The Delinquent Bride

by Carole Archer

  * * *

  Almost an hour later, Shelley managed to get a word in with her mother and Maurice, and reminded him of the purpose of his visit. Kissing Shelley on both cheeks, he apologised and strutted out of the room, leaving Shelley and her mother to catch up a little more.

  “Come and look, ladies,” Maurice announced some twenty minutes later. Shelley walked out into the hallway, gripping her mother’s hand. She grinned when her mother gaped in horror at the huge pink flamingo, which seemed even bigger than what Maurice had described to her when Shelley had reluctantly agreed to have it.

  “What is it?” Lady Annabelle whispered to her daughter. Shelley stifled a giggle. “It’s a pink flamingo. It’s supposed to bring us luck.”

  Lady Annabelle frowned. “I think he’s made that up too, just like he claimed crying will give you wrinkles.” Her smile reappeared as she quickly added, “but he is a very charming young man.”

  Shelley grinned. “The flamingo’s called Freddie,” she told her mother, who gasped in shock. Quickly putting her hand over her mouth, Lady Annabelle pretended to cough, but Shelley had noticed the small smile that creased her mother’s eyes. Chewing her lower lip, Shelley wondered what on earth her father would make of it!

  As Maurice pranced about the sculpture, showing them where he would be putting flowers to make the sculpture “even more mag-nif-eeque,” Shelley smiled.

  Lady Annabelle nodded agreeably. “You’re very clever,” she gushed. “It’s definitely very original.”

  Shelley squeezed Lady Annabelle’s hand appreciatively, wishing she had been blessed with her mother’s tact and diplomacy. She stifled another giggle as Maurice positively glowed and became even more animated—something Shelley hadn’t believed was possible—as he gratefully accepted her mother’s tongue-in-cheek praise.

  * * *

  Shelley breathed a sigh of relief when a short time later Maurice finally left.

  “Oh, Mother, he’s a lovely man, but he can be so draining to be around sometimes,” she sighed dramatically.

  “Nonsense, he’s lovely,” smiled Lady Annabelle, “though I’m not quite sure about that.” She pointed at the sculpture and walked closer to it, tilting her head from one side to the other.

  “Apparently Freddie will look better when he has his feathers,” Shelley told her, examining the ‘bird’ closely and hoping that Maurice was right. It certainly couldn’t look any worse, she thought, grinning.

  At that moment, Henry’s office door opened and he and Lord Frederick stepped out into the hallway.

  “What the hell is that monstrosity?” Lord Frederick demanded to know, his eyes widening as he gazed in horror at ‘Freddie.’

  Shelley looked towards her father, who stood open-mouthed, staring at the large pink frame of the bird. Shelley laughed and threw her arms around him. “Oh, Daddy, I’ve missed you. I love you so much.”

  Stepping away from her father, they all turned to see Henry draping a large sheet over the decoration. “Thank goodness for that,” said Lord Frederick, shaking his head as he led his wife out into the garden for an evening stroll.

  “I think that went well,” said Shelley, smiling and reaching her arms around Henry’s neck before kissing him softly on the lips.

  Henry smiled and nodded. “I told your father you were concerned he might still wish to strap you.”

  Shelley’s eyes widened and she swallowed anxiously. “Did you?” he gasped.

  Henry squeezed her hand and nodded. “Don’t worry. He said he was angry when he threatened to chastise you, but he’s cursed that decision every day since. He believes his actions caused you to flee your home and put yourself in so much danger.”

  Shelley sighed and gripped his hand.

  “He also told me that taking you in hand is my duty now,” Henry grinned.

  Shelley scowled and gave him a playful smack. “You fibber!” She giggled when Henry winked and kissed her, hugging her close to him before leading her outside to join her parents for a walk around the grounds before dinner.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Over the next week, Shelley spent most of her time with her parents. The day after they arrived, she took her mother to the bridal shop and showed her the bridesmaid dresses, which Lady Annabelle thought were ‘absolutely adorable.’ She loved Shelley’s dress even more, breaking down in tears when she saw her daughter in it. And she was thrilled to be able to choose a tiara to finish off the bridal ensemble. Although Shelley suspected she would choose something dramatic, eye-catching, and very sparkly, she was pleasantly surprised when her mother selected a very simple design, with very little sparkle. Valerie agreed it was perfect.

  “You’re beautiful,” her mother told her, reaching out and stroking her cheek as she admired the tiara atop her daughter’s head. “You don’t need flounces, frills, and sparkle to make you shine.” Smiling, she kissed Shelley on the cheek and hugged her.

  “Nana,” squealed Jessica, bouncing up and down. “Am I boo-tiful too?” she asked, frowning as she placed her hands on her hips. Lady Annabelle squatted down and whispered just loud enough for Shelley to hear, “Oh, you’ll be the most beautiful girl at the wedding, but don’t tell Shelley I said that.” Jessica grinned and kissed Lady Annabelle on the cheek. “Cross our hearts,” Jessica said, and Shelley smiled when her mother and soon-to-be stepdaughter crossed their hearts with their fingers. “Our little secret,” smiled Lady Annabelle, before rising to her full height, lifting Jessica up in her arms and admiring her daughter once more.

  After the dress fitting, Clara took Jessica home, leaving Shelley to go for a walk with her mother. They sat in the park and Shelley chattered excitedly about her time in New York with Henry, and how she had quickly fallen in love with him. The slight initial awkwardness of Shelley’s reunion with her parents a week earlier was now completely gone, and Shelley talked to her mother like she had only been away for a couple of weeks.

  When Shelley and her mother arrived home, Henry greeted them at the door. He kissed Shelley and told her that Clara’s family had arrived. “They’re in the lounge, having tea.”

  “Can I go and see them?” Shelley asked hopefully. She had been desperate to meet Clara’s family. Over the past few months, Clara had talked about them so much that Shelley felt she knew each of them intimately.

  Henry nodded, put his arm around her, and led her into the room.

  Shelley was taken off guard when Mrs Carter, a small, plump woman, with long blond hair tied back into a ponytail, rose from her seat and hugged her tightly, clinging onto her for a minute or so before finally releasing her. When Shelley looked closer, she noticed that Mrs Carter’s hair was greying in places, and her face was slightly wrinkled, but apart from that she was almost the double of Clara.

  “I’ve heard so much about you,” Mrs Carter said, lowering her ample bottom into the seat and shooing one of her children aside to make room for Shelley. “Thank you,” she whispered, squeezing Shelley’s hand and gazing into her eyes.

  Shelley was then introduced to Clara’s brothers and sisters, and she spent a very enjoyable afternoon getting to know them all. They were a delightful family, so loving, and she was thrilled they would be there to share her special day. She was also pleased for her friend that she had her family around her at last. Shelley appreciated now just how precious her own family were to her. Shelley found herself wondering how Clara would react when she found out that her family were in America for good, not just a short holiday, and couldn’t wait to see her friend’s face when she discovered the truth.

  * * *

  Later that afternoon Henry joined them, showing Clara’s family to the rooms where they were to stay for the next week.

  “After the wedding, I’ll show you to the house where you’ll be living. It’s only two minutes’ walk from here. Maybe Clara could continue to live here weekdays and stay with you on weekends?” he suggested.

  Shelley looked at Clara, who stood open-mouthed, tears filling her eyes
as she looked from her mother to Henry and Shelley.

  Mrs Carter turned to her daughter and clutched her trembling hand. “Clara, there’s nothing to keep us in England anymore, only memories of your father, but I’ve got them all in here,” she said, tapping a finger against her heart. “Mr Kendall has offered me a job cleaning for him, a house nearby, and he’s booked the children into a local school. It’ll be good for us all to be together again.”

  Clara wept and threw herself into her mother’s arms. Mrs Carter hugged her as she too started to cry. Shelley smiled, guessing that her friend was pleased.

  Henry approached Shelley, took her hand and led her from the room. Shelley supposed he was right and they should give them a bit of privacy. As they reached the doorway, Clara tearfully shouted, “Wait.” They immediately turned back to face Clara and her family.

  Clara rushed towards them and flung her arms around Henry. “Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

  Henry held her close, stroking her hair gently as she cried. “You’re welcome, but it’s Shelley you should be thanking. I offered her anything her heart desired for a wedding present, and this is what she chose.”

  Clara gasped and stepped back, tears rolling down her cheeks as her mouth fell open and she stared at Shelley. “Oh, Shelley,” she cried, throwing her arms around her and hugging her close. “Thank you. You’re the best friend in the world. How can I ever repay your kindness?”

  Shelley’s lip trembled and she held back her own tears as she comforted Clara. “It’s what friends do. After all, you were there for me when I needed a friend,” Shelley whispered.

  Mrs Carter approached them and wrapped her arms around the two girls, kissing Shelley on the cheek. “You’re a lovely girl. Thank you so much.”

  Shelley smiled when Clara’s siblings all piled over, crowding around her and trying to hug her. Prying Clara’s arms from around her neck, Shelley lowered herself to the floor and hugged and kissed each child in turn, before standing up and hugging Henry. When she released him, she pressed her lips against his. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I love you so much.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  The day before her wedding arrived too quickly, and Shelley’s head was spinning. There was so much to do. After collecting the dresses, Lady Annabelle checked and double-checked that Shelley had everything laid out and ready for the next day.

  Maurice came round, and Shelley was relieved that he didn’t stay long, simply making last-minute checks and promising to be there first thing in the morning. She had a headache and as much as she loved him, she swore she would throttle him if he hung around for too long and got in her way.

  The caterers arrived and Shelley watched them set out the crockery and cutlery on the tables, arrange things in the kitchen, and carry through vast quantities of food.

  She watched Dexter working alongside Henry’s butler, stocking the drinks cabinet and taking further boxes of wine and champagne into Henry’s study, where they stacked the numerous crates against the wall. Shelley raised her eyebrows, wondering how on earth they would drink it all.

  Desperately needing a bit of fresh air to try to clear her head, Shelley wandered out into the garden. She walked down the winding pathway and through the trellis arch bedecked with purple and white clematis. Snapping off a head, she inhaled the scent of the flower before continuing to walk further down the garden.

  When she reached the small rose garden, she closed her eyes, sat down on the bench, and pulled her knees close to her chest, inhaling the scent of the roses. Resting her forehead against her knees, she heard footsteps approaching and immediately looked up.

  Dexter sat down beside her. “Deja vu,” he said, smiling as he closed his hand over hers. Shelley smiled, recalling their conversation almost six months earlier. “You don’t have to worry about me running away this time,” she reassured him, as he released her hand.

  Shelley opened her hand out and watched wide-eyed as the petals slowly unfurled and the bloom sat in the palm of her hand, perfectly formed. She smiled when Dexter took it from her and threaded the short stalk into her hair. “Perfect,” he smiled, kissing her on the cheek.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  Shelley smiled brightly and nodded.

  “No last-minute nerves?”

  She shook her head without hesitation.

  “Shall I leave you in peace for a little while?” Dexter asked, rising from the bench and leaning down to pat her hand in an affectionate gesture.

  Shelley smiled and nodded. “Yes, please, if you don’t mind,” she said pleasantly, lowering her head to her knees and listening to Dexter’s footsteps moving away from her.

  * * *

  “Wake up!” Shelley heard the voice but it seemed very distant. “Shelley!” The voice was more insistent now and she moaned in her sleep, trying to ignore it, not ready to wake up just yet. “Shelley!” the voice coaxed, and this time she was shaken gently.

  Shelley opened her eyes and was surprised to find herself curled up on the garden bench. She looked up at Henry and groaned when she eased herself slowly up into a sitting position, her limbs aching. When Henry sat down beside her, Shelley climbed onto his lap and wrapped her arms around him.

  “How long have I been asleep?” she asked, blinking her eyes rapidly.

  Henry smiled and kissed her softly. “Maybe an hour or so,” he smiled. Stroking her hair, he removed the flower, kissed it softly, and placed it into the buttonhole of his jacket. “I need to leave now,” he told her.

  Shelley’s face crumpled. “Where are you going?”

  Henry laughed. “Shelley, we get married tomorrow. I need to stay in a hotel overnight. It’s unlucky for me to see you before the wedding.”

  Shelley shook her head and gripped his hand. “We make our own luck.” Stretching her stiff arms and legs, she squirmed around on his lap, wrapping her arms around him and hugging him in an attempt to prevent him from leaving.

  Henry kissed her cheek and rose from the bench, lifting her up in his arms effortlessly. “Henry,” she shrieked, “put me down.”

  Henry smiled and kissed her again. “I’m getting into practice for carrying you over the threshold tomorrow,” he teased. “Your parents want to have afternoon tea with you. I’ll deliver you to them, and then I’ll get away.”

  Shelley clung tightly to him, resting her head against his shoulder as he strode through the garden and into the house. She tried to get down when he carried her into the lounge, giggling as he insisted on taking her all the way to the sofa before plonking her down between her parents.

  “Oh, you’re a heavy lump,” he joked, leaning back and caressing his lower back. “Thank goodness I only have to do that once more!” Bending forward, he kissed her softly on the lips.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow, beautiful,” he said, gazing into her eyes.

  “Keep her safe for me,” he said, addressing her parents. Walking across the room, he picked up his bags and waved goodbye.

  “See you tomorrow,” Shelley shouted to his back, blowing a kiss after him. “I love you.”

  Henry turned to face her. “I love you too,” he replied, pretending to catch her kiss and blowing one back to her. “See you in church,” he smiled.

  Tears pricked Shelley’s eyes when the door closed behind him, and she hugged her mother tightly. “Oh, Mother, I miss him already,” she complained. Lady Annabelle smiled and squeezed her hand. “Tomorrow will come soon enough, my dear, and then you’ll have the rest of your life with him.”

  The butler appeared and brought them more tea, scones, and cakes, and Clara and her family, Jessica, and Dexter all joined them. Shelley noticed with relief that her headache had now gone. She insisted Henry’s butler and cook join them too, and they spent the next couple of hours chatting amicably, drinking tea, and eating scones and cakes. Shelley couldn’t think of anything better to do on a chilly September afternoon. She had a pang of regret that Henry was not with the
m, but she smiled as she acknowledged that they had the rest of their lives together, starting tomorrow.

  A loud pop startled Shelley from her daydreams, and she smiled when she saw that her father had opened a bottle of champagne and was pouring it into glasses, even giving the little ones a tiny mouthful each.

  “To my beautiful daughter,” he toasted, and everyone in the room raised their glasses. Jessica clambered onto Shelley’s lap and mimicked the grown-ups’ action of raising their glasses, giggling when she sloshed the small amount of champagne she’d been given over Shelley and herself. “My boo-tiful Mummy,” Jessica squealed, flinging her arms around her and planting a loud kiss on her cheek.

  Shelley held the little girl close and trembled, tears welling in her eyes. She squeezed her eyes shut, holding Jessica close, and longing for the moment she would become Henry’s wife. She couldn’t wait for them to give Jessica a baby brother or sister. She longed for a huge family like the Carters, and she smiled as Clara’s youngest sibling chose this moment to climb onto her lap and kiss her cheek. “Don’t cry, Shelley, you’ll get wrinkles on your wedding day,” she advised in a very serious tone. Maurice had given this advice every time he saw Shelley even remotely looking like she might cry, and Clara’s little sister had obviously picked up on it.

  Tears spilled from Shelley’s eyes, but they were tears of laughter. Lady Annabelle giggled too, stroking the youngster’s cheek gently. Quickly the room filled with the sound of laughter as Shelley’s assembled family and friends started to chuckle too.