AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
“Elizabeth, I cannot have you fainting before you say your vows. You must eat,” her mother ordered as she walked into Elizabeth’s dressing room while Stella and Irene helped her dress.
It was the morning of her wedding, and she had not been able to eat because of how nervous she was. Flutters kicked about in her stomach without mercy, and she had been pale since she woke up.
“I risk casting up my accounts before my groom and the priest more than I do fainting, Mother,” she explained. “I cannot eat.”
Her mother looked at her with a frown before she said, “Stella, I think we should use white flowers in her hair instead of pink.”
“Yes, My Lady,” Stella agreed, smiling at Elizabeth through the mirror. Both Elizabeth and Stella had wanted white flowers in her hair because they matched her pale-green silk dress, but Clarice had insisted on pink for contrast. Now, it appeared she had changed her mind.
Her mother’s gaze moved to Irene, who was in a chair near Elizabeth, and she abruptly commanded, “I need a moment alone with Elizabeth.”
Irene and Stella left while Elizabeth watched her mother’s face for a hint of what she wanted to talk to her about. Perhaps give her advice on how to be the wife of a marquess? Clarice sat in the chair Irene left and took Elizabeth’s hand.
“My dear, I want to beg your pardon for my harsh words to you. I was wrong, and I allowed my emotions to rule me.”
Elizabeth took a breath. “I forgive you, Mother,” she said quietly, unsure how she felt about the apology.
“I also want to apologize for all the years I neglected you and favored Irene. I could not allow you to begin a new life without mending our relationship.”
Elizabeth’s throat tightened. “Why did you neglect me?” She needed to know why she had been disfavored.
Her mother’s eyes misted. “I wanted you to be the perfect lady, but all you wanted was to climb trees and read books you should not be reading. I decided to leave you and put all my efforts toward making Irene the perfect lady.”
“There is no such thing as perfection,” Elizabeth whispered. “I wanted you to love me.”
“I do love you, Elizabeth,” Clarice stroked her cheek. “I was frustrated by how different you were, and I allowed it to show. I am sorry.”
Elizabeth was happy she had the answer she had been seeking, but she still did not know how she was supposed to respond. A fault with her had been perceived, and she had been punished for years for it. Was she supposed to forget it all and begin anew?
“Elizabeth?” Her mother’s voice slipped into her thoughts.
Elizabeth wanted to forgive her mother and mend their relationship, and she began by hugging her mother. “I am glad you gave us the chance to talk about this, Mother.”
“I had to right a wrong.” She held Elizabeth for a while. “I want you to be happy in your marriage, my dear, and I eagerly await the birth of my grandchildren.”
“Mother!” Elizabeth pulled away, laughing. “I have not married him yet, and you are thinking of grandchildren.”
“Your father is thinking the same thing, only that he will not give voice to it.” Clarice grinned, and heat rose to Elizabeth’s cheeks.
Her mother might not have to wait for very long because she and Rhys might not be able to keep their hands from each other. Anticipation coiled around her, and she looked away.
Clarice must have seen because she stood and said, “I will call them back, so you can finish getting dressed. We cannot be late for your wedding.”
“No, it will make the groom most anxious,” Elizabeth chuckled, wondering what Rhys would think if she were late. Would he think that she had changed her mind, and would he care?
Irene and Stella returned, and Elizabeth was happy to be distracted by their company. Brutus had been asleep at her feet the entire time, but she felt his paw on her hem now and smiled. They were to leave for Dorset after the wedding. Rhys had written to Elizabeth to inform her of the plan, and she would have argued against it had he not pointed out that it would be better if they left town until Society forgot about the scandal.
So, she was leaving her family today, but at least she would have Stella and Brutus with her, and they were her strongest allies. When Stella finished arranging the flowers in her hair with tiny braids and knots, Elizabeth regarded herself in the mirror and hoped Rhys would be pleased with what he saw. She dearly wanted to find felicity in her marriage despite the odds against it.
* * *
Rhys took Elizabeth’s hand and kissed it before facing their families after they had signed the register at noon. The wedding ceremony had passed quicker than Elizabeth expected, but perhaps she felt that because of Rhys’ gaze, which did not leave hers even for a moment throughout.
His look held a great promise of passion, enough to make her want to ignore the part of her that wanted to be accepted by Rhys before she gave herself to him. But then she was reminded that she had surrendered her body several times before, and now that she was his wife, she ought not to refuse what they both wanted. Elizabeth’s parents, Irene, and Miles were the first to come forward to give them their felicitations. Miles had called upon her the day before and reassured her that he was not offended by the gossip before wishing her well.
Now, he bowed and said, “I am happy to have you as my cousin, Marchioness Guildford.”
