True Nobility by Lori Bates Wright

Author:Lori Bates Wright
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Tags: Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9781732673809
Publisher: SierraVista Books
Published: 2018-10-08T04:00:00+00:00

To have and to hold; from this day forward,

’Til death us do part.

~ Traditional wedding vows, Book of Common Prayer

Nineteen

Church bells ringing in the distance made Tori’s heart skip two beats.

From the moment she’d opened her eyes this morning, her world was set in motion. Detached, she felt as if it were happening to someone else.

A copper bathtub had been dragged across the room, and before she knew it, she’d been immersed and scrubbed rosy pink all over. Her hair squeaked after being washed in French-milled lilac soap.

Aunt Charlotte had sent up three housemaids to attend to her. Over and over they’d tried to pile her sable locks atop her head. All finally agreed to simply let the unruly tresses tumble down her back, tucking only the sides up under her hat.

Not half an hour later, Tori stood on a footstool while the dressmaker and her assistants surrounded her to pin, nip and stitch. All four of them yanking and tugging until she could barely breathe.

Once finished, Tori turned from the mirror to get the final approval from her aunt.

“I declare! You’re a vision. Turn around, precious and let me see the back.” Aunt Charlotte lifted the short train, setting it straight.

The white satin dress was high-collared and fitted at her waist. The full, scalloped skirts swayed gracefully with each step. Pouf sleeves ended with a lace ruffle at her elbows. A small white hat came to a pearled V on her forehead, and a demure veil covered her face.

“Don’t forget to pinch your cheeks and squeeze your lips shut every now and then for color.”

“Aunt Charlotte, do you suppose I could forgo walking down the aisle … alone?” She took her aunt’s gloved hand in her own. “I’d rather stand with the others at the altar. It won’t be the same without father.”

“Don’t you give it another thought.” Aunt Charlotte patted her niece. “Reverend Beauregard is very understanding about these things.”

“Here, Tori, this just came for you. Nicholas had it sent over.” Aurora handed her a small white package wrapped with a big blue bow. “What do you suppose it is?”

“I haven’t the faintest idea. He’s already given me a lovely piece of his grandmother’s jewelry. That reminds me, please hand me that velvet box on the dressing table. I mustn’t forget to put it on.”

After untying the bow, Tori opened the box. The other two Haverwood women clamored to see what was inside.

A sterling silver nameplate lay in all its polished splendor upon a bed of dark blue satin. The inscription read simply: Victoria – My princess always.

A grin spread across her face as she lifted the shiny piece.

“How pretty.” Aurora peered over her shoulder.

“Yes, but whatever is it for?” Her aunt, as usual, was baffled.

“My forehead.” Tori held it up above her eyes and burst out laughing.

“You English girls have the strangest customs.” With that Aunt Charlotte helped herself to another strawberry tart.

Before another hour passed, Tori was on her way to the church, seated in the Brougham alone with her anxious thoughts.

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