"I will," Delaney replied clearly. Her voice was steady, sweet, and completely confident.

The vicar smiled kindly. He closed the large book slightly, resting his hands on the cover.

"Before we proceed to the giving of the rings," the vicar spoke softly, altering the strict ceremony just slightly to allow for a deeply personal moment. "The Duke has requested a brief moment to speak directly to his bride."

A soft murmur of pleasant surprise rippled through the seated guests. Personal vows were highly unusual in a proper of that era wedding, but the Duke of Hamilton was a very powerful man, and he made his own rules.

Rowan completely turned his body to fully face Delaney. He reached out his left hand and took her other hand, holding both of her hands firmly in his. He gently pulled her just an inch closer.

He looked down at her face, visible through the soft mist of the lace veil. His eyes were entirely serious, completely open, and deeply vulnerable.

"Delaney," Rowan spoke. His voice was lower now, meant mostly for her, though the quiet church allowed his words to carry to the front pews.

"For so many years, you were entirely alone," Rowan began softly, his thumbs gently rubbing the backs of her gloved hands. "You were kept in the dark, and you were forced to carry a terrible, heavy burden all by yourself."

Aunt Margery sniffled loudly from the front pew, pressing her handkerchief completely against her face. Ines smiled softly, a single tear rolling down her cheek.

"I cannot change the pain of your past," Rowan continued, his voice thick with heavy, honest emotion. "But I make this absolute promise to you today, before God and everyone in this room. You will never, ever be lonely again."

Delaney’s breath hitched in her throat. Her hazel eyes filled with bright, happy tears.

"I will always stand by your side," Rowan promised fiercely, his grip on her hands tightening slightly. "I will protect you with my very life. And I will give you a true, happy family of our own. A family filled with light, laughter, and absolute safety. I am entirely yours, completely and forever."

He finished his vow. He stood perfectly still, looking at her with a profound, endless devotion.

Delaney swallowed hard, trying to push past the massive lump of happy emotion in her throat. She looked at the handsome, wonderful man standing before her. She took a slow, deep breath.

"Rowan," Delaney spoke. Her voice trembled just a tiny bit at first, but it quickly grew completely steady and strong.

"When I first met you," Delaney said softly, " You vexed me, everytime, everyday. When I try to hide from the world, you did not look away from me. You saw me. You treated me with deep kindness, even when I was just your employee."

Rowan’s eyes softened completely.

"You gave me back my voice," Delaney continued, her tears spilling over and rolling slowly down her cheeks beneath the veil. "You gave me back my true name, and you gave me back my life. I promise you today, I will spend the rest of my life showing you my absolute gratitude."

She squeezed his large hands tightly.

"I promise to love you, truly and deeply, every single day," Delaney vowed softly. "I promise to cherish your heart and honor your name. I will stand beside you in times of joy, and in times of trouble. I will always, always be your absolute biggest supporter."

She smiled a watery, completely beautiful smile.

"I am entirely yours, completely and forever," Delaney finished, echoing his exact words.

A collective, quiet sigh of deep romantic appreciation swept through the seated guests. Several older lords discreetly cleared their throats, while their wives openly wiped their eyes.

The vicar stepped forward again. He smiled warmly at the deeply emotional couple.

"The rings, please," the vicar requested softly.

Rowan let go of Delaney’s left hand. He reached into the deep inner pocket of his dark blue coat. He pulled out the small velvet box. With a soft click, he opened the lid.

He used his fingers to carefully lift out the smaller, delicate gold band. The ring with his own name engraved inside.

He handed the empty velvet box to his brother-in-law, Carcel, who stepped forward quickly from the front pew to take it.

Rowan took Delaney’s left hand again. He gently pulled her white silk glove off her hand, handing the soft fabric to Aunt Renee.

Delaney’s bare fingers were finally exposed.

Rowan held the small gold ring between his thumb and forefinger. He looked directly into her eyes.

"With this Ring I thee wed," Rowan spoke the formal words clearly. "With my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow."

He gently, carefully slid the cool gold band onto the fourth finger of her left hand. It fit perfectly.

Then, it was Delaney’s turn.

Rowan pulled off his own white glove. Carcel handed the larger gold band to Delaney.

Delaney held the gold ring. She looked at his large, strong hand.

"With this Ring I thee wed," Delaney repeated softly, her voice steady and clear. "With my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow."

She slowly pushed the large gold band onto Rowan’s finger. She felt the warmth of his skin. The gold settled perfectly into place.

They stood together, their bare hands joined firmly. They wore the matching gold rings, a permanent, visible symbol of their bond.

The vicar smiled broadly. He raised his hands high into the air, completely over their joined hands.

"Those whom God hath joined together," the vicar proclaimed in a loud, echoing voice, "let no man put asunder."

He turned to face the vast congregation.

"Forasmuch as Rowan and Delaney have consented together in holy wedlock," the vicar announced clearly, "and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of Rings, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be Man and Wife together."

The entire church seemed to let out a massive, joyful breath at the very same time.

The ceremony was completely finished. The sacred vows were spoken.

Rowan did not wait for any further instructions.

He turned to Delaney. He reached up with both of his large hands. Very gently, very carefully, he took hold of the edges of the thin white lace veil covering her face.

He slowly lifted the veil up. He pushed the sheer fabric completely back over her dark hair, finally revealing her beautiful face to him clearly.

Her cheeks were pink, her hazel eyes were wet with happy tears, and she wore a smile of joy.

Rowan smiled back. His face was filled with uncontained happiness.

He leaned his head down. He placed his hands gently on her waist. He completely closed the small distance between them.

Right there in front of the altar, in front of the vicar, their aunts, his sister, and the entire high society of London, Rowan kissed his new wife.

It was a slow, deep,tender kiss. He did not rush it. He kissed her with absolute reverence, sealing their vows completely.

Delaney closed her eyes. She leaned entirely into his strong embrace, kissing him back softly. She felt entirely loved, and perfectly at peace.

When they finally broke the kiss, a massive wave of loud, happy applause erupted from the wooden pews. The guests clapped enthusiastically. Aunt Margery cheered loudly, and Ines bounced baby Harry happily in the air.

The grand pipe organ instantly began playing a loud, fast, incredibly joyous song of celebration.