AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Twenty-Nine
The day of his wedding dawned bright and sunny. Bertram could not have asked for better weather if he’d prayed specifically. He smiled as Tom executed a complicated knot for his cravat. He was dressed in a red velvet morning jacket, black silk breeches tucked into black stockings and his black hessian boots. After he finished with the knot, Tom would pin a bright ruby to his cravat, to complete his dress.
He straightened his spine, appreciating that he cut an impressive figure in the looking glass.
I shall do her proud at least.
He smiled, a little sadly, not knowing if he was speaking of Victoria or Letty. With a sigh he nodded, acknowledging to himself how lucky he’d been to—twice!—find true love in such a manner.
“There you go, Your Grace.” Tom patted the ruby in place, with a huge smile on his face. “You’re as handsome as any bride could want.”
“Thank you, Tom.” Bertram smiled back, feeling happiness bubble up within him. The door crushed open and George came barreling in, his face alight.
“Papa! I’m ready.” He jumped on the bed, bouncing up and down a little with the force of impact. Bertram grinned at him, taking in his matching green velvet coat and white breeches. He looked nothing so much as a little prince.
“Good man. Do you have the rings?”
George’s brow furrowed worriedly, “No. Mrs. Haversham insisted on keeping them until the ceremony. Should I get them?”
“No, no. Let Mrs. Haversham keep hold of them for now. You look very handsome.” Bertram held out his hand, the ruffles of his shirt almost obscuring it, “Shall we go?”
George jumped off the bed, grinning with excitement. “Yes. Are we marrying Miss Strange now?”
Bertram laughed, “Yes, we are marrying her right now.”
George nodded. “Good. That means she’ll always stay and make us cakes, is that not so, Papa?”
“Not only that, but she’ll be there to speak to and hold you close when you feel low or afraid.”
“I don’t need to be held, Papa, I’m a big boy.”
“Of course you are.” Bertram smiled indulgently down at his son who skipped happily beside him.
“After we get married we’ll eat the cakes, and then Miss Strange will play with me. Shall I call her Mama now? Or just Letty? Or Miss Strange?”
Bertram’s breath almost stopped. He had not thought of this at all. “I think everyone would think it strange if you called her Letty. I’m sure she would not mind if you called her Mama.”
“But what about my real mama? Will she mind?” George’s eyes were dark with worry.
They stepped out into the courtyard and the wind seemed to pick up a bit. “I would say, no.” Bertram replied quietly, “I’m sure she would want you to have a living mama who could feed you cakes and pamper you.”
George perked up. “That’s true. Because she loves me, is that not right, Papa?”
“That is indeed correct.”
They set out for the chapel, walking on the petal-covered path, hand in hand. They didn’t speak much, simply enjoying the pleasantness of the day, the birds singing in the trees, as the wind soughed through the boughs creating their own melody. Servants were still rushing about, taking care of last-minute preparations. Even though the wedding was to be attended only by members of the household, Bertram had made sure to lay out a veritable feast. It was a day of celebration and everyone would fill their bellies to bursting if he had anything to say about it.
He caught sight of Mrs. Gendry in her Sunday best, berating a scullery maid over some spilled soup. She caught his eye, smiled and nodded, and he made an elegant leg in response, feeling too joyful for anything less.
They walked past her and soon the chapel came in sight, set in a clearing in the woods, with the sun lighting it up so that it looked like a building from a fairy tale in which magical things happened. He did not know if Letty was already waiting or had not yet arrived. What he did know was that he could not wait to marry her.
Mrs. Haversham appeared, taking charge of George, and Bertram took the opportunity to find the chaplain and take his position at the front of the church.
* * *
Letty was smoothing down her veil when there was a knock at the door. Her eyebrows flew up as she looked at Minnie through the looking glass as the erstwhile kitchen now lady’s maid patted the flower crown she’d made into place. She shrugged at Letty and Letty sighed, raising her voice to yell. “Come in.”
The door opened and she froze, gaping widely.
