She entered the church alone, although both Stratton and Brentworth had offered to escort her. She paused and looked over the little crowd. She knew many of those attending, and smiled when she saw some of the servants who had helped her. She had insisted they be present if they wanted.
Lady Farnsworth wore a new Venetian shawl of deep blue and purple sprigs, over a raw silk gray dress. Lace and ruffles poked out from beneath the shawl’s draping. She also wore a self-satisfied expression. “I consider reforming Langford the greatest achievement of my life,” she had told Amanda. “Your wedding to him will be the pinnacle of my success.”
Amanda had decided not to share that confidence with Gabriel.
Gabriel and his brother took positions by the altar. She began walking toward him.
She knew the vows they would speak. Everyone did. Last night, however, while they’d lain bound together by their bodies and hearts, he’d made other promises beside those of eternal love. “I will never abandon you. Not with my heart or body or mind. You are safe with me, my home will be your home, and you will never be adrift and alone again.”
His words had moved her deeply, and she still carried those words in her heart. He knew her better than she’d thought. Better than she knew herself.
She stepped forward, accepted his hand, and took her place beside him.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Madeline Hunter is a New York Times bestselling author with more than six million copies of her books in print. She has thirty nationally bestselling historical romances in print, including most recently, The Most Dangerous Duke in London. A member of RWA’s Honor Roll, she has won the RITA Award twice and been a finalist seven times. Her books have appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly, and have been translated into thirteen languages. She has a PhD in art history, which she has taught at the university level. Madeline also writes the Romance Unlaced column for USAToday.com’s Happy Ever After site. Madeline loves to hear from her readers, and can be reached through her website at www.madelinehunter.com, on Facebook, www.facebook.com/madelinehunter, and at twitter.com/madelinehunter.
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