Chapter Thirty

Benedict felt frozen in time as he stared at the girl walking through the doorway. His lips parted in awe, unable to physically tear his eyes away from her. The crowd stood as she entered, all eyes no doubt enchanted by the most beautiful girl in the room.

Madeleine felt a chill run up her spine as everyone turned their focus to her, not used to being the only one at the center of attention. Violet placed her hand on the girl's, giving her an encouraging squeeze as they began to walk. She glanced at the passing guests, their attentive eyes making her feel rather anxious.

Her soul found its very respite and safety in a formidable sea of blue as her eyes found his, a wave of calm coursing through her body.

Suddenly, they were the only two in the wedding hall. Every other guest in attendance faded into a passing blur, all she could see was the man standing at the altar.

Benedict was certain she could hear his heart from across the room as it pounded against his chest, begging to be closer to hers. He had not even noticed the tears forming in his eyes as he watched her walk towards him, towards their life together.

He could not help but feel like the luckiest man in the world as the two most important women in his life neared the altar. As they approached, Madeleine turned to Violet, the two pausing in their steps. Violet whispered something to the girl that Benedict could not hear before pulling her into a hug. She took the bouquet from her and moved to sit with the rest of the family.

Madeleine's expression mirrored Benedict's as she felt tears pricking in her eyes, gracefully moving to stand in front of him. He could not wipe the smile from his face, neither one able to look away from the other. The love that tied them together was never as obvious and visible as it was in this moment, like a rope that tugged at each heart, longing to be one.

"Please be seated." The priest's voice rang through the silent hall, accompanied by the bustle of the crowd as they took their seats.

"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."

Benedict's heart pounded louder, nearly drowning out the sound of the priest's voice as he stared into her eyes. An overwhelming part of him wanted to tell the priest to just skip to the part where he could kiss the damn girl already. He smiled down at her, the warmth in her gaze lighting his very soul on fire.

"It is said that marriage hath in it less of beauty, but more of safety than the single life. Therefore, it is not to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, and wantonly, but reverently, discreetly, and openly."

Madeleine could hardly focus on the priest's words, her chest rising with every passing breath. She stared into Benedict's eyes, feeling more passion and love than she was sure her body knew how to process. The priest turned his focus from the audience to the couple.

"Mister Bridgerton, do you take Miss Sinclair to be your lawful wife, freely and wholeheartedly under the eyes of God? Do you swear to be faithful to your wife in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love her and to honor her all the days of your life? To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, until death do you part?"

"I do." Benedict's voice rang clear as day in Madeleine's ears, the priest's voice becoming a faint lull in the background of her mind. She heard as he said her name and recited the same questions to her but she could not focus, barely able to wait another moment before she made her everlasting promise.

"Until death do you part?" She heard only the last part of the priest's speech, having felt like ages for him to reach that point.

"I do." Her declaration rolled off of her tongue like a prayer to Benedict's ears, a fire surging in his heart as the two smiled at one another.

Anthony came into view as he handed Benedict the ring, his younger brother tearing his eyes away from Madeleine for a painstaking moment to take it from him.

Madeleine's heart raced as Benedict gently lifted her left hand, his warm fingers gripping her wrist lightly as he pulled off the white glove. Her heart pounded so hard she thought it might burst out of her chest as he placed the ring on her finger, the two never looking away from each other's eyes.

"In the name of the father and of the son, and of the holy ghost, our lord, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride as a manifestation of your two souls melding into one-"

Benedict did not even wait for the priest to finish as he wrapped his arm swiftly around Madeleine's waist, pressing his lips to hers at once.

A symphony of harmonies exploded in their kiss, both feeling an overwhelming relief as the rope that held their hearts together tied itself into a knot. The audience applauded and the priest continued with the ceremonial farewell, neither able to hear what was happening around them. He rested his forehead on hers as they broke the kiss.

"I love you so goddamn much." He whispered, a warm smile plastered on his face. A deep blush rose to her cheeks as she beamed up at him.

"Always and forever." She whispered back. He stood straight and took her hand, the two walking down the aisle as one. Both took turns pulling lightly at the other's hand to keep them in pace as each one felt an impatient urge to finally reach the exit.

Once the doors closed behind them, Madeleine squealed in surprised delight as Benedict lifted her off of her feet in a hug, swinging her around. Her laugh was music to his ears as he set her on the ground, kissing her again.

"We are finally married." Madeleine's voice was a whisper of disbelief as she smiled up at the man she loved. She felt an overwhelming presence surround her being, and somehow she knew that her mother was there, watching over her on the happiest day of her life.