All of their family and friends turned to look at her with tearful smiles, yet Lily could not help but focus on Julian at the end of the aisle.
He looked utterly handsome in his black tails and cream breeches with shining black boots. His hair had grown out a little in the weeks she had known him, and she realized that she rather liked the look of his curls rather than the short-cropped hair.
Her walk seemed like an eternity, but everything sped up when she reached his side, and he took her hand in his.
Warmth seeped through her glove, and she felt a wave of security washing over her.
Julian will protect me.
She breathed easily through the first part of the ceremony and smiled while exchanging their vows.
“I, Lily Prescott, take you, Julian Sinclair, Viscount of Barnard, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.” Her voice rang out true and clear in the tiny chapel. And when he recited his, something in the pit of her stomach coiled with an unknown feeling.
“I, Julian Sinclair, Viscount of Barnard, take you, Lily Prescott, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. Thisis my solemn vow.” He slipped a small gold band with a single diamond onto her finger, and Lily felt as if she could burst.
There was no mention of love between them, yet their mutual understanding drew her toward him like a moth to a flame. All seemed right as the elderly vicar pronounced them husband and wife.
They turned to the congregation, and not a dry eye could be seen. It did her heart good to know that everyone they loved cared for them so deeply that their union had made everyone cry. Even Miss Everet, who had mentioned her supposed union with Julian, smiled at her as tears fell down her cheeks.
Gratitude washed over her as she nodded to the young woman in passing. It could not have been easier for her to hear that Julian was engaged, but she had shown up and borne the event with grace.
They were quickly whisked away in carriages back to her aunt’s house, where food and drink was being served.
And before Lily knew it, she was being whisked onto the dance floor by her husband.
“And how are you feeling, Mrs. Sinclair? Or should I say, Lady Barnard?” Julian smiled down at her as he led her in a graceful waltz.
“My nerves are absolutely frayed,” she confessed.
“Better your nerves than your dress,” Julian joked as she spun her under his arm and pulled her back on. “I have heard it said that tearing one’s dress is a bad omen, but thankfully, yours seems to be intact.”
Lily laughed softly as she shook her head. “Are all Englishmen this superstitious?”
“Only the ones who are worth trusting. Never trust a man who opens an umbrella in a house.” He said determinedly as his eyes sparkled mischievously.
Rolling her eyes, Lily shook her head as she suppressed a laugh. The conversation between them always flowed so easily. “And why is that? Will I be chased by bad luck if I do?”
“Not at all, opening an umbrella in a house shows poor judgment and decision-making skills. An open umbrella can knock over all kinds of expensive vases and knick-knacks. Therefore, one should never trust someone who makes such bad choices.” He laughed openly.
Joining in the mirth, Lily could not help but feel freer than she ever had before. She trusted Julian, and more than that, she was beginning to like him.
Couples began to join the dance, and one by one, the floor was soon filled with dancers who made the festivities seem brighter.
It was not until Julian mentioned the others that Lily tore her eyes away from his gaze. “I think we may have another wedding on our hands soon enough,” Julian commented with a subtle nod of his head.
Turning discreetly, Lily looked to the left, where Arabella and Benedict Southampton were chattering away as they danced. Arabella’s cheeks were flushed with color, and Benedict seemed to be paying rapt attention to all that she said.
“I had noticed that Arabella had taken a liking to your friend. Do you think them a good match?” Lily turned her gaze back to Julian.
Nodding, Julian smiled at them with a single glance. “I do, Benedict is a noble man, he will look after her.”
“And what of love?” She felt a strange compulsion to ask him as her heart skipped a beat.
Julian’s fingers tightened slightly on hers. “I cannot say that I believe in love as a basis for marriage, but I do think that it is possible, for others,” he added the last part more carefully with a stiff smile.
For others.
She felt a strange pang in her chest but quickly pushed the feeling aside. “Of course, it is always possible, but we are lucky enough to have escaped that fate.”