“Ahem.” The vicar coughed into his hand and jerked her attention back.
“I believe this is where you recite your portion of the vows,” Gabriel drawled close to her ear, his breath stirred a loose curl and she brushed back the bothersome strand.
How could he be so unaffected? How—“I Jane Madeline Munroe,” she repeated after the vicar. “Take thee Gabriel—” her mind raced. I do not even know his name in its absolute entirety. Her mouth went dry at the absolute madness of a man who wanted nothing more from her than two months to see his sister wed and would then send her on her way.
Gabriel spoke in low tones. “Garmund Randolph Edgerton.”
A long, distinguished name given to a respected, proper, nobleman’s son. “Take thee, Gabriel G-Garmund,” her mouth tripped involuntarily over the running of his name. “Randolph Edgerton, to my wedded Husband, to have and to hold,” for two months’ time. “From this day forward,” she squeezed out on a tight whisper. “For better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health…” The vicar stared expectantly back at her. Her throat worked in a reflexive swallow. She was not different than her mother. Oh, she would have a legal union and a lofty title, but in uttering these final words she’d sell herself for three thousand pounds and the dream of her school, to a man who’d never love her or cherish her or want anything more of her…than these two months.
She jumped as Gabriel touched the small of her back. Jane cast her gaze up to his and willed him to have the sense to end this façade even as she wanted it to continue on.
“Mrs. Munroe?” there was a faint entreaty in the vicar’s tone.
For what she knew was expected of her, Jane could not call forth the remainder of her vows. She glanced back once more at the row of Gabriel’s family members seated, with expressions that conveyed the first real doubt she’d seen until now that the marriage between Jane and Gabriel might not, in fact, happen.
Then Gabriel captured her hand in his and her skin heated at his touch. She looked to him. If he commanded her with his words or eyes, she’d damn the three thousand pounds her father had settled upon her to the devil. He angled his body in a way that shielded them from his family’s stares. “I will be good to you,” he pledged. “You will always be cared for.”
The duke, her father had cared for her mother. But this vow made by Gabriel was not one founded on the sale of her body or pride. Jane drew in a steadying breath as calm settled over her. “I, Jane Madeline Munroe, take thee Gabriel Garmund Randolph Edgerton to my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.”
And just like that the ceremony continued and then concluded in short order with Jane Munroe, bastard without a family, finding herself in the close-knit fold of Gabriel’s kin. With a flurry of signing and hushed conversation in the background, she was now something she’d forever sworn to never be…or at least never imagined for herself—married.
“I have had Cook prepare breakfast for the occasion,” Imogen said with the cheer Jane had come to expect of her. The collection of guests, along with the vicar, took that as their opportunity to depart the happy festivities, leaving Jane and Gabriel momentarily alone.
Alone.
Which wasn’t altogether different than they’d been on many occasions. This, however, was altogether different. Now they were united in the bonds of marriage.
Gabriel brushed his knuckles down the ridge of her cheeks with such gentleness he brought her eyes fluttering closed. “I expect there are regrets for the cold union you’ve found yourself in.”
At the softly spoken pronouncement, she snapped her eyes open. How could he speak so casually about their marriage? Then, it wasn’t really a marriage. “What regrets should I have?” she said past tight lips. “I am, as you said, assured the protection of your name and will have security I’ve never been afforded before.” She made to step around him, but he blocked her path.