Page 66 of A Fierce Wind

After breakfast, Freddie returned to his room where he read a book until he was certain the ladies had left for the church. Retracing his steps to the first floor, he encountered Donet standing next to the front door, his pocket watch in hand.

“I have been wondering if the impatient groom intended to be late for his wedding.”

“Not at all. I merely allowed the ladies time to depart. My sister was clear about that.” Freddie thought of the list he’d been working from that morning. “Do you have the ring?”

Donet reached in the pocket of his ivory satin waistcoat and held the ring out, its lavender sapphire sparkling from the delicate gold band. “’Twas a good thing you let me know Zoé loves the color lavender, else I might have picked something she would have liked less well.”

“I’m glad I remembered we had some loose stones in the warehouse from the trip to Ceylon last year.”

Though Freddie had not been allowed to see Zoé’s gown, he’d asked his sister for the color. When Jo advised him it was becoming fashionable for the bride and groom to match, Freddie had the tailor in St Peter Port make him a waistcoat of lavender silk. But when it came to his frock coat and breeches, like Donet, he chose black. Both of them wore a French small sword at their waists. To leave his sword behind would make him feel undressed.

“We’d best be off,” Donet said, striding toward the door. “I grow old as we dally.”

The footman handed them their tricornes and opened the door.

Once in the carriage, Freddie sank against the tufted velvet and gazed out the window, remembering the carriage ride that had taken him away from the Conciergerie more than a month before. “You didn’t seem surprised when I asked for Zoé’s hand that day in Paris.”

A small smile played about Donet’s mouth. “I’ve watched the two of you for years. Every time my niece set out on some wild adventure, you argued against it and, when she could not be dissuaded, went along to see she came to no harm. But it was Joanna who first remarked to me it would be a good match. Not many men would tolerate Zoé’s independent spirit.”

Freddie braced himself as the carriage took a sharp turn. “I rather like her tendency toward adventure. I expect we will have many.”

“Doubtless,” replied Donet.

The conveyance stopped in front of the Parish Church located on St Peter Port’s seafront. The Gothic building was as old as the castle in Fougères and it would have fit well as a part of that town.

They stepped down and an anxious Émile Bequel, dressed like a gentleman of some import in fine apparel, approached. “Vite! We must make haste. I’m to lead ye through the side door to where ye will stand, Mr. West. Then I’ll take ye, Capitaine, to where yer niece is waiting.”

They nodded and followed.

When they arrived at the door, Bequel indicated Freddie should enter. As he reached for the handle, he heard Bequel say to Donet. “I should warn ye, Capitaine, Madame Donet is biting her knuckles.”

Freddie turned. “What about Zoé?” It wouldn’t do to anger his bride on their wedding day.

Bequel shrugged. “The mademoiselle just smiles at her bouquet.”

“I hope that’s a good sign,” Freddie muttered.

He entered the church filled with people sitting expectantly in the pews and took his place to the right of the black-robed minister. The ceremony would be Anglican, but like his sister’s wedding, a priest would conduct a second, more private service in a smaller chamber.

Moments later, his sister and Isabeau, wearing blue gowns, were escorted to the front of the church to stand opposite Freddie as Zoé’s attendants.

Jo gave him a warm smile. He returned her smile, but he needed no encouragement. He’d waited years for Zoé to grow up, hoping she would one day come to love him. She was always the bright spot in the midst of his many disappointments. That she might one day choose another man had always been a possibility. If she had done so, he would have relinquished his unspoken claim and wished her happiness, no matter his heart would be breaking. But a miracle had happened and she had chosen him. He vowed to spend the rest of his life proving she’d made the right choice.

From the back of the church, the beautiful music of a violin sent a hush over the guests.

Not many people knew Zoé’s uncle was a virtuoso with the violin, or that in his youth he’d considered becoming a concert violinist. A few weeks ago, she had asked if he might play for their guests just before he led her down the aisle. He’d agreed on the condition he could select the music. When the first strains of the piece came to her ears, she knew it was a reminder of the man she had chosen to wed.

The music was The Guardian Angel by the Austrian composer Heinrich Biber. An appropriate choice, she thought. Freddie had certainly been that, watching over her and protecting her from harm even at the cost of his own safety and, if need be, his own life.

Zoé listened to the ethereal music and peered around a pillar to see the enraptured looks on the faces of their guests. Gazing down at her bouquet of St Peter Port daisies, she was glad she had decided on the flowers that grew wild on Guernsey. A little like her, she acknowledged. That Freddie knew her wild tendencies and still wanted her warmed her heart. As much as it was within her power, she would fill their home with the children she knew he wanted and his life with love.

When the music stopped, all heads turned to the back of the church where Zoé entered on Donet’s arm. As they began slowly walking toward Freddie, his gaze alighted on her glowing face and the lavender silk of her gown shimmering in the light from the stained glass windows. She wore no veil, not even a hat, but instead, a wreath of daisies crowned her long dark hair. She was beautiful, his Venus.

A wide smile crossed his face as their eyes met. When she drew near, her focus shifted to his lavender waistcoat and she smiled. Did she think a spy could not ascertain the shade of her gown?

Once she arrived in front of Freddie, Donet released her and stepped back. She handed her bouquet to Joanna and, together, they turned toward the minister.

The vows came easily to Freddie, so long had he waited to speak them. Zoé, too, spoke hers without hesitation.