Her father winced. “It has been some time, but Augusta prefers that we have breakfast together.”
“Do you remember how I used to read to you in the library after dinner?”
“I do,” he replied. “Those moments were very special to me.”
“Yet you stopped coming to the library after you wed Augusta.”
He frowned. “Augusta does not like being apart from me.”
“I miss you, Father,” she said. “Sometimes I feel as if I lost both parents the day that Mother died.”
Leaning forward, her father reached for her hand. “I am still here, and you will never lose me,” he asserted. “I can promise you that.”
Arabella felt tears prick at the back of her eyes. “I am happy to hear you say that, but I worry if that is true.”
“I can assure you that things will change once we arrive back in London,” her father said. “I believe it is time that I put Augusta in her place.”
“That won’t be easy.”
Her father gave her a tender smile. “But it will be worth it.” He paused. “I’m sorry I have been vocal about my disapproval of Lord Barrett, but I just want you to be sure of your choice.”
“I am, wholeheartedly.”
“Then I shall support your decision, and I will welcome Lord Barrett into the family.”
“Thank you,” she murmured as a tear rolled down her cheek.
Her father reached forward and wiped it away. “You mustn’t cry on your wedding day. What would Lord Barrett think?”
“These are happy tears,” Arabella assured him.
“Your mother used to cry when she was happy, as well,” her father remarked, his voice soft. “And I have no doubt she would be crying at this very moment, if she were here.”
“I miss her so much.”
Her father nodded. “As do I,” he said. “I would give up all that I have if I could just see her for a moment.”
“I feel the same way.”
A smile came to his lips, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Are you ready?” he asked.
“I am.”
Her father released her hand and opened the door. After he stepped out, he stretched forth his hand to help her out of the coach.
Arabella exited the coach and stared up at the church. There was no doubt in her heart about marrying Colin. She loved him, more than anything else in the whole world.
“Shall we go inside?” her father asked as he placed her hand in the crook of his arm.
“Yes,” she replied.
As they walked towards the doors, Arabella felt a fluttering in her stomach at the thought of seeing Colin. She hadn’t seen him much these past few days, and she missed him. She wondered if she would always react that way to him.
Her father opened the door and stood to the side as she entered. To her surprise, not only were the pews decorated with flowers, but they were filled with people from the village.
“I thought this was to be a small wedding,” her father whispered to her.
“As did I.”
