Dating the Prince(43)

Her father waited for her at the doors to the church, looking dashing in a new suit, his bald spot shining in the sunlight.

"You look beautiful," he said, offering Libby his arm. "I'm so proud of you, honey."

Libby blinked quickly. Was it possible to explode from happiness? "Thanks, Dad."

The doors to the church opened, and music floated outside-the soft  chanting of the choir accompanied by the strings of a harp and violin.

"This is it," her dad whispered.

"Let's do it," Libby said.

She took her first step into the church, entering the outer room. The  wedding planner had told Libby the room would be packed, but the hordes  of people still surprised her. Women in elaborate fascinators and men in  tailored suits smiled at her as she slowly walked down the aisle. She  recognized a few celebrities she'd met at various events, but no one she  knew personally. Her guests were given seats of honor in the actual  chapel, where they'd be able to see and hear every word.

Libby's heart thrummed more rapidly with each step. The choir grew  louder as they approached the chapel. When Libby finally passed through  the doors, she caught her first glimpse of Alex and gasped.

He stood at the front of the room in a red and black military uniform,  hands clasped in front of him. His eyes landed on hers. She felt like a  gallon of warm water had just been poured over her head. Libby quickened  her pace, eager to meet him. To start their lives together.

Her father chuckled softly and patted her hand softly. "Easy, baby girl. Everyone's watching."

Libby took a deep breath and slowed her pace, knowing he was right. But  she couldn't get to Alex fast enough. His eyes seemed to draw her to him  with an intensity she'd been foolish to ever think she could resist.

Alex loped down the dais as she approached, surprising Libby-this  definitely hadn't been part of the rehearsal. In three short steps he  met her. Apparently he'd been unable to wait, too. She grinned, heart  quickening at the sight of her handsome prince.

"You're beautiful," he mouthed. "I love you."

"I love you, too," she mouthed back. Libby couldn't stop smiling.

She turned to her father. He lifted the veil and kissed her cheek, then  placed her hand in the crook of Alex's elbow. The two men stared at each  other, silently communicating. Alex gave a solemn nod and his gloved  hand covered Libby's. Heat raced up her arm. She couldn't resist leaning  into him as he gently guided her up the stairs and to the priest that  waited behind the altar at the top of the dais.

Alex helped Libby sink down to the padded step of the altar, making sure  her dress was arranged before sinking down beside her. His hand held  hers as the priest began singing in Latin, just like they'd rehearsed  last week. Libby didn't understand any of the words-Nicolette had  insisted that mastering French was the top priority-but it didn't matter  that Libby couldn't understand the priest. She was too busy staring at  Alex. The wedding planner had instructed them to keep their eyes forward  during this part of the ceremony, but Libby couldn't help it. Alex  squeezed her hand gently and she fought the urge to reach out and run  her hand along his neatly trimmed beard.

Alex tapped the top of her hand with one finger-a subtle cue they'd  arranged so she'd know when it was time to rise. The priest dipped his  hand in a goblet of water and pressed two fingers to each of their  foreheads, then stopped singing.

"Today is a historical day not only for Durham, but for the world," he began.

As he continued to speak, all Libby could think was, Hurry up! Her ears  buzzed with excitement and she blinked, her vision going blurry from  staring too intensely. After what felt like an eternity, the priest got  to the part of the ceremony that Libby had been waiting for-the only  part that mattered to her.

"Do you, Liberty Joy Claybourne, take His Royal Highness Prince Alexander as your husband?"

"I do," Libby said, squeezing Alex's hands in both of hers.

"And do you, His Royal Highness Prince Alexander, take Liberty Joy Claybourne to be your wife?"

"I do," Alex said. His voice was sure and strong, with no hint of hesitation.

"Then by the power vested in me by the Holy Church of Durham, I now pronounce you man and wife," the priest declared.

Libby's heart leapt. That was it. With a few simple words she'd become  Alex's wife. If it was possible to die of happiness, she was pretty sure  she might expire on the spot.         

     



 

Alex's eyes twinkled-that special look she knew meant he was dying to  kiss her. But Nicolette had made it very clear that it was highly  improper to kiss within the church. They were to wait for the  traditional balcony shot after their parade through the city.

Alex squeezed her hand, letting Libby know he wanted that kiss as badly  as she did. But instead they turned and faced the crowd of people. It  would be her first official sacrifice as future queen of Durham.

Libby's heart thudded in her chest as she took in the crowd. From here  she could see into the outer room, and the numbers were overwhelming.  But she took a deep breath, just like Alex had taught her, and let him  lead her back down the aisle as the choir sang.

They burst out of the church doors and the crowd roared in approval.  Libby grinned at Alex as the thunderous applause surrounded her. He  helped her down the steps and into the horse-drawn carriage, ever the  prince. What Libby wouldn't give to make all these people disappear so  she could be alone with her new husband. As Alex sat down beside her,  the heat in his gaze seemed to say he wanted the same thing. But first  they must take the traditional one-mile parade and greet the people of  Durham for the first time as husband and wife. After working so hard to  build trust with the country, Libby wasn't about to let her hormones  mess this up.

The carriage lurched forward and Alex pressed his lips close to her ear,  making her shiver. Libby fought the urge to lean into him and instead  kept her smile and wave in place for the cameras. She knew this would  happen a lot in their lives-holding back her true emotions when she  wanted to shout them to the world. But that was okay. She would live for  the moments that belonged just to them.

"How does it feel to be the newest princess of Durham?" Alex murmured.

"Not nearly as good as it feels to be Mrs. Alexander Somerset."

Alex laughed, the rich sound filling her with anticipation for what the  night would bring. "I don't think you're supposed to call the future  queen of Durham something as mundane as missus."

"You're making it very hard not to kiss you yet, my husband," Libby teased.

Alex let out a low growl and clutched her hand in his. "And you're  making it very hard not to ignore all the receptions we must attend in  favor of a day spent alone, my wife."

Libby grinned. "Good. I'd be disappointed if I wasn't."

The mile-long ride seemed to last an eternity, but the happy, excited  faces of Durhams made Libby's heart swell with pride. She knew there was  still a long road ahead of them, but she was confident that in the end  they'd win back Durhams' affections completely.

The carriage rounded the final corner to the palace and pulled to a stop  in front of a red velvet carpet. Alex hopped down while the horses  snorted and pranced. The driver clicked his tongue and the horses  settled down.

"Ready?" Alex asked, extending his hand.

Libby nodded and carefully stepped from the carriage. Electricity  sparked every nerve ending in her body and she stared up at Alex, unable  to look away.

"I love you so much, Liberty Claybourne," Alex said, his head lowering toward hers.

"It's Liberty Somerset now," she reminded him.

A warm chuckle had her stomach swarming with anticipation. Alex's eyes locked on her lips and his head lowered even further.

Libby put a finger to his lips, halting his progress. "What about the traditional balcony kiss? Your mother will be so upset."

"I don't care one wit for tradition today. I can't go another moment without kissing my wife."

His lips bridged the last few centimeters between them. Libby rested her  hand on his beard, loving the feel of his rough whiskers on her  sensitive skin. She longed for a deep, intimate kiss, but knew now  wasn't the time. Alex kept things chaste, with a kiss that barely  qualified as more than a peck. But his eyes held a heat she'd never  experienced before-a promise of things to come.

Dimly, Libby became aware of the hooting and hollering of the crowd.

"I think they approve," she whispered against his lips.

Alex smiled, then ducked his head and brushed another brief peck across  her mouth. "I don't really care one way or the other. The only opinion  that matters to me is yours."

"Still, we should try to stay on their good side. It tends to make things easier."

Alex threw back his head and laughed. "I suppose you're right. Now come  on, my princess. It's time to start living the rest of our lives."