Here Comes The Bride
If you had asked Colin Bridgerton in his late teens if he thought he would marry, he would have said yes. But he would have also added, not until he was much older and his elder brothers were both married.
However if you had asked him if he could see himself married to Penelope Featherington, he would have said no. Then diplomatically added that the man who married her would be lucky indeed to have done so.
Yet here he was, standing at the alter with his younger brother Gregory, waiting for Penelope Featherington to come walking down the isle. He was actually nervous. How had he been so blind for so long?
When he thought about their relationship he realised he had always looked for her at every ball. He had convinced himself that he danced with her out of pity, but in truth she was a wonderful dancer and he enjoyed her company. But this season it was as if he really saw her for the first time.
Her sweet smile, the way her big blue eyes looked into his soul. Her hair like a halo glowing a fiery glow around her face. She inspired him to do better, to be better. Her love for him written all over her face. And soon she would be his wife.
Shouldn't his bride have begun making her way down the isle by now? He began fidgeting. Surely she hadn't changed her mind. Her elder sisters were sniggering in the pews which was somewhat of a concern. Did they know something he did not?
"Calm down brother." Gregory looked highly amused by Colin's nerves. "Are brides not meant to be late?"
"How would you know?" He did not recall Daphne or Kate being late to their weddings. He would leave it a few moments more before he would go to look for her.
Just as he was about to sprint down the isle, Eloise appeared and began to walk towards him. As maid of honour, she managed to wear a smile instead of her usual grimace. This was a good sign.
Then she appeared at the end of the isle. His jaw dropped. She was stunning. How had he gotten so lucky? She had been his friend for years until he came to his senses and realised the love of his life had been right in front of him all along. He couldn't take his eyes off her. Although as she passed her sisters, he did catch the look of shock on their faces which gave him no end of satisfaction.
When she reached him, she broke into the most glorious smile. Penelope Featherington was marrying him. He barely heard the Priest but was apparently saying his vows in the right places. Yet he found himself paying more attention when it came for his bride to recite her vows.
He had never really paid attention to the service when he had attended weddings in the past. The reception had always held more interest for him. But today every word that fell from her lips held new meaning for him. No other bride had spoken her vows with more honesty and conviction than his Penelope.
When the Priest pronounced them man and wife, he leapt at the chance to kiss his new wife. He couldn't help but wonder if they could possibly get lost on the way to the reception. But the image of his mother sending one or all of his brothers to look for them put a stop to that thought.
His blushing bride was certainly blushing, but also looked equally relieved that the ceremony was over. How long would they really be expected to stay at the reception? He had wasted so much time convincing himself that Penelope was just a friend. Now he wanted to get on with the life he had been denying them both.
It appeared that their wedding wasn't just having an effect on the Bride and Groom. Both Antony and Simon looked ready to sneak off with their wives to relive their wedding nights. They had better not. If he had to attend the reception, his brother and brother-in-law sure as hell could as well.
At least there would be something to eat. Normally this was the part he looked forward to at a wedding. Although he could do with a slice of wedding cake right now. But considering he had been nervous that his bride wasn't going to show moments ago, he was far more interested in celebrating that she had in a much more private setting.
The reception was being held at the Featherington residence but there was still the carriage ride. Colin could always get the driver to take the long route. It wouldn't be the first time.
To his surprise, it was Penelope who barely waited for the carriage door to close before launching herself into his arms. "I was not sure you would be waiting for me at the altar."
How could she had doubted he would be. "I almost came looking for you." In truth, he might not have been at the alter if he had gone looking for her.
"You thought that I was going to leave you at the alter?" She looked stunned at the thought.
"Well, you did take your time. And then your sisters were giggling in the pews. Gregory of all people reminded me it was traditional for brides to be late to the wedding." He started kissing his way down his wife's neck.
"My sisters were convinced you'd realise you had made a mistake and bolt halfway through the ceremony if you turned up at all." Penelope managed to get out between gasps and sighs.
"No offense but your sisters are fools. The only mistake I made was not marrying you sooner." He was about to start working on the buttons at the back of her dress but realised the carriage had come to a stop. Groaning he looked at his flushed bride. "How long do we had to stay before we can be alone?"
Penelope straightened up her neckline. "I believe we have to stay through to our first dance and cutting the cake."
"Can we not begin with those?" Colin wished he had come to his senses regarding Penelope sooner. He would have eloped with her if there had not been a danger of risking her reputation.
"Unfortunately, not." Penelope reached out and tidied his hair where she had previously been running her fingers through it. "But we have the rest of our lives to be together."
The carriage door opened before Colin could say anything further. There was no putting off the reception now. Helping his wife down from the carriage, he headed inside.
Colin had no problem with being the centre of attention, but he knew Penelope would not be so at ease. He squeezed her hand as they walked into the reception. He caught sight of his sisters in law who appeared surprised that they had shown up. Colin brought Penelope's hand up to his lips and kissed it, enjoying how she blushed.
This was Penelope's big day. He would not allow anyone ruin that for her. Especially her sisters. So, as they headed to their seats, he stopped in front of Prudence and Phillipa. "If the two of you can not be happy for Penelope or mock her in any way, you can leave." There was a small victory to be had when all the colour drained from their faces. "So, what is it to be?"
At least they both had the decency to look guilty. "I love Penelope. I will never allow anyone to hurt her and that includes her own family. Is that clear?" He waited until they both nodded before continuing to their seats.
Part of him wanted to have anyone who had ever said a cruel word to Penelope removed from the reception. Cressida Cowper had never even received an invitation. That would have to be enough, but he felt relieved that his wife would never have to spend another night in her family's house. For better or worse they belonged to each other now. Till death do they part.
