by C. M. Bryden
Meanwhile, Andrew’s plans to marry Jessie had stalled for the time being. They’d talked it over when Jane first said she was going to divorce Jake, deciding to wait until that was over. With Jake declining to sign the papers it looked as if it could go on for months and months, leaving Andrew disinclined to wait any longer, plus, the delay was depressing Jessie.
Later that particular evening, after they’d made love, Andrew told her it was about time they set a date. It shouldn’t matter to them what Jane and Jake decided to do, it was their marriage and therefore their problem!
A few days later, Jane spent the evening with them where the conversation, as usual turned to her problems and the anti-marriage stance she’d taken to holding, ever since she’d returned from Italy. Up until that moment, Andrew had been patient with her, listening to her talk about her frustrations, mostly with Jake’s refusal to sign the papers, but that evening Andrew totally lost it. He was fed up with always pussy footing around Jane’s feelings, until, quite frankly, he’d had enough, and in no uncertain terms he told her, just because she didn’t like marriage, he and Jessie did, and they were planning to get married in a couple of months, implying she could like it or not!
Looking at Jessie’s anxious face as her father made his rather abrupt statement, and noting the tone of voice he’d used, Jane suddenly realised it was only her selfish and self-centred attitude preventing them from getting married. They’d been supportive of her and since then she’d been taking them for granted; no wonder her father was sounding more than slightly aggrieved with her. It was only when she’d apologised and told them they must get married as soon as possible, that Jessie and her father visibly began to relax.
From then on, it only took Jessie a few days to make the arrangements for her and Andrew to be married. She came from a close-knit family that included an older brother, whom she wanted to give her away; his young daughter she planned on having as her bridesmaid. She wanted Jane as her matron of honour, but Jane shook her head.
’Jessie, I love you very much and I’m flattered you want me next to you as you marry my father, but I have to say no. The reason is there are so few members of my family left I need to be in the church with the old aunts and uncles.
Of course Jessie understood, and so did Andrew, when Jessie told him. He’d asked Jake to be his best man, but he too had declined, saying he would be abroad on business on the date Andrew had given him, which really saved the day, as Andrew wasn’t looking forward to telling Jane if he’d accepted.
Jake did send a rather lovely piece of modern art though, as a wedding gift, a sculpture by Lea Becket, an artist he’d heard Jessie raving about and, along with the gift, he’d sent a promise he would visit them as soon as they returned from their honeymoon.
Andrew decided to live in Jessie’s city flat for the time being, spending weekends and holidays in the country house, until they’d decided where to live permanently, which to some extent would depend on Jane, as she owned half share in the house and might one day want to take it over herself, especially if and when she married again, but that was for the future. In the meantime, Andrew decided they would get married in the old church in his home village, with a reception held afterwards in a marquee in the large garden of the house.
Although they frequently shared a bed in her flat, so far they’d never shared a bed at Andrew’s house; it didn’t seem right somehow to Jessie to share what had once been Isabel’s bed with him until they were married. Ever mindful of how she felt, Andrew had removed all the furniture and redecorated the room, giving her free reign over how it should be furnished and decorated. So the night before the wedding Jessie stayed in a local hotel with her brother and his family, as for Jane, she slept in her old room, in the antique four-poster that had been hers since she’d been ten years old.
Disturbed by the activity in the garden Jane woke early and, as she looked out of her bedroom window, she could see it was going to be a sunny day now the early morning mist had cleared.
The next minute a van pulled up on the drive and soon there was a bevy of men carrying tables and gilt chairs into the marquee, quickly followed by the local florist, his arms full of boxes of flowers and containers that would soon transform the marquee into a grand salon.
By two o’clock the workmen had left, leaving the marquee ready for the caterers to get the food organised. An hour later, the church was already filled with Andrew and Jessie’s families and friends, along with most of the villagers waiting for the wedding to start.
Jane, accompanied by her father and Sir Ernest, was the first to walk through the lych-gate up the path to the church. A minute or so later, Jessie, always punctual, well nearly always, arrived. According to the clock on the bell tower it was exactly three o’clock.
The bride looked radiant, dressed as she was in a traditional cream brocade wedding dress, with its sweetheart neckline, long pointed sleeves with a row of small covered buttons going up the inside of the arm and a train, that fanned out behind her as she walked down the aisle on her brother’s arm, to join her groom, who’d been standing in front of the altar patiently waiting.
Andrew looked resplendent in his morning suit, as he waited. Turning to look at Jessie as she neared to where he was standing, his heart nearly bursting with his love for her.
Jessie looked beautiful; her blonde hair had been styled into a chignon, with a pearl studded headdress and a short veil setting it off perfectly. In her arms she carried a small sheaf of white arum lilies, hand-tied with a cream silk ribbon that trailed elegantly down the front of her dress.
Her one small bridesmaid looked charming, dressed in pale lavender tulle. Her headdress, along with the small posy of silk flowers she carried, had been made in varying shades of pale blue and lilac and, as she followed behind Jessie, there wasn’t a dry eye in the congregation.
Sir Ernest, Andrew’s best man, did his part in the ceremony too, by handing over the matching gold wedding rings to be blessed before they were placed on Jessie and Andrew’s fingers and then later, at the reception, in his role as best man he made a speech that had everyone crying with laughter, but best not repeated here.
It was a lovely family wedding that even in her depressed state Jane had enjoyed. It brought back memories of her marriage to Jake, even though that had been a much simpler affair and in a setting totally different from her fathers. She could still remember how she’d felt when Jake had placed her wedding ring on her finger and the way he’d kissed her ring and looked at her. Now she wore no rings at all. They were locked away, never to see the light of day ever again as far as she was concerned.
Andrew had organised all the entertainment for the reception, as well as the evening entertainment. First of all, a string quartet was to play while they were eating. And then, after the wedding cake had been cut and the speeches and toasts had been made, there was to be a break in the proceedings while the tables were moved aside to allow more room for dancing. At this point, the old aunts and uncles went into the house and rested, while Jane and Jessie changed into dresses more suitable for dancing.
Once the marquee had been transformed into a replica nightclub, with a local man acting as DJ, and a small local band had set up their gear, everyone trooped back to enjoy the rest of the evening.
Andrew and Jessie started off the evening’s entertainment with a waltz, their first as man and wife and, from then on, the evening went with a swing, especially the disco session for the young ones. And then the band started playing a selection of old and favourite songs. To Jane’s surprise, nearly everyone took to the floor and danced until it was time for a late supper.
Just after midnight, Andrew told those that were left, it was time for him and his bride to retire and then, when everyone had gone, except for Jane, they spent their first night in the house in the newly decorated bedroom, heading off early the next day on a honeymoon, that to Jessie was at an unknown destination.
Meanwhile Jake had been working hard back in Italy,
trying to forget Jane. So far, he hadn’t managed it as she was always on his mind.
He’d gone back thinking working with his hands might help. He’d supervised the decoration of some new studios and apartments he and Stefano had had built in the old village houses.
Stefano was now back at work and mostly recovered, but under strict instructions from Laura to rest each afternoon, which of course he didn’t object to obeying, especially if it meant he could spend an hour or more with his wife, who was still his lover.
Jake knew how much his mother hated Jane wanting a divorce. She couldn’t understand why, as they’d seemed so suited to each other, even from the little she’d seen of them, but then, perhaps it was just her mother’s instinct homing in on their body language, more than what they said?
It had been her idea for Jake to stall signing the documents and not immediately returning them as Jane’s lawyer had requested. Her reasoning being, given time, Jane might realise just how much she loved Jake and perhaps then, she might be prepared give their marriage a second chance. After a while, even Laura had to admit it was unlikely Jake would ever see his wife again. But on this count they were both wrong.
Jake, on a fleeting visit, had only been back in London for one day when he just happened to see Jane, arm in arm with the same man he’d seen her with at the airport, crossing Oxford Street. Immediately, his thoughts that she did have another man in tow appeared to be true. He’d stopped and watched as they disappeared into the entrance of a hotel, leaving Jake angry to the point where he wanted to follow them and confront the man in question.
These feelings of anger and jealousy rose up inside Jake to such an extent, he wanted to challenge them to come clean about their relationship; thankfully though, common sense prevailed, leaving him fuming on the opposite side of the street, with Jane ignorant of what he’d thought he’d seen.
The next day he went to see Andrew and, even before he’d asked after Jessie, or the business, he demanded to know whether Jane had a new man in her life, and if so who was he?
Andrew had been taken aback at Jake’s anger, shaking his head, as baffled as he looked and wondering why his soon to be ex son-in-law should think as he did. He could see for himself Jake was extremely angry, even when he’d told him he didn’t think Jane had time to find another man, as she was too busy with her work.
Andrew could see his words were having little or no effect on Jake’s thinking. No matter what he said Jake was still not convinced. His parting words to Andrew were he would continue to refuse to sign the divorce papers, as he was sure Jane had another man in her life and, maybe he should tell his solicitor he wasn’t the unreasonable one in the marriage! It was Jane who was an adulteress!
When Andrew repeated Jake’s comment to Jane later it had left her fuming. As for Jake, by then, he’d taken himself back to Italy leaving Jane was in no doubt his refusal to sign was just because of some perverse reason she didn’t understand. It had nothing to do with his supposed theory she had another man in tow. He just wanted to hold onto her, but why? He obviously didn’t love her, or he wouldn’t have rejected her in front of his mother, stepfather and the other guests when he’d stated he didn’t want children!
It was this single comment Jane had taken as his rejection of her; as for their marriage, from then on it had been doomed.
As for his mother wanting her to have another baby with Jake, as far as Jane was concerned that just wasn’t going to happen!
Jane had decided there would be no more babies for her until she found herself a man who really loved her for herself, not for some ill-gotten material gain.
And, never again would she enter into a marriage of convenience!
Chapter Nineteen
Jane’s oldest friends, Sylvie and Leo, were due to leave their suburban house in Surrey to live in New York for a couple of years. As Leo was to take up a new position as Deputy Head of Finance for the American arm of the company he’d worked for in London. It was a five-year contract to start with, and a wonderful opportunity for him. It was a promotion he’d dreamt of, but there was a downside. Sylvie wasn’t looking forward to leaving her family and friends behind, and especially Jane, who was still not fully recovered from the loss of her baby and the break-up of her marriage. The morning Jake happened to see Jane with Leo had been the last time Sylvie had seen Jane. The three of them had met up for a farewell lunch. As they were all old friends, it was quite natural for Leo to give Jane his arm to hold as they walked along, especially since she’d been so unwell. It was just too bad Jake happened to see Jane laughing up at Leo, as if he’d said something amusing: it was this one action on Leo’s part that resulted in Jake being convinced he was rightly justified in not signing the divorce papers. His attitude being, if he couldn’t have Jane, then no one else would either! Of course it was natural after this for Jake to cast Leo in the role of the baddie, when in fact he was anything but. To Jane, Leo was the brother she’d never had, as well as being her best friend’s husband. Neither was he the type of man she would have ever fallen in love with, but of course Jake didn’t know this. All he knew were the agonies he was experiencing. If he’d known Leo was the love of Sylvie’s life, things might have been different and, if Leo had been at their wedding and had met Jake, perhaps it would all have worked out differently, but really it certainly seemed as though the fates were looking for any way to inflict more pain on him, determined he should pay dearly for his rejection of Jane.
Jake went to see Andrew and Jessie one evening, his first visit since they’d returned from their honeymoon. To his surprise, there had been no mention of Jane at all during the meal, wondering if all was well with her, he casually asked after her. It was Jessie who answered, after giving a warning glance in Andrew’s direction he understood to mean he should keep quiet. Taking her time, and leaning forward, Jessie at first concentrated on pouring more wine into Jake’s glass.
While on honeymoon, she and Andrew had come up with a plan to bring the erstwhile lovers together. They’d agreed they were interfering, but had decided they had no other choice. Whatever they did they were on rocky ground, knowing any plan they thought of had only a small chance of being successful; but what they did know was they needed to get them both in the same place at the same time. Then, if they did love each other, there was a good possibility they would fall into each other’s arms! This had sounded too good to work when they’d first hatched their plan. Being “loved up” themselves and lying on the golden sand of their honeymoon resort, with the sun beating down on them and after they’d drunk several glasses of sangria. It had seemed like a good idea at the time except for the biggest problem? Putting their thoughts into actions would be the hardest part.
Jessie looked up from pouring the wine. ‘Jane’s fine. She’s in love, you know?’
The look on Andrew’s face nearly had her choking on her suppressed laughter.
As for Jake, he said nothing. Jessie had given him the answer he’d been dreading, yet, at the same time the one he’d been expecting, especially after he’d seen Jane with another man.
He felt as though he’d been punched in the stomach, his breath knocked out of him.
Jessie watched Jake’s face at it betrayed his emotions, wondering if he would express his curiosity and ask if she knew who it was Jane was in love with. From his bleak expression it was apparent he didn’t want to know. He looked too upset, but Jessie wasn’t finished, not yet. This was the moment she’d been waiting for.
‘Yes, she’s in love, but the man she’s in love with has a problem.’
At this, Jake jerked his head up and stared at her intently; convinced she was going to name the man he’d seen her with.
‘What sort of problem?’ He asked, but Jessie remained tantalisingly silent.
She waited for a moment longer and then looked across at Andrew who was sitting hunched in his seat, waiting for Jake to explode with anger.
’The man she’s in love with doesn’t know how to tell he
r he loves her!
He finds it hard to say those three little words that mean so much to a woman?’
Jake looked stunned. ‘What do you mean? Who is the man Jessie? Tell me!’
‘Jake, it’s you! You are an idiot! You’re the man she loves, but do you love her?’
‘Jessie, I not only love her, I adore her.’ He snapped back.
‘Am I going mad?’ He asked Andrew who by now was wondering if Jessie had gone too far!
‘I can’t answer that!’ He said.
Jessie laughed. ‘So why didn’t you tell her then?’
But Jake couldn’t answer. He hung his head in embarrassment as the colour crept up his neck and into his face. After a few moments he looked up, turning from one to the other, his look lingering on Andrew, hoping to see some sign of support from a fellow male, but Andrew gave him no sign at all as to how he could extricate himself from further humiliation at Jessie’s hand.
Andrew’s refusal to help was apparent, it signalled to Jake this was one project where he was on his own. This was his problem. Andrew could see Jake had kept his emotions locked up inside him for so long that opening up to anyone was going to be difficult. Taking pity on him at last, Andrew smiled, an encouraging smile. It was just a small sign, but it showed male solidarity and, thankfully, it was all Jake needed. Before he knew what was happening he was talking to them both, blurting out his angst.