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Ellen swallowed. “Yes, we shall both have to try to do better, won’t we?” she asked, trying to offer a smidgen of an olive branch. This seemed to please him, and he let go of her hand. He let out a breath.
“Well, I suppose I should get to the tailor. I have the last fitting for my morning coat before the big day,” he said with a sigh. “May I escort you back to the house?”
“No, thank you. I think I shall enjoy the fresh air for a while,” she said. In truth, she wanted time to think. Simon elicited such confusing emotions in her. She had spent so many years being bitter against him, but now, he was tearing down her walls with his charm and kindness. It was so unlike the picture she had painted in her mind.
“Very well. I’ll see you at the wedding?” he said with that smile that was soon turning her knees to water. She could not help but offer a nervous laugh.
“See you at the wedding,” she replied. She turned away, peering over her shoulder as he walked away. It was not the wedding ceremony she was worried about. It was the wedding night.
Chapter 8
November 1816
Simon gulped as Ellen walked down the aisle toward him. She was a vision in a white silk gown, with tiny white flowers woven into a crown to adorn her blonde locks. The small village church had been decorated with white roses and greenery from his father’s hothouses, and several of their friends populated the pews. His father shot him an encouraging wink right before Lord Semple and Ellen halted before the reverend.
“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” the revered asked.
“Her mother and I,” Lord Semple replied. He smiled, turned to kiss Ellen on the cheek, and then gave her hand to Simon. He took it with some hesitation. He felt her tense ever so slightly, and he let go of her hand after they had stepped forward. She held on tight to the bouquet of white roses instead of handing it to her younger sister, who acted as her maid of honour.
Simon let out a breath. Today was going to be a long day. His thoughts raced as the reverend began the ceremony, of which he barely heard a few words. He chanced a glance at his soon-to-be wife, and his heart skipped a beat. Never in his wildest dreams had he thought he would actually end up with Ellen for a wife.
But here they were, about to pledge their lives to each other for the rest of eternity. She was beautiful, to be sure. However, they were still practically strangers, as there had been only snatches of time for them to spend together. Much of her time had been taken up with the final preparations for the wedding. And he could tell that she still did not fully trust him.
When it was time for them to exchange vows, she finally gave up her bouquet, and he took her hands in his. She tensed again, and he fought the urge to drop them.
“Repeat after me: I, Simon Elisha Grant, do take thee, Ellen Elizabeth Semple.…”
Simon repeated the vow after the reverend, feeling like he was watching from outside his body. Could this really be happening? It was almost surreal.
When his portion of the vows came to an end, he chanced a look out at the crowd. He spotted Lady Genevieve at the back of the church, and she raised her lovely chin when he made eye contact. She looked as elegant as ever but was dressed in a very depressing shade of grey.
Lady Ellen repeated her vows, and the ceremony soon drew to a close. She took up her bouquet again as the reverend made the pronouncement. He did not offer her his arm as they walked out of the church side by side. He doubted she would have taken it anyway.
Once outside, he helped her into the carriage, having to hold his top hat to keep it from blowing away in the wind. The weather had turned quite cold as Autumn set in. Soon, winter would be upon them, and thus he would be trapped indoors with his wife. What would Christmas be like that year, spent with a woman who wanted nothing to do with him?
He sighed as he climbed in beside Ellen, and they waved at the crowd outside the church, all of them wishing them well.
Simon leaned back in the carriage seat, glad they were out of sight of the curious eyes of the townsfolk. “Well, that was quite the experience,” he said, more to himself than to Ellen.
“Yes,” Ellen said softly. She did not bother to turn her attention from the landscape passing outside her window. She gripped the edge of the carriage window, her knuckles white. He raised a brow. Did she think he was going to hurt her? His insecurity started to rise once more.
Indeed, it seemed that his insecurity had been his constant companion since coming home from university. Over the last few weeks, their fathers had tried to get them together as much as possible, but he had seemed to make little progress.
He turned away, closing his eyes for a moment. His wife still did not trust him. Simon should not have gotten his hopes up, he knew. But he had hoped that after a few weeks of getting reacquainted, she would change her attitude toward him.
When he opened his eyes, they were pulling up to the front of the house. He opened the door as the carriage came to a halt and reached up to help Ellen out. She hesitantly took his hand and immediately dropped it, walking to the door by herself.
Simon let out a breath, praying silently for patience. He followed her up the steps and was glad to see that a few of their guests were already waiting, Everett and Lady Genevieve among them. Ellen went to join her sisters as soon as they walked into the grand hall, leaving him alone. Rolling his eyes, he approached Everett and Genevieve.
“Ahh, here is the bridegroom. May I offer you my congratulations, Lord Simon?” Lady Genevieve said with a sarcastic smirk. He shook his head at her greeting, shaking hands with Everett.
“I do not know what I would have done without you by my side, my friend,” Simon said. He glanced at Lady Genevieve. “You too, I suppose. Although you have an odd way of showing your support. Surely sarcasm is out of place on a day such as this?”
Lady Genevieve shrugged slightly, still wearing a mischievous smile. “It was a lovely ceremony, Lord Simon. I only think it a pity that you did not look very happy on your wedding day. Indeed, neither did your bride.”
Simon glanced over at Ellen, who seemed all smiles now that she was out of his presence. “Yes, well, things have not been easy between us to say the least.” He sighed, turning his attention back to his friends. He would simply have to make the best of his situation, for there was no going back now. “But enough about me. How was your journey?” he asked.
Lady Genevieve beamed at his attention. “It was lovely. I must say that I am a little hurt that you have never invited me to your family home until now. It is absolutely charming. I woke up this morning and looked out the window to see the most spectacular sunrise I have ever seen. With the sunlight streaming through the mist, it felt as if I was still dreaming.”
