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Not soon enough to satisfy Robyn.
No repercussions that Hades’ handmaid endured sufficed for the harm she had inflicted on others for years.
With pure doggedness, he shoved all thoughts of the spiteful dame to a corner of his mind and focused on his bride-to-be.
Even pale and unsmiling, Georgine’s beauty remained unmatched.
The moment seemed surreal.
Today, Robyn would take a wife.
A gorgeous sable-haired, sapphire-eyed spitfire bluestocking.
A reluctant grin kicked his mouth upward on one corner.
Life would never be boring; that was certain.
The Reverend cleared his throat. “Shall we begin?”
Panic flashed across Georgine’s delicate features, and for a moment, Robyn thought she would turn tail and bolt.
Hugging her, Regina whispered something in her sister’s ear, and Georgine’s expression transformed from dread to resolve. Swallowing, she nodded, and with admirable poise, crossed to stand beside Robyn.
He smiled down at her, and she offered a tremulous upsweep of her lips in return.
After opening The Book of Common Prayer, Reverend Goodfellow flipped a few less-than-crisp pages until he came to the page he sought.
“Though it is unusual to have such an abbreviated recitation, we shall skip directly to the actual avowals. Please face each other, join right hands, and repeat after me.”
Georgine passed her nosegay to Regina before extending her hand.
Robyn clasped the delicate appendage within both of his.
Her pulse beat a frantic staccato at her collarbone and beneath his fingertips.
She focused her attention on his chin, and Robyn fought a grin.
His bride-to-be was far from unaffected, and he couldn’t help but admire her composure.
After glancing between them, Reverend Goodfellow began.
“Will thou Robyn Wade Gillson Fitzlloyd have this woman as your wife?”
“I will.” Robyn did not hesitate.
This might not have been how he envisioned getting married, but there was no other woman he would rather have taken as his wife.
“Will thou Georgine Emily-Jane Edwina Thackerly have this man as your husband?”
Georgine parted her lips.
Would she?
Robyn held his breath.
She flicked her gaze upward, searching his face.
What did she seek?
