Chapter Nine
Graham
Graham stood beforethe altar of St. George’s. His hands were clasped tightly behind his back forcing himself to keep his chin high as he faced their wedding guest. The church was filled with faces he didn’t even recognize, all eager to witness the marriage that had been the talk of thetonfor the past week.
Matt stood beside him as his best man, occasionally murmuring reassurances that Graham barely heard over the pounding of his own heart. And his guilt. The weight of what he was about to do…going against his plan to marry solely for love. The more he learned about Diana, the more he was convinced that love might have even struck if he could let himself admit it. But was that even enough when he was binding Diana to him while hiding debts that could destroy them both?
The guests began tittering and Graham saw Diana entering the church on her father’s arm. He was unable to breathe watching her walk toward him. She wore a blue silk gown that brought out the deep blue of her eyes. Her golden hair was swept up, revealing the elegant line of her neck that he longed to kiss again.
Their eyes met across the length of the aisle, and Graham saw his own nervous anticipation reflected in her sapphire gaze. She offered him a small, private smile that made his chest tighten with something dangerously close to hope. Something deep inside nagged at him that she was the one that fate had brought them together. But it wasdangerous to allow himself to believe that.
When the Earl of Snowdon placed Diana’s hand in Graham’s, his grip was firm, his message clear—protect her, or else. Graham gulped in response.
The ceremony passed in a blur. Graham heard himself speaking the vows, promising to love, honor, and cherish. Words that should have been mere formality but felt like so much more as he looked into Diana’s eyes. Because he meant them.
When she repeated her own vows, her voice was steady and clear, though he felt the slight tremor in her hands as he slipped the ring onto her finger.
“You may kiss your bride,” the vicar announced.
Graham cupped Diana’s face gently, aware of the dozens of eyes upon them. He meant it to be a brief, proper kiss for their audience. But when their lips met, Diana made a soft sound that nearly undid him. He deepened the kiss for just a moment before remembering where they were and pulling back.
The congregation erupted in polite applause, but Graham barely heard it. Diana’s eyes were dark, her lips slightly parted, and he knew she was remembering their encounter in the stables just as vividly as he was.
The wedding breakfast at her family’s home passed in a whirlwind of congratulations and a few hushed whispers. Graham endured endless comments about the “whirlwind romance” and “love at first sight,” each one making his guilt grow heavier.
He caught snippets of one conversation when he sought another glass of champagne that made his jaw clench.
“…rather convenient for him, inheriting a title and immediately securing an heiress…”
He didn’t think Diana had heard it. The entire day her chin was high and her smile never wavered. But Graham saw the tension in her shoulders, and when her fingers sought his to grip his hand it all trulyhit him. They were married. She was his forever.
Diana leaned closer. “How much longer must we endure this?”
“Not much longer,” he promised, squeezing her hand. “We’ll leave for our townhouse soon.”
“Our townhouse,” she repeated softly. “I like the sound of that.”
Elias approached them interrupting the moment, and Graham regretted not throwing Diana over his shoulder and leaving already. “Powis. A word?”
Graham nodded, releasing Diana’s hand reluctantly and followed Elias to a quiet corner.
“I still don’t trust you,” Elias said bluntly. “But Diana seems… content. For her sake, I hope you prove worthy of my sister.”
“I intend to.” And he meant that. All would be as soon as he resolved this business with Rothwell, his full focus would be on Diana.
“See that you do.”
Graham nodded in agreement, and then moved back to Diana’s side. “I believe we have stayed as long as we must.”
“I have to admit that you two certainly make a most striking pair,” a female voice said, interrupting their plan to escape.
Lady Harrowby.
“Thank you for coming, Lady Harrowby. It’s always lovely to see you.” Diana possessed all the grace and charm to assume the role of his countess. She was far more equipped for the title than he was. Graham bowed to the woman before she locked eyes with him. “I don’t see any of your family present, my boy. I was aware your father passed, but did your mother not wish to join you in town?”
Graham slowly shook his head. “She will arrive in town in another week or so.”
The woman’s brow furrowed. “I do hope she is all right.”