Chapter 298: Chapter Two Hundred And Ninety Eight

Upstairs, far away from the barking dog, the packing nursemaid, and the patient husband, was a quiet, completely peaceful sanctuary.

The man of the hour, the groom, was in his master bedroom.

Rowan stood completely still in the center of the large room. The morning sun shone brightly through his windows. He was already fully dressed, but Harrison, his skilled valet, was putting the absolute finishing touches to his formal outfit.

Harrison stood in front of the Duke, carefully adjusting the folds of Rowan’s crisp, snow-white cravat. He smoothed the dark blue, perfectly tailored wool of Rowan’s formal coat. He used a small, soft brush to remove an invisible, tiny piece of lint from the Duke’s broad shoulder.

"There you are, Your Grace," Harrison said softly, taking a step backward and bowing his head respectfully. "You are completely ready."

Rowan turned around slowly. He walked over to the tall, standing mirror in the corner of the room.

He looked at his reflection. His blond hair was combed back neatly. His coat fit him completely flawlessly, making his shoulders look incredibly broad and strong. His white waistcoat was bright, and his leather boots were polished until they shined like glass.

Rowan adjusted his cuffs slightly, pulling the white linen out just a fraction of an inch from the sleeves of his coat. He tilted his head, studying his own face.

A small, highly confident smile touched the corners of hismouth.

"I am quite dashing, am I not?" Rowan asked aloud, turning his head slightly to look at his valet in the mirror.

Harrison did not roll his eyes. He maintained a serious expression, though a small hint of amusement danced in his eyes.

"Very dashing, Your Grace," Harrison replied in a calm, supportive voice. "You are definitely going to make Lady Kingsley’s breath get caught up in her throat the absolute moment she sees you."

Rowan’s confident smile softened instantly into a look of love. The thought of Delaney seeing him, the thought of her smiling at him from the other end of the church aisle, filled his entire chest with a wonderful warmth.

"I certainly hope so, Harrison," Rowan murmured softly.

Rowan turned away from the mirror. He walked over to a small table near his bed.

Resting in the center of the table was a small, dark blue velvet ring box.

Rowan picked up the small box with his large hands. He held it gently. With a very quiet, satisfying click, he opened the lid.

He looked down at the two wedding bands resting on the soft white satin inside. They were completely beautiful, shining brightly in the sunlight. They were made of the finest gold in all of London.

He picked up the big band first. It was thick and large, meant for Rowan’s own large finger. He tilted the ring toward the light. Engraved beautifully on the very inside of the gold circle, where it would touch his skin forever, was her name: Delaney.

He placed it back and picked up the smaller band. It was delicate, smooth, and completely perfect, meant for Delaney’s slim finger. He tilted it, and read the elegant engraving on the inside: Rowan.

Rowan smiled. It was a private smile. He had waited his three years of his life for this day. He had fought through dark secrets and cruel villains, simply to reach this single, perfect moment. Today, she would finally, officially become his wife. They would belong to each other forever.

He shut the velvet box close with a firm snap. He carefully placed the box into the deep inner pocket of his dark blue coat, patting it once to make sure it was completely secure.

Rowan reached into his waistcoat pocket and pulled out his own gold pocket watch. He flipped the cover open.

His brown eyes widened slightly.

"We need to leave, or else we will be late," Rowan murmured to himself, his voice suddenly filling with a sharp, urgent panic.

He closed the watch quickly and put it away. It was highly improper for the groom to arrive at the church late. He had to be standing at the altar before the bride’s carriage even arrived at the front steps.

"Thank you, Harrison," Rowan said quickly, turning on his heel. "I am going downstairs. Please inform the driver to bring the carriage around immediately."

"Right away, Your Grace," Harrison bowed.

Rowan walked out of his master bedroom. He took long, rapid strides down the carpeted hallway. He was eager, excited, and slightly nervous. He reached the top of the grand, sweeping marble staircase and began to walk down.

As he descended the stairs, he looked down at the grand foyer.

He expected to see his family completely ready, standing in a neat, quiet line, waiting for him to lead them to the carriages.

Instead, he saw Aunt Margery holding a barking, unhappy dog wearing a crooked pink ribbon. He saw Mr. Simmons standing stiffly near the door. He saw his brother-in-law, Carcel, checking his watch.

Rowan reached the bottom of the stairs. He stopped on the marble floor. He looked around the large, busy room. He frowned deeply.

He quickly counted the people in the foyer.

Aunt Margery was here. Carcel was here, holding Harry. Edith was here, holding the Harry’s bag. The servants too were here.

He realized immediately that someone very important was missing.

He got down, and everyone is ready except his little sister. Ines was nowhere to be seen.

Rowan let out a very long, highly annoyed sigh. He closed his eyes. He reached up his hand and rubbed his temples in deep exhaustion and heavy frustration. His headache, which had completely vanished when he looked at the rings, suddenly returned in full force.

He stood there in his perfect, dashing wedding clothes, rubbing his head.

"She is already a wife and a mother," Rowan thought to himself, completely irritated. "She manages a massive Duke’s household. But yet, somehow, she is still exactly as late as usual."

He remembered all the times in their youth when he had stood by the door, waiting for Ines to finish fixing her hair or changing her dress for a simple dinner or ball. He had hoped that getting married and having a child would make her more responsible with time. He was completely, entirely wrong.

Rowan dropped his hand from his temple. He opened his eyes. He looked directly up the grand marble staircase, staring at the empty hallway above.

Rowan took a deep breath, filling his broad chest with air.

"INES!!!!" Rowan shouted at the very top of his lungs. "WE MUST MAKE HASTE!!!" His deep voice completely echoed off the marble walls, entirely drowning out the barking poodle.