SWNOVELS Chapter A Vixen for the Duke: Epilogue
“Are you ready, Rabbit?”
The voice of Harriet’s father was soothing in her ear. Although, this time, Harriet wasn’t nervous. Standing here at the doors of the church, she was beyond excited.
“Can you believe we’re back here again?”
Today, things were very different from the last time she had walked down the aisle. For one, she was wearing the coral dress that Morgan had bought her. Her hair was fixed half up and half down, and it was adorned with Emma’s pearl comb.
Although Emma had insisted before that it brought good luck, Harriet didn’t believe it, but maybe it did bring good luck. After all, if Jeremy hadn’t left her, she wouldn’t be looking forward to spending the rest of her life with the love of her life. So thank you, Lord Northwick, and thank you, thank you to Emma’s little pearl comb.
Morgan looked confident at the altar. She could only see him through the large gap in the church doors, but he stood assuredly, making happy faces and friendly gestures at the attendees.
Jeremy had met Harriet over a spilt flute of champagne, while Morgan had met her whilst she was covered head-to-toe with mud and other unsavoury substances. She wouldn’t have had it any other way, though. If something had been different, might the very outcome be as well?
Harriet started when she felt her father’s arm tug her closer. He smiled widely. He was a very stoic man, but he couldn’t have been more thrilled to learn that she had found not only a love match but one with Morgan nonetheless. It seemed, in fact, that the Duke was one of the few people that could effortlessly make him laugh. It was a sound Harriet liked very much. In addition, Morgan was more than happy to soak up all of his future father-in-law’s dry business discussions.
“I am so impossibly happy, Papa,” Harriet whispered, pressing her fingertips into the crook of her father’s elbow.
He tilted his head and smiled. “And I as well.”
The last time Harriet had stood here, she had remembered her younger sister being shocked by something. It was only after that she’d learned that Emma and her husband Colin had accidentally revealed the news of their pregnancy to Lucy. Only today, Emma was here, her dress mostly concealing her protruding stomach. She and Colin had planned to name the baby August, or Augusta, depending on the gender. Harriet knew with much certainty, however, that her nephew August was here in attendance.
“Take a deep breath. The ceremony is about to start,” her father said.
Harriet collected herself, exhaling all her pre-wedding jitters. Just as her father said, the doors opened. He gave her one last smile, and she responded with a reassuring nod. She was ready to start her life properly this time. She lifted her head and began walking down the aisle.
When Harriet imagined her wedding day, she had pictured herself beaming ear-to-ear. And this time, she was. She had also pictured her husband getting emotional. And much to her delight, Morgan was. His eyes were misty, but he stood tall, trying his hardest to choke back his emotions.
Fairytale princes were sweet, charming, romantic, passionate, and always had a sense of humour. Morgan was a prince in every way except for his title. He had also been perfect in ways that Harriet hadn’t even known she needed. For example, he was an incredible lover. Cinderella never touched upon the importance of sexual attraction.
Her father helped her up the steps to the altar and then stepped away. Morgan smiled, winking conspiratorially at her. She replied with a goofy expression. The vicar didn’t seem to enjoy their frivolity, however, and he cleared his throat.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony, which is an honourable estate…”
Harriet could hardly pay attention to anything except for Morgan. He regarded her equally. He looked intently at her, glassy-eyed and prepared to express his adoration for her. She could hardly believe it. Her wedding was going just as she had hoped. Maybe after all this time, fairytales did exist. It just seemed she had had to wait for an excuse to leave London to find hers.
“First, it was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy Name,” the vicar continued.
Harriet beamed. Her and Morgan’s love for children had brought them together. She wanted nothing more than to be a mother, and Morgan, unbeknownst to her at the time, had been looking for the perfect mother to raise his future children with. She glanced at the family and friends that had joined them. Daphne sat beside her father and Bridget. Maybe one day, Daphne would realise the role she had played in Harriet and Morgan’s wedding.
“Secondly, it was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication.”
Harriet tried not to grimace. It was far too late for that.
“Thirdly, It was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity.”
Morgan had done a lot of things, but most of all, he had made Harriet a better person. He had changed her from a selfish and immature girl to a selfless and loving woman. She wanted to continue to be the best she could be for him. He had not only taught her what love towards a romantic partner meant but towards all the other people in her life.
The vicar took a breath after a brief pause. “Therefore, if any man can shew any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.”
Harriet didn’t bother holding her breath. Morgan kept his eyes on her if only to assure her that history wouldn’t repeat itself. He reached out, gesturing for her hand. Perhaps he shouldn’t have, but it hardly mattered, as it was their wedding. He gave her hand a squeeze, and the vicar moved along with the ceremony, but Harriet hardly listened. As far as she was concerned, Morgan was her husband. Although the road back here had been bumpy, if that was what it took for her to finally understand love, then so be it. She would not change anything. This was perfect.
This was her fairytale.
The End?