Chapter24
The next sennight flew byin a blur as Grace jumped headlong into helping Peter with parish business, loving every minute of it. The children were doing wonderfully in their studies, and the bounty from the vicarage garden was being distributed.
She spent time at Dandridge Manor visiting her sisters and helping Kathryn plan her wedding. Kathryn had never seemed happier, and Grace was thrilled to know that her friend would be able to marry the man she adored. The third reading of the banns would be today, and then Clifford and Kathryn could marry. The wedding, as well as the breakfast at Dandridge Manor, would be a small family affair, as Lord Devon requested that there be as little fanfare as possible around the marriage.
No one had objected.
“My darling, are you almost ready? I want to get to the church a few minutes early to make sure I have all my notes in order,” Peter said before he began to cough.
“Peter, are you well?”
“He nodded. When the coughing stopped, he said, “Yes. Merely a bit of dust.”
Grace wasn’t sure whether or not it was dust that had caused Peter’s coughing fit. “You look a little flushed.”
“I’m fine. Nothing to worry about. Shall we go?”
Grace put her teacup in the sink. “Let me get my bonnet and gloves, and we can walk over.”
When she turned from the sink, Peter swept her into his arms for an earth-shattering kiss that nearly seared her bones. She locked her hands behind his neck and kissed her husband with a passion equal to his. When Peter finally stepped back, he said, “My darling, if you keep kissing me like that, I’m afraid we will not be early.”
“Hmmm… and what would be the harm in that?” she said with a saucy grin.
Peter chuckled. “You’re insatiable.”
“Only for you, my love.”
“I can hardly believe I get to call you mine, my darling. Has the last week of marital bliss been a dream?”
“If it was, it’s been quite lovely.”
“You are perfect,” he said.
“You’re pretty perfect as well.”
He caressed her cheek one more time before giving her a quick kiss and turning away and coughing again. Grace wasn’t sure it was merely dust making her husband cough as she gathered her bonnet and gloves. “Are you sure you’re well?”
“Yes, don’t worry, my love. Come, let us be off.”
They headed out the cottage door for the walk to the church next door.
It wasn’t long before the parishioners started to file in. Jacob, Audrey, and Mia sat in the first pew, while Lord and Lady Devon, Lord Easton, Lady Kathryn, and Mr. Clifford sat in the second.
“Good morning,” Grace said, joining her sisters in the first pew.
“Good morning, dearest. You’re looking well,” Audrey said.
“Thank you.”
Peter stumbled slightly as he made his way to the podium and cleared his throat. “Good morning, all. I’m delighted to see so many friendly faces this morning. Let us begin. Peace be with you.”
Grace had never been prouder of her husband as his gaze swept over the congregation. Today, the church was nearly full once again. It must have given him a sense of pride to see so many parishioners attending Sunday services, especially after the conversations she’d had with a few of the parishioners in which she’d learned that attendance at Sunday Services had fallen off drastically in the past few years. Evidently, no one wanted to sit for two hours and listen to horrific fire-and-brimstone sermons from Mr. Randolph, even though the poor man was only doing what the previous vicar had commanded. No one held it against Mr. Randolph, but they were ever so glad when Peter hadn’t followed the same format for his sermons.
“Before I commence with the service today, there is one announcement I’m happy to make. I publish the Banns of marriage between Mr. Samuel Clifford of St. Mary’s parish and Lady Kathryn Wilson of St. Mary’s parish. If any of you know just cause or impediment why these two persons should not be joined together in Holy matrimony, you are to declare it. This is the third time of asking.”
As the engagement of Lady Kathryn and Sam Clifford was now old news, there were no whispers circulating through the church like the first time the banns had been announced. Folks were astonished that the daughter of an earl would marry a commoner. Many were happy for them because they were obviously in love, but some of the gentry didn’t seem as pleased to see the lines between the classes blurred with this announcement. The fact that Lord and Lady Devon sat with Kathryn while the announcements were made sent a clear message that they supported the marriage wholeheartedly.
Grace turned in her seat to see Kathryn sitting in the pew behind her with Clifford beside her. It made her heart glad to see her friend so happy. Their wedding would take place in a few days. Her family was staying on at Dandridge Manor to watchKathryn and Clifford wed. Grace couldn’t be happier that her friend would be living on the grounds of the manor. She’d be able to see her as often as time allowed. She smiled at Kathryn before turning back around to listen as Peter began his sermon after reading a number of prayers. She noticed he was still flushed and swayed slightly on his feet as he talked. He didn’t look well.