The Weekday Bride by Lois Tennant

Author:Lois Tennant
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lois Tennant
Published: 2021-04-03T00:00:00+00:00

AS IT TURNED OUT, THE bridal party arrived in good time, much to the relief of both the groom and his groomsman. Markham had been uneasy until he saw his bride arrive. Charles sensed his friend’s agitation and tried to keep him distracted until he realized that Markham was not listening to a word he said. But it was understandable, he supposed, so much hinged on his being married that very day!

The Elsworth carriage drew up outside the village church exactly on the hour. Alfred alighted, followed by his wife, Millicent, who was quite a sight for sore eyes, as one of the curious villagers put it, in a pale blue silky dress with a small hat with feathers in the same color perched on her golden curls.

Then followed the bride herself in a cream, lace-trimmed dress with a full skirt that had been her own late mother’s wedding dress, veil kept in place by a shiny pearl coronet and clutching a posy of pale yellow flowers which matched those on the skirt of the dress, though of course the former were real! She was followed by Sarah Greenley, housekeeper, wearing her Sunday best, but having added a deep pink feather to her usual black hat! Well, one could not blame her for being proud on this day, what with both young ladies being safely married! Then there were the two little ones both dressed in blue like their mother, spick and span and for once as good as gold.

Miss Lucinda was led into the church by her brother-in-law and the organ music began - played of course by the parson’s own wife.

Lucinda found her feet moving automatically and might have stumbled had it not been for Alfred’s arm onto which she held as to a lifeline. The music stopped and there she was beside Lord Markham Elsworth, who was looking quite resplendent in a grey pin-striped morning coat with a white embroidered shirtfront, grey close-fitting pantaloons and gleaming black boots. Beside him was Charles Sutton in a dark grey coat, smiling as if it were the happiest day of his life!

Lucinda felt Alfred prize her fingers from his arm and give her a reassuring wink as Lord Markham took her hand. She stole a quick glance at him through her veil. His face was impassive, but she sensed the tension in the clasp of his hand. Did he perhaps feel as nervous as she did? The thought cheered her for a moment, and as if he read her thoughts, he glanced down at her, his lips moved in the ghost of a smile and he squeezed her hand.

Then they were both caught up in the unreality of hearing themselves repeat vows to “love and cherish, to honor ... for better or for worse, until death did them part!” The church was quiet and their voices seemed to hang in the air as they followed the sonorous tones of the parson. There was a gentle sniffling sound which Lucinda knew could only emanate from Sarah and for a moment her own eyes misted.

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