The Lady of Astoria Abbey by Anita Stansfield

Author:Anita Stansfield
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance;Historical;England;friendship;love;wedding;joy;heartbreak;sorrow;trust
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: 2018-07-16T18:59:59+00:00

Chapter Eight

THE DECLARATION

Agatha stood up long enough to ring for a maid before she returned to her seat and initiated conversation regarding the best way to go about arranging a wedding very quickly due to extenuating circumstances, which she felt certain others would understand and over which they would surely be supportive and helpful—especially those from whom they specifically needed assistance. When the maid arrived, Agatha asked that she tell Clive to send for the vicar and the family solicitor. When the maid left to see to her assigned task, Agatha said to Hugh and Bess, “Clearly we need to take care of the legal and religious aspects of this first and foremost. Everything else is provisionary upon working out the marriage itself. Would you not agree?”

Bess recognized in Agatha’s question an effort to make certain that the potential bride and groom were given the opportunity to offer their input. “Yes, of course,” Hugh said, and Bess felt giddy inside to consider herself being the potential bride. She really was going to marry Hugh Buxton. Having his mother’s approval meant that nothing would impede their plans; Bess felt certain that Agatha would personally confront Parliament if she had to, in order to make this happen for the sake of her son’s happiness.

In spite of Agatha’s declaration that being able to legally carry out a marriage was the only thing that really mattered, she went on talking with great enthusiasm about plans for a wedding cake to be made by the cook who was reputed to have great skill in not only making delicious meals and desserts, but also in creating beautiful works of art in her craft. And in fact, she enjoyed such opportunities and would surely be thrilled to oversee not only the making of the perfect cake but also a fine meal for everyone involved in the wedding party, which they all agreed would be a very small gathering. Hugh’s isolation had kept him from having anything more than minimal association with people beyond those he saw regularly within the household. His mother had a very few acquaintances she wanted to invite, but Bess became so caught up in listening to Agatha’s excitement over the upcoming event that she felt completely unprepared to be asked, “And who will you be inviting, my dear? Surely you have some friends and acquaintances whom you would want to attend.”

“Perhaps,” was all Bess could say as her mind went to her father. As of yet, they’d not mentioned him, but they were all aware of the present strain between Jonas White and his daughter. She was wondering how to bring up her concerns when Agatha’s perception saved her from having to find the words.

“You must be thinking of your father,” Agatha said with compassion. Bess could only nod, suddenly overcome with the urge to cry. She was getting married and she wasn’t certain her father would even care. “Surely despite your differences, he would want to attend your wedding . . . to do what is customary and give the bride away.

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