The Lady Must Choose by Christine Donovan

Author:Christine Donovan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: The Reluctant Duke, the lady and the earl, romance, regency, historical, season, london, duke, earl, Marquess, baron
Publisher: Christine Donovan
Published: 2014-05-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

The Wedding

For the third time in two years a wedding was getting underway at her family’s small stone chapel at Stony Cross Manor in Dover.

Bella’s body hummed with nervous energy. The women members of her family kept coming in and out, hurrying her maid along.

“You don’t want to be late and give Myles cause to panic,” her dear sister-in-law, Emma, said as she nervously paced the room, the smallest bump on her stomach evident of baby number two on the way. She’d kept the secret for quite some time, but told the family the night before. Bella couldn’t wait until she had a baby with Myles. It would be the happiest day of her life. Equal to this one when she finally married the man she’d loved her entire life.

Bella’s family could not be happier for the nuptials to take place. After years of living in the dark shadows of their father’s scandals, lightness filled every member of the Seabrook family’s hearts this joyful day.

“Bella, dear,” her mother’s voice broke into her reverie. “Hurry along.”

“Yes Mama,” Bella replied. “I may need help. My legs have suddenly decided to wobble. I’m afraid I’ll fall down the stairs.”

“Emma and I will assist you,” Amelia said as she wrapped her arm around Bella’s elbow.

With the help of her sister and sister-in-law, she made her way down the long hallway and descended the main staircase without so much as a slight misstep. Once in the entry hall, Wentworth bowed, took her white gloved hand in his and kissed it.

“My dear sweet sister, you look...” He smiled. “When Myles sees you, I believe he will lose the ability to speak.”

“I think you just complimented my appearance,” Bella said.

“I did.”

“Thank you. I’m so nervous,” she admitted, her voice vibrating.

Wentworth raised his brows. “Nervous or excited?”

Bella placed one hand on her stomach where a family of butterflies took flight. “Both I fear. Is that to be expected?”

“The morning of my wedding found me emptying my stomach numerous times in the chamber pot.” He grinned at her. “If you recollect I took ill that afternoon. But honestly, I was nervous. Terrified Emma would not show. As you recall, our relationship did not resemble a fairy tale.”

Wentworth helped Bella into the family carriage. The other family members had left moments ago in their own vehicle. When they arrived at the chapel, Bella wasn’t positive if the ride had taken too long, or not long enough. Her body trembled uncontrollably. The man of her dreams stood inside waiting for her. She should be calm and serene.

“Are you ready?” Wentworth asked.

Ready? Inhaling and exhaling deeply three times, Bella replied, “Yes. Please hold me tight as we ascend the aisle. My legs are refusing to cooperate.”

“Do not fret, sister. I won’t relinquish you until it’s time.”

Wentworth descended the carriage steps then proceeded to help her down. As he promised, he had a strong hold on her elbow. His strength seeped inside her, giving her the strength to climb the stone steps and enter the double doors, which were ajar.

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