so sorry about that cliffhanger! Here you go! hope you enjoy, and thank you for all the reviews!
She grabbed Charles's hand and threw him a panicked look. He looked back and saw what Elsie feared. While she and Nora looked similar, Elsie was a carbon copy of her mother. Except for the eyes. But Elsie's inner light made her so much more beautiful. And she was a bit taller than her mother, but not quite as tall as her father. Elsie's hair was darker than her mothers, more like a mixture of both parents.
As the minister began the service he felt Elsie clutch his arm tighter, her knuckles turning white. When the preacher had gotten to the part about objecting he noticed her eyes widen. He hears a throat clear, and dread settles in, but then no words are heard. And they move on to the vows, he had the minister put protect in his and he means it, and as her eyes fill with unshed tears, he knows she means everything she says too. The minister blesses the rings, and he slides hers on (and in a weird turn of events she slides his on. People stare because usually men in their class of life can't afford, and won't wear wedding bands, but he will. He wants the world to know that he belongs to someone.) As the minister says something about being man and wife, he bends down to kiss her and they quickly walk down the aisle and out the church. They will go back for a small reception at the big house, and then they will go to the seaside for two days, because Lady Grantham had been kind enough to persuade his Lordship.
Her mother had quickly followed, and calls out to Elsie, who freezes. But her skirt is also being pulled on by her niece with bouncy black curls and green eyes, telling her all about her surprise for her auntie. And the little girl pointed at the formidable Agnes Hughes who had a look of thinly disguised disgust on her face as she strode up and grabbed Elsie's arm.
"Well, my invitation must have been lost in the mail. Imagine, me not being invited to my youngest daughters wedding." Agnes spat.
"Actually mother, you weren't wanted here. Now please let go of me." Elsie hissed and wrenched her arm free of her mothers grasp.
Fury blazed in her mothers eyes, and before he could do anything to stop her, she raised her hand and slapped Elsie. He stepped in front of his wife and glowered at his mother in law.
"I suggest you leave Mrs. Hughes, because if you ever lay a hand on my wife again, I will have you arrested for assault." He ground out.
"You married a dirty slut, who is a product of the devil." She spat at him. He heard Elsie's sob at that comment.
"No ma'am. I married the love of my life, who happens to be well respected in this village. She can't help that she has a crazy bat for a mother! She is your daughter! how can you say such things about her with a clear conscience?" And with that he collected Elsie and walked briskly to the carriage that was waiting.
Elsie eyes were dead after that encounter. She hardly spoke, and barely managed a smile as as the were wished a restful (but not too restful) two days.
Her face crumbled on the train. "Oh Charles, I'm so sorry, she shouldn't have been there, but little Nellie didn't know any better."
"Els, it's not your fault. She's the wicked one. And your niece did it out of love, misguided as she was!" He said kindly. "Your father had the good sense to stay away though. I do not think I could have seen him up close and not wanted to hit him!"
She nestled into his side. And watched as the sunlight caught her wedding band and engagement ring. She marveled at the simplistic beauty that she found it held. She also took the quiet time to reflect on how her life had suddenly veered onto another path, but she was not unpleased by the path they were now taking, because at least she had someone who loved her by her side.
She sighed and as he tightened his arm around her, she said the words he had never heard from her.
"I love you, Charles."
He pressed a kiss into her hair, and he smiled as the train lulled them both to sleep.
Let me know what you think!
Much love,
Samantha