The door opened and Mr. Archer came out, drinking a glass of what appeared to be brandy. Nick had a feeling the man had an impressive stockpile of it from the war.
“Miss Winston,” said Mr. Archer, as he bowed to her. “I offer my best wishes on this happy day. And milord, as surprised as I was to hear there’d be a handfasting at my home tonight, I was even more shocked to learn it was an earl who sorted my fish the other day. Though I hope you know your way around a marriage bed better than the difference between cod and haddock.”
Kate coughed, though Nick had a feeling she had stifled a laugh.
He sighed. “Thank you, Mr. Archer, for hosting our ceremony. And have no fear for my skills.”
“I ain’t the one who should be afraid. ‘Tis Miss Winston who might be worried.” Then the man laughed so hard he nearly choked on his brandy.
A part of Nick hoped he would.
Archer took them through the house to the back garden where it seemed everyone in town was congregated, save Mr. Bramwell. Nick doubted he would be missed by anyone. Even Mrs. Johnson and Lily were there, and it appeared Linus was doing a fair job of wooing the young lady back.
Mrs. Archer hurried over to them. “I’m so glad ye got here before the sun set completely. But we’d best hurry to make sure we do this at the right time.”
“The right time?” asked Nick.
“They say the marriages that happen as the sun dips are the happiest. And we want the best for our Kate – as well as you, milord,” she added quickly.
Mrs. Archer led them to a table where two ribbons were laid out. “We wasn’t sure who you’d want to perform the ceremony, so we asked old Mary to do it.”
Nick turned to see a short, slight woman with white hair and the wrinkles accrued from a long and happy life. She smiled at them, revealing one tooth.
“I was pleased to be asked, on account of Katie bein’ a favorite of mine and old Oscar a dear friend, God bless his soul,” said Mary. “I always knew ye’d do well, Katie. Here ye got yerself a fine earl and he looks like he’ll give ye a rollicking time of it in bed. ‘Tis important, ye know. Me Bobby kept me happy ‘til he passed, bless ‘is soul. I still miss that man on a cold winter’s night. Ye’ll keep her warm, won’t ye, milord?”
“Yes, Mrs…?”
“Mary will do.”
“Yes, Miss Mary. I pledge to keep Miss Winston warm.”
“I’ll wager ye do,” said the old lady as she gave him a good look up and down.
Nick had a feeling her Bobby had been a happy man in the bedchamber.
“Do ye have the rings?” asked Mary.
“No,” said Kate.
“I have Miss Winston’s ring,” said Nick as he pulled out a simple gold band with a small sapphire. He would get her another ring in London, but this would have to do for now. It was the least he could do, considering she was ruined because of him.
He looked at Kate, who was studying the ring with wide eyes. “Do you always travel with a wedding ring, sir?” she asked.
“I had this made in the village today.”
She looked up in surprise. Did she think he would turn up empty-handed? He could tell her how he’d tried to find the nicest ring in the village, but when there was nothing special enough, he had the blacksmith fashion this simple ring. She deserved something much nicer, but with little notice and no choice, this is what he’d come up with. But the way she looked at it made it seem like the crown jewels.
It was humbling. And it made him yearn to continue to make her happy for as long as they lived.
Mary looked at the ring with approval. “And what about yer ring, milord?”
Now Kate looked abashed. “I confess I never thought of such a thing.”
“Fortunately, I did,” said Nick as he pulled out a plain gold band which had the Emerson coat of arms discreetly engraved on the inside. It had been a gift from Colin right before he’d left for the war. He had jokingly said that if he didn’t return, he needed to ensure Nick would look after their brother and sisters and what better way than to trap him with the seal. But though Colin had said it in jest – over quite a few pints of ale – there had been a real fear there. Neither of them had known if Colin would make it through the war. It had been Colin’s way of not only ensuring their siblings would have someone to look after them, but, Nick suspected, his brother’s way of strengthening the bond between the two of them. Nick had been deeply touched and he carried the ring with him always. Now it would serve as his wedding ring, since his Layton signet ring wouldn’t fit that finger.
Not to mention, he might not have the right to wear the Layton coat of arms that much longer.
Mary looked at the ring appraisingly. For a moment, Nick thought she might bite it to test the quality of the gold. But she simply put the rings on the table, then quieted the crowd.
“As ye know, we’re gathered here today to bless the marriage of our dear Kate, who came to our village as a wee lass who’d lost her parents. I remember them days and sometimes it seemed like she’d never be happy again. But with the good Lord’s help and old Oscar’s guidance, she grew up to be a lovely young lady. And we’d be sure to kill anyone who hurt her.”
She leveled a rather menacing stare at Nick for a moment, before laughing. “I’m foolin’ with ye, milord. We’d never make her a widow. We’d just cut yer bollocks off if ye hurt her.”
Nick laughed.
Mary was not amused. “’Tweren’t no jest. Hurt her and we’ll hurt ye. Understand?”
“I do,” said Nick. He was touched that the villagers obviously cared that much for Kate. Touched and terrified.
“Very well,” said Mary. “Pick up the ring, milord, and repeat after me.”
Nick did as instructed.
“Take her hand, she won’t bite.”
Nick took Kate’s hand.
Mary nodded approvingly. “I….wot’s yer entire name?”
“Nicholas Fenton Chilcott.”
“Ye really are an earl, ain’t ye? ‘I, Nicholas Fenton Chilcott, take ye, Katherine Laura Winston, as me wedded wife.”
“I, Nicholas Fenton Chilcott, take you, Katherine Laura Winston, as my wedded wife.”
“I promise to honor and protect ye, to be by yer side and to share life’s troubles and joys.”
“I promise to honor and protect you, to be by your side and to share life’s troubles and joys.” Though Nick knew the marriage wouldn’t be recognized by the Church of England, he felt the power of the vows as he spoke. He would protect Kate, even if he wouldn’t be by her side forever.
“I pledge my troth.”
“I pledge my troth.”
“Good!” said Mary. “We’re halfway there. I, Katherine Laura Winston, take ye, Nicholas Fenton Chilcott, as me wedded husband.”
“I, Katherine Laura Winston, take you, Nicholas Fenton Chilcott, as my wedded husband.”
“I promise to honor and comfort ye, to be by yer side and to share life’s troubles and joys.”
“I promise to honor and comfort you, to be by your side and to share life’s troubles and joys.”
“I pledge my troth.”
“I pledge my troth.”
Kate looked at Nick and in that moment all his plans were up-ended. Just hearing her say she would stay beside him seemed to heal the loneliness he’d lived with much of his life. And he realized how very much he wanted these vows to be real.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Kate wasn’t certain when she’d felt so many emotions at once. She had been a bit out of sorts on the walk from her cottage to the Archers’ home, knowing this was a sham of a marriage, forced upon them both by convention.
But she’d been touched to see how Mrs. Archer had decorated her home, as well as how many people had attended on such short notice. Then Nick had shown her the ring and she’d almost cried. It was beautiful. She knew there was nothing that elegant for sale in Weymouth. He must have had the smithy make it. It was going to break her heart to have to part
with it.
Then, as he said his vows, it seemed like he really meant them. Which was nothing compared to how she felt when she said hers. Because she was prepared to stand by this man during troubles and joy, for the rest of their lives.
Kate’s reverie was broken by Mary’s next command.
“Milord, place the ring on Kate’s finger.”
Nick took her hand in his, then gently slid the ring onto her finger. It somehow fit, though he couldn’t have known her size. For a moment, she gazed at her hand wanting to weep from the feel of it. She wouldn’t have thought metal could feel so warm.
“And now, missy, it’s yer turn.”
Kate picked up the heavy gold band, feeling sheepish that she hadn’t thought to get him a ring or present of any kind. Of course, she certainly couldn’t have afforded anything as nice as this band, which was probably worth a fortune.
Yet another sign of the gulf between them.
“Now, it’s time fer the handfasting,” said Mary as she picked up a long red ribbon. “Take each other by the right hand.”
They did as they were told. Kate looked up to find Nick staring at her intently. As they looked into each other’s eyes, she could feel Mary wrapping the ribbon around their hands several times and knotting it. She gave a good tug, tying them securely.
“There!” she said. “I used fisherman’s knots so ‘twill not come undone easily. There’s just one last thing remainin’. Do ye pledge yer love to each other?”
That broke the gaze between Kate and Nick. And there seemed to be a murmur in the crowd.
“Is that part of the usual ceremony?” Kate asked Mary.
“It’s part of this one. Do ye pledge to love yer man? I don’t necessarily mean ye have to love him this moment. But ye have to pledge to try. For even when everythin’ is wonderful and a fairy tale at the start, it’s more important to pledge yer love for the future after things ain’t as easy anymore and maybe his lordship there loses his hair.”
“I am not going to lose my hair,” said Nick.
“We’ll see about that,” said Mary. “Do ye pledge yer love, Mrs. Chilcott?”
Perhaps it was the shock of being addressed as Mrs. Chilcott that had Kate nodding and saying, “I do.”
“Good. Now, yer lordship, do ye pledge to love yer wife, who yer lucky to get, by the way?”
“I do not doubt my good fortune for a moment, madam. And, yes, I pledge my love.”
“Excellent! Then I pronounce ye married! Let’s raise a glass to celebrate!”
That pronouncement was met with great cheer, as the Archers’ younger children passed out ale and spirits. Men came by to nod at Kate and slap poor Nick on the back so hard it was almost a certainty he’d be bruised by morning.
They were so busy accepting the well wishes of those in attendance that it wasn’t until a quarter of an hour later that the bride and groom could say anything to each other, though they had been standing only a few inches apart.
Once they were finally alone, Kate couldn’t speak for the pounding of her heart.
“How long are we to keep this ribbon?” asked Nick.
Kate could feel a blush heating her cheek. “Traditionally, it is kept until we reach the marriage bed, where we….”
Nick cleared his throat and nodded.
Kate continued. “But in our case, I daresay we can cut the bonds once we return to my cottage.”
“So you want to cut the ties which bind?”
No. She didn’t. “I believe it would be the easiest way to ensure we both get a good night’s sleep.”
“Of course,” he said. “And I shall sleep on the settee in your sitting room?”
There seemed to be a trace of wistfulness in his question, almost like he hoped she’d allow him to stay with her in the bed. Which, of course, she couldn’t do. Could she?
“I believe that would be best,” she said
“Of course,” he said.
Then they remained silent for a moment, watching the revelry around them as Kate thought about how sometimes doing something for the best didn’t seem like the best thing to do.
Nick pointed with his left hand. “There’s Archer. Perhaps we should ask him our questions before the celebration gets too joyous.”
“You mean before he gets too drunk to answer.”
“You do have a way of getting to the heart of the matter.”
They walked awkwardly toward old Archer, who was talking to some of his friends. He turned around when they reached him and slapped Nick on the back so hard Kate seemed to feel it.
“Congratulations, milord! And milady.” He saluted them both.
“Thank you for hosting us, Mr. Archer,” said Nick.
“It’s as good of an excuse as any to have a pint. And it means Linus there will likely be leg-shackled soon enough. Not that there’s anything wrong with marriage, of course.”
“Of course,” said Nick with a smile.
“Mr. Archer,” said Kate. “As you know, I have been going through the church archives. Given your family’s importance in the village, many of the entries were about various events the Archers hosted.”
“Aye,” said Archer, as chuffed as Kate wished him to be. “Me and my kin have had our fair share of fests.”
“There was a name I didn’t recognize and I was wondering if you could help me. He was only referred to by the letter R. Do you know who he was?”
At the mention of R, Archer’s face blanked. From the way Nick tensed, she could tell he noticed it, too.
Archer took a sip of ale from his nearly empty glass. “I cannot recall an R, unless it was old Rugglesby who used to visit from time to time.”
“No,” said Kate. “I remember seeing Mr. Rugglesby mentioned a few times, so I don’t believe it was he. This would have been during the war. I was but a girl, so I cannot recall anything.”
“Must not have been anyone of note or I’d be sure to remember,” said Archer. “I see there’s young Jamie Hawthorne. I promised I’d give him some marital advice on account of his latest scrap with the missus. And I reckon you have a better place to be, as well. Don’t you, milord?”
Then Archer was gone as quickly as he could escape.
“I don’t believe he was being honest in not remembering R,” said Kate.
“Nor do I. But I fear we’ll get no more information out of him tonight. And if we ask the others, it will only raise his suspicions. We might as well leave now, then try again tomorrow. It’s the Sabbath, so the men won’t be out on their boats, will they?”
“No. I daresay we shan’t be welcome at church, but we should be able to catch Archer at the green tomorrow. We should thank Mrs. Archer, but then we can leave.”
“Good. Because I am rather anxious to return home.”
* * *
One thing Nick hadn’t expected was how married he would feel at the end of the ceremony. Just hearing Kate pledge her love to him had filled him with a kind of hope he hadn’t felt in years, if ever. He knew she was only saying what was expected but logic couldn’t quite tamp down what his heart was feeling. For when he’d made his pledge to love her, it had felt very real indeed.
Then he’d had to suffer the interminable slaps on the back, while he was thinking of the night ahead. It was a good thing Kate had done such a good job of questioning Archer because he was quite certain he would have bungled it. And now they were heading back to her cottage. Back to their temporary home. One good thing was if they’d been at his estate, they would have had dozens of servants nosing around. Here, they were alone.
And tied together.
After thanking Mrs. Archer and Mary, they left as the villagers called out their ribald wishes for the coming night. He wished he could follow up on their suggestions, but he had to remember Kate thought this was a sham marriage, even if he didn’t. But he was determined to kiss her. Mayhap they’d be unable to break the ribbon and would have to sleep in each other’s arms.
There was only a sliver of
a moon as they set out for the cottage. Nick’s thoughts were pleasantly engaged in thoughts of Kate, so he didn’t see what was coming until it was almost too late. He looked up to see one man race toward them, his body a dark silhouette against the moonlit sky. And Nick could sense another man approaching from the rear. Nick’s instinct was to strike the first man, but his right hand was entwined with Kate’s. From her startled gasp, it was clear she had seen the men as well. Just as Nick headbutted the man behind him – connecting with a satisfying crunch – Kate kicked out at the other man. He let out a cry of pain and it appeared Kate had been lucky enough to connect with a sensitive area.
Kate screamed to draw attention to their plight. Her attacker – and Nick would kill him if he ever got the chance – was running away, while Nick’s opponent still had some fight left in him. Nick elbowed the man, aiming for his throat, but a last minute deflection from his assailant meant he only managed a glancing blow to the side of the neck. It was enough to throw the man off balance, but not incapacitate him.
The man staggered and Nick sorely wished he had two hands to finish him off. Or, at the very least, he wished Kate was far away. It was difficult to fight when he constantly had to put her behind him to shield her, when she would only come back around and try to attack the man, herself.
He felt her lean into him as leverage, then she kicked out. From the crunch and subsequent scream, it was clear she had dislocated the man’s kneecap. He fell into a heap on the ground.
Nick kept his senses alert to see if anyone else would attack them. But within moments, they heard several people running toward them and calling out from the direction of Archer’s party.
“You have a kick like a mule,” he said to his wife. “Are you hurt?”
“I am not best pleased to be compared to a mule, but I am unharmed. Are you hurt?”
“No, thanks to you.”
Nick bent over and awkwardly put his left hand into his right boot, pulling out a knife. “Hold still,” he said, as he carefully cut the ties between them, despite her protests.
“You cut the ribbon!”
“Yes,” he said, as he placed her firmly behind him, then faced the downed attacker.
Always Believe in Love (Emerson Book 4) Page 14
