The Smuggler Wore Silk by Alyssa Alexander

Author:Alyssa Alexander [Alexander, Alyssa]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Historical romance, Regency
ISBN: 9781101636091
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2014-01-06T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

THE FRONT STEPS of the village chapel loomed before her, wide and imposing. The bright September sun and the sound of birds chirping cheerfully in the bell tower made no difference.

Grace had a vision of herself walking into the chapel, looking down the long aisle between the pews and seeing only the altar. Of hearing nothing but her own footsteps echoing between the stone walls.

What if she was jilted again?

She swallowed hard and tried to take a deep breath. The air caught in her lungs, leaving her light-headed. Instinct had her clutching at the masculine arm beside her. The arm jerked away, leaving her off balance so that she tripped up the first step.

“You’ll go through with it, girl,” Uncle Thaddeus hissed, bending down so his face was close to hers. “I won’t have a whore under my roof.”

“I wasn’t—I wouldn’t—”

But he was gone. He’d stalked up the steps and through the doors before she righted herself.

Embarrassed color flooded her cheeks. She refused to turn around and see if anyone on the street had witnessed the exchange. She simply couldn’t look. Instead, she climbed the remaining steps to the huge oak doors that marked the entrance.

Would Julian be there?

It didn’t matter. She would be there. Tipping up her chin, she straightened her shoulders and pushed open the door.

The interior was cool and quiet, a contrast to the bustle of the street outside. The light in the entryway was dim and it was a moment before her eyes adjusted to it. When they did, she sucked in a fortifying breath and looked down that long, long aisle.

Her heart fluttered, the tiniest beat of delicate wings beneath her breast.

He was there.

Tall and lean, his face relaxed and his mouth smiling. His gorgeous eyes focused on hers and everything else faded away. She knew her uncle was somewhere nearby, and she vaguely recognized the Starkweathers to one side. Yet in that moment, they were nothing.

In that moment, Julian was everything.

The sun, hidden behind clouds for most of the morning, now sent brilliant light bursting through the stained glass windows and into the chapel’s dark interior. Rainbows painted the pews and aisle with jeweled color. She stepped forward into one of those brilliant patches. It was like stepping into a swirl of color and heat. Flame red, bright turquoise, lush green, sunlight yellow.

Then he was there, only a step away from her. He reached out and she set her hand in his. She hadn’t noticed she’d reached the end of the aisle, hadn’t realized she’d even been walking toward him. But there he was, close enough now that she could see the color of his eyes.

“Let’s get it done,” Uncle Thaddeus barked.

The spell broke. Uncertainty rushed through her and sent her stomach into somersaults. They would be married. Julian was going to keep his promise. Then what?

Dearly beloved . . .

Julian’s hand squeezed hers, his fingers warm and comforting.

Forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as you both shall live .

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