The Gentleman's Bride Search (The Glass Slipper Chronicles Book 4)
Page 24
“I am certain I shall have it in abundance,” she replied confidently, “if these past months have been a foretaste.”
The friends walked together to the nearby chapel where Jasper and their wedding guests were waiting. In the vestibule, Emma and Rosie greeted the bride.
“You look lovely,” said Emma with a happy sigh.
“So do you, my dearest.” Evangeline caressed her cheek.
“After the wedding, may we call you Mama?” asked Rosie.
Evangeline nodded with a sidelong glance at Emma. “If you wish, but only if you really want to. Now I think we had better head in before Matthew and Alfie get too restless.”
The girls walked ahead of her up the aisle, Rosie strewing fragrant petals of her namesake flower.
At the foot of the altar stood Jasper and his sons, all looking very handsome. The radiant smile on Jasper’s face and the warm glow of love in his eyes made Evangeline feel she was the happiest and most fortunate woman in the world.
Reverend Mr. Brookes opened his prayer book and cleared his throat. “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.”
When he asked, “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” Evangeline answered in a firm, clear voice, “I do.”
Behind her, she heard whispers and muted chuckles from their guests, but Jasper gave a decisive nod to signal his approval of her unorthodox declaration. She was giving herself in marriage to him just as he was giving himself to her, to share the rest of their lives.
As they repeated their vows, she and Jasper stared deep into each other’s eyes, making private, unspoken promises about respecting, supporting and challenging one another in the years ahead.
The children cheered when Mr. Brookes pronounced them husband and wife.
“To think,” said Verity when the ceremony had concluded, “two matches came out of your house party at Amberwood. And there may be another, for I hear Mr. Webster is courting Mrs. Leveson!”
“I do not wonder that my wife’s matchmaking efforts were such a success.” Jasper seemed to savor those words. “Even if the result did not turn out exactly as she planned!”
THE END