The Grey Rider by C M Blackwood

Author:C M Blackwood [Blackwood, C M]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-12-19T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter XIII: A Royal Gathering

After the wedding, Leah and Tana remained beneath the tree, so that everyone could come and wish them well. And, sure enough, every single person did.

Then the bishop came up. “Surely,” he said with a broad smile, “they were all words that I never thought I would hear myself say! But I hope I said them well?” he asked, looking truly anxious to have pleased them.

“It was lovely,” Tana said to him.

“Ah!” he said. “Thank you, Miss MacCuill! And thank you, Miss Stepbrooke, for allowing me the honor of witnessing your marriage.”

“You seem to forget it’s you who should be thanked,” Leah said. “I highly doubt there’s anyone else who would have done what you just did for us.”

“Ah!” the bishop repeated. “Probably not! But it’s all well in the end – for the job is done, and everyone is happy. Your cousin included!”

“Oh, yes,” Leah said with a soft smile. “My cousin.”

“I notice he didn’t make it tonight,” the bishop said, casting one more hopeful look around. “Nothing serious kept him away, I hope?”

“Oh,” Leah said, “you never know with him, bishop! He’s a very unpredictable fellow.”

Tana smiled, and squeezed Leah’s arm.

“Yes, yes,” the bishop said. “I suppose you’re right. But I’d best be off now! Have to be up very early in the morning. Goodnight, ladies!”

Leah and Tana nodded to him, and he set off towards his horse. Then he climbed up, waved once more, and was gone.

Almost everyone had gone away, by now. Only Asha, Tambo, Greta and Angus remained. Leah and Tana went over to them, and hugged them. Then everyone climbed up into the wagon together.

“Would you like to have a drink with me, Greta?” Tambo asked. “I’ve saved a few coins, and I wish you’d join me.”

“Oh, Tambo,” said Greta. “I’d love to.”

Leah leaned over to Tambo, and whispered to him, “Do you need any more money?”

“No,” Tambo answered. “It was you who gave me the money I already have!”

He kissed Leah’s cheek, and Leah pulled up on the reins to stop the horses. Tambo and Greta jumped out, and started off towards the pub. Then the wagon rolled on again.

At Cavendish Lane, Angus kissed Leah and Tana, tipped his cap to Asha, and then went off to his house. Asha looked pointedly at the remaining pair, and then went inside her own house.

“No wedding night for us, I suppose,” said Tana.

“Well,” said Leah, “we did already have that night in the forest.”

“But it is our wedding night.”

“Someday,” Leah said, looking into Tana’s eyes, “when we’re far away from here – every night will be our wedding night, for the rest of our lives.”

Tana said nothing, but wrapped her arms around Leah, and held her closely. Then they kissed each other, long and deep; and Leah watched Tana go into the house.

Then she got into the wagon, and directed the horses to the stables. She put Simeon in his stall, and Snowflake in hers, and then removed all of the lace from the wagon, so that no one would be suspicious.

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