by Sk Quinn
When we last left Seraphina and Patrick in Bed of Ice …
In the grounds of Mansfield Castle, Patrick asked Seraphina to marry him. And of course, Seraphina said yes.
But Seraphina knows there are still challenges ahead.
Grandma May says that Anise and Bertie are lost. And that Anise still loves Regan Thornburn – the man who kidnapped her and Bertie.
And Bertie’s grandfather, Dirk Mansfield, continues to plot and scheme in prison. He wants to stop Bertie testifying against him. At all costs …
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1
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful ring in my life.
The sapphire sparkles like blue fire.
I turn it under the sun, unable to take my eyes off it.
My engagement ring. My engagement ring.
I’ve never been one of those girls who dreamed about their wedding. In fact, I was never even sure I’d get married. I thought maybe I wouldn’t fall in love. That I’m just too headstrong to be anyone’s wife.
Yet here I am. Standing in Patrick’s long shadow. Giggling like a schoolgirl at this huge jewel on my finger.
Patrick takes my hand and smiles at the ring. ‘It suits you. Being my wife will suit you too.’ His smile broadens.
‘Oh will it now?’
‘Perfectly.’ He’s still staring at my fingers, a big grin on his face. ‘You’re going to be my wife.’ He lets out a short, joy-filled laugh. ‘My wife.’
‘I’m glad that makes you happy.’
‘Happy isn’t the word for it. I’m ecstatic. I’m overjoyed. I’m, I’m … complete.’
‘I’ve never known you trip over your words before.’
‘You’ve never known me after I’ve just proposed.’
‘Is this something you do often?’ I tease.
‘No.’ His face becomes serious. ‘Only ever once. And if you’d have said no …’
‘I was never going to say no.’
‘But if you had.’ He frowns at the grass.
‘I thought you knew everything about me Patrick. Surely you knew already that I’d say yes.’
Patrick smiles a little. ‘I had an idea you might.’
‘So you weren’t certain?’
‘I … I was fairly certain. But you’ve been known to be stubborn. To pull in the wrong direction …’
‘Not this time, Patrick. This time I listened to my heart.’
‘And it steered you right.’
I start to giggle.
‘I hope that’s a happy laugh, Miss Harper.’
‘It is.’
‘What’s so funny?’
‘I don’t know,’ I say. ‘I suppose this is just all so crazy.’
‘So us getting married is crazy, is it?’ Patrick raises his eyebrow.
‘A little bit.
‘You know I’m serious don’t you?’
I stop giggling then. ‘Yes,’ I say. Then I feel myself frown. ‘Except … Patrick, you haven’t met all my family yet. What if you change your mind when—’
Patrick cuts me off by pressing a finger to my lips. ‘I won’t change my mind. You’ll be my Lady Mansfield. And I will be the best husband there ever was.’
I feel a jolt in my stomach. ‘Lady Mansfield?’
‘I’m a Lord. So you’ll be Lady Mansfield.’
‘I will?’ I say, totally serious now. My mouth feels dry.
‘Yes. You will.’
‘Oh no, no, no. Patrick, that just doesn’t work. I’m hardly to the manor born. This is me we’re talking about. Couldn’t we just skip the title?’
‘There’s no way around it,’ says Patrick. ‘If you marry a Lord you become a Lady.’
I gulp. ‘Wow.’
‘Don’t worry.’ Patrick kisses my head. ‘There’ll be lots of staff to assist you. People to help you dress.’
‘Help me dress? I learned how to do that a long time ago …’
‘Trust me. You’ll need help. As Lady Mansfield you’ll be invited to dozens of events each year. The Burns Night celebrations. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Ascot … they all have different dress codes. Knowing what to wear is a full time job.’
‘Patrick, I don’t think—’
‘Exactly right.’ He pulls me into his arms. ‘Don’t think.’
I laugh against his chest. ‘You don’t want me to think now?’
‘Not about your duties as a Lady. There’ll be plenty of people to do the thinking for you.’
I chew my lip. ‘I think I might disappoint you. What if I’m just not Lady material?’
‘You might not have noticed, but I’m not exactly Lord material myself. I prefer the woods to all that royal pomp and ceremony any day.’
‘Royal? Are you friends with the Queen or something?’
‘I am indeed,’ says Patrick. ‘She’s a wonderful woman.’
I realise he’s serious. My mouth drops open. ‘You’ve really met the Queen? And the royal family?’
‘Many times. I go to all the royal weddings.’
‘Does that mean I’ll have to go to royal weddings too?’ I squeak.
‘Of course.’
‘And you’ve met the Queen …’ I breathe, feeling a little dizzy.
‘You’ll meet her too,’ says Patrick. ‘One day.’
‘Oh no, no, no,’ I say, all flustered. ‘I could never … I mean, I wouldn’t know what to say. What to wear … Patrick, this is all … I mean, are you sure this is a good idea?’
‘The best idea I ever had,’ said Patrick. ‘Now let’s go inside. You have a wedding to plan.’
‘A wedding to plan? Right now?’
‘Seraphina.’ Patrick’s voice softens. ‘My grandmother won’t live much longer.’
‘Don’t say that. She could have years left—’
Patrick shakes his head. ‘No. She only has a few weeks left. I know it. So does she.’
‘Oh Patrick.’ I feel tears prickle. ‘I love May. I can’t stand the thought of losing her.’
‘She’s ready to go. But she wants to see us marry first. If we delay, she could miss it.’
‘Then you’re right,’ I say. ‘We should marry as soon as possible.’
‘You know I’d marry you today if I could,’ says Patrick.
‘You would?’
‘Yes. I want you to be my wife as soon as humanly possible.’
I have a nice little shiver at the word ‘wife’.
‘Now come along with you, Miss Harper,’ Patrick continues. ‘As I said before, you have a wedding to plan.’
‘Don’t you mean we have a wedding to plan?’ I say.
‘At the risk of seeing that temper of yours,’ says Patrick, ‘I always thought weddings were for women. What do I know about all that flowers and favours nonsense?’
‘About as much as me,’ I say. ‘Maybe we can learn together.’
‘Deal,’ says Patrick, taking my hand. ‘Now. Maybe we should start practising for the wedding night ...’
‘Oh!’ I slap his arm.
He laughs.
We walk back across the lawn.
‘I need to make a few calls when we get inside,’ says Patrick. ‘Talk to the people handling our official engagements and events. Make sure the wedding is done properly.’
‘Alread
y?’
‘The Mansfield family has lived in Scotland for generations. Our weddings are big events. It’s important things are done the right way.’
‘Meaning?’
‘Meaning we won’t be getting married in the town registry office. The people around here will be expecting a big affair. Something memorable to welcome their new Lady Mansfield. And we won’t let them down.’
Oh good god. My knees feel all weak. What have I got myself into?
2
‘Patrick,’ I say, taking a deep breath. ‘You do know who you’re marrying, right?’
‘I am very, very clear about whom I’m marrying,’ says Patrick, smiling down at me.
I glance at the beautiful engagement ring. ‘I’m new to all this. It scares the shit out of me, thinking about having a memorable wedding. I mean … I really would just get married in the town registry office. In jeans and a t-shirt or something.’
Patrick laughs. ‘Jeans and a t-shirt? It’s a nice thought, but you might feel a bit out of place at St Mary’s Cathedral.’
‘Cathedral?’
‘The biggest cathedral in Edinburgh, to be specific. That’s where the Mansfields marry.’
‘We can’t get married in the local pub then?’ It’s sort of a joke. But in a way, it sort of isn’t. I’d be happy to marry somewhere casual like that.
‘The Mansfields are a powerful family,’ says Patrick. ‘And with that power comes responsibility. We have to give back. Which means giving the people a big celebration.’ He puts his hands on my shoulders. ‘But listen. You don’t need to worry about a thing. Okay? I have staff who’ll sort everything out. They do these events in their sleep. Hugo has styled the royal family. He knows what he’s doing.’
‘Hugo? Who’s Hugo?’
‘The family stylist and events co-ordinator. And the man who’ll help you find a wedding gown.’
Oh good god. I really think I’m going to faint.
‘Come on,’ says Patrick, taking my hand. ‘Let’s go back and tell the castle the good news. You’ll be the most beautiful bride there ever was. And after the wedding, we’re going to have the most beautiful marriage there ever was. Okay?’
The warmth of his hand makes me feel a little better. But just a little.
‘Okay,’ I gulp. ‘Just never let go of my hand. From now until the wedding day.’
But Patrick does let go of my hand. When we get back to the castle, Patrick tells me he needs to see Rab in the office. So I tell him I’m going to see Bertie.
I find Bertie in the great hall, a mug of steaming milk in his hands.
‘Hey Bertie,’ I say, taking a seat next to him.
Bertie doesn’t say anything.
I feel frightened. Because this is different from before. When I first met Bertie he was angry. Which at least was something. Now he’s just sort of … empty.
His eyes are dull and glassy. Like he’s been body-snatched.
I desperately want to hug him. But I don’t do that. I just sit. And together we watch the wall.
Vicky brings me a big mug of hot chocolate with whipped cream on top, and we share sad smiles.
After the hot chocolate and Bertie’s milk are gone, Bertie starts swinging his legs back and forth – kick, kick, kick at the table so our mugs rattle.
Usually I’d tell a child off for doing that.
But I’m not going to do that now. Bertie has a lot of things to work through. A lot of things. So does Anise for that matter.
God, it’s all such a mess.
Right now, I have no idea how to clean it up. So my plan is to just be with Bertie. And hope something shows me the way.
3
I spend the rest of the day shadowing Bertie, following him up to his bedroom and back down to the garden.
He heads into the woods at one point – which I’m pleased about. But he doesn’t really seem to be looking at the beautiful trees and mountains. More seeing through them.
Eventually, dusk settles and Bertie heads into the great hall.
He goes up to the counter where Vicky is rolling out pastry and says: ‘Milk please.’
I feel a little glow in my chest. He hasn’t stopped talking.
‘Bertie,’ I say. ‘Would you like some liquorice?’
He doesn’t look at me. Just shakes his head.
Okay. So talking … but not to me.
And we’re back to milk and liquorice again.
I watch as Bertie slowly slurps his milk.
When he’s finished, he goes up to his bedroom. After using the toilet, he silently dresses in pyjamas and climbs under the bedclothes.
‘Are you sure you want to go to bed?’ I ask him. ‘It’s pretty early. You could definitely stay up a few more hours if you want.’
He turns away from me and snaps off the bedside light. Then he wriggles under the covers.
‘How about a story then?’ I ask. ‘Just William?’
Bertie doesn’t say anything. He just stares at the ceiling.
I pick up Just William and begin to read.
I read the whole book.
Bertie doesn’t say a word. Or move a muscle. He just lies there staring at the ceiling.
When I finally finish the book, I say goodnight.
Bertie doesn’t reply.
His eyes are as cold as ever.
I have a headache as I leave Bertie’s bedroom.
God, this is scary.
Please, please God don’t let me have lost him.
As I’m walking away, I think about May in the tower. She said she wasn’t feeling well this morning. I should check on her.
I head up the steps and knock on her bedroom door.
‘Come in, Sera my dear,’ says May.
I smile as I push the door open. ‘How did you know it was me?’
‘I spend a lot of time listening,’ says May, sitting up in bed. ‘You’d be amazed how much you can pick up just by paying attention.’
‘Is that how Patrick does it?’ I ask. ‘He always seems to know everything too.’
‘In a way,’ says May, with a quiet smile. ‘Patrick is a man of instinct. He listens to his heart. And when you do that, you’re rarely steered wrong.’ Her smile grows and she looks at the sparkling ring on my finger. ‘I’m glad you said yes. You’ll make a beautiful bride.’
I clutch the ring. ‘I love Patrick. There was no other answer I’d give.’
‘But?’
I laugh and sit on the bed. ‘You really can read minds, can’t you? You and Patrick are so alike.’ I sigh. ‘I guess I didn’t think about being Lady Mansfield. It’s bad enough I’m moving into this whole world I don’t understand. But to have to play a role in it … I’m scared I’ll let people down. And this big wedding … what if I’m not the bride people expect me to be?’
‘Details, details,’ says May, waving her hand. ‘What do they matter when you’re in love?’
‘They matter a lot,’ I insist. ‘It’s Patrick I want to marry. Not the people of Scotland. God – that didn’t come out right. I don’t mean … I just think I might be a terrible disappointment. They’ll be expecting a lady. And I’m some girl in handmade clothes who swears and doesn’t know what knives and forks to use.’
‘You’re every bit a lady,’ says May. ‘Through and through. Your goodness shines out of you. You can’t hide it. And as for dress and other refinements … well, they can be learned.’
‘Learned?’
‘Patrick won’t throw you to the wolves. There’ll be all sorts of people on hand to help you prepare for the wedding.’
‘I think I’ll need an army.’
May laughs. ‘Nonsense. You’ll need one person. Hugo Paul. And I’m willing to bet that Patrick will be calling him today. If he hasn’t already.’
‘He mentioned someone called Hugo. He said he’d help me with my wedding gown.’
‘Indeed. He’s an exceptional stylist. Royal weddings, charity balls … you name it, he’s styled the guests of honour.
And he’s been a friend of the family for years. We trust him completely.’ She puts a papery hand over mine. ‘Do you know, he helped me plan my ruby wedding anniversary. It was quite the event. Princess Geraldine was in attendance.’
I nod, feeling a little sick.
‘Oh come, come my dear.’ May squeezes my hand. ‘There’s no need to feel nervous. You were born to this. Truly.’
‘But that’s just the thing,’ I say. ‘I really wasn’t born to it.’
‘Yes you were,’ May insists. ‘You’ll see. It’ll all fall into place.’
‘What if I say the wrong thing and embarrass Patrick in front of someone important? Or choose the wrong thing to wear?’
‘That’s where Hugo will help,’ says May. ‘He’ll dress you for every function from now on.’
‘I’m just so nervous. Patrick was talking about marrying in a big cathedral—’
‘Yes of course,’ says May. ‘St Mary’s Cathedral. And you must marry there. It’s where all the Mansfields marry. That’s what the people will be expecting. And we mustn’t disappoint them.’
‘That’s exactly what I’m worried about.’
‘You love Patrick. That’s the only assurance you need to get married. It’s certainly more than I had when I got married.’
‘Really?’
‘Oh yes. When my husband and I married, I’d only met him a handful of times. He always seemed like quite a severe fellow to me. Very ordered and serious. Always in a spotless brown suit and matching hat. And frowning at us silly girls chatting and playing cards.’
I smile. ‘So how did you end up getting married?’
‘Our parents arranged it,’ says May. ‘It happened a lot in those days. And back then, we were less romantic than you girls are today. If a man had a good name and you could rub along with him reasonably well, that was enough.
‘Of course, I had no idea Duncan and I would rub along. I was a little afraid of him at first, to tell the truth. But he turned out to be soft underneath. I could wrap him around my little finger. And he loved me to death. Well – we loved each other. Not straight away, of course. It took time.’
‘You must have been nervous,’ I say. ‘Before your wedding.’
‘Terrified,’ May laughs. ‘They could hardly button up my wedding dress, I was shaking so much. And then Duncan could hardly unbutton it – he was shaking so much. It was his first time, of course. Both of us just eighteen.’ She gazes out of the window. ‘People say they wish they were eighteen again. But I don’t miss it. I’m glad to have lived my life. Seen all the things I’ve seen. There’s only one thing I’m waiting for. My favourite grandson to marry. When I see your wedding, I’ll be ready to go.’