“Thank you. Not long now,” Rebecca promised, and then placed her hands on Lady Ava’s shoulders to hold her still.
Rafferty noticed and nodded his approval. “She’s a little excited, I’m afraid.”
“I’ve never been to a wedding,” Ava confided, looking up at her.
Rafferty nudged the groom. “Almost time.”
Whitfield looked a little wild about the eyes when he turned around to view the gathering, and Rebecca’s grin widened. The poor man seemed worried when there was no reason to be. The harder parts of marriage came later.
Lady Ava wriggled closer, and Rebecca put a restraining arm about her shoulders. “Be still now. I don’t want to miss a moment.”
At some signal from the door, Rafferty propelled Whitfield toward the vicar.
When Jessica appeared on Father’s arm at the doorway, a collective sigh swept through the room. Father’s eyes were thankfully dry, and Jessica’s smile was unrestrained as she approached her future husband.
When Jessica and Whitfield met before the vicar, Rafferty stepped back to stand beside Rebecca. She glanced at his waistcoat, pleased to see he had chosen to wear something more appropriate today.
Seeing Jessica about to marry the man she loved instantly swept Rebecca back in time. She was reminded that her own wedding day had been a much quieter and more somber affair than this. She had been a nervous bride, especially so after her father’s outpouring of emotion. She had almost cried, too, but the marriage had been expected for her. She’d done her best to secure the right husband but failed.
Jessica was undoubtedly the lucky one. She was not nervous at all. She’d live close to her family for the rest of her life.
She felt a touch against her fingers, and since no one could possibly see it, she allowed Rafferty to hold her hand during the ceremony because she suddenly felt the need for support. Rebecca had married a severe man who had exhibited great reserve in public. It was only later that she’d discovered his flaws and the selfish scoundrel he really had been. She would not make the same mistake the next time she married. If she married anyone, they would have to prove they could put her needs first.
Rebecca nodded as the happy couple completed their vows.
And then it was done. The last Westfall was married. The bride and groom exchanged a chaste kiss then turned to face their well-wishers.
Rice suddenly rained down over the pair, and Rebecca enjoyed Whitfield’s shocked expression. “That was my idea,” she told Rafferty.
“I like how stunned he looks,” he admitted as he let go of her hand.
Rebecca waited her turn to congratulate the couple impatiently. She addressed her first words to Whitfield. He was her new older brother, after all. “Congratulations, Gideon, and welcome to the family.”
He leaned forward to kiss her cheek. “Thank you, Becca. My dear sister.”
She smiled, congratulated Jessica with a kiss to her cheek, too, and then moved back so others could speak to the happy couple. She collided with Rafferty almost immediately. “A beautiful ceremony,” she murmured after apologizing for not noticing him.
“Indeed it was. For a moment there I thought Whitfield might actually faint.”
“He’s made of sterner stuff than that,” Rebecca promised, smiling down at Lady Ava, who was grinning madly. “After all, he is related to the Westfalls now. Westfalls do not ever faint.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Rafferty’s hand settled at the base of her spine briefly. “Where to next?”
She shivered. “Drinks in the garden so the dining tables can be set up in here.”
“I’ll help encourage everyone outside, shall I?” he offered.
She nodded, pleased to have his assistance. Dealing with society was akin to herding cats sometimes. “I will circulate with Lady Ava then send her back to the nursery?”
“Please do,” Rafferty murmured. He kissed his daughter’s head. “I will come for you just before the wedding breakfast begins. All you will miss is boring talk.”
“All right,” Lady Ava grudgingly agreed.
Rebecca took up the girl’s hand so they didn’t become separated and led Ava around the local guests. She introduced the girl to a few people she should know already by now but didn’t. Ava charmed everyone she met and seemed to soak up every word Rebecca spoke about her. By the time they reached the hall, Rebecca was very sorry they had to part. She handed the girl over to her own maid, who’d come down to peek at the wedding, too. “Leave her in that dress but cool her face, please.”
“Yes, madam,” Nancy promised before taking the girl away.