The Basset diamonds adorned her throat and her ears, finding the most perfect placement known to man therein. It was as though they had been created with her exact person in mind and could not have been more suited to any other figure. A thrill of pride shot through both of Harrison’s legs as he saw them, nearly as much a claiming of her as these vows were about to be.

This was his bride. Soon to be his wife.

There was something rather stirring in that.

In one hand, Adelaide held a relatively simple bouquet, considering the extent of her other adornments. White roses, lavender, some miniscule white blossoms, and sprigs of green that he could not identify, all in perfect harmony with the rest of her.

His bride. His Adelaide. For Adelaide she would ever be, now.

There could be no other name for her.

“Dearly beloved,” the clergyman intoned, bringing Harrison back to the moment, though his eyes refused to remove themselves from his bride.

“Stop gawking, Basset,” Adelaide hissed, widening her eyes a little. “One will grow self-conscious.”

Ah, so she was still as she ever was. There was some comfort in that amidst the tumult of other emotions and sensations. Harrison smiled, feeling more himself at receiving such a barb. “I cannot think anyone would accuse you of such a thing. Rather a detail for mere mortals, is it not?”

“Don’t be so droll,” she snapped softly, her voice almost without venom. “Do pay attention.”

“And therefore,” the clergyman went on, not giving them any direct attention, “is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly…”

“Not lightly, yes, yes, I understand,” Harrison whispered. “Nothing light in this. Nor, I daresay, in that entrance you made. Handel was an excellent choice. Rather grand, I imagine, when you are so arrayed.”

Adelaide’s careful smile tightened. “It could not be helped. I will not have my wedding viewed as anything lacking. Surely you do not object.”

“Oh, no,” he replied easily. “Nothing I object to in this day whatsoever. I’m quite at my leisure.”

“Congratulations.”

He stifled a laugh as the clergyman came to the causes for matrimony, reciting them with great emphasis for all gathered.

“Your chance to object is imminent,” Harrison suggested softly. “A natural opening, should you wish for it.”

“Basset,” Adelaide said through her teeth, her voice barely above a whisper, “if you think I am about to jilt you after all I have done leading up to this moment, you are gravely mistaken. In fact, I have taken the liberty of procuring a ring for you, just as you procured one for me. If I am to be bound to you for the rest of my life shortly, I wish to make it clear that you are just as bound to me. Agreed?”

Harrison was silent for a moment, just as all others in the church were when asked for objections.