The Duke of Garwood and His Bride

CHAPTER 7. COULD HAVE BEEN A PERFECT WEDDING

The entire castle was all abuzz when Adrienne woke up in the morning. Standing aloft the second floor, she watched the maidservants and the footmen making a fuzz over their tasks. Some were decorating the grand staircase with white cloth and different colorful flowers, some were polishing the floors, the carpets and tapestries. Everyone was all about getting the entire castle fully decorated.

"Adrienne."

Adrienne turned to the familiar voice that spoke her name. "Yes, mother?" She asked idly.

"Come along. We need to get you ready for your wedding." Lady Marianne tugged her daughter gently toward her bedroom.

"Are all these ruckus necessary?" She questioned with distaste. "We cannot even call this a real wedding!"

"It might be so, dearie, but who knows what the future has in store for you and the duke. This marriage might just be the beginning of your destiny." Lady Marianne uttered, her voice filled with hope and merriment.

"Wonderful!" She scoffed cynically. Her bottom landed on the soft chair in front of her vanity mirror as her mother deposited her there. Her mother looked overly excited as she undid her braids and started to comb and style her hair into a simple coif with some tendrils left freely loose. She watched her mother deeply fixated on the task. When she was done with her hair, her face came next. She stared at her with defiance as she started to put on some colored powder on her cheeks. She parried against her dabbings.

"Be still, Adrienne!" She admonished gently.

"No, mother." She contested defiantly. "I appreciate the hair but please, not the face!" She said and got up from the chair. "You know that powder itches and leaves my face all red!"

"Can't you endure for a few moments?" Lady Marianne pleaded.

"No, mother, please." She protested.

Lady Marianne dropped the cosmetics with a sigh. "Alright then. Come closer and let's get you dressed." She called for the two servants carrying the bridal dress. Adrienne eyed the material in awe. The fabric almost glittered to the ray of the sun. The stitches were excellent. The fabric seemed to flaunt its own glamour and class.

"When did you have the time to prepare all these?" She questioned her mother.

"Well, His Majesty must have prepared all these before he came marching to Durham." Lady Marianne shrugged.

"Charles prepared all these?" She asked in disbelief. Then a sudden lonely thought nagged at her mind. Charles must have pictured her in that dress and those accessories. He must have poured out all that he wanted for her to look like in the imagination that they would be the one getting married.

The pain slowly crept into her heart at that thought. She eyed the golden coronet that held her long veil. The gold jewels she would wear were gloriously bedazzled with emerald, citrine, topaz and diamonds. He must have pictured her as his own bride when he got all these things for her. Adrienne fought back the stray tear as her own emotion started to gnaw on her heart. She should not feel this way. It would not be fair for Rayne to have her crying over his brother when truth be told, she had agreed to this marriage. Adrienne filled her chest with as much bravado as she could to bury the pain.

**********

Charles secured the gold clasp on his brother's royal blue coat when he helped him get himself dressed. He was beaming like an old fool as he watched him transform into such a fine gentleman. He was proud of what he has become.

"How can you be smiling like that when the woman you loved all your life is marrying me?" Rayne could not help himself to ask his brother. His own heart ached for the pain his brother must be disguising.

"You knew?" Charles asked without meeting his brother's gaze.

"Lady Adrienne was honest enough to tell me who holds her heart." He said, feeling both hurt for his brother and for himself.

Sensing his brother's guilt and probably disappointment, he held his arms and gave him a reassuring squeeze, "Consider her my most precious gift to you, Rayne. She is worth the entire world to me but so are you. I couldn't be happier to have both of my worlds come together as one. I am letting her go so she can find her own happiness and build her own family. And knowing the kind of woman she is, I know she would make you a good wife and an excellent ally. I love both of you unconditionally. So, I could only hope and pray that you make the most out of this marriage. I cannot be with you up there in Garwood nor am I able to be here at Durham for her. I am the king and I have so much on my shoulders. And so putting you together is like my masterpiece. Our distance also hinders us from watching each other's back or breaking each other's fall. So it is my great pleasure to have you take care of the woman I so love and to have her take care of the brother I so cherish."

"I'm sorry, Charles. Maybe if I hadn't written to you so desperately, maybe you wouldn't have to sacrifice this much too." Rayne felt overwhelmed with guilt.

Charles frowned and clenched his teeth. "Why do you keep apologizing, Rayne? What is there to apologize for? Stop apologizing for something that is not even a mistake to begin with. Having you wed Adrienne is the best thing you could ever give yourself. And the best I could ever give you. I love you so much to bestow to you a one of a kind woman." Charles said. "She is chaste and pure. I have never compromised her." He said, sensing the need to assure his brother that he would not be marrying some soiled dove. "She's loyal and dependable. You would be proud of her. But do not cross her. Even the devil would think twice crossing her." He said with a grin.

"Thank you, Charles. I promise to take good care of her." He said and hugged brother. "You have always wanted me to have the best."

"You were more like a son to me than a brother, Rayne. When father died, I watched you all those years suffer on your own. Struggle on your own. I hated myself back then for being powerless to come to your aid. I have sworn to myself that once I am king, you will suffer no more. I will give you all that you desire."

" And you always have!" Rayne said tearfully, "Thank you for everything, Charles. Have I told you how much I love you?"

Charles laughed, reminiscing the times since Rayne's boyhood how openly he told him he loved him. "You always have. You are the brother I have always wanted to have." He said and cupped his brother's face in his palms. "Now let's go before we both lose our faces when your bride shows up first." Charles urged his brother to head to the doorway. Both of them hurried outside and hastened toward the castle's chapel. Both brothers could only admire in awe the transformation of the entire castle from its homely beauty to the festive charm. The people of Durham had come together to make all the preparations to make this wedding grand in so short a time.

Charles and Rayne sighed with relief to reach the chapel before Adrienne and her family. But inside, a number of people were already in attendance. All clad in their best gown and attire. The chapel was beautifully decorated with a variety of flowers rendering the entire place with a sweet scent. Rayne and Charles happily acknowledged the crowd and spoke briefly to most of those present. Afterwards, both brothers walked regally on the aisle to take their positions up in front and waited for the bride and her family to make their appearance.

It was the local priest who arrived next with his assistant. Upon recognizing the king, the young priest made his way to where the king was. Charles, seeing that the priest was heading his way, he stood with his brother and met him halfway. The priest smiled at Charles and put his hand upon his head.

"May the Lord Bless you, Charles. It's good to see you again." He said.

"Thank you, Father Barnes. It felt good to be home again in Durham." Charles said warmly. "May I introduce my younger brother, the Duke of Garwood." He glanced at Rayne who gave the priest a slight bow. The priest also placed his palm upon Rayne.

"God bless you, Your Grace." The priest studied him intently. "My felicitations for your wedding. Please take good care of our Adrienne."

"I will, Father." he said, a promise he made not for anyone else's sake but for his brother.

Their attention was distracted when they heard murmurs and gasps from behind. The priest raised his head and peered over Rayne's shoulder while the brothers turned and found the most breathtaking sight. Rayne froze rooted on his spot. His hands beaded with cold sweat when he caught a glimpse of his bride holding her father's arm. Her gown of silvery white glittered from the ray of light. Her sparkling tiara of emeralds and diamonds held her ivory lace veil. Rayne fixed his gaze upon her veiled face. He could still see the greenest orbs peeking through the sheer material. Those eyes seemed to cast a magical spell on him. His chest heaved with pride as she stood there with her ethereal beauty.

Charles tugged his brother to stand at the head of the aisle and the priest took his position in front as well. His brother seemed unable to break off the spell his lovely bride had on him. Who could blame him? In her pristine ivory gown that sparkled with every ray of sunshine, she was like a jewel walking towards them. Even he could not seem to contain the loud ramming of his heart against his chest. He couldn't be happier to see her looking thus.

"Respect and cherish my daughter Duke Garwood." Lord Hemsworth uttered but sounded more like a command as he joined Adrienne's and Rayne's hands.

Rayne nodded, "You have my word, Lord Hemsworth." He promised and the baron held his shoulder firmly.

All throughout the ceremony, Rayne could not help feasting his eyes on the most beautiful woman he had ever met. Her emerald eyes stared back at him with amusement. Had their situation been different, he would have wanted to woo her into this marriage. Then this marriage would have been more meaningful for both of them. They would have said their vows more sincerely and not just out of rote memory. Had they been given enough time to know each other, then perhaps he might have had a chance to sway her emotions. And more importantly, he could have gotten his life and his affairs in check and in order, before getting themselves into tying the knot.

The ceremony ended with a chaste kiss Rayne had planted onto his wife's luscious lips. Adrienne smiled with gratitude upon keeping his promise of giving her as much as a peck. It was a good start to know he could be honorable. He already passed her test twice. First when she declared all her conditions upon their marriage and second when she extracted his promise not to go beyond what was necessary during their wedding, especially the part where the groom shall bestow his newly wedded wife a kiss. She actually did not expect him to honor any of her whims, any man in his right mind would find her demands ludicrous. But Charles must have been right. Rayne must be a renewed man.

From the chapel, into the courtyard and into the entire castle the crowd had been enormous. Farmers, traders, peasants and tenants of Durham and some few nobility were in attendance. Everyone shared in the joy of the two families. Music and dances and merriment filled the occasion. Even Rayne and Adrienne led some of the dances. Both were in awe of each other's knack in dancing.

"Adrienne," the baron called out to his daughter as she and her husband returned from dancing.

"Yes, Father?" She asked while catching her breath. Her face was flushed from the activity.

"You and your husband may retire for the night. You have a long trip to Bowham tomorrow." The baron said, addressing both Adrienne and Rayne.

Adrienne felt apprehensive. She knew even before the wedding that a room had been prepared for her and her husband to occupy after the wedding. The idea did not sit well with her.

"Would you like to stay a little bit more, Your Grace?" Adrienne turned to her husband, hoping he would choose to stay a little more.

"Hemsworth is right." The king cut in. "You two need to retire early. Tomorrow is a long journey back to Bowham. I do not want either of you to travel uncomfortably." He added, "Lady Marianne, please have someone escort them to their bedchamber."

Adrienne shot the king with a venomous glare. The king stared back at her unflinchingly. Rayne was caught in the middle. He felt his wife's fingers dug into his skin as she clutched his arm tighter than necessary. He too felt awkward obeying his brother's command knowing just how he felt for Adrienne and denying Adrienne a reprieve from their first night together.

"Perhaps, I shall have a couple more dances with my wife, Lord Hemsworth, Charles. " Rayne uttered diplomatically and covered his wife's hand gently. Adrienne glanced at him with a smile as if thanking him for the obvious reason. "If you will excuse us." He bowed slightly and swirled Adrienne back into the dance floor.

The king watched the two people he loved dearly, danced their way into the center of the ball room. They both looked radiant and beautiful together. Though there was a trace of sadness in the depths of Adrienne's eyes, she did her best to hide it. Rayne looked happy, but when his eyes met the king's, his eyes suddenly overflowed with guilt.

The king smiled at them encouragingly. All he wanted for the two of them was to find happiness and true love with each other. Although letting her go was still painful, he tried to shake it away, so Adrienne and Rayne could rediscover each other.

Every turn and swirl left Adrienne exhilarated and panting for breath. She had always loved dancing in every ball she attended. In fact it is the only thing she liked about gatherings and balls. Tonight, she discovered how agile her husband was on the dance floor. The thought made her smile. This must be how the women he had been with felt when they were dancing with him. Those times when she had watched him spin many women into the ballroom. The way their bodies touched, the feeling of his hands around them, guiding them to every step, tonight she got to experience it all.

"You're a good dancer, Your Grace!" She said almost to the top of her lungs as music and the crowd almost drowned their voices.

Rayne smiled down at her and pulled her body against his. "You're not so bad yourself, my lady wife." He whispered to her ear with a smile.

"Thank you, Your Grace." She replied with a smile too.

"My lady," Rayne stopped and gave his wife a decent distance from him. "Please do not be afraid of me should we inevitably share a bed tonight. I give you my word not to compromise you. I shall honor your virtues and respect your need for privacy."

"Thank you, Your Grace. You reassure me of my inhibitions. Please give me some time to get used to our situation. I am not afraid of you as I know you will honor our agreement. But I felt awkward being in the same bed with a man who suddenly became my husband." She explained.

"I understand, my lady. Please do not fret. You can have the bed, I shall suit myself on the couch." He assured her. Adrienne smiled genuinely at him

"I think we should call it a night, Your Grace. We will have a long day tomorrow."

"My thoughts exactly, my lady. I do not want you getting uncomfortable on our long journey to Bowham."

"Thank you, Your Grace." Adrienne said gratefully. The duke led her out of the grand ball hall and escorted her into the bedchamber that was prepared for them. The ladies waiting outside the room excused Adrienne to get her ready for their night together. Adrienne chuckled and found the absurdity of their situation.

"You look extremely beautiful today, my lady." Rayne complimented, his gaze beaming with admiration.

Adrienne glanced at him coyly. She was often complimented for her beauty and was used to it. But hearing it from an infamous rake, seemed a little dubious.

"Only today, Your Grace?" She asked, unabashed.

"You are always beautiful, my lady, but today there's something that has made you even more beautiful."

Adrienne giggled, "I appreciate your compliments, Your Grace." Her eyes glimmered with delight, "It is a pity though," she halted her step on their ascent to the stairs, Rayne stared at her, bewildered. "You are a born casanova, do you think your flattery will weave magic on me?" She asked, her eyebrow arching in mock disdain.

Rayne stifled his bubbling laughter, "You truly have full knowledge of my debauchery, my lady?"

"You have quite created a popularity among the ladies, Your Grace. But witnessing some of those, first hand," she trailed off, her eyes squinting at him meaningfully. "ah, that's a different story." She teased with a playful grin.

Rayne frowned, trying his best to search his memory of ever coming across Adrienne in his lifetime, but the memory eluded him. "Have we met before?"

"Too many times, Your Grace. We have met on several occasions." Adrienne took the liberty of ascending a couple of steps up the stairs, leaving the duke deep in his thoughts.

"But I swear," Rayne blurted out, halting Adrienne on her ascent. She carefully turned to his direction, "the first time I ever saw you was at the dining hall here in Durham."

"When you have met tons of gorgeous women, some plain shy lady like me would appear insignificant."

Rayne shook his head, "I would surely remember you, my lady."

"Tell me when you finally do, Your Grace. But right now, please do hurry, I am quite tired standing." She prompted.

Rayne ascended and took his wife's hand, wrapped it around his arm and led her up to their room. Her knowledge about him was not something trivial. Moreso, if she were telling the truth that she herself had witnessed his moral descent, then he really needed to remember those times that they had crossed paths.

**********

Before the crack of dawn, Durham was again in a bustle. Five coaches packed with trunks and luggages and a few men lined in the inner bailey awaiting departure. One coach for the duke and the duchess and Rose. Adrienne personally requested the duke that Rose accompany them. Their maids occupied one of the coaches carrying their personal belongings.

Adrienne emerged from the keep wearing her white and pale purple day dress. A black riding cloak hanging on her arm. Her hair braided from her crown down to its ends. She did not wear a fashionable slipper befitting a duchess but rather a brown doe skin boots.

Rayne walked toward his wife to escort her down the steps. She looked so radiant and beautiful in her humble outfit. All throughout his stay in Durham, Rayne had never seen her wear the fancy gowns every lady of the ton was crazy about. Adrienne's outfit had always been simple and its colors not too bright nor too dull for the eyes.

"Are you ready, my lady?" He asked when he reached her. His hand held her elbow to assist her on the steps.

"Yes, Your Grace. I think I have everything I need packed." She responded.

"I'm sorry if I will be spiriting you away so soon." He said apologetically.

"Do not worry, Your Grace. This is not the first time I am leaving Durham." She explained.

"But I bet you are lonely leaving your mother and sister behind. Your father and your brothers are all leaving with Charles."

"It has always been thus, Your Grace." Adrienne said seriously. "Our family sacrifices so much for our patriotic duties. It is a fact that we have embraced since birth."

"Someday when Bowham is at peace, we will come back for a visit or we could invite your family to Bowham." He gave her hand a firm squeeze.

"That would be wonderful, Your Grace." Adrienne smiled at his thoughtfulness.

Upon reaching their carriage, the couple stopped on their tracks when they heard the baron called them. They turned around and waited as the baron and Lady Marianne and the king made their way towards them.

"Is everything in order, Rayne?" The king asked, eyeing both of them with a smile.

"Yes, Charles. We are all set."

"Good. Have a safe trip." The king said casually. The smile never left his handsome face.

"Your Grace, the men I promised you will follow you immediately. They will travel in different groups to avoid catching attention. Some of them will travel on land and some of them will travel on sea. They will be right behind you anyways. They will arrive in Bowham on different days so I took the liberty of appointing Adrienne's uncle as your head commander. He will oversee the arrival of our men in Bowham."

"Thank you, Lord Hemsworth. But I haven't met the uncle himself."

"He will be arriving two days hence and will lead the men toward Bowham." The baron supplied

"I am indebted to you, my lord."

"You should start calling me Father. You are now one of my sons, Your Grace. It is my duty as your father to ensure your safety."

The Baron's words left Rayne speechless. He was the only person outside his blood kin who acknowledged him as family and meant it. The baron smiled at his reaction and pulled him into a fatherly hug.

"Be safe out there. I will come to you two when our territorial crisis is over."

"Yes, father." Rayne croaked almost emotionally. "Bowham and I will welcome you wholeheartedly. I will try my very best to settle the crises in Bowham too. So we can all just gather without danger.

"I have no doubt, my son. Bowham shall be restored to its glory." The baron tapped Rayne's back for encouragement before releasing him. "My daughter is most reliable too, you can count on her and trust her."

"Yes, father. I will remember it best." Rayne nodded.

"Adrienne," the baron turned to his daughter who looked at him expectantly. "You have always been too independent and stubborn, but you are married now. You can no longer do everything a you please. Always consult with your husband. You should think with your husband, feel with your husband and act with your husband." The baron reminded his daughter.

"Yes, father. I will try my best to remember it." She said with a wry smile, imitating Rayne's words earlier. Rayne stifled his own smile.

"Adrienne be wise and dutiful. No more playing around, darling. You are married now and eventually you will have children of your own." Lady Marianne approached her daughter and schooled her. Adrienne stared, mortified at what her mother had said. Do they really believe she would take this marriage seriously? This was just for an alliance and nothing more.

"Yes, mother." Adrienne said morosely.

"Off you go now. You have a long journey to Bowham. " Lady Marianne smiled at her daughter and ushered her into their coach, "Be safe out there okay?" She caressed her daughter's cheek and turned to her companion inside. "You too, Rose. Be safe." She said and sent her an encouraging smile. The young woman acknowledged the baroness' words with a gentle nod and smile. She walked into the Baroness' outstretched arm. The Baroness dropped a gentle peck on Rose and Adrienne's forehead.

"We will." the two women promised and reassured the Baroness. Lady Marianne let both ladies go with a smile.

Rayne joined his wife and Rose inside the coach and seated himself opposite the ladies. They waved and said their goodbyes as the carriage rolled by. The images of their family grew small and blurry as the carriage gained distance and exited the castle. Rayne studied the contrasting beauties right before his very eyes. They were cousins, they say, but they have nothing akin to each other except for the fact that they are both physically attractive.

"It will be a long journey, ladies. Brace yourselves." He said to the two.

"Yes, Your Grace." Rose answered casually.

"Is this the first time you are leaving Durham, Lady Rose?" He asked. This trip was bound to be long. He could at least fire up some conversation to get to know his company.

"No, Your Grace." She answered truthfully and threw Adrienne a quick glance. "Adrienne and I often travelled with the baron."

"I'm glad to hear that. At least it would be less nostalgic to have you leave Durham."

"Yes, Your Grace. It was quite sad leaving Aunt Marianne and Alexandra at home, but we all got used to living outside Durham" Rose added.

"Well, I guess it's a good thing then. I wouldn't worry so much about you missing your home." Rayne uttered, "But please be very careful in Garwood Estate." He warned. "As much as I love and cherish my estate, I must warn you it isn't the safest place for any of us. I promise I will do everything I can to keep both of you safe." He vowed. His face conveyed his sincerest desire to protect them. The ladies smiled and looked at each other with a secret only the two of them understood. "But I must say, ladies. I am afraid for the two of you. I am not good enough to defend my own territory and I am afraid I am putting you both in grave danger."

"Your Grace," Adrienne cut his self-derision. "We have your back." She said, her gaze bore into him with intensity. "You have done what was best for Garwood. Knowing how much you need help and never hesitating to admit it does not mean you are inadequate." She said, in hope to lift his deflated spirit. She knew the proud man that he was. But his desire to protect his estate and his people made him forget his pride and sought the aid of his brother. "Asking for help doesn't make you less of the man you are."

Rayne gave her a genuine smile, "That's very kind of you to say. Thank you, my lady."

The rest of the journey had been quite long and Rayne could not hide his growing fret over the estate he had left behind. He wondered what transpired during his absence and how his men held out without him. Sometimes he was quiet during the trip when he was deep in his thoughts. Sometimes the ladies' chatter would fade into the background when he worried over Bowham and what his people must have suffered while he was away. He would have preferred to ride his own steed back to Garwood with great speed than to ride this sluggish coach. But he felt he owed his wife the courtesy of his company and he felt the need to make sure that the two ladies under his care remained safe.