Her Wicked Proposal novel Chapter 35

The small white card propped against the vanity mirror spelled out Anne's fate in delicate script.

You are cordially invited to Chessley Manor

for a wedding breakfast to celebrate the marriage of

Lady Anne Isabelle Chessley to

Lord Cedric Alexander Sheridan.

"Am I truly doing this?" she asked aloud.

Emily stood behind Anne, her beautiful figure highlighted in a pale blue silk bridesmaid's gown. "Anne, you are in a wedding dress waiting for a carriage to take you to St. George's. Either this is some elaborate prank you've dreamed up to shock all of London, or you are doing this."

Anne fidgeted, her hands running over her silver silk gown trimmed with Honiton lace on the bodice, sleeves and hem. The door to Anne's bedchamber opened and Horatia peeked inside. Both she and Emily were wearing lovely matching gowns with small tulle veils.

"Emily, our carriage is here. Cedric and the men have departed for the church. It is our turn." Horatia flashed a radiant smile in Anne's direction.

"So soon? All right, I'm ready." Emily's hands settled the wreath of roses and orange flowers over Anne's thin veil and secured it with a few hairpins. Once satisfied, she kissed Anne's cheek and left the room. Horatia lingered, however.

"I just wanted to say thank you, Anne."

"What for?"

Cedric's sister clasped her hands together in front of her, eyes bright with unshed tears. "My brother is the best of men. He has had to raise two sisters, mourned the loss of our parents and now his sight. The world has taken so much from him, and I fear he has so much left to lose. But with you by his side, he won't face the world alone. I am not sure you can understand my point of view, as you have no siblings. When I married Lucien and Audrey was sent away to Europe...I feared for him. He was so terribly alone."

"But he isn't anymore." Anne wished her eyes weren't burning. It felt foolish to want to cry. "I may not know what it is to love a sibling or suffer when they suffer, but solitude is something I do understand. Today I will pledge myself to your brother so that neither of us shall be alone ever again. We will survive together." Anne had barely finished speaking before Horatia clasped her in a fierce embrace.

"Thank you, sister." Horatia wiped a tear from her cheek and kissed Anne before she left the bedchamber. Anne took a deep breath, but a knock at her door startled her. She gathered her skirts and opened the door to find the Duke of Essex waiting there.

"Pardon me, madam, I thought perhaps I could escort you to the church? Cedric told me that you have no male family members to give you away." At this point Godric flushed, but he bravely continued. "It would be my honor to do so, if you wish." It was a bashful, bumbling, uncertain side of the man that Anne had never seen before. No wonder Emily was hopelessly in love with him. Beneath that stern countenance he was a man of deep emotions.

"You would do this for me?"

"You are a part of Cedric's world now and therefore a part of mine. I want nothing more than to see you properly given away to my friend. Besides, no one should ride to their wedding alone." Godric extended his arm to her. Anne linked her hand through his arm and let him escort her to the carriage.

Anne had expected her journey to St. George's to be a lonely one. But the charming duke sitting across from her made the trip entertaining, and far less worrisome. They arrived at the church in no time at all. Godric got down first and offered her his hand. She lifted her skirts out of the way and stepped down.

Ahead of her, the doors opened and inside she saw hundreds of curious onlookers, as well as members of the families of Cedric's closest friends. There didn't seem to be an empty seat available.

Fear sliced through Anne and she froze, unable to take another step. Godric turned her toward him.

"Anne, listen to me. Look straight to the front of the church. Find him. He's waiting for you." Godric turned her back to the cavernous opening and there he was. Cedric shifted restlessly, as though feeling her eyes on him.

"Oh yes. It's funny, I couldn't stomach a thing this morning. But now I'm starving," Anne admitted.

"I had a similar attack of panic myself. Got halfway through a scone before I realized I wouldn't be able to eat another bite. I am so relieved this is all over..." He paused speculatively. "I doubt that was the most romantic thing to say, was it?"

Anne laid her head against his shoulder. "I agree. It wasn't. But I shall confess I share the sentiment. When Godric and I arrived at the church doors I almost ran away. Can you imagine? The sight of all of those people staring at me..."

"However did you make it down the aisle?" Cedric's soft tone did not conceal his concern.

"I saw you waiting for me. After that, nothing else mattered." Anne inwardly chided herself for saying something so foolish and sentimental. It made her look like a pathetic romantic. She shut her eyes, wishing she could take the words back. When she opened her eyes, Cedric's face was an inch from hers. He surrounded her face with his white-gloved hands and leaned his forehead against hers.

"I love that about you."

"Love what?" Anne's gaze fell to his sensual lips, so close to hers.

"That deep down you aren't cold. You are an inferno, a blaze that consumes me."

"I'm not a-" she began, but Cedric possessed her mouth in a slow, tantalizing kiss. One to erase all those that came before it. She felt fresh and new, the blushing bride she ought to have been years ago. When their lips finally parted, she couldn't remember a thing about their conversation.

"What were we talking about?"

Cedric brushed his lips back and forth over hers in a feathery caress. "I'll be damned if I can remember." His remark left them both laughing.