Last night they had woken the Smith household and informed them of Mrs. Vernon’s murderous attack on Mr. Pond. They hadn’t mentioned their changed plans for the wedding. After all, the matter wasn’t up for discussion. At two o’clock, today, they’d be married. Esme had already spoken quietly to Reverend Sherbrooke while Jed tackled the bishop.
“Ready as I’ll ever be to watch this rascal risk life and limb,” Grandma said.
The Jumping Jack still showed where Mrs. Vernon’s bullet had grazed the paintwork. There hadn’t been time for repairs. Everyone had buzzed around like demented bees.
Captain Fellowes had been infuriated to learn how Mrs. Vernon had tricked him—and determined to find her. Accompanied by Aaron, he’d marched down to the woman’s former boarding house and inquired who else resided there—in particular which women residents weren’t appearing at the breakfast table.
The answer had been that a Miss Flynn, the “mermaid woman” at the fair, had come down with a cold the previous day and was keeping to her room. A pound note, slipped to the landlady, had granted them access to the room and sure enough, inside was Mrs. Vernon.
“Saddest thing I’d seen in years,” Aaron said in telling the story. “She just sat in a chair, staring out the window.”
They’d bundled her up, hidden her face with another large, disguising hat and put her on a ship on the point of sailing to South Africa. From there she could make her own way back to England. Aaron had ensured she had money enough to do so. The two men had stood on the wharf and watched the boat leave.
“Although it was obvious all the fight had gone out of her.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure of that,” Jed had said. “I checked which ship Mr. Pond sailed on…” Everyone’s eyes widened in horror. “Yup. They’re both bound for South Africa.”
Captain Fellowes slapped his thigh. “Should make for an interesting trip.”
And there was nothing anyone could do about it.
Now they all waited near the Jumping Jack while Jed primed it with power, then leapt into the swing seat. “Stand back.”
Two horses from the animal sanctuary leaned over a fence, watching. Aaron scratched their noses.
Jed released the brake.
Boing! Boing-boing.
Esme shrieked, then laughed with delight.
Boing. Boing. Boing-boing.
He successfully travelled the length of the road, then turned the bounding-vehicle and started back.
“Jed, you’ve done it. You’ve done it!” Esme waved her hat in the air.
The two old horses still stood placidly. Everyone else cheered.
He braked carefully and stretched down a hand.
Esme didn’t need a second invitation. She stepped up and settled cozily beside him. “Ready, sweetheart?”
“Oh yes.”
Chapter Nineteen
“You’re getting married, today?” Aaron repeated blankly.
Esme held Jed’s hand tightly and nodded. She still felt the exhilaration of riding beside him in the Jumping Jack. Beside him was where she belonged. “Yes, Father. We don’t have to leave for San Francisco any time soon, but…” She cast a loving look up at Jed. “We do want to be married.”
“I agree,” Grandma said surprisingly. “A long engagement is foolish when you’re already sure of one another’s love. And what’s even more foolish is talking of San Francisco as if it’s a long way away.”
“It is,” Esme said instantly. As much as she loved Jed, she was going to miss her family, friends and home. Badly.
“Tcha. What’s the good of having a skimmer-boat in the family if you don’t use it?” Grandma was full of plans. “If you get married today and go on a honeymoon, that’ll give your father time to close up his house and Captain Fellowes time to get the Athena shipshape. Then the whole family can sail to San Francisco. Mr. Smith can see for himself where Esme will live and what her welcome is. Heck, if you’re as wealthy as I’m told, you can buy yourself a second home in San Francisco.”
Aaron’s frown slowly cleared. “I could. But Jed wouldn’t want his father-in-law sailing with him.”
“He already has his grandmother,” Captain Fellowes pointed out. “What’s one more family member?”
“I’d be delighted if you sailed with us,” Jed said. “I should have thought of it, myself. I know Esme will be happier if her own family is with her.”
“Most definitely.” She reached out a hand to him. Jed released her and she stepped forward and hugged her father.
Captain Fellowes grinned and winked at Grandma. “Come on, folks. We have a wedding to attend.”
Esme had hoped for one or two friends to attend the impromptu wedding.
Jane had helped her dress then hurried on to the church. Now, she sat in a pew beside Ayesha, Esme’s other tried and true friend. Both looked beautiful in their finery; Jane in navy blue, while Ayesha’s sari was a stunning apricot and gold silk. On the other side of the aisle, Grandma wore a dark purple gown and her hat was a remarkable plum color with more ostrich feathers than Esme had ever seen.
But the real surprise was the full church. All her friends and acquaintances had interrupted their daily lives to come and see her wed. Even Miss Ivers was there.
Esme smiled and squeezed her father’s arm.
He beamed down at her.
The deep tones of the organ accompanied them up the aisle. Flowers filled the alter. Esme noticed them only vaguely because just then she arrived beside Jed and he looked at her. Her heart turned over at the love and devotion in his eyes.
The service began and she floated through it, anchored by the ancient words of love and commitment. They exchanged rings and the deep rightness of it flooded her body. They belonged together for eternity.
“You may kiss the bride.”
The church bells rang out as Jed lifted her veil. It was the most decorous of kisses as the photographer’s flash lit the air. Yet the chaste kiss somehow held all the promise of their mutual passion.
When they walked down the aisle, Esme knew they walked into a future that, whatever it held, would be blessed by their love.
Note From The Author
I’m an avid reader, turned enthusiastic author, and I write as widely as I read. I’ve written in genres from science fiction to Regency romance, from steampunk to contemporary romance set on the coast and in small town America. The only thing I insist on is a happy ending.
If you’d like to learn more about my books, please visit my website (I have all my social media links and VIP newsletter sign-up there) or follow my Amazon Author Profile to have Amazon alert you to my new releases.
Happy reading!
Jenny
http://authorjennyschwartz.com/
P.S. Thank you for your reviews. They are the “social proof” that coaxes Amazon to show my books to readers like you who’ll also enjoy them. Thank you!
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