by Diane Gaston
* * *
Edmund made his way up Bond Street, as busy as usual with people entering and leaving shops, hurrying to appointments or simply sauntering leisurely on the pavement. This was no ordinary day for him, though, his wedding day.
This would be the day he and Amelie would forge their own life together separate from her parents, her brother and his sisters.
A family of his own.
He’d endure the Northdons’ animosity towards him for a family of his own. He’d even put up with his sisters’ disappointment in him. He and Amelie—and the baby—had a chance for happiness.
He arrived at the Northdon town house and was admitted by the footman he now could address by name. ‘Good morning, Staines.’
‘Good morning, sir,’ Staines replied, his expression neutral.
What did Staines know about him? Edmund wondered. Surely the servants knew that Amelie’s family was not happy about this marriage. He’d bet they knew all about his birth. For Amelie’s sake, he hoped they did not know about her pregnancy. He hoped she’d be spared that scandal.
Tess walked down the stairs as he entered the hall.
‘There you are!’ Her face was pinched. ‘I was beginning to worry.’
He was still in her black books, obviously. ‘Did you think I would not show up?’
She gave him a frank look. ‘I wondered.’
There was another knock on the door.
‘Am I late?’ It was Genna. ‘I rushed all the way here.’
Edmund had not expected her. ‘You were invited, then?’
Genna grinned. ‘I would have come even if I had not been invited.’
Edmund kissed her on the cheek.
‘Do not worry.’ Genna handed her shawl and gloves to Staines. ‘Lord Tinmore will not attend. That means Lorene won’t come, though.’
‘I am sorry about Lorene. Not about Tinmore.’ Lord Tinmore was the last person he wished to witness his marriage.
Tess crossed the hall and gave her sister a hug. ‘How pretty you look.’
Genna opened her arms and displayed her dress. ‘It is one of Nancy’s designs.’
‘Come,’ Tess said. ‘We should go to the drawing room.’
Edmund was glad to walk into that room with his sisters. They might still be angry at him, but they supported him.
As they crossed the threshold, Tess called out, ‘Edmund is here.’
The room had been rearranged for the ceremony, furniture moved out of the way to provide a sort of aisle leading to where the clergyman stood and where, presumably, he was to stand. Glenville and Lord Northdon were conversing with the clergyman.
Glenville approached Edmund and extended his hand. ‘Good morning, Edmund.’
At least Glenville was being cordial.
Edmund accepted the handshake. ‘Glenville.’
Glenville turned to Genna. ‘Good to see you, Genna.’
She returned a wan smile. ‘I would not wish to be anywhere else.’
He glanced back at the clergyman. ‘I’ll introduce you, Edmund.’
Glenville presented him to Reverend Cane. ‘Reverend Cane performed the ceremony for Tess and me.’
‘And I am happy to be here again.’ Reverend Cane smiled. He had a kind face and looked Edmund directly in the eye.
‘Thank you for being available.’ Edmund glanced at Lord Northdon, who stood next to the reverend. ‘Good morning, sir,’
‘Morning.’ Northdon looked at Edmund as if he were the wolf at the sheep’s door.
Edmund wished he could convince Northdon he intended to be a good husband to Amelie. He hoped she would not regret marrying him.
Lady Northdon entered the room. Her worried look disappeared when she caught sight of Edmund, but she certainly did not break into a smile. ‘Good. You are here. Amelie is ready.’ She turned to Tess. ‘Chérie, would you tell Staines to ask the servants to come in and let Amelie know we may proceed?’
‘Of course.’ Tess hurried out of the room.
Lady Northdon greeted Genna and chatted with her.
A few minutes later the servants filed in and stood against the walls. It seemed to Edmund that no one expected a joyous occasion.
And then the door opened and Amelie appeared.
Edmund was reminded of that night in Brussels when she had appeared ethereal, an angel in the midst of chaos. She was even more beautiful today, with a gown that seemed to shimmer around her. Her hair was loosely dressed with a crown of fresh flowers. She resembled a mythical woodland creature.
Even better, she walked tall, head held high.
Well done, Amelie, he thought.
* * *
Where were the flowers?
When the door to the drawing room opened, Amelie saw how few there were. Her mother had filled the room with flowers when Marc and Tess were married. Today there were but two big vases on two of the tables.
The gloomy mood of the room threatened to suffocate her. She took a deep breath and looked up.
Edmund gazed at her, not with the frown visible on the faces of her family and his sisters, not with the carefully neutral expressions of the servants, but with an admiring gleam.
It was enough.
She straightened her spine and walked towards him, keeping her eyes on only him.
When she came to stand beside him, he reached over and took her hand. His skin was warm and comforting, and she knew then that she was not alone. She did not know what their future held, but at this moment they were together.
Reverend Cane smiled at her and looked from her to Edmund and back again. ‘Ready?’ he mouthed.
She and Edmund nodded.
‘Dearly beloved,’ he began. ‘We are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony....’
That one reckless act now bound them together. That and the baby growing inside her, the baby created that night. With Edmund’s hand holding hers, though, she could not regret any of it.
Reverend Cane continued. He spoke the words as if it were only Amelie and Edmund in the room, as if the words had been created just for them and not over decades and decades of nuptials.
He turned to Edmund. ‘Wilt thou have this Woman to thy wedded Wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?’
Edmund looked into Amelie’s eyes. ‘I will.’
Of course he would say yes. He was honourable and kind.
The reverend directed his gaze at Amelie. It would be her turn to decide.
‘Wilt thou have this Man to thy wedded Husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him and serve him, love, honour and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?’
She answered, ‘I will.’
A wave of nausea swept over her, and she lost the words that Edmund repeated when making his vows. She heard nothing past, ‘I, Edward, take thee, Amelie...’
She fought through the sensation, knowing her vows came next, and she was able to repeat them in a clear but trembling voice.
When she had finished, Edmund reached into his pocket and handed the reverend a ring. Reverend Cane gave it back to him, having him say, ‘With this ring I thee wed, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow...’
Edmund placed the ring on her finger. It was a gold band with a circle of blue sapphires all around it. She glanced up at him. It was beautiful. Something special. A worldly good that he’d taken some trouble to purchase for her.
&n
bsp; Reverend Cane said more prayers and then placed their right hands together. ‘Those that God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.’
At the end, the clergyman lowered his voice and spoke with more intensity. ‘I pronounce that they be Man and Wife together.’
He finished with the blessing in the same manner, as if he were instructing them that they would be able to manage a marriage together.
And then it was over.
She was married. Her reputation would be rescued. With any luck, no one would guess that the baby was conceived before this date.
She glanced up at Edmund. He took her hand again and smiled at her.
* * *
After the ceremony, there was cake and punch for the servants, just as there had been at Marc and Tess’s wedding. There were congratulations from servants Amelie had known her entire life. She introduced the servants to Edmund. He spoke to each one of them in a personal way, not annoyed like some people become when they must interact with their inferiors. Another thing about him that pleased her. Many of these people were very dear to her.
Still, there was a restraint that had not been in this room when the previous wedding took place. The servants, no doubt, had caught the mood from her parents.
Her maid, Sally, was the last to come shake her hand. ‘Best wishes, miss.’ Sally almost choked on the words, and her eyes filled with tears.
‘Thank you, Sally.’ Amelie almost burst into tears herself, although she did not know why either of them should be weeping. ‘Allow me to present you to my husband, Mr Summerfield.’
Sally looked at him quizzically. ‘How do, sir.’ She curtsied.
Did she remember him from Brussels?
Edmund offered Sally his hand to shake. ‘You’ve made Miss Glenville look very beautiful today.’
He thought her beautiful? Amelie turned warm inside.
‘Wasn’t me, sir. T’was Nancy.’ Sally walked away.
‘You met Nancy,’ Amelie reminded him. ‘She made my gown. She used to be Tess’s maid.’
‘I remember,’ he said, standing very close to her. He smiled. ‘But I forgot to call you Mrs Summerfield.’
She felt her face flush at his nearness. ‘I forgot, too.’
The servants left the room and returned to their duties. Marc, Tess and Genna walked up to them.
‘It was a lovely ceremony,’ Tess said. Surely Tess noticed that there had only been a perfunctory attempt at making the room look like a celebration.
‘Let me see your ring,’ Genna asked.
Amelie lifted her hand, and the sapphires glittered on her finger.
‘I’ve never seen such a wedding band!’ Genna exclaimed. ‘Well done, Edmund. Did Tess help you pick it out?’
‘Not at all.’ Tess gazed at the ring and then at Edmund. ‘It matches the other ring you gave her.’
Genna asked to see the other ring, which Amelie wore on the other hand. ‘I didn’t know you gave Amelie a ring.’
‘It was a betrothal present,’ Amelie said.
Marc sidled over to Amelie and kissed her on the cheek. ‘You make a beautiful bride.’
‘Maman has said nothing.’ She spoke so only he could hear. ‘You know how she scrutinises what everyone is wearing. I think she might have preferred I dress in black bombazine.’
‘She wished for something very different for you,’ he said.
She lifted her chin. ‘I think Edmund has done all that is admirable.’
‘Not all.’ Marc frowned, and she knew he referred to their encounter in Brussels. ‘But I own he has behaved well since.’
Their butler announced that the breakfast was served, and they all went to the dining room. Much effort was made for all to appear as it should be—happy—but Amelie assumed that was for the benefit of Reverend Cane. When it came time for the reverend to leave, Genna said she would go as well and the goodbyes were said in the hall.
Genna gave Amelie a brief hug. ‘I am happy to have another sister,’ she said. She presented her cheek for Edmund to kiss. ‘Behave yourself, Edmund, or answer to me.’
If Edmund resented this, he gave no indication. He kissed her cheek and said, ‘You have nothing to fear, Genna.’
Reverend Cane came up to Amelie and Edmund and took both their hands in his. ‘I wish you both joy.’ He leaned towards them with a conspiratorial air. ‘And, remember, joy is something you make yourselves. I’ve no doubt the two of you are very capable of it.’
When the guests had left, Edmund turned to Amelie. ‘There has been no discussion of where this wedding night should take place.’
Amelie had certainly not thought that far. Apparently her family had not seen fit to discuss the matter with Edmund either.
Amelie’s parents and Tess and Marc stared at him as if surprised he was still there.
He seemed to ignore them. ‘I have a choice for you,’ he said to Amelie. ‘We may stay here, if that was your and your parents’ intention. I have also engaged a hotel room at the Clarendon Hotel for us and one for your maid, if you would like her to come.’
‘Of course you may stay here, Summerfield,’ her father snapped. ‘Where else would you stay?’
Her mother looked distressed. ‘We assumed you would stay with us.’
Amelie was out of patience with them. They’d barely been civil to Edmund and they’d treated this occasion as if it were her funeral instead of her wedding.
‘I choose the hotel,’ she said.
* * *
Amelie hurried up to her bedchamber to find Sally and have her pack a bag.
‘You may also come to the hotel, Sally,’ she told the girl. ‘Mr Summerfield has procured a room for you, as well. Would you like to come?’
‘If you wish it,’ she said without enthusiasm, as she folded a nightdress and a dress to wear the next day.
‘It will be a little adventure for you.’ Amelie tried to cheer her up. ‘Or, at least, a nice respite alone.’ Amelie was less sure of what the night would mean to her.
Her mother knocked on her door and entered the room. ‘How stupide of us not to plan for this night.’
She and Amelie’s father had barely planned for the wedding ceremony, but Amelie did not say that. ‘It is of no consequence, Maman.’
‘We have so little room,’ her mother went on. ‘There is only a small bedchamber on the floor with Marc and Tess’s rooms. That is not ideal.’
Maybe Edmund would stay in her room. ‘I will explain the situation to him, Maman.’
Her mother sighed. ‘Perhaps you should come to the country with your father and me. Your papa needs to return to the estate.’
‘We shall see, Maman.’ She did not have the heart to tell her mother they would stay in London.
Amelie sat at her dressing table and unpinned the garland of flowers she wore in her hair. The blooms were drooping, but she was trying not to let her spirits droop, as well. Her mother’s unhappiness and Sally’s glumness threatened her own mood.
After packing her bag, Sally helped her change out of her wedding dress.
‘You’ve become so thin,’ her mother said when she was only in her corset and shift.
‘I’ve had the nausea, you know,’ Amelie said.
Her mother inclined her head to Sally, a warning not to speak aloud about the scandalous family secret.
‘I am better now,’ she said, although that morning had been one of her worst.
Sally helped her into a blue sprigged-muslin day dress while her mother watched.
Her mother went into her wardrobe and chose a shawl and bonnet. ‘These will look très jolie with that dress.’
Once dressed, Amelie sent Sally to pack her own bag. She was alone with her mother. ‘Do not worry about me, Maman. I will be safe for one night
in a hotel.’
Her mother glanced away. ‘You were not safe from him in the hotel in Brussels.’
‘He did not attack me, Maman,’ Amelie said. ‘And he has done all that was right about it since. Edmund has not hesitated. Not once.’
Her mother nodded. ‘I was so certain you would marry that nice young man, Captain Fowler.’
She shuddered. No matter what, she was glad she had not married Fowler. ‘That does not bear thinking of.’
Her mother crossed the room and put an arm around her. ‘I only wanted your happiness, ma fille. I believed you would make the respectable marriage. Not like your father and me.’
Amelie turned and embraced her mother. ‘Papa was always lucky to have married you, Maman.’
‘We did not always feel it to be so,’ her mother admitted.
For most of Amelie’s life, her parents had quarrelled or had simply not spoken to each other, but they’d reconciled in Brussels, their love coming together as hers fell apart.
Amelie put on a brave smile. ‘Perhaps some day we will say I was lucky to have married Edmund.’
Her mother’s expression turned sceptical.
Chapter Ten
Edmund and Amelie did not speak much in the coach he’d arranged to carry them to the hotel. Amelie’s maid rode with them, but that was not the only reason, Edmund suspected. Did either of them know what to say to each other? He certainly did not know what to say to her.
Instead he spoke to the maid. ‘You will have a dinner prepared by a French chef, Sally. You will like that.’
‘Yes, sir,’ she said without enthusiasm.
He glanced at Amelie, who raised her brows and shook her head.
Edmund held Amelie’s gaze. ‘We will have the dinner in our room.’
She seemed to force a smile. ‘That will be pleasant.’
Deuce take it. Now he had two women he could not please, not even with French cooks and fine hotels.
He glanced out the carriage window and wondered how it would be to escape. Jump out and run down the road. He could probably manage to be back in Brussels within days and from there could easily disappear.
He glanced back at Amelie. Abandon her? Abandon his family? He would never do that.