Chapter 302: Chapter Three Hundred And Two

The footmen grabbed the brass handles and pulled the heavy doors completely wide open.

A massive rush of bright, warm sunlight flooded the entryway.

As soon as the doors opened, a loud, overwhelming roar of happy cheers erupted from the outside. The hundreds of guests had already exited the church through the side doors and were gathered thickly on the stone steps and the cobblestone street.

Rowan and Delaney stepped out into the bright daylight.

Instantly, a beautiful, colorful shower of soft flower petals rained down upon them.

The guests were laughing and cheering boisterously. They threw handfuls of bright pink, dark red, and pure white rose petals high into the air. The delicate petals fluttered down like sweet, highly fragrant snow. They landed on Rowan’s coat and caught beautifully in the folds of Delaney’s ivory silk dress.

The sweet, rich smell of the crushed roses filled the air completely.

Delaney laughed aloud. She raised her free hand slightly to block a sudden shower of pink petals from hitting her face, but she did not stop smiling. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Rowan kept her close to his side. He raised his hand to gently brush a single white petal out of her dark hair. He looked deeply proud and happy.

They walked slowly down the stone steps of the church, moving through the cheering crowd.

When they reached the bottom of the steps, Delaney stopped walking. Her breath hitched suddenly in her throat. Her hazel eyes widened in amazement.

Waiting for them on the cobblestone street was the most beautiful carriage she had ever seen in her entire life.

It was a grand Barouche carriage. The Barouche was a highly expensive, open-top carriage, designed specifically for pleasant weather and public viewing.

But it was the decorations that made it completely spectacular.

The entire carriage was beautifully, carefully decorated with hundreds of fresh white flowers. Thick, woven garlands of white lilies, soft white roses, and green ivy were wrapped completely around the wooden doors and the high wheels. Long white silk ribbons fluttered gently in the gentle morning breeze.

Strapped firmly to the grand carriage were four incredibly majestic, pure white horses. Their coats were brushed until they shined in the sun, and they wore dark leather harnesses decorated with polished silver buckles.

The carriage driver, wearing the crisp, formal uniform of the Hamilton household, stood near the front horses.

He was gently patting the white mane of the lead horse to keep the animal calm amidst the loud cheering of the crowd.

"Steady now, boy. Steady," the driver murmured softly to the horse, stroking its strong neck.

When he saw the Duke and the new Duchess approaching, the driver stopped patting the horse. He quickly removed his tall hat and bowed very deeply at the waist.

"Congratulations, Your Grace!Congratulations, my lady!" the driver said loudly, a wide, genuine smile on his face.

"Thank you, Elias," Rowan replied warmly.

Rowan walked Delaney directly to the side of the beautiful, flower-covered Barouche carriage.

He let go of her arm. He turned to face her.

Rowan reached out and placed his hands firmly on her waist. The carriage steps were slightly high, and her silk skirts were very wide. He did not want her to struggle or trip on her special day.

"Allow me," Rowan offered softly.

With absolute ease and care, Rowan lifted her slightly. He helped Delaney step safely up into the carriage. She settled comfortably onto the soft, dark blue velvet seats. She carefully arranged her wide silk skirts around her legs, making sure the delicate seed pearls were not crushed.

Rowan stepped up quickly and followed her inside shortly. He sat down right beside her on the velvet seat. He did not sit on the opposite side. He wanted to be as close to her as society would possibly allow in an open carriage.

A footman stepped forward and closed the low wooden door of the carriage with a soft click.

Rowan turned to the driver.

"To Hamilton House, Elias," Rowan instructed clearly. "And please, take the longer route through the main streets. The weather is too beautiful to rush."

"Right away, Your Grace," the driver nodded happily.

He put his hat back on and climbed quickly up into the high driver’s seat. He picked up the leather reins. He gave the reins a gentle flick.

"Walk on!" the driver called out.

The four white horses began to step forward.

The Barouche carriage moved smoothly away from the church, leaving the loud, cheering wedding guests behind.

As the open carriage drove slowly through the busy, bustling streets of London, a wonderful thing happened.

The common people of the city—the busy shopkeepers, the walking merchants, and the running children—stopped what they were doing. They saw the grand, flower-covered carriage and the four white horses. They saw the Duke and his incredibly beautiful bride in her white silk dress.

The news of the grand wedding had spread through the city all week. The people knew exactly who they were.

"It is the Duke of Ford!" a baker shouted from the doorway of his shop, waving a white flour-covered towel in the air. "God bless you both!"

"Hooray for the new Duchess!" a group of young children cheered loudly, running along the stone sidewalk beside the carriage, waving their small hands happily.

Delaney was completely amazed. She raised her white-gloved hand. She waved happily at the cheering children. She offered a bright, warm smile to the shouting baker and the waving shopkeepers.

Rowan sat closely beside her. He raised his own hand, waving politely to the passing crowds. He performed his public duty perfectly, but his attention was truly focused entirely on the woman sitting next to him.

He watched her happy face. He saw the genuine delight in her hazel eyes as she waved to a small girl holding a wooden doll.

Rowan reached over. He found her left hand resting on the velvet seat. He gently took her hand in his. He felt the gold of her new wedding ring against his palm. He laced his fingers tightly with hers.

Delaney turned her head. She looked away from the cheering crowds and looked directly at him.

"You did this," Delaney whispered softly, her voice carrying only to his ears over the noise of the street. "You ordered this beautiful carriage. You ordered the white flowers. You wanted everyone to see us."

Rowan smiled. It was a slightly arrogant, incredibly handsome smile.

"I did," Rowan confessed honestly, lifting her hand and pressing a warm kiss to her gloved knuckles. "I wanted the entire world to see how completely happy I am. I wanted everyone in London to know that you are my wife. I am entirely too proud to hide you in a closed carriage."

Delaney felt her heart swell with love. She leaned her shoulder gently against his arm, completely ignoring the people watching them from the sidewalks.

"It is exactly like a scene in a novel, Rowan," Delaney sighed happily, resting her head against him.

"It is real life, my love," Rowan corrected her gently, wrapping his arm securely around her waist to pull her even closer. "And it is only the very beginning."

They sat together in comfortable silence as the Barouche carriage continued its slow, beautiful journey. They enjoyed the bright sunshine, the sweet smell of the white lilies, and the happy cheers of the city.

Finally, the carriage turned onto the wide, familiar streets of Mayfair.

In the distance, the grand, imposing structure of Hamilton House came completely into view. The large iron gates were wide open. The front of the massive mansion was decorated beautifully with hundreds of white ribbons and green wreaths.

The staff was standing outside, completely ready to welcome their new Duchess home.

Their destination for the grand wedding reception had arrived.

The carriage pulled smoothly into the circular driveway. Delaney sat up straight, holding Rowan’s hand tightly. The church ceremony was completely finished. The vows were spoken. Now, it’s time to wine and dine with everyone.