings that followed were a blur, until it was time to sign the marriage register.

As Noelle sat at the small table that had been placed beside the altar, she picked up her pen to sign, unable to stop herself from peering over her shoulder up at Cooper.

“Another contract,” she said with a grin.

“One that can never be broken,” he said with an answering smile, kissing the top of her head, right above the holly berries woven through her curls, as per Hattie’s recommendation.

She signed it before passing him the pen and showing him where to sign. He leaned over before placing another kiss on her temple, his lips resting just beside her ear.

“You are all I ever need,” he said.

He then leaned over and signed the page flourishingly, solidifying their everlasting marriage contract. One that would be unbreakable.

She had never been happier.

Cooper had brokered many deals.

Raised himself in life from having nothing to being able to make possible anything he desired.

He had repeatedly proven himself and achieved everything he could ever have dreamed about.

And he could never remember being as happy as he was now, married to Noelle.

He stared at her from across the room, watching her as she laughed with her friends. He loved that she kept glancing over her shoulder, catching his eye, reminding him that even if they weren’t standing right next to one another, they still shared a bond that was impossible to break.

His wife.

He shook the hands of the gentlemen who came over to congratulate him, but he had difficulty focusing on any of the conversations as he was too fixated on Noelle. They had already finished the wedding breakfast, but as the guests had nowhere else to be, they remained in the drawing room with one another.

“Hartwell, congratulations,” Lord John said, extending his hand, “on both the wedding and the contract. We are officially partners.”

“Glad to hear it,” Cooper said with a grin. He prided himself on creating a straightforward contract, and he was glad the deal had been ratified.

“What’s this now?” Lord Andrew asked, joining them. “The two of you are in business together?”

Cooper straightened, glancing over at Lord John, who appeared just as uncomfortable as he felt. He would have preferred that they not discuss this with anyone else, especially after he and Noelle suspected the murderer’s motive might be due to this railway deal, but he hadn’t shared the need for secrecy with Lord John.

“We are going to do a deal together, yes,” Cooper said with a tight smile, hoping Lord Andrew would drop it, but he was to be disappointed.

“Is this regarding the railroad?” Lord Andrew said, lowering his voice and stepping closer. Cooper could see the brother’s gaze upon them, and he also started over. Cooper had a feeling that whatever Lord Andrew knew Lord Rochester would as well, whether he was present or not.

“It is,” he confirmed. It would be public knowledge soon enough, so he could hardly lie, although he would have preferred the news didn’t spread until they were no longer in the same house as a killer.

“Are you going ahead with it, then?” Lord Andrew asked, his brows drawing together in surprise. “Even after what happened to Sanderson and Northbridge?”

“I hadn’t realized that Northbridge was still involved in a deal,” Cooper said, feigning ignorance, even as he felt rather than saw Noelle drawing toward him, twirling a piece of mistletoe in her hands.

“Ah…” The other gentlemen shared a look of uncertainty before Lord Rochester answered.

“He was until his death. Dead men can’t do deals.”

“There have been some discussions. Nothing solidified as of yet,” said Lord John.

“Well, it is still a fine idea,” Cooper said. “One that you are more than welcome to take part in. Perhaps after Christmas, we can discuss it further. But you must excuse me, gentlemen, for my wife is approaching and deserves my full attention today.”

They all murmured their understanding as he stepped away toward Noelle.

He had never seen a woman more beautiful. Of course, she was perfection when she was garbed in absolutely nothing, but her attire today was breathtaking.

“You are so beautiful,” he murmured as he looked her over again, holding her away from him. “If you must wear clothing, this dress is the best I have ever seen.”

“Thank you,” she said, stepping back with a smile. Her gown lacked the grandeur that many dresses of the day held. Instead, it was long, flowing from the bodice with simple cap sleeves. “It is not in style, but it was my mother’s and therefore holds great meaning.”

“I am so glad you could wear it,” he said.

“Did my father give you her ring?”

“He did,” Cooper said, reaching out and wiping the stray tear from the corner of her eye, even though he knew that she would never have let it fall in such a public setting. “He said it had always been for you, even when your mother was still with you. A way to connect the two of you, no matter where you are.”

“I’m so grateful,” she said, leaning her cheek into his palm. He loved that she didn’t care what anyone else thought about them or what they were doing, that she showed her affection for him so naturally.

“Do you remember the morning you joined me in my bedroom?” she asked, looking up at him through her ridiculously long lashes.

“Love, I will remember that day for the rest of my life.”

She smiled seductively. “We are married and while I highly anticipate our wedding night, I think a wedding day is in order – don’t you?”

He swallowed at her suggestion. They had come so close to making love before, and he had imagined it more times than he could even admit to himself. Waiting the entire day now had seemed torturous.

“I would have a hard time disagreeing with that.”

She reached down and took his hand.

“Let’s go.”

They managed to keep their pace to a walk as they exited the room, but the moment they were out of sight, they exchanged a glance, and as laughter bubbled out of Noelle, he answered with his own chuckle as they ran up the stairs as though they were being chased.

At this point, if they were caught, what did it matter? They were married, and the worst thing that could happen was that some guests would look down upon them.

Too late for that.