The Wedding.
...
The choir filled the Abbey as Lord Melbourne took his place at the altar in front of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Rays of afternoon sunlight shone through the windows and reflected off the walls. The air smelled of beeswax, jasmine, and gardenias and there were white flowers with lush green leaves detailing the altar, candles, and decorative surfaces. The audience stood at attention. Lady Emma Portman and Duchess Harriet stood together near the front, Lady Emma was all smiles as she looked at Lord M. Dressed in his formal Winsor uniform with elegant metal brocade that shone in the sparse sunlight, he caught her eye with a slight smile as he turned to face the Abbey doors.
The music swelled and the footmen opened the doors again as Queen Victoria, dressed in a white gown with lace, precious jewels around her shoulders, and flowers in her hair entered the room. Her left hand rested atop her uncle's, the Duke of Sussex, hand as he led her procession into the Abbey slowly. Six ladies attended to the long dress train that followed behind her. In her hand, was a small bouquet of white orchids.
Lord Melbourne sucked in a breath and felt the hot burn of tears in his eyes as he watched his bride walk slowly down the aisle.
The sunlight only seemed to make her white dress glow and to him, she looked like a vision. He had never seen such a beautiful woman and for a moment, he had to look down at his feet. He was so undeserving of the love she put upon him. He was so old... and she... she smiled at him, a tear shining in her eye as she closed the space between them.
"William," she said softly as she approached, her cheeks flushed.
"Victoria," He whispered, his eyes roaming over her beautiful face. Her delicate nose was pinkened at the tip and her blue eyes sparkled. Her brown hair gathered over her ears and tucked just behind the floral headpiece he had made for her, was a cluster of orchids at her veil. It appeared she had used every single orchid he sent to her room this morning.
Was it possible for a heart to burst from love?
As the Abbey quieted, all Lord Melbourne could hear was the rushing of blood in his ears and the steady breath of his petite Queen beside him. He said all the repeated words that they had agreed upon weeks before, removing the bits about her obeying him. It was he, in his older age, who wished to obey her now.
"I do," Lord Melbourne said when the Archbishop asked if he took Queen Alexandrina Victoria to be his wedded wife.
"I do," she said, breathlessly with a beaming smile, when it was her turn to answer the question.
As the bells rang and the audience cheered, Lord M walked down the aisle with his new bride.
He had not felt so alive in years.
He had not felt so completely in love in his whole life.
...
The reception ceremony consisted of a small group of the court, and family, much like the previous night. Together, at Buckingham Palace, they ate a decadent meal of roast beef, potatoes, and many different forms of vegetables. People toasted and drank, even Sir Robert Peel made a short and curt speech. Eventually, the Queen and her new husband cut their beautiful white cake, illuminated by candlelight and everyone cheered. The day had seemed like a whirlwind and Victoria could feel the butterflies fluttering in her stomach as it grew darker outside.
It was a tradition for the wedding couple to leave the wedding first and everyone was waiting. To Victoria, it seemed now or never.
Victoria leaned over to her Lord M and whispered, "I think I grow tired of so much company..."
"I would love nothing more than to continue the night with just you, my bird."
"How do you propose we... make leave?" Victoria asked. She grazed her pinky finger along his hand. He felt a chill go up him at the gentle yet brazen touch.
"You would have to announce it." Lord M smiled at the Duke of Sussex across the room from where they sat.
Victoria stood quickly and the chatter around the room stopped. She took a breath, then announced, "It grows late and we have a long journey to the Isle of Wight in the morning. Thank you for coming and celebrating with us."
Slowly, everyone in the room bowed or curtsied.
With confidence and grace, Queen Victoria strode from the room. Little did anyone know that her feet were shaking beneath her as she led Lord M towards her bedchamber.
...