The Wedding Duel (The Dueling Pistols Series) by Katy Madison Page B

his future father-in-law's face distracted him. He'd meant to speak of the weather conditions. Instead, he said, "We should have waited until summer."
    "Well, everyone is here now, so we shall proceed, shan't we?" said Cousin Jane.
    Keene shook off his reaction to Daniel Farthing's expression. "The weather is turning ugly. The drive is icy. George nearly took a nasty spill. I am not sure we should risk the horses, let alone the company."
    If anything, his father-in-law looked even more upset. "You cannot delay."
    "Why don't we send for the vicar?" suggested Jane. "Surely we can use the chapel here in the house. I know that it hasn't been used it in many years and is tiny, but we are a small gathering and Keene has not brought so many friends that it will create a problem. We will just invite the vicar to spend the night."
    "Some of our neighbors might be waiting at the church."
    "The vicar could announce the change in plans and post a notice on the door." Jane patted her husband's arm.
    "I would send my coach to pick him up, but I fear I have already exposed my coachman to too much of the weather." Not to mention there were muddy spots on the seats. To be sure, they had acquired sheets at the inn in order to protect their clean clothes, but Keene would rather not explain. Not to mention that George's spilled flask and discarded brandy bottle had left the interior smelling like a den of iniquity.
    In less than an hour the vicar arrived at the house and opened the chapel. The paneled walls gleamed with the dark patina of age. The three short pews were crowded with the guests. There was only a narrow side aisle, which would make the bride's march a difficult proposition. The room was much taller than wide or long, giving Keene an odd feeling of foreboding. The family chapel had been designed in a time when religion was often a life or death matter, and it showed.
    Victor slid into a seat. George tottered up the to the front with Keene, hitting the edge of the last pew as he rounded the corner toward the altar.
    The finality made Keene feel like weaving, too. Instead, he held himself still. A sense of being watched made him look up at the rear section of the chapel. He couldn't see her, but she was there. Heat rivaled the pall of the chapel. George bumped his shoulder and when Keene turned back, he knew she was gone. He only hoped she had not had to scale a wall in order to see down into the chapel.
    The ceremony went smoothly, until it was time to kiss his bride. Out of the corner of his eye, Keene caught sight of Victor slumped over, his right shoulder clutched in his hand. Keene brushed a kiss across Sophie's cheek and turned back to George and in a quiet whisper said, "See to him."
    "I shink not," answered George rather loudly, in an attempt at precision that fell short of the mark.
    Sophie chewed her lip and cast Keene a sidelong look. He wrapped his arm around her waist.
    His father-in-law frowned at him. He moved her toward the narrow aisle. George stumbled and fell into him.
    Keene reluctantly let go of Sophie. He needed to take care of his friends. He didn't want to call anymore attention to them than he already had. The only good thing about bringing the both of them was that they now seemed to be on speaking terms, even if it was only to hurtle insults at each other.
    Sophie turned away to receive the hug of her mother. With only the narrow aisle, Keene didn't want to get trapped. He scooted around his bride and her mother. His wife and his mother-in-law. Somehow, it didn't seem real yet. He supposed later tonight the reality would set in.
    He managed to get Victor to his feet and lead him out of the chapel. He walked him down the hallway away from the spill of guests from the open chapel doors. "My God, man, what is wrong?"
    "I think I reopened the wound." Victor pushed him away. "It's your wedding. I shall be fine."
    Keene cast around for an upper servant. Hearing rapid footfalls behind him, he turned just before