Richard Crawforde, Earl of Hereford was in his study when his butler, Ulysses Grant, appeared. Lord Hereford inquired Grant's presence and Grant presented him with an invitation. Thanking Grant, Hereford opened the letter to find an invitation to a wedding:
The Earl and Countess of Pembroke request your presence at the marriage of their daughter,
Lady Alexandra Herbert
to
Edward Wellesley, Marquess of Douro
June 21, 1884
London
Hereford was in deep thought when his lady wife entered and inquired what he is holding. He answered her.
"About time," his lady wife said, "I did fear their wedding would never come."
"Interfering again, Caroline?" Hereford inquired.
Caroline rolled her eyes,"You well know that I no longer interfere with personal matters of others, Richard."
Hereford nodded and went back to his papers.
"And that also means that we too are going," said Caroline snatching up his papers from in front of him
Hereford was not pleased, "My papers please?"
"We need to go out," said his wife.
"Where to?" inquired her husband.
"To the markets, of course," replied his wife, "I'm in need of a new parasol."
Hereford groaned but relented, "Of course, love."
The twenty-first of June, Edward would forever remember this day, as he stood at the altar with the priest waiting for his bride. Today, finally, their fates would be sealed. Today, he would come out of this church a married man.
The thought nerved him.
Then, the guests turned towards the door down the aisle, and the door opened to see Lexa, dressed in a fine white wedding dress, her face veiled with a transparent veil. Her eyes met his, as she slowly came down the aisle, perched on her father's arm to him.
They stood face to face as the priest clear his throat and began, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God to join this man, and this woman in holy matrimony. Not to be entered into lightly, holy matrimony should be entered into solemnly and with reverence and honour. Into this holy agreement these two persons come together to be joined. If any person here can show cause why these two people should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Edward looked at Lexa. He could believe it. She smiled back at him, those lovely dimples appearing, as the priest continued, "Who giveth this woman in holy matrimony to this man?"
Lord Pembroke said, "I do."
Now the exchange of vows began, the priest turned to him and Lexa and said, first to Edward, "Do you, Edward Reginald Llewellyn take Alexandra Marguerite Rose as your lawfully wedded wife, and live together forever in the estate of holy matrimony? Do you love, comfort, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse for as long as you both shall live?"
Edward said, clearly without a doubt, "I do."
The priest repeated the vows to Lexa.
Lexa replied, "I do."
The rings were handed to the priest. He blessed them, and said; giving Edward the first ring, "Repeat after me: with this ring, I thee wed."
Edward took Lexa's hand and said, "With this ring, I thee wed," and he slowly slipped the wedding ring on Lexa's left ring finger.
Lexa was given the second ring, and took his left hand in her smaller one, and said, repeating after the priest, "With this ring, I thee wed."
She slipped the ring on to his left ring finger.
Then the priest declared them husband and wife. In the sight of God, in the city of London, in front of these people, they were now the Marquess and Marchioness of Douro.
They did not kiss, but Edward politely kissed Lexa's hand. After the vows were said, the priest produced the marriage licence and both Edward and Lexa signed their names that legalized their marriage. They led the way out of the church and made their way to Drumbroke manor, where the wedding breakfast was been held, curtsey of the Duke of Wellington.
"Oof!" said Lexa as she made her way inside the wedding carriage. She pulled up her wedding dress skirts and settled comfortably across from her husband.
Her husband, Lexa thought in alarm. It was over now, and it had a pleasant ring to it.
Lexa smiled, faintly as she looked at Edward.
He looked quite dashing in his wedding clothes as well. He wore a dark frock coat, gray trousers, dark boots, and white gloves. As if sensing her stare, his dark hazel eyes moved and met hers, and he smiled faintly. "It's done now, dearest wife."
"Yes it is," she said. Wife? Good heavens, she wanted to swoon.
"You look ever beautiful, Lady Douro." He continued.
Lexa blushed, and placed her gloved hand to her cheek, "Oh stop it," she said, "You are making me blush, Lord Douro."
He chuckled, a low rumble, "You look lovely when you blush, sweetheart."
Lexa blushed even more, and her heart, oh her traitorous heart, decided to kick up its normal speed and thump by the sound of his voice.
"Where do you wish to go?" he asked.
Lexa blinked, "Pardon?"
"Our wedding trip," Edward clarified.
"Oh," said Lexa thoughtfully, "Wales, perhaps?"
Edward stiffened immediately at her suggestion, and said, in a chipped voice, "Anywhere else?"
Lexa frowned, "Scotland?"
"Scotland it is then," said her husband.
Lexa frowned again. Why on earth had he brushed the idea of going to Wales? Lexa wanted to question him, but held her tongue. She didn't want to argue with him on her wedding day. Perhaps, later, she thought.
The carriage stopped in front of Drumbroke Manor, and as Edward got out, he helped Lexa down, her wedding dress train falling down behind her.
The newly married marquess and marchioness were warmly welcome in the dining room where the wedding breakfast was held. In accordance to tradition, Lexa was given something old from her mother, something new from Edward, a sapphire necklace. As the guest bid the newlyweds farewell, Caroline hugged her best friend and whispered in Lexa's ear, "hope you enjoy the wedding night."
As Caroline released her, Lexa's cheeks were red and she said, "the wedding night. Surely, you don't mean...."
Caroline smiled and nodded. Lexa flushed deep red as both Lady and Lord Hereford departed, the last of the guest to leave.
Edward placed his arm on her shoulder and Lexa's heart reacted to that. She looked up at her husband and he said, "Shall we?"
Lexa felt her heart flutter. Trusting not her words, Lexa looked at him and simply nodded.
She was led into a bedchamber where her leather trunks filled with her clothes were brought in. A maid came in and slowly closed the door. Lexa looked up and asked, "Who are you?"
The dark haired maid with pale skin, faint freckles and brown eyes, curtseyed to her, and said, "My name is Selena Lyons, Lady Douro."
Lexa flushed. Lady Douro. She really was going to need to get used to her new term of address. "A pleasure," she murmured.
Miss Lyons moved herself and said she started on Lexa's luggage. "Since you are new here, milady, Lord Douro instructed that I aid you."
"Ah,"said Lexa, " are you my ladies-maid?"
Miss Lyons shook her head, "No, milady. But would like to be. I hope Lord Douro chooses me."
Lexa looked thoughtfully at Miss Lyons. "Well, if being a ladies-maid is good pay, perhaps I could ask his Lordship. "
Miss Lyons's eyes lit up, "Oh, milady, would you do such a thing?"
Lexa smiled, "I don't see why not."
Miss Lyons bubbled at the thought, and chatted happily to Lexa, as she assist her new mistress out of her wedding garments into civilian wear. She led Lexa to the toilette, and waited for Lexa to sit down in front of the mirror, so that she could tend to Lexa's hair.
"You have pretty tresses," said Miss Lyons as she started to unbound Lexa's hair, and started to brush it softly. Miss Lyons styled her hair with the popular "Pompidou" hairstyle that raged London these days. Miss Lyons then let strands of gold hair curl loosely at her sides.
She wore the sapphire necklace around her neck, and Miss Lyons smiled, "Beautiful, milady, beautiful."
Lexa smiled at Miss Lyons, "Thank you."
"Tis wonderful that we are to have a mistress," said Miss Lyon absently, "It has been years since."
"Years?" Lexa said, astonished. Then realized that she had not yet met the Duchess of Wellington. Where was Edward's mother? Did she die in his infancy?
"Has the duchess died, Miss Lyons?" she asked the maid.
Miss Lyon opened her mouth then closed it, "Tisn't my place to say, milady."
Lexa frowned then cleared. Of course, it wasn't her place to say. Miss Lyon was a servant. What happened in Drumbroke was strictly by confidence.
"You're right," said Lexa, "We should take about it. Now, can you help me...?"
After Miss Lyons helped her with her toilette, Lexa exited the room only to find a footman waiting for. The footman a young man straightened his posture and said, "Lord Douro has asked me to escort you into the library."
"Is His Lordship in there?" she asked.
"Yes, my lady," he said.
Lexa nodded and then asked, "What is your name?"
"Thompson, my lady. Harry Thompson."
"Well, Mr. Thompson, lead the way."
"Yes, my lady," was the replied.
They walked in silence and Lexa glanced around as they passed through the corridors. Hanging on the walls were family portraits, paintings of former dukes and duchess. She stopped on the last portrait, and her eyes glued. Thompson, realizing that she was not following him, asked, "Lady Douro."
The painting was that of a young woman, nineteen years, adorned with jewels and wore a dark blue dress. She stood in a graceful manner, her hands clamped together in the front. Her eyes were a luminous blues, pale skin and rosy cheeks; her hair was the same color of Lexa's spun golden-blonde.
"My lady?" The footman said, as he walked towards her. He stopped and looked at the painting Lexa was staring and said, "A beauty, is she not?"
"Is she the late duchess?" Lexa asked
"No my lady," said Thompson, "That was the former Marchioness of Douro. Lord Douro's mother."
Lexa went agape. The woman in the painting was Edward's mother?
"Did she die?" Lexa asked.
Thompson pursed his lips, "I can't say, Lady Douro. But that matter is a complicated one, which we are forbidden to speak of by His Grace."
"Oh," said Lexa, "Do proceed then."
The rest of the walk was in silence, and but the time Lexa was ushered inside the library, she completely forgot about the painting for she was completely awed. "Oh my heavens."
Edward who was sitting on of the lofty sofa in the center rose and bowed, "My lady, so pleasured you can join me."
Lexa flushed, "Pleasure, is mine, dear."
"Come," he said, and Lexa walked over to him, and sat on one of the lofty sofas in front of him.
"You know," she said, "I never been in a library this large."
"You like it?" Edward asked.
"Of course," said Lexa, "I adore libraries and books. For where would we be would them? You just need sometimes, to escape the stresses of life with a book." she paused thoughtfully.