As Tommy grasped Minnie's small hand in his work-roughened one, a sense of rightness stole through him. Holding her felt like coming home, as did this place where they would be married, a place that should have been completely unromantic and yet had become the opposite.
The blacksmith ushered them to the anvil, its surface surprisingly clean. He handed them each a thin metal band,still warm from the forge. "Just made these for you. These will serve as your wedding rings. Clasp hands over the anvil and repeat after me..."
As Tommy gazed into Minnie's shining blue eyes, the rest of the world fell away. The blacksmith's words washed over him as he repeated the words, reciting the vows that were simple yet to the point.
"I, Tommy Ward, take you, Minnie Draper, to be my wedded wife. I promise to love, honor, and cherish you, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, till death us do part."
His voice shook slightly, but the sincerity rang true. Minnie's answering vows were soft but steady, her gaze never leaving his.
"With this ring, I thee wed," they murmured in unison, slipping the bands onto each other's fingers. The metal was a comforting weight, a tangible symbol of how they were now tied to one another.
"I now pronounce you man and wife!" the blacksmith declared jovially.
Minnie looked up at Tommy, wide-eyed, as she whispered, "We did it, Tommy. We're married." Wonder and a hint of trepidation colored her tone.
He rested his forehead against hers. "Aye, that we are, Mrs. Ward. And I swear I'll do everything in my power to be the husband you deserve. This is only the beginning of our adventure together."
“Congratulations,” the blacksmith said. “And best of luck from all you’re running from. Your marriage will be registered with the parish tomorrow. There’s no breaking it after that.”
With a thank you and a farewell to the blacksmith, who handed them the certificate showing their marriage to be genuine, they joined hands and stepped out into the late afternoon sun as husband and wife.
Tommy had never been much of a planner – he usually didn’t think much further ahead than the few moments before him.
Now that he had seen his immediate plans through, he realized it was time to figure out where they went from here. They had a return ticket, but he wondered what Minnie would think about his small set of rooms above the blacksmith shop, about the hours he worked, and the amount of time he spent playing football.
There was also the small matter of how her family was going to react.
The concerns washed over him, and he looked over at Minnie, about to share them with her, but then he caught her expression.
Her head was tilted back, her face open to the sun and sky above her. She looked… at peace. Which made the future not matter any longer. All that mattered was that she was happy. Free. Safe.
The rest would figure itself out.
At least, he hoped it would.
Chapter Eleven
“Well, Min,” Tommy said as he led them into the heart of Gretna Green, “I hadn’t thought about this part – staying overnight.”
“That’s fine,” she said, even though her heart was racing at the idea. “I assumed we would have to stay, for the train likely leaves tomorrow.”
“That it does. I have another day before I have to return to football and my work, so I suppose this is our honeymoon of sorts.”
“Could we see the town before we find our lodgings?” she asked, trying to stall before they would be alone together in a bedroom. While it was inevitable, she still hadn’t determined how to navigate the situation.
“Why not?” he said with a shrug, as easygoing as ever.
He held his arm out for her as they entered the main area of the town, which was small but vibrant.
Minnie was acutely aware of Tommy beside her. When they had said their vows, he had looked so deeply into her eyes that it had felt as though he could see into her very soul. He had said he was doing this for the opportunity to get to knowher better, and suddenly it seemed as though he already knew her very well.
Her stomach was already fluttering with nerves at the thought of the night to come with him. While he might not expect anything, she had never been so close to a man before, and clearly, she would be sharing a bed with him.
“How would you feel about a celebratory drink?” Tommy asked, and she nodded, too caught up in her thoughts, as she followed him inside. The tavern was bustling with people, but unlike many of the taverns she had seen in Manchester, this one seemed warmer, more inviting, as though the intentions of those who entered were much purer.
Perhaps it was due to the early hour, as many people were sitting at tables across from one another, enjoying a meal together instead of losing themselves in the endless flow of drinks as usually occurred in a tavern.
Minnie followed Tommy to a table for two in the corner, close to what appeared to be a small stage.
