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The ceremony was quick and to the point, and when they were officially announced as the Duke and Duchess of Ravenshire, it was time to kiss the bride.
Gabriel hadn’t thought much about that part, but as soon as it came, there was an unexpected nervousness. The previous kisses had been wrong and unexpected. Now that he was expected to kiss his new wife, he felt pressured to do so.
That feeling was fleeting.
As soon as he took Eleanor in his arms, he felt her melt into him; they flowed like air together, their lips locking and pressing together, a kiss without the passion of the previous kisses, but one that held far more meaning.
When Gabriel stepped back from Eleanor and looked at her, the feeling that came with the kiss was another unexpected one. He hadn’t expected to feel so much, and from the look in Eleanor’s eyes, she felt the same way.
Gabriel reached out and took her hand, holding it in his as the guests clapped for them, with a few whistles intermingled.
Eleanor looked out over the guests, and when she smiled, Gabriel felt warmth at the sight of his new wife smiling so happily. He was glad for the feelings. He was married to Eleanor, and he should feel something for her, and she for him.
He still held her hand as Margaret came up to the front with Richard, the two witnesses they had chosen to sign the register. He held onto her hand until they each sat down to sign the marriage certificate and have it witnessed.
“We are married,” Gabriel told her quietly with some pride.
His chest puffed with pride at his own words. Fear wrapped itself around his bones, but he could ignore that for now. He wanted Eleanor, and now, he had her. He took pride in having her as his wife.
Once it was official, Gabriel led Eleanor outside.
The congregation followed them out, and other friends and family joined them, along with members of society who wanted to see the couple first before following them to the duke’s residence for the reception.
“This is the beginning of a wonderful love story,” Margaret said loudly once they were out of the chapel, as if announcing it to everyone.
Eleanor’s hand tightened around Gabriel’s as they faced the world as a couple for the first time.
Gabriel felt the warmth radiate up his arm at her touch, and he smiled as they walked toward the coach. Then, a few rows back in the crowd, Gabriel locked eyes with an older man.
Gabriel’s blood turned to ice.
His father stood in the crowd watching him and Eleanor with a warm smile.
It was an impossibility. His father had been dead for almost ten years. Gabriel knew it couldn’t be him, but the likeness was—his feet moved as if of their own accord, taking him toward the man.
He loved Eleanor as his father had loved Gabriel’s mother. Perhaps not as deeply, but they had only been together for a few weeks, and that feeling would grow. Over time, Gabriel knew that the love within him would blossom, and he would love as deeply as his father had.
Gabriel shook his head as he stumbled toward the man.
“Gabriel?” Eleanor muttered from behind as he left her.
Sweat beaded on Gabriel’s forehead, and he ran a hand over his mouth, still looking at the man; as he got closer, he saw clearly that the man was not his father. He could never have been his father, but there was a likeness there—one that diminished the closer he got.
Gabriel couldn’t stop now and turn around. His behavior would look too unusual. He went to the first person in the crowd and held out his hand. The young man looked wary, but shook the duke’s hand.
“Thank you for coming,” Gabriel told him.
“Of course, Your Grace,” the young man replied eagerly, a wide smile developing on his face.
Gabriel continued into the crowd a short way, shaking hands and thanking people until he came across the man who bore a passing resemblance to his late father. Gabriel held out his hand, and the older man took it.
“Thank you for attending our wedding,” Gabriel told him.
The older man’s expression remained neutral as he shook the duke’s hand. He only nodded in reply.
There was far more than Gabriel wanted to say. He knew his mind had blurred his vision when looking at the man, seeing his father instead; a warning that he might travel down that same path.
Gabriel wanted to speak to the man, whom he saw as a surrogate for his father. He wanted to tell him that he wouldn’t turn back from the relationship with Eleanor. He wanted to inform the man that he would love her whether that love was returned or not, and that he wouldn’t end up like his father.
