Epilogue
“Marriage is a gift given by God to the human family for our well-being and growth.”
Phillip tried to focus on the words the sexton spoke, but he was distracted by Emma and the way she looked in her wedding dress.
The dress was lined in embroidered flowers and a pattern of swirls. Her veil sat on her head under a band of pearls and extended down her back. When he looked back at her face, he realized she was trying to get his attention with her eyes. He smiled as he noticed her nod in the direction of the sexton. He should be listening.
“The couple will join hands in a symbol of the union—”
Phillip stopped listening again as he thought over the previous year. It had been rough. He and Emma had been through a lifetime of anguish and heartache in a few short months. He wondered what the rest of their lives would bring.
“What were you thinking about?” Emma asked as he helped her into the carriage so they could go to Wentworth Hall for the wedding party. They would depart for a wedding tour the following week.
“My thoughts were focused on my great fortune of having the most beautiful bride.” He pulled Emma to him and kissed her. He hadn’t had the chance to kiss her since the day before. “Did you know a kiss after the wedding is a symbol of transferring the best part of ourselves to each other? Almost as though a marriage of souls.”
“Where did you read such nonsense?” she asked, pulling away from him.
“How did you know I found it in a book?” Phillip pulled her back to him. He held her as the carriage made the short drive back to Wentworth Hall. He kissed her and twirled the loose locks of hair in his fingers. “Are you ready to meet our adoring families, my lady?”
He watched as Emma looked down at her dress. She touched her hair and tried to give him a disappointed look. Instead it turned into a playful smile. “Did you have to mess with my hair?”
He thought about helping her as she pinned the loose strands back into place but decided to admire her instead. She smoothed her dress out and nodded to him.
“I’m ready now, my lord.”
She leaned forward and kissed him. Their families and guests could wait to congratulate them. He couldn’t imagine a better beginning to their life together.
About the Author
Angela Johnson has a love for the written word and the adventures one can take while reading. She writes the stories she wants to read: clean romance novels based in the Regency era. She has a BS in English from Utah Valley University, an MPC from Weber State University, and an MA in publishing from Western Colorado University. She loves to travel to collect ideas for writing.
The Earl of Arundel (Earls of England Book 1) Page 24