The Rakehell Regency Romance Series Boxed Set 1

by Sorcha MacMurrough

  "Come, Daughter. This is your big day. Try to look a bit more cheerful," her father said as he greeted her.

  "You look cheerful enough for both of us," she could not resist commenting.

  She gazed approvingly at his dark jacket and breeches, and richly embroidered waistcoat covered with iridescent peacocks.

  Samuel and James and their parents came in a short time later. Mr. Joshua Castlemaine bore a strong resemblance to his elder brother, and his wife was a quiet, gracious woman with frizzy blond hair, kind enough, but vague and impractical. It would have been a torment for all concerned to have tried to include her in the wedding rehearsal and preparations.

  "Fine day. Just right for a wedding," Joshua said, rubbing his hands together briskly.

  "True, Brother. Let's hope the weather holds."

  "It shall. The Almanac gives snow tomorrow, though."

  Charlotte began to fidget in her chair. If she had to sit there talking about the weather,she would surely scream.

  Fortunately, her father noted her squirming and took pity upon her.

  "If everyone has eaten, we'd better get over to the Castle. We're all ready, but Charlotte will still have to dress when she gets there."

  She flung her cloak over her shoulders without waiting for one of her cousins to help her, and wasted no time in hurrying to the carriage with her bandbox. At last they were all in and tucked under the carriage rugs, and they set off. Charlotte closed her eyes as she rolled down the drive, willing herself not to look back. It was superstitious to think she would never see her home again. She was simply being morbid. Too many Gothic novels were not good for the constitution. Everything would be fine. It would be hard work at first, but she and Thomas would settle down together and be as happy as any other couple. She would just have to try her best. Many a couple had far less in common than she and the Duke, and far less to live on, yet managed to be happy. Love was wonderful, but it didn't pay the bills or give one status in society...¦

  The carriage stopping in front of Eltham Castle jolted her awake. She looked left and right in confusion, and finally straight ahead at the amused faces of her cousins.

  "I hope you don't always make that noise in your sleep. It would terrify most men," James teased.

  "What noise?"

  "A sort of feral growling."

  "Now, boys, stop your japes," Joshua scolded. Then he flashed a broad grin. "It was much more like a dog baying at the moon."

  "Uncle!" She gasped reproachfully, feeling herself inexplicably close to tears.

  "Pray calm yourself, Charlotte," her father said, resting his hand upon her shoulder. "It will all be fine. The Duke will make us all proud, as will you. Here are your attendants now. Go with them, my dear, to get ready. I'll wait for you at the bottom of the stairs."

  Charlotte had little choice in the matter, for the carriage door was thrown open and Vanessa, Sarah and Elizabeth tugged her out of it by both hands. She was led to the small parlor by her smiling bridal party, and she was soon divested of her day gown and clad in her wedding clothes. A maid stood at the ready and curled her hair into ringlets with a pair of hot tongs. Her curls were then swept up on top of her head, and the pearl tiara put in place. The veil Elizabeth had made so lovingly was draped over it, while Sarah tied her wide green sash.

  "Oh, my!" Vanessa breathed.

  "I could say the same of us all. We look splendid," Charlotte said, scarcely able to believe it was her own self she was seeing in the mirror.

  "But you, Charlotte, must be the most beautiful bride I've ever seen," Vanessa praised.

  "Thank you, it's so kind of you all to help in this way. As if we were sisters," she added with a sniff. "We're happy to help," Sarah reassured her with a fond pat on her back.

  "Bouquet, handkerchief, garter, veil, and a gift for Thomas?" Elizabeth said, looking her over like a general inspecting his troops.

  She nodded. It was a little travel Bible, in an expensive inlaid silver case. Vanessa started when she saw it, and shuddered.

  "What is it? Is there anything wrong?" Charlotte asked with genuine concern when she saw the auburn-haired woman's face blanch.

  "No, not at all. It just, well, reminded me of something."

  She sat down on one of the sofas and put her hand to her mouth. A small Bible very like it had been the final proof that she had needed to confirm that her half-brother Gerald had been a highwayman and murderer. By that time, it had been almost too late.

  Sarah knew the whole story, and rubbed her sympathetically on the shoulder.

  "I'm fine, really."

  "Are you sure?" she asked quietly.

  "I've been feeling nervous, with an unsettled stomach all morning. I'll be fine," Vanessa reassured her.

  "All morning?" Sarah repeated, round-eyed.

  Their eyes met, and they shared a smile of joy and wonder.

  "I'm not sure. Now that I think about it..."

  "Later," Sarah whispered. "We mustn't say anything until we're sure. Besides, you wouldn't want to steal Charlotte's thunder on her special day, now would you?"

  Vanessa waved her hand dismissively. "Not for anything in the world."

  Charlotte had been watching the two women with their heads together, and felt more left out than ever, despite all the kindness the women had displayed. "I'm very sorry I upset you," she ventured to say.

  "It wasn't your fault," Vanessa said with a shake of her head, a bright smile now wreathing her face. "You had no way of knowing. I'll tell you the story some other time. It's not fit for a happy occasion such as this."

  "Come, Charlotte, I can't wait to have another sister," Elizabeth urged, motioning her to join her at the door.

  Charlotte stared at her. "Another sister?"

  The girl flushed guiltily, and would not meet her eye. "Sibling. I meant sibling."

  Charlotte stared from one woman to the next as their expressions all closed up. But before she could dwell on what had just happened, her father's voice in the hall caused her to jump. "Come, Daughter! Are you still sewing the dress, or what?"

  "I'm coming, Father," she called out to him.

  She checked that her gloves were perfectly smooth, and then looped her train over her wrist. Her reticule went over it, her fan after. Finally, she picked up her bouquet and handkerchief, and pronounced herself ready.

  The other women threw her shawl over her, a rich white-on-white patterned wrap of the finest wool which she would remove when she got into the church. Her father took her hand, and let the other women precede them to the chapel.

  Once outside the Castle, wind whipped at her shawl and veil, putting her in mind of an evil woodland sprite playing tricks upon her. But soon they arrived safely in the vestibule, and her attendants put all her garments to rights once more. Then, with a whispered "Good luck," from each, they took their places. She waited with her father in an agony of anticipation until her processional music began. Elizabeth went first with the flowers to sprinkle on the carpet

  As Charlotte walked up the aisle, she saw many familiar faces, for the church was packed with many of the best families from the district.

  But she only had eyes for Thomas. He was dressed in black, with a black waistcoat shot through with gold threads in an intricate pomegranate pattern. His stock was gold, and dressed with a simple diamond pin. His black satin breeches, black silk stockings, and black shoes with gold buckles completed his ensemble. She thought he had never looked more handsome, or happier.

  He smiled at her, and she saw naked admiration for her beauty in his eyes.

  He took her in from head to toe, and thought he had never seen a more splendid sight in his life. In only an hour, this woman would be his irrevocably for as long as they lived.

  It was a sobering thought. There was still time to change his mind, or at least be honest with her. He half-expected a bolt of lightning to shoot down from the heavens for what he was about to do, marry her under false pretences.

  But one look at Charl
otte in the exquisite gown and veil, and he knew he could no more let her go than he could will himself to stop breathing. He was determined to have her for his own true love, and have her he would, no matter what the consequences.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Jonathan started the ceremony with his words of welcome and opening remarks. The order of service went like clockwork, though neither Thomas nor Charlotte could manage to sing the hymns, so choked up with emotion were they. Both were struck with the enormity of what they were about to do.

  Thomas was already in love with Charlotte, had been for some time, but being in love, and loving a spouse for the rest of one's life, were two entirely different things. He was also fully aware of the fact that Paxton would be even more dangerous now that his wishes had been thwarted, and his easy means of getting ready cash taken from him.

  For her part, Charlotte's feelings vacillated between desire for the most stunning man she had ever met, touched, kissed, to terror over the irrevocable decision she was about to make. She was putting herself utterly at the mercy of a stranger she barely knew, promising to love, honor and cherish and even obey the Duke for as long as they both lived. Her youthful verve balked at the very idea, while her spiritual nature cringed in horror at the false vows she was about to make.

  But there was little time to reflect on her feelings, for the ceremony was proceeding apace, even as she stood there trembling so nervously that she was sure Thomas's firm arm was the only thing holding her up. Or was it the intimate contact that was oversetting her so....

  Clifford and Vanessa did credit to their friends by reciting their passages perfectly without a single glance at the Bible set upon the lectern.

  Charlotte thought the music sounded glorious, and with the sun streaming in through the fine stained-glass windows, she felt like she had her own little piece of heaven right there on earth.

  She didn't start to panic until Jonathan said, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee; and is commended of Saint Paul to be honorable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained.

  "First, It was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy Name."

  Charlotte felt a shudder of fear and delight as she heard him intone these words. The step she was taking suddenly seemed so enormous. Solemn. It wasn't something she had truly stopped to consider in the whole whirlwind that had been the wedding preparations. She had been thinking about this day, but what about next week? Next month? Next year? How did she really feel about having children?

  The Duke had promised her time to get to know each other, but as a nobleman, he needed an heir and a spare to ensure the smooth succession of his titles and estates, and that need would determine the whole of the rest of her life.

  Thomas evidently must have sensed her inward turmoil, for he gripped her hand more tightly, and rubbed the top of it with his thumb in a reassuring gesture which touched her deeply.

  "Secondly, it was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continency might marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body." Charlotte blushed heavily at that, and noted Thomas's cheeks also taking on a ruddier hue. The desire that burned between them might be mere lust, but it was certainly a more powerful sensation than anything she had ever known, even in Herbert's arms...¦

  "Thirdly, it was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can show any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace."

  Both of them held their breaths as they waited for what seemed an eternity. Charlotte was not sure quite what she had feared. Perhaps Herbert turning up to claim her, or expose her for a fraud? To accuse her of breach of promise? Demand that she belonged to him, and fight to wrest her from Thomas and whisk her away...¦.

  But no, there was nothing. She gave a mocking inward laugh. That sort of thing only happened in novels. This was the real world. She had made her choice, and she was about to be married. She risked a peep up at Thomas and saw that he too had been worried about some sort of intervention.

  Or her changing her mind, she guessed when he continued to stare at her. He looked as though he were in pain at the thought that she might open her mouth and declare herself unwilling. She gave him a tremulous smile, and he actually had the audacity to wink and grin back at her. She noticed his tense shoulders relax at once and she was almost dazzled by the brilliance of his smile. He really was the most handsome man...¦ But therein lay her new problem. This was supposed to be a marriage of convenience. HIS convenience. Did she really want to start nurturing romantic feelings about with a man who was going to view her as nothing but a possession and bank account?

  When the silence continued unabated, Jonathan continued with the ceremony.

  "I require and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgement when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, ye do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that so many as are coupled together otherwise than God's Word doth allow are not joined together by God; neither is their Matrimony lawful."

  Charlotte felt herself quaking from head to toe. This was her final chance. She could say no here and now, and that would be the end of it. She would be free, and would never have to see Thomas again.

  That thought filled her with dread, and she wondered in a panic why this was so. Was she losing her mind? She was in love with Herbert, was she not?

  She closed her eyes, and swayed slightly.

  Thomas caught her by both elbows to steady her.

  "I'm, I'm sorry, it's just..."

  She opened her eyes and looked up at him. Whatever she had been about to say flew out of her head in the face of his earnest expression. I love Herbert, don't I? she asked herself again almost desperately.

  Yet when she had closed her eyes, all she could see was Thomas, laughing, smiling, chatting with her.

  How on earth had that happened? she wondered, startled beyond measure. Could just a few days in the scintillating Duke's company have banished Herbert so completely for her mind?

  The answer was shocking. YES. Yes, it had.

  She straightened her shoulders and looked Thomas right in the eyes.

  "I'm sorry, Your Grace. It's just so warm in this dress," she said, smoothing down the bodice and then skirts of the fabulous wedding gown with one hand. "With all the perfume from the flowers and the fragranced candles, I was feeling a bit faint. I'm better now. Pray continue."

  Thomas puffed out a sigh of sheer relief. He took her hand once more in both of his own. "If you're sure you're fine?" he asked in a low tone embued with many layers of meaning.

  Charlotte kept her tone light but firm. "I'm fine, Thomas, I promise."

  "Very well, then." He smiled encouragingly at her, then nodded to Jonathan to move on to the next part of the ceremony, the exchange of vows.

  "Thomas, wilt thou have this woman Charlotte to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in s
ickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?"

  Thomas said in a clear, unwavering tone, "I will."

  "Charlotte, wilt thou have this man Thomas to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?

  She took a deep breath, and answered, "I will."

  "Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?"

  Mr. Castlemaine stepped forward. "I do give her." He kissed his daughter warmly and then stepped back.