Epilogue

The moment that Emma had seen Lord Yeatman waiting for her at the front of the church, all her nervousness had fled. Even though the church was filled with friends, family and other noted guests, Emma was barely even aware of them. Lord Yeatman filled every part of her vision, and she could not look away from him.

“And now, Miss Emma Fairley, you make your vows.”

The clergyman lifted an eyebrow and Emma nodded, having already heard Lord Yeatman’s vows to her. She was more than ready to return them for all the words came from her heart.

“I take you 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.”

Lord Yeatman pressed her hand, his eyes alight with the same joy that she herself felt within her heart. Had there not been such a solemnity about the ceremony, Emma felt as though she might jump up into his arms at this very moment, simply from sheer happiness.

“And now we come the giving and receiving of the ring.”

Lord Yeatman nodded and, with a smile, took her hand and lifted it gently, before pushing the small, gold band onto the third finger of her left hand.

“Miss Emma Fairley,” he murmured, “with this ring I thee wed. With my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow.”

Emma swallowed back the ache in her throat and the tears of joy as she looked down at her hand in his. It held a seal now, a promise that they would be man and wife for all the days of their life together. No-one could separate them now. She was his.

Lifting his hand by way of a blessing, the clergyman led them all in a final prayer.

“Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life: Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name; that, as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant between them made, whereof this Ring given and received is a token and pledge, and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

“Amen,” Emma murmured, keeping her eyes closed for a little longer as the clergyman continued his blessing.

“Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder. As these two here before you all have consented together in holy wedlock and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to 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.”

It was over. Emma could hardly take it in, feeling as though she were walking on air as Lord Yeatman led her away from the congregation and through a door to a small room where they were to sign their names to the marriage certificate and the church register. Once that was completed, the clergyman instructed them both to take their leave of the church and to step outside, where friends and family would now be waiting with their cries of congratulations.

“A moment, Emma?”

Lord Yeatman turned to face her as the clergyman made his way back through the church, giving them a few moments alone.

“Yes?”

His eyes held a trace of worry and Emma frowned gently.

“Are you happy?”

Her eyebrows flew towards her hairline.

“Happy?” she repeated, as he nodded. “Yeatman, I am overjoyed!”

A smile blossomed at once and Emma laughed, doing just as she had longed to do some minutes before and throwing herself into his arms. He held her tightly as she wrapped her arms around his neck, still barely able to take in that they were now man and wife.

“I am overjoyed,” she repeated, as she leaned back just a little, seeing him smile. “This day has been more wonderful, more glorious than I could ever have imagined. I am your wife now, Yeatman, and there is nothing I have wanted more.”

Lord Yeatman bent his head and kissed her lightly, the heat of his lips rushing straight through her so that she sighed against him when he lifted his head.

“I am glad to hear it,” he said softly as Emma smiled back at him. “To hear you make those vows, to know that I am now your husband brings me such delight, I can barely speak of it. It is too much for me to express.”

“That is exactly how I feel.”

He kissed her again and this time, it was long and lingering, leaving her heart pounding and her breathing ragged. Lord Yeatman chuckled softly as heat seared Emma’s cheeks.

“We should go out to everyone waiting,” he said softly, though he did not drop his arms from her waist or make any attempt to move back. “They will be expecting us.”

Emma sighed softly, desiring nothing more than to linger here, alone with Lord Yeatman.

“Yes, I suppose we should.”

His head lowered and he caught her lips for a third time, though this time it was only for a moment.

“I love you, Emma. I shall always love you, no matter what happens.”

Emma put one hand to his cheek, searching his eyes as her heart swelled with affection for him, all over again.

“And I shall love you,” she promised, softly. “I shall love you every day for the rest of my life.”

THE END