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Chapter Ten

The view from the window showed a hive of activity in the square. Workers strung orange blossoms around the square with lanterns placed in between to be lit later when the party was in full swing. They also placed more orange blossoms on the long trestle tables. Workers strategically placed terracotta pots filled with red carnations around the square. It was a magical sight, and Thomas could not wait to see Elena in the dress Carlos had found for her. He was dressed in smart new clothes too and with boots that actually fit. Carlos truly was a miracle worker. He was more nervous about what Elena would think of his freshly shaved face. Would she even recognize him?

As the wedding drew closer, the smell of food began to permeate the air. Paella and roasted meats, seafood and more were being prepared. Thomas stayed down below, helping where he could as he waited for Elena to come down. He had given Carlos the special blend of tea that Elena had made for the bride, and he muttered something about wishing she had been around before the girl had gotten with child. Again, reminding him that he needed to be more careful when making love to Elena.

Carlos nudged him, and he turned towards the staircase. Thomas gasped. Elena wore a muslin dress with a sheer red silk overdress with slightly puffed sleeves with embroidery around the cuffs and hem. Red slippers peeped out from under the hem as she descended. Her honey-colored hair was piled high and strung with fresh red carnations.

When she saw him, she stopped on the bottom step, her smile faltering. Thomas met her and held out his hand. “You look stunning, Elena.”

“Your face,” she said as she ran her fingers over his clean-cut face.

“Carlos made me do it. Do you hate it?”

“No. Not at all. You look so…handsome. Like I am finally seeing the last layer. Your bruises are gone.” It was then that she noticed how he was dressed. “And all dressed up as well. A cravat and a waist coat. Carlos has really outdone himself, hasn’t he?”

“He certainly has; this dress is exquisite. I will be the envy of all the men tonight.” He kissed her hand, making their way to Carlos.

“Carlos, I cannot thank you enough for all you have done for us these last few days,” Thomas said as he shook the man’s hand.

Elena smiled and said, “Estoy realmente agradecido, señor Carlos.”

Carlos grinned. “Seeing you in that dress has me worried you will outshine the bride.” He turned to Thomas. “You better keep her close tonight as someone may want to charm her out of your grasp.”

Elena blushed, and Thomas grinned. “I assure you, I will not let her out of my sight.” There was no way he would let any man near her, especially as she was simply ravishing tonight. He was going to find it hard to keep his own hands off her. “Are the men in place around the perimeter?”

Carlos nodded. “They are. Don’t worry. Any sight of the French and the plan will be put into action.”

“Excellent. Shouldn’t you be at the church already?”

“Ah, yes, if you will excuse me.” With that, Carlos left the inn, leaving Thomas and Elena alone together.

“He’s right, you know. I will have to be on my toes, so you are not stolen away from me.” He brushed his lips over hers, fighting the urge to deepen the kiss.

“I think we will have to both be on our toes. All the women will want to dance with the handsome Englishman.”

“Ah, but I am not an Englishman tonight, just another Spaniard going to a wedding. Tonight, I am yours and yours alone. I don’t need to dance with any other.”

She smiled, and his heart skipped a beat, as it always seemed to do these days when she graced him with one of her full grins.

“Good, for I would not allow it.”

He lifted a brow. “Oh, really…” They continued teasing each other, leaving the inn’s cool for the square’s heat, and strolled down the cobbled road to the church for the ceremony with the rest of the village.

Thomas led Elena to a seat, and they waited for the bride to arrive. The church was humid due to the number of bodies within. The stained-glass windows cast colorful smears across the floor. The altar boys swung their incense, nearly overwhelming the senses. Thomas was wide-eyed as this was his first Catholic wedding, that being the major religion in the country. The bride appeared, and Thomas caught his breath. The bride wore a black wedding dress and veil. Black! This would have been unheard of in England. Nobody else had their mouth open or seemed to be shocked.

“She is wearing black,” he whispered to Elena.

“Yes, that is traditional; it is a symbol of her being closer to God. Why? What do they wear in England?”

“Usually, a light-colored dress and sometimes a white veil but short not one that covers the whole body as she has.”

“How strange. Why such a light color?”

“For purity I suppose as of course they are meant to be a virgin when they get married.”

Elena laughed into her hand.

“I know it rarely happens, but the pretense is there anyway.”