and wholly unique.
Orchids and more peonies in purples and petal pink were also woven into the floral design. My favorite flowers mixed with Thomas’s, each coming together to create something magnificent. There was so much to see, yet the only thing my gaze was desperate to find was—
Thomas.
The priest stepped aside, revealing my love in all his splendor. I suddenly forgot how to breathe. I felt everyone’s gaze as it landed on me, heard their intake of breath, but could only concentrate on not grabbing my skirts and rushing to the young man standing at the end of the enchanted aisle. My dark prince.
Somehow, my father and I finally reached the end of the petal-strewn pathway. I took the final step, kissed my father good-bye, and barely breathed as he placed my hand in Thomas’s waiting grasp. It did not escape my notice that he appeared to be the heir to a dynasty.
Thomas Cresswell looked more regal than Prince Albert. His black suit was tailored perfectly to his frame, hugging the angles and lines that were so sharp they made one consider sinking to one’s knees in supplication. Surely he had to be an angel sent directly from Heaven.
His hair was styled with pomade and his eyes were filled with a steadiness I didn’t know I’d been craving until I drank it in. I spied an orchid dusted with glitter—my favorite flower—pinned to his lapel, and any remaining tension left my limbs at once. That dear detail was all Thomas, and I had to remind myself to not kiss him senselessly. It looked like a painting he’d created of an orchid with stars within its petals. After deducing how much I favored the flower, he’d married our two loves together. Much like we were about to do.
I clasped his hands and he took a deep, shuddering breath. My gaze immediately dropped to his lips and lingered. I wondered if flashes of last night were playing across his mind, or if I was truly the only devious one.
“You are exquisite, Audrey Rose,” he whispered.
I allowed one more, indecently long assessment of his form, much to the priest’s dismay. His suit stretched across broad shoulders, and silver thread trimmed the collar, matching the silver whorls in his dark gray waistcoat. He was utterly magnificent. I recalled another time I’d had similar thoughts back in Romania. I hadn’t been truthful then. I’d not keep my heart from him now. “You’re devastatingly handsome, Thomas.”
His grin was so radiant, he practically beamed. The priest cleared his throat, holding his prayer book up, likely reminding us we were in a house of God and were not yet married. If he was that put out by our appreciative glances, he’d likely go up in fire and brimstone if he knew we’d already consummated our marriage. Three times last night.
And once this morning.
“Will you, Thomas James Dorin cel Rău Cresswell, take Audrey Rose Aadhira Wadsworth to be your wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?”
Thomas gently ran his thumb over my knuckles. “I will.”
The priest nodded. “Very good. Audrey—”
“I will love and honor you every second, every minute, every hour of the day,” Thomas continued, stepping closer. “I vow to seek your counsel on all matters, both big and small, and to cherish you with each breath in my lungs. I promise to never make the same mistake twice, to make it my daily duty to see you smile, and to hold your hand through each challenge, each victory, and each new adventure this life brings our way.” He slipped a wedding band next to my engagement ring, never taking his gaze from mine. “From this day until my last, I vow to love and hold you, as my equal in all ways, Audrey Rose.”
Someone gasped from the pews at his shocking declaration. Distantly I heard a door open and close, but I couldn’t tear my attention away from Thomas. A woman was supposed to honor and obey her husband in all things. What Thomas had promised was freedom and respect for the remainder of our lives. He’d said as much plenty of times in private, but to do so in front of an entire chapel full of witnesses…
I swallowed hard, tears welling, as he offered me an encouraging nod. I could practically see the words he’d said to me a