Chapter Four: Falsehoods and Destiny

I waited anxiously for Edward's reply, finally permitting myself to do something other than praying for the hours of daylight. I ordered a bath for myself and commissioned new gowns for myself as befitted my station as my father's heir. My father didn't mind; in fact, he encouraged it, for it was to be my inheritance, and I was free to have an allowance if I wished it. I ordered jewels as well, expanding my coffers two-fold, and begun to look every inch a countess-to-be, knowing that the queen would soon notice my circumstances and raise an eyebrow.

And she did indeed, for as spring arrived and I was permitted to be out of mourning, I shone like a bright star in her ladies-in-waiting. With Bella newly returned to court after Temperance's birth, I finally had someone to speak to again, and I was pleased to have my dearest friend back by my side. She would admire my gown and jewels, and, quite soon, she and I were the most elegantly-dressed ladies in the queen's court, and the queen could no longer permit herself to remain silent.

"Lady Beaumont, sit with me," the queen would say more often than not, and it pleased me to have her acknowledge my new title.

I curtsied to her and moved to sit with her, on a lower chair. "Is there anything that you need, Your Majesty?" I would ask.

The queen smiled. "No, but I do have an idea," she replies. "Have you ever stitched a cushion?" she asked.

"A fair few," I reply, "for my mother's chambers at Beaumont Manor. Shall I sew you one, Your Majesty?"

The queen smiled. "Yes, I should like that. But do sew one for yourself, and carry it with you, for when you sit beside me, I would wish for you do to so in comfort, Lady Beaumont."

I smiled at the queen. "As you command, Your Majesty," I reply, dipping into her precious sewing basket at her command. "Shall I make yours first or mine, Your Grace? It is my comfort if I am bringing some to you first."

"Make mine first, if you would," the queen replied. "You may have access to all the fabric, feathers, thread, needles, and any additional adornments you wish, Lady Beaumont."

"I thank Your Majesty," I reply, sifting through her fabrics.

It took me six weeks, but I made Queen Elizabeth a lovely cushion made from green velvet, which had an appealing pattern upon it, in shining gold. Upon the edged, I sewed black velvet, and I even managed to individually sew small white seed pearls around the edges. The queen was absolutely besotted with it, using it for every occasion she could possibly think of, and I was free to make whatever I wanted for my cushion.

I ended up choosing scarlet velvet and sewed a pale red silk around its edges, and finishing it with black seed pearls. I deliberately did not select an embroidered velvet, so as Her Majesty would not think I was competing with her. She praised my work and noted that it was not embroidered, and began seeing me in a different light from then on.

. . .

It had been a torment to see Edward at court in the weeks after my brother's, sister-in-law's, and my niece and nephew's deaths. Now that I was in the sole heiress position, I knew that the queen would likely be deciding upon the matter of my marriage. I just hoped that it would not be a man old enough to be my father or grandfather. I knew I would throw myself off the highest balcony for I knew I would marry none but Edward.

Edward and I frequently partnered in the evenings to dance, and I would emerge from the encounters flushed and disappointed. It continued to be so as May carried on, and Bella and Geoffrey noticed our mutual dismay. I said nothing of it, however, not wishing to complain to the pair of them, for dear Geoffrey's family had done so much for me already. It was when June arrived and Bella was preparing for her seventeenth birthday that she devised a grand scheme, and I was unsure of what that was.

"Have you decided what you're going to do?" I asked one afternoon, when I was not in the queen's service and instead sitting with Bella and Temperance, who she had had permission to bring to court.

"Oh, yes, yes, yes," Bella replied, handing Temperance over to me, who was pleased and immediately raised her arms to be held, snuggling into my neck almost instantly. "It will be a grand dinner for four—Temperance will likely be asleep by then," she put in, turning around and smiling affectionately at the look of her daughter in my arms. "I should think it would be you and I, plus Geoffrey and Edward."

I lowered my eyes, distracted by Temperance playing with my necklace and attempting to chew upon it. "Do you think such a thing is wise, Bella?" I ask, gently pulling Temperance from my necklace and distracting her with my index finger, which she promptly shoved into her mouth.

"Of course—why should it not be?" Bella asked, her eyes darting immediately to Temperance and trying not to laugh.

"The queen may suspect something..."

"You are an heiress who shall become a countess and Edward is a duke," Bella replied in an impatient manner, tapping her book. "What's wrong with sharing a meal with him? Geoffrey and I shall be there."

I sigh, leaning down and resting my head gently on Temperance's, who almost immediately leans into me, grateful for the warmth. "You will be there, too?" I ask then, peeking up at her.

"It's my birthday—of course I shall," Bella replied, sitting across from me again and laughing as Temperance turned around and wanted to be held again. "So," Bella went on, taking Temperance from me, "shall you assist me in planning the menu for this joyous occasion?"

. . .

I wore a new gown of green on the night of Bella's birthday, and was told to arrive at her suite of rooms that she shared with Geoffrey at approximately seven of the clock that evening. I arrived via the main door, and was quite perplexed to see Edward arriving via the side door, and we mutually looked away from one another. We spotted the note on the elegantly-set table before us and immediately ventured for it; I beat Edward by a mile.

"What does it say, then?" Edward asked.

I opened the letter. "From Bella, for us," I reply.

Dearest Elizabeth and Edward,

So sorry to have deceived you both! Geoffrey and I are returning to Raincourt Castle for the summer, as we think it is high time our family was expanded. Temperance is with us, never fear, for we'll not leave her behind.

The dinner in our chambers is for the two of you. Geoffrey and I can't stand the notion that you don't speak anymore. You love one another, truly, as I love my Geoffrey, and we think it right that you attempt at reconciliation. I know it is in your path, my dears, and I know it shall happen when the Lord wills it.

Your faithful friend and sister,

Bella, Viscountess Winthrop

"I knew she would do this," Edward said bitterly.

"Is being alone with me so horrible to you that you would rather get drunk in your chambers alone?" I ask.

Edward sighs. "Not at all," he replies, crossing the room. "Wine?"

"Please," I reply. I stand motionless, and but for me lowering the letter, await for Edward to bring me a goblet. When he does, I accept it and sip it slowly. "If Bella and Geoffrey are gone, there is no one to eat this meal but us."

"Can't let it go to waste," he says after a moment.

I approach the table then, and Edward pulls out a chair for me; I go to sit, and he pushes it in himself before venturing to the other side of the small table. "I assisted Bella in selecting the menu," I say quietly, desperate to make some sort of conversation, knowing that the pair of us shouldn't let Bella down, especially on her birthday, though she was not here to see it.

"Did you?" he asks, taking some of the chicken and tasting it. "Delicious—it seems as if Geoffrey has some connections in the kitchen."

I nod. "Yes, politeness will get you far."

Edward and I eat in silence for the next several minutes, occasionally speaking about court life and the like. He mentions his duties as the Duke of Chadwick, and about how his mother has gone to live with his sister, Frances. I speak of being the heiress of my father, and how now he doesn't keep as tight a grip on the purse strings, as I must be outfitted appropriately.

Edward grips his goblet at the end of the meal, staring at the burgundy depths of the wine before raising his eyes to mine. "This is difficult, Elizabeth, truly, and I don't believe it shall get easier."

I lower my eyes, forcing myself not to cry. "For me, too," I reply, feeling sick with unease. "I know that you didn't reply to my last letter, and I understand if you don't wish to wait..."

"I don't wish to wait because you should be mine already," Edward replies. "I can't think why the queen would refuse—"

"I can," I reply without a moment's hesitation. "She's refused because this is a love match, and she hates those. When her cousin, Katherine Grey, wished to marry Edward Seymour, she had to do so in secret because of the queen's wrath, and they were separated and the marriage was annulled. Then there was Katherine's sister, Mary, who too married for love and was separated from her lord husband. Then he died far away from her, and while she has her own life now, who knows if happiness shall ever come to pass for her—"

Edward immediately gets to his feet then as my voice breaks, rushing around the table and pulling me to my feet. He takes me into his arms without a moment in time passing further, and I find myself gasp at the strength in his nature and the intimacy of it all. He leans his handsome head down and kisses me then, and I melt in his embrace. He does not let me go, rather, he continues to kiss me, and I feel utterly safe in his arms for a few moments before he most unexpectedly pulls back and walks to the other side of the room. He has his back to me, almost as if he is ashamed of his behavior, and my heart aches deeply for him.

"Edward?" I whisper, softly, as I cross the room towards him then. I place a hand upon his shoulder and gently turn him towards me then, and see that he is weeping by the window. "Edward..." I throw my arms around him then, kissing his tears away and he grips tightly to me then, kissing me back. "Why did you stop?" I manage to ask between kisses.

"Because I felt I had to, for if I did not force myself to do so, I would not have done so," he replies.

I feel my breath catch in my throat then, suddenly throwing propriety to the wind as I found that everything about us was right, and the queen was wrong to deny us our love. "Then don't," I whispered, clutching to him then and my eyes never leaving his. "If we love one another, it cannot be a sin..."

"Elizabeth, do you realize what you're saying?" Edward whispers. "The implications behind it—"

"I know what I am saying," I reply, determination in my voice. "I know what I am doing."

"You don't wish for me to stop?" he asks.

Without hesitation, I guide his hands to the back of my dress, where my laces are kept, and give him a small smile. "Never," I reply.

"Elizabeth, should you take with child—"

"Should I take with child, then the Lord Himself has blessed our coupling and then we are to marry as quickly as possible," I reply simply.

Edward drops his hands then and takes me by the hand, leaving the rest of the food upon the table then. We go through the side door of Bella and Geoffrey's chambers, and down the deserted corridors of the palace, making our way to I know not where. He pauses then, mid-way down a corridor, and stares at me then, knowing that he must say something then, before it is too late.

"Shall we go to my chambers or to the chapel?" he asks.

"Edward?" I ask him.

"Do you still have the ring I gave you?"

Immediately, I pull it from inside my bodice, attached to a chain. "I always have it," I reply.

Edward pulls me to him then, despite the corridors being dangerous. "Elizabeth, I love you," he says simply, "and if you want to be taken as you are, in my chambers, then so be it. However, I would rather take you as my wife, if it is all the same to you, my darling."

My heart skips a beat then, and although such a thing is dangerous, I knew we had support from many sides, if not the queen's. "I wish to be taken as your wife," I whispered. "I don't care what happens anymore, Edward, as long as I am yours... But I would have everyone's approval..." I hesitate for a moment, and then know what I must say. "Take me as I am—as a young woman. I am just Elizabeth and you are just Edward. The titles don't matter to me, my love, all that matters is you."

Edward nods then, taking me by the hand and pulling me somewhere else, and I know immediately that it is his chambers. We enter via a servants' door, and see nobody about; I feel my heart dancing as Edward shoots the bolts of all the doors, and pulls the curtains around the windows so as to ensure that he and I are perfectly alone. All the light in the chamber is the massive fire, and Edward decides to undress me before it, so as the flames manage to show him my body, and I take this opportunity to do the same to him, knowing that I cannot miss this opportunity.

Once our clothes are in pools at our feet, he promptly takes me by the hand and to his great bed. His family crest is carved into the wood, the words DK in elegant script for Dukes of Chadwick. He pulls the bedcurtains around us then, so as we are shrouded in darkness as he gently places a hand on my hip. For some reason, I find myself nervous, and yet I know what to do, and what he wants, and find that our desires are the same. I lean forward then, and allow him to embrace me, holding me close and warming me up.

"It shall hurt?" I whisper.

"So I've heard," he replies.

I blinked, shocked. "You've not slept with other virgins then, I take it?" I ask, not wanting to be perceived as impertinent.

"I've not slept with anyone," Edward replies steadily. "I've not lied to you in the past, Elizabeth—other than not informing you of my love, or my father's death, which I later informed you of." He cups my cheek in the semi-darkness then, and stares into my eyes. "I won't do anything you're uncomfortable with, my darling. If you want to cease this, then say so. Is that understood?" he asks, his voice firm.

"Yes, Edward," I reply.

Edward gently pushes me down into the bolsters, leaning down to kiss me. He allows me to move so as I am comfortable, and gently eases into me then. What he doesn't account for is my hunger, need, and desire for him, so when I inexplicably find myself drawing him closer, he lets out a small chuckle, yet allows himself to comply.

Our grunts and groans co-mingle shortly thereafter, and we cannot get enough of one another. I find that it is the most joyous thing in the world, having him within me, and I never want him to be parted from me again. Suddenly, a great wave of pleasure overtakes the pair of us and we have to place our hands in each other's mouths to keep from awaking the whole palace. Collapsing first on top of me and then next to me, Edward pulls me to him, stroking my hair.

"And, by the grace of God, a child or an acceptance shall follow," I whisper to him, and manage to find his lips in the dark before I kiss him.

. . .

The following morning at dawn, before Edward is awake, I slip from his bed and pull on my dress from the evening before. By some miracle, I am able to do the laces on my gown myself before I slip from his bedchamber. Hurrying along the corridor before I can be seen, I manage to get to chapel and kneel before the alter, begging for forgiveness at what I had done. When the clock chimes six, I force myself away from the chapel and make my way to my chambers, where I order a bath for myself and request a white gown for the morning and afternoon ahead.

I find I am shaking from what I have done, and don't know how I can fully manage to beg for forgiveness from the Lord, from my father, and, most of all, from the queen herself. I push the thought from my mind as I step into the bath when it is delivered to my chambers, and find that the water does not even attempt to warm me. I have the maids pin up my hair as I settle into the bathwater, and am relieved when they do not question my whereabouts the evening before, although I know someone at court must know.

After making sure I am clean, I get out of the bath and the maids wrap me in a square of linen, which I cling to, ashamed of myself. The maids manage to ease it from me, offering up my white gown, which I take immediately, and have them lace me into it instantly thereafter. I find I must brush out my hair long and down my back, for although Edward is the only one who knows to the contrary, to the outside world, I must appear untouched. I left my chambers at the usual time, after the queen has called for me, and make my way directly to her presence chamber.

I step inside with many other ladies, curtsying along with them, and hear the customary snap of the queen's fingers for me to come and sit by her side. My cushion gripped in my fingers, I move to do her bidding, watching the wave of her hand as her other ladies' scatter to their places at her feet. I set my cushion down upon the chair I've been given, spreading my skirts and taking up my embroidery, in the queen's sewing basket from where I had placed it yesterday afternoon.

"Are you unwell this morning, Lady Beaumont?" the queen asked, a fair amount of concern in her voice. "You know how I feel about ladies not tending properly to their health."

"Forgive me, Your Majesty—I did not sleep well," I reply, doing my best to thread my needle.

"Now that your dear friend, Viscountess Winthrop, has returned to Raincourt Castle, I suppose you did not," the queen replies. "Does she seem perfectly happy in her marriage to Viscount Geoffrey, Lady Beaumont?"

I nod. "Perfectly so, Your Majesty," I reply, raising my eyes to hers. "Never have I seen a happier match."

"Perhaps a match could be arranged for you, Lady Beaumont."

"Whatever you wish, Your Majesty," I reply, turning back to her and smiling broadly. "I will happily bend however you see fit."

"Lord Charles Radclyffe still speaks highly of you," she puts in.

"I've not spoken to him since he returned from Portugal," I said softly. "I do hope his journey wasn't too tiring, Your Majesty."

"Mayhap something shall happen," the queen says, leaning down and picking up her bible. "I wonder what it shall be."

When the afternoon arrives, the queen finally excuses me from her chambers and I am free to return to my rooms until dinner. When I arrive, I am aghast when I see Edward standing there, a bright smile upon his face. Immediately shutting the door behind me, I feel my face paling at the implications of his being alone in my rooms.

"Were you seen?" I demand. "Were you followed?"

"No," Edward replies, shocked at my demeanor. "I was very careful, and bribed your maid to let me in. She won't talk—she's quite loyal."

I pursed my lips, still fearful and unsure, and cross the room towards him. "I want to impress upon you my frame of mine last evening."

Edward raises an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"The wine clouded my thoughts," I say, knowing that it has to be this way. "I could not think clearly, Edward, which is why my decision of acting so rash came so easily to me. It would not have happened, otherwise—"

"Do you regret it?" he demanded then, fear in his voice.

"I don't regret it," I say immediately, for of course I did not. "My only regret is that the queen believes I should still marry Lord Charles—she'll never let us be together, Edward!"

"But do you want to be together, Elizabeth? Truly?" he asks, and suddenly I am in his arms again, as I was last night, and I am weeping instead of him. "Do you not wish to be my duchess?"

"Of course I wish it," I say quietly. "I wish it more than anything in all the world, but I will not be your mistress, Edward. I must only come to you, from this day forth, as your wife."

"Then be my wife," Edward begs. "We are engaged already—"

"The queen won't recognize it," I predict. "She will never let me be your wife, no matter how much we may wish it."

"And Lord Charles?" he asks.

"I'll refuse, like that last time," I say quietly. "I'll never submit, and if the queen forces it, I will truly throw myself off a balcony and into the Thames. I will only be your wife, Edward—I swear it."

"What can we do, then?" Edward whispers.

I smile up at him through my tears. "We wait," I reply.

. . .

The waiting, thankfully, did not last much longer, although Edward did have to return to Chadwick Hall as the summer wore on. With Bella and Geoffrey at Raincourt Castle—and with Bella informing me of her third pregnancy—I knew I would not see any of them again for quite some time. I focused on my duty to the queen as the month of June concluded, and July began, my seventeenth birthday publicly on the horizon. I feared that the question of a betrothal of myself and Lord Charles would be brought up again, and I prayed that it would not be, for fear that the queen would insist upon it.

I was a grand lady now, so my father and the queen spared no expense for this birthday of mine. As I was still unmarried, I was valued at such a prize within the kingdom that every man at court—whether young or old—sought my hand for a dance on the evening of my birth, at the end of July. I had gowns and new jewels and a beagle puppy, who I called Reine. Reine was to stay in my chambers during the banquet and dancing, and when I returned, she was fast asleep upon my bed.

During the dancing, I willingly partnered with a great many men, yet felt no connection with any of them. However, just as he had the year before, Edward turned up at court and danced with me again, and I was suddenly light upon my feet again, and happy at last. When the dancing began to subside, the queen called me to her side again and, although reluctant to leave Edward, I willingly did so, curtsying to her and climbing the dais.

"Is Reine adjusting well?" the queen asked.

"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty," I replied. "Thank you for the gift of such a darling companion."

"Dogs are great fun to have, but I thought you would have preferred a gentler breed—this way, she will not need to hunt with us."

I curtsied to the queen. "I thank Your Majesty," I said again.

She turned to survey the dancers again, smiling to herself. "When you turned sixteen, you informed me that it looked like a grand entertainment."

I turned to watch them, twirling and spinning about. "Yes, I suppose I did, Your Majesty," I reply.

"I spotted your dance with Lord Charles—it was very good."

"He is a generous partner, Your Majesty."

"However, I see that there is no light in your eyes when he is spoken of—by anyone," the queen said softly. "I see only a light in your eyes—a rare light, that indicates love—when the Duke of Chadwick is spoken of."

I lower my eyes. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, I meant no offense—"

"I know you did not," the queen says, cutting across me, not unkindly. "It seems as though things must change."

"Your Majesty?" I ask, raising my eyes to hers.

Queen Elizabeth gives me a small smile. "Do you bear a love for the duke, Lady Beaumont?" she asks, candidly.

Immediately, I decide I should be honest. "I do, Your Majesty."

"Tell me of it."

"I love him," I say without hesitation. "I am in love with Lord Edward, Duke of Chadwick. I find it is becoming more and more difficult to live without him, and would do anything to be his wife..."

The queen nods. "I see." She hesitates for a moment before she permits herself to speak again. "And does the duke bear a love for you?"

"Yes," I say quickly. "He loves me. We are in love."

The queen nods a second time. "I see," she says again.

"Forgive me for speaking so plainly, Your Majesty..."

"There is nothing to forgive—you spoke honestly, and that is something I value in my ladies," she tells me patiently. "Now, for your final gift on the day of your birth, you are to be married, Lady Beaumont."

"Married?" I whisper.

The queen nods. "In October, I should think—that way, we can put on a most wonderful celebration for when you become Duchess of Chadwick."

"Duchess of...?" Immediately, I fall to my knees and take up the queen's hand and kiss her ring. "Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you!"

The queen laughs. "Go and celebrate with your betrothed," she orders.

Immediately, I descend from the dais, feeling whole again as I look for Edward in the crowd. Immediately I spot him, speaking with Lord Charles and his other comrades, and approach them all. I curtsy then, and every gentleman immediately turns towards me, for not only was it my birthday, but I was still an unmarried heiress. "My lord duke," I say, making direct eye contact with Edward and shattering the rest of their hopes. "Might I borrow you for a walk in the gardens?"

Edward looks pleased at this and offers me his arms. "But of course, Lady Beaumont," he replies.

We walk outside then into the warm evening; the sun had not set yet, as it was barely seven of the clock. Hampton Court Palace was beautiful in the summer, as the entire garden was in bloom. Roses dotted every surface, it seemed, for the meant everything to the reigning monarch. They smelled sweet, and I turned to Edward then, hoping he would break the silence for, although comfortable, so much needed to be said.

"I spoke to the queen," I said, unable to keep silent any longer.

"Have you?" Edward asks, curious.

I nod. "Yes—I've informed her of my love for you, and yours for me, and she seemed receptive."

"Receptive?" Edward asks. "Does this mean...?"

"She says we are engaged," I say in a rush then, as Edward promptly lifts me into his arms and swings me around.

"When is the wedding to be?" he asks.

"October!" I shout, laughing as hard as I could, and having Edward join me was remarkable. "The queen says we must prepare for such a ceremony—"

"No," Edward says firmly, lowering me down onto the ground. "I care not for ceremony, Elizabeth! It must be at once!"

"At once?" I cry out. "Edward—"

"Do you care for ceremony?" he asks.

I shake my head. "No, of course not."

"Do you wish to be my wife?"

I nod. "Of course I do, Edward, above all things—"

"Then marry me next week," he begs. "I shall pay a fine if the queen demands it, but I care not for ceremony, and neither do you. We can write to Bella and to Geoffrey to be the witnesses. We shall move to Westminster Palace the following week, and we shall marry in the dead of night in the abbey, just as Bella and Geoffrey did—"

"You're quite sure?" I whisper, clutching at him then. Although I was now seventeen years of age, Edward was nearly twenty and certainly knew what he was doing. "Quite sure now?"

"Quite sure," Edward replies. "Marry me."

"Yes!" I cry out breathlessly, throwing my arms around him and kissing him almost immediately.

. . .

Bella and Geoffrey arrive at Westminster Palace three days after the court does, in the middle of the first week of August. Bella comes to my chambers that same evening to assist me in preparing myself for the evening ahead. She quickly embraces me as she crosses my threshold, apparently more than a little pleased to have returned to court. She had to use a little for the journey, due to not wishing to bring potential risk to her second long-term pregnancy. She would have the child the following January, and Geoffrey was beside himself with joy, she said, at his growing family.

"Are you feeling all right?" she asked, after I'd shown her the gown I was to wear when I became the Duchess of Chadwick. "Not nervous?"

I lower my eyes then, sighing. "You must not tell a soul..."

"What?" Bella asks, searching my face.

"We were to be married in October, but Edward insisted it be now," I reply, biting my lower lip.

"He could not wait?" she guesses.

"He said it was because he did not want ceremony, and while I would not have minded it, I had to accept the terms," I reply, raising my eyes to hers. "I had to, Bella, or else I would have been ruined..."

Bella's eyes widened then, before lowering themselves to my belly, not yet swollen, but in the coming weeks, it would be. "On the night of my birthday, you and Edward...?" she asked, unable to get the words out.

I nodded. "Yes. We had some of the wine and could not stop ourselves from succumbing to our desires..."

Bella nods, pulling me into her arms in a hasty manner. "It's all right—it is only one month, and so often babies come early, especially the first ones. You need not worry about a thing, Eliza, truly."

I sigh then, rolling my shoulders and pulling back from her. "I suppose I am ready now," I say softly to her. "I am ready to become the Duchess of Chadwick—I think I shall make for a good duchess."

"You shall, of course you shall," Bella assures me, removing my gown from dinner and picking up my white one. She laces me into it, and, thankfully, no one will be able to tell. "You look beautiful," she tells me.

I smile at her. "It is a lie—to wear this gown," I say softly. "Everyone will believe I am coming to Edward a virgin, but I am with child already—"

Bella shushes me then. "You need not speak of it. Wait a month and then tell him, but not tonight, Eliza—not tonight."

I nod quickly. "Of course, of course—not tonight."

We wrap ourselves in our long summer cloaks and steal out of my chambers like thieves in the night, crossing to the servants' quarters and out into the darkness. We dashed past the stables, then around the bed and into the street before we dashed down another street and towards the abbey. With our running, it took no less than a minute to get there and as we stepped inside, I felt relief at seeing Edward there. We embraced quickly, sharing a brief kiss before Geoffrey went to go and find the archbishop.

I was quite surprised to see that our archbishop in question that evening was none other than Edmund Grindal, the Archbishop of Canterbury himself. He smiled kindly at the pair of us and beckoned us forward, and we walked down the aisle of the abbey, Bella just behind us. He smiled broadly as we approached him, and Edward promptly handed over a sack of gold coins.

"Your names?" the archbishop asked.

"Edward, Duke of Chadwick," Edward informed him.

"Elizabeth, Lady Beaumont," I say quietly.

"Edward, son of Edward and Jane Chadwick, Duke and Duchess of Chadwick," the archbishop said softly. "Elizabeth, daughter of Philip and Anne, Earl and Countess of Beaumont," he continued. "Very well. Have either of you permission from the queen?"

Edward produced a document when had the queen's royal seal upon it, and I was shocked that he had such a thing. "We do," Edward said, waiting for the archbishop to look it over.

"Wonderful," he said quietly. "Shall we begin?" he asked.

Edward turned to me. "Yes," he replied.

I looked over at him. "Yes," I said.

The archbishop opened his book then, skipping the pleasantries, for he must have known we wished to not prolong the ceremony. "Edward, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together in God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health? And forsaking all others, keep the only to her, so long as you both shall live?"

"I will," Edward replied.

"Elizabeth, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together in God's holy ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him and serve him, love, honor, and keep him, in sickness and in health? And forsaking all others, keep the only unto him so long as ye both shall live?"

"I will," I say, meeting Edward's eyes.

The elderly man smiles upon us then, crossing over the holy book as he gazes at one of us, and then the other. "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost," Archbishop Grindal says. "Amen."

"Amen," Edward, Bella, Geoffrey, and I say as one.

We steal out from Westminster Abbey that evening, after the archbishop has blessed us both and sent us on our way. As we ran through the night, I felt my heart skipping a beat. Not only was I married to the man I loved, but I was now a duchess. I was no longer the unmarried heiress Lady Beaumont; I was now Lady Elizabeth, Duchess of Chadwick. I was now to be addressed as Elizabeth Chadwick; Beaumont was no longer my name, and I now belonged to Edward, as he did to me.