Nigel, however, didn’t realize any of that as he sat brooding at the back of the church. He’d stood on the pew when he first arrived since he couldn’t see over the sea of people in the church to make note where the Granger family was seated, but failed to see Ginny anywhere. He hadn’t seen that ruffian who almost broke his nose, either. He hoped they hadn’t done something preposterous like eloped.
Now he’d have to sit through two of these brainless country folk getting married before he could insist Ginny leave with him. Actually, he had in mind for the pastor to marry them since he wouldn’t be able to leave until the following day when the stage came through town. The livery refused to rent him a sleigh and he didn’t have a driver even if he could rent a conveyance. Nigel had never ridden on the back of a horse in his life and had no idea how to handle one even if he was so inclined to get near the smelly beasts.
He grew impatient to make Ginny his own, even if she seemed a little unwilling. Lost in thoughts of his betrothed and unable to see over the heads of those in front of him, Nigel closed his eyes and decided to take a quick snooze while the wedding commenced.
“Word around town has it there’s a wedding about to take place,” Luke said, teasing Blake as he stepped beside him at the front of the church.
“As soon as the bride makes an appearance,” Blake said, glancing at the watch he pulled out of the pocket of his festive red vest. Dressed in one of the suits he wore when he visited his parents at their estate outside London, he looked every bit as dashing as his proper title implied.
A black formal tailcoat topped the vest. The tips of his white shirt collar stood above a silk ascot, held in place with a pearl tie tack. Fine black trousers completed the outfit, making him look noble and extremely handsome.
“We probably need to hurry things along before Nigel figures out what we’re up to,” Luke suggested, glancing to the back of the church where Nigel appeared to be sleeping, seemingly ignorant to what was taking place around him.
“My thoughts exactly. I don’t suppose you have a back-up plan if he objects?”
“I’ve got an idea or two. The sheriff is aware of the situation,” Luke said, catching the sheriff’s eye and tipping his head toward the direction of Nigel. The sheriff nodded and leaned back in the pew with a knowing look.
“What’s taking the girls so long? Wasn’t Ginny wearing the dress she got from Abby?” Blake stared at the back door of the church, willing Ginny to breeze through it. “I assume hiding it was the reason she left on that cloak.”
“I thought you were trying not to look at her.”
“Guess I couldn’t help myself.” Blake shrugged his shoulders before checking his watch again.
Luke stared at his soon-to-be brother-in-law then thumped him on the back. “You’re not in a hurry to marry my sister, are you?”
“As a matter of fact, I am,” Blake said, smiling at Luke. “Nigel’s timing is perfect. I really was planning to propose to your sister tonight. Provided she agreed to have me, I hoped to have a short engagement. Nigel’s empty threats provided me with a most splendid reason to propose and wed in the same day.”
“You mean you don’t think Nigel could snatch Ginny away if he wanted?” Luke asked, chuckling at the thought of the small, seemingly frail little man trying to cart off his feisty sister.
“Not unless she went willingly,” Blake said, thinking about the spitfire he was about to wed. “I’d place my bets on her if push came to shove.”
Luke laughed and turned as the back door to the church opened. “Hopefully, we can see you two wed before any pushing or shoving is needed.”
Chapter Twenty
Abby stuck her head inside the church and glanced around. Making eye contact with her husband, she nodded her head and smiled. She, along with Filly, Greg, Dora, and Ginny went out the back door after helping the anxious bride make final preparations to her appearance.
They now all stood outside on the church step, freezing in the chilly night air.
“Looks like the girls are ready,” Chauncy said, picking up his Bible and motioning Luke and Blake to take their places beside him.
The three of them stood waiting, watching, while Abby came down the aisle with Dora following close behind. Erin sat with Mrs. Kellogg, waiting for her mother to return. Seating themselves in the front pew, both women smiled at Blake reassuringly.
Filly walked down the aisle next in a green taffeta gown trimmed with a wide border of lace. Her holly green eyes glowed brightly as she looked at Luke, recalling their own wedding day. Standing across from her husband, she offered him a private smile before turning her attention to the back of the church.
Ginny entered on her father’s arm. The moment Blake looked at her, he felt his heart trip in his chest and his breath catch.
She floated toward him wearing some shimmering white creation that caught the soft light from the candles and reflected it along the bodice and skirt of her gown. Golden curls piled on top of her head held up her long veil.
Through the sheer fabric covering her face, Blake could see the hint of her smile, along with the blue of her eyes as she approached him. It was hard for him to believe she would soon be his. After all the heartache, after ten years of wanting, she would finally be his wife.
Greg lifted Ginny’s hand from his arm and placed it on Blake’s, giving them both an approving smile.
One of the most attractive men she’d ever laid eyes on, Ginny tried in vain not to stare at her soon-to-be husband. She’d never seen him dressed so formally and the sight of his expensive, finely tailored attire made her wonder if the rumors about his family being titled were true. He certainly carried himself like a prince as he looked at her with love filling the depths of his hazel eyes.
The feel of his arm beneath her hand made tingles work their way up to her head and down to her toes.
Regretting the circumstances that forced their hasty wedding, she’d never, ever regret their marriage. She’d wanted to belong to Blake since she was fifteen years old. In a few minutes, she would be his wife. Forever and always.
Chauncy smiled, nodding his head to them both before beginning the ceremony. His strong voice carried throughout the church as he went through the traditional words of joining them as man and wife. He was just getting to the portion of the ceremony where he would ask Blake if he had a ring to present to his bride when the door to the church burst open, bringing in a blast of cold air and a swirl of snow.
A collective gasp arose when a stately couple walked down the aisle, going straight to Blake.
“Mum! Dad! I didn’t think you were going to make it,” Blake said, kissing his mother’s cheek and shaking his father’s hand.
“Well, you didn’t give us much notice, my boy,” Robert Stratton said, removing his wife’s coat, then his own. “We left as quickly as we received your telegram, but it takes a few weeks to cross an ocean and then a country. We missed the stage and had to rent a sleigh, but here we are.”
“Yes, sir,” Blake said, elated his parents arrived before the end of the ceremony. He’d invited them to come for the holidays months ago, but they hadn’t committed either way. When he wrote saying Ginny was back in town, he knew they’d come. He was certain of the fact when he sent a telegram a month ago letting them know he intended to propose Christmas Eve.
If he hadn’t been trying to complete the ceremony before Nigel could interrupt it, he would have insisted they wait until his parents arrived before beginning the recitation of their vows. “I’m so glad you both are here.”
“We are, too, dear,” Sarah Stratton said in her soft, comforting voice, patting Blake’s arm then taking her husband’s hand.
“Before you finish this wedding, you might want a little something your mother brought along,” Robert said, grinning at his son.
Ginny realized Blake got his wonderful smile from his father and his humble spirit from his mother.
Blake grinned at Sarah and held out his hand, knowing what s
he would place there. Taking the ring that had belonged to his grandmother into his fingers, he nodded at his parents as they took a seat beside Greg and Dora.
Chauncy resumed the ceremony.
With tender care, Blake slipped the ring onto Ginny’s finger, pleased the diamond and sapphire setting fit perfectly.
Finishing the ceremony, Abby, Dora and Filly were dabbing at their tears when Chauncy announced Blake could kiss the bride. Quickly lifting her veil, he stared into her eyes for a moment, leaving promises unspoken between them as he kissed her lips reverently.
“My beautiful bride,” Blake whispered, kissing her again, much more thoroughly.
Ginny’s arms found their way around his neck by their own accord and she leaned against her husband, breathing in his scent. His smooth, recently shaved cheek brushed against her own as he pulled her into a hug.
When he set her back from him and clasped her hand with his, Ginny gazed at Blake’s beloved face, taking in every detail. From the mole on his cheek and tempting lips to his kind eyes, she loved everything about his face. Knowing she was now married to a good, honest, caring man, Ginny felt her throat tighten with emotion and worked to tamp it down.
The quiet of the church shattered as Nigel, who appeared to sleep through the ceremony, suddenly realized the woman beneath the veil was his intended bride. Storming up the aisle, he stood fuming in front of Blake and Ginny.
“What is the meaning of this? I demand to know what you think you’re doing. Ginny is my bride!” Nigel said, stamping his foot for emphasis.
“Sorry, Pickford, but according to the pastor, she’s my bride. In case you weren’t paying attention, we just wed,” Blake said, wrapping his arm protectively around Ginny and pulling her closer to his side.
“This is unacceptable! Completely unacceptable!” Nigel yelled. Glancing around, he noticed the sheriff. “Sir, I insist you arrest this man.”
“On what grounds?” the sheriff asked, not even bothering to get to his feet.
“He stole my bride. She signed a contract. We have an agreement,” Nigel whined.
“Your so-called contract had a clause that you yourself wrote at the bottom,” Blake said, narrowing his gaze at Nigel. Although it was Christmas Eve and he looked forward to the evening with his new bride, he really wanted to punch Nigel in his long, thin nose again. “According to what you wrote, if either party wed before the contract could be fulfilled, it would be rendered null and void. So consider the contract no longer in effect.”
“You can’t do that!” Nigel said taking a step forward, grabbing for Ginny. “I have to marry Ginny before the year ends.”
“What do you mean?” Blake asked taking a step forward, forcing Nigel to scramble to put some space between them.
“Who is this little man?” Robert asked, as he and Sarah got to their feet, standing beside Blake.
“Nigel Pickford, of the New York Pickfords,” Nigel said, noticing the couple addressing him appeared to be of a better class than most of the hicks in the town. He didn’t appreciate, however, being referred to as a little man. Puffing out his scrawny chest and raising himself to his full unimpressive height, he glared at them. “And who might you be?”
“Blake’s parents, Robert and Sarah Stratton,” Robert said, returning Nigel’s glare. “We’re also known as the Earl and Countess of Roxbury.”
“My gracious,” Dora said, fanning herself with her hand to keep from giving in to her desire to faint. Greg helped her sit on the nearby pew and waved his handkerchief in front of her face.
“Well, I… um…” Nigel stammered, left speechless by this revelation.
“Now, what’s that you said about having to marry Ginny before the end of the year?” Blake asked again. Ginny was convinced Nigel’s sudden insistence on marrying had more to do with meeting some stipulation than an unquenched desire to have her as his bride.
“Mummy has planned a big party, and the wedding must take place before midnight on the last day of this year,” Nigel said, glancing around in desperation as Blake took another step closer.
“Enough with the excuses, Pickford. Why are you here?” Blake demanded.
“My grandfather left me a fortune but the only way to claim it is if I am married before the first of the year. Since Ginny already signed the contract, she seemed the most likely candidate. Mummy was sure she’d agree,” Nigel said, sinking to the floor and holding his head in his hands. “She was so sure.”
“Looks like you and your mother are about to be disappointed.” Blake said, shaking his head in disgust.
Taking advantage of Nigel’s current confused state, Chauncy once again stepped up to the lectern. “The ladies of the church have put together a little reception of cake, cookies, and punch you are all welcome to enjoy,” Chauncy announced. Some of the women hurried to begin pouring punch while a few of the congregation left, anxious to be home to finish Christmas preparations.
While Nigel tried to grasp what had transpired, Robert and Sarah turned to Ginny and Blake.
“Ginny, darling, I’m so pleased to finally have you as a daughter,” Sarah said, making Ginny fight back her tears again. Loving his parents as much as her own, she couldn’t remember a time when they hadn’t made her feel like family.
“Me, too,” Ginny said, kissing the woman’s soft cheek before reaching out to her own mother.
“My baby is married,” Dora said, wiping away tears of joy as she embraced Ginny then Blake.
“I suppose we should cut the cake and have a piece with everyone,” Ginny said, tugging Blake toward the back of the church where a table offered an array of refreshments, including a layered wedding cake. Blake talked Mrs. Ferguson into making it in exchange for a promise to do a little work at the boarding house after the holidays.
They sliced into the cake as Nigel realized all his plans to wed Ginny and claim his inheritance would never materialize.
Walking back to where the happy couple stood, Nigel tried once more to make Ginny realize what she’d be missing out on if she didn’t leave with him. The pastor could annul her marriage and quickly perform another ceremony. One that made her his bride.
“Ginny? You’re going to marry me. Remember?” Nigel’s whiny voice scraped on both her and Blake’s nerves.
“No, Nigel. I never intended to marry you,” Ginny said, clasping Blake’s hand in hers as she leaned against him. Blake moved so his arm was around her shoulders and held her close to his side with an undisguised possessiveness.
“Ginny, I insist you get your things. We are leaving immediately, if we have to walk all the way back to the train station,” Nigel said, reaching out to grip Ginny’s arm. Blake grabbed his hand and shoved him back.
“I’ll thank you to keep your hands off my wife,” Blake said darkly, giving Nigel a cold, hard look.
“She can’t be your wife. We’re to wed next week. Mummy said so,” Nigel said, beginning to look a little ill as he glanced around and noticed the celebration happening around him. “You can’t steal my bride.”
“Looks to me like he did,” the sheriff said, smiling at Ginny and Blake. “Congratulations to you both and best wishes.”
“Thank you, sir,” Blake said, shaking the sheriff’s hand then smiling as the man kissed Ginny’s cheek.
“Sheriff! Do your duty, man! I want him arrested,” Nigel yelled, once again drawing the gazes of everyone his direction.
“Join us for some cake?” Blake asked, handing the sheriff a plate.
“Don’t mind if I do,” the sheriff said, taking the cake and a cup of punch then walking off to speak to Luke who was visiting with Robert and Greg.
“Nigel, you need to leave now or stop your whining. I’m married to Blake and have no desire to see you again,” Ginny said quietly. She couldn’t understand why Nigel was being so stubborn about the whole thing. There was a time to admit defeat and move on, even if the annoying man didn’t realize it.
“But what about Mummy? What about our wedding? W
hat about the invitations?” Nigel asked as he felt his coat drop around his shoulders. Before he could look around, his hat was yanked down on his head and Luke escorted him out the door.
“Guess you’ll have plenty to time to figure that out on your way home,” Luke said, giving Nigel a push outside, closing the door firmly behind him.
“Thanks, Luke,” Blake said, grinning at his brother-in-law.
“Anytime.” Luke took a piece of cake and went to find his wife.
“If your father is an earl and your mother a countess that makes you…” Ginny asked, trying to remember the proper title.
“A viscount,” Blake replied, kissing Ginny on the cheek. “That makes you a viscountess, although when anyone addresses you, they would refer to you as Lady Ginny.”
“My stars!” Ginny took a sip of punch. “And here I thought I was marrying a humble country carpenter.”
“You are, love. That’s all I plan to be,” Blake said, wrapping his arms around her and giving her a tight hug. “Although when we visit Mum and Dad, you’ll have to put up with balls and parties and people attempting to wait on you hand and foot. It’s quite miserable, I assure you.”
Ginny laughed and gazed at Blake with adoring eyes. “I can only imagine how you manage to suffer through it all.”
“Perhaps you’d like to find out in the spring. We could take a honeymoon to the country estate and spend some time with my parents then,” Blake suggested, smiling at his bride, liking the idea of showing her around the Stratton properties.
“I’d love it, Blake!” Ginny said, enthusiastically throwing her arms around him.
“Maybe Luke and Filly would like to come along, if Luke will let Filly leave the house, that is,” Blake said, laughing as Luke hovered around his wife while she held an excited Erin in her arms.
“I’m sure we could convince them to go,” Ginny said, turning to accept the best wishes from various members of the congregation.
Soon the crowd thinned and the Grangers and Strattons along with the Dodd family were the only ones left in the church.
The Christmas Token Page 24