Chapter 21: Wedding Bells
Meanwhile, Duilius and Sophia were enjoying the fine spring afternoon in Diagon Alley. They were strolling arm in arm slowly down the main street, searching for a tea shop that had tables on the pavement, not wishing to be indoors when the weather was so splendid. As soon as they found the appropriate shop, chose the table with the clearest view of the blue sky between the buildings, and ordered their tea and coffee, Sophia demanded of her fiance to tell her all that had passed the previous night at Mr Blishwick's ball. Duilius did not disappoint her with his detailed narrative. Sophia listened with relief as she was reassured that neither of their subjects of study did anything dangerous. But her relief was short-lived; Duilius related to her the look on Isla's face as she examined Mr Hitchens from afar.
"I cannot quite describe it; it was a mixture of sadness, longing, and resignation. Dearest, I tell you, she could not stay in the room. She went out onto the balcony."
The couple looked at each other in anxiety.
"It was the sort of glance I would have given you, had you turned me down", whispered Duilius, taking Sophia's hand into his own.
"And what about him?", asked Sophia after a short pause.
"He never talked to her", responded he with a sigh. "But I often saw him throwing quick glances at her. After what happened in the library last year, can you honestly doubt his affection for her?"
"No. But that was a year ago. A great many things can change in a year. If he still cared for her, would he not try to show it, or at least try to approach her?", said she, clinging to what little hope she still had.
"After the commotion he created in the library? Sophia, he was a hair's breadth away from expulsion. He understands now that her family is not to be trifled with."
Silence ensued, as each was lost in their own thoughts.
"I do not think that he shall attempt to contact her again", said Duilius in a whisper.
She should be glad that her friend ran no risk of being induced to elope with a muggleborn. Sophia knew that she should be glad, as should Duilius. But, as they looked at each other, the happy couple, on the brink of marriage, it was difficult to prevent the unwelcome feeling that perhaps they had been wrong.
"Let us hope that Mr Gamp proposes to her soon", said Sophia, before before discussing with her beloved the subject that invariably brought wide smiles on their faces: their impending nuptials.
Sophia's wish was not long in being granted; a fortnight before the wedding, Mr Gamp finally managed to have a private interview with her friend. Isla, busy with her work and the wedding preparations, had little to non-existent time to devote to her suitor. However, a sunny afternoon, she made the dreadful mistake of returning home earlier than usual, in the hopes of resting. Instead, she was asked into the drawing room by her brother, where she found him in the company of Andronicus Gamp. A relaxed and reassured smile adorned his face, while Phineas looked at her with raised eyebrows and a smirk of ironic amusement on his lips. Isla knew exactly what was going to happen in less than half an hour. Panic rose in her in waves, threatening to drown her in the moment she had feared for more than a year, but she remained calm, etching her diplomatic smile on her face. She knew her answer; it was the aftermath that she was terrified of. It was not long before Phineas invented an excuse to exit the room, leaving Isla alone with Mr Gamp. He, for his part, was not long in proceeding with his business. Feeling that it would be more appropriate to be able to reach his soon-to-be fiancee in a moment of glorious success, as she accepted gratefully his offer, he rose, and stood before her. He was foolish to believe even for a second that Isla would do any such thing as be grateful for an offer of marriage by him, but then again he was very little acquainted with her character to know better. Therefore, he began.
"Miss Black, I have hoped for an audience with you for awhile now, and yet such an opportunity has evaded us."
Isla could not help but wish that he would get it over and done with in as little time as possible. Knowing his narcissism, however, she was not optimistic.
"I have always esteemed you as Phineas' sister, and the noble and beautiful daughter of a distinguished family", he continued, as Isla, in all her dread, gave him full marks on his handling of the matter. Had she been a Black at heart, such a declaration could not have failed to please her. She prevented the ironic smile from surfacing on her lips; she was happy she was capable of such thoughts once more. She was herself again. "But through our joined efforts in Quidditch, I came to see your virtues, and an affection for your fine self has since been created in my breast. More than that, the union of our two houses would be looked upon by our relatives with a favorable eye, and what can be more glorious than indulging the heart, while securing the future? Indeed, I know not how I have contained myself for the past eight months! But no more delay! I ask you to honor me with your hand in marriage."
He looked at her in expectation. No radiant smile came, no words of requited love, nor even a smirk of acknowledgement that a wealthy heir to an old family had just made her an offer of marriage. Nothing. Her face was grave. Confusion was plainly written in his features. He now wished he had remained seated.
How to answer? How to refuse? Isla knew not. But this unpleasant task had to be done. She tried not to think of the storm that would inevitably follow her response. One thing at a time.
"Mr Gamp", she said in her most sombre voice, "your feelings do you credit, and I am fully sensible of the great honor you have bestowed upon me." She took a deep breath, and looked him in the eye. "But I must decline your offer. I am sorry."
At her words, his features went from confusion to utter surprise to livid rage in a moment.
"I am not quite certain that I understand you", said he, lest he had mistakenly interpreted her meaning, or simply heard wrong.
"I am rejecting your offer of marriage, Mr Gamp. I am refusing", she said, so that she could not be misinterpreted again.
As her words sank in, he assured countenance slowly turned to rage and hurt pride; his egotism could not allow the thought that a woman might be reluctant to spend the rest of her life by his side, and his pride could not comprehend how an ancient name with a large income was not enough to ensure the hand of any young lady. He contained both sentiments, however, for awhile longer; incredulity and curiosity should be indulged first.
"Miss Black, you must be unwell. I can think of no other reason for this reply. I have courted you for well over a year now; my intentions were clear. You welcomed my attentions, and even encouraged them!"
"So I did, Mr Gamp. There was a time that I intended to accept your proposal. But I have come to realize that I could not be your wife, both for your sake and mine. I am ashamed of my conduct, but I am sure this course of action is better than a broken engagement, or, even worse, an unsuccessful marriage."
Mr Gamp's face had turned red during her final speech. He looked at her, and she was not at all surprised to see fury and hatred in his eyes; she had refused him when he had been certain of success. This was a capital offense in his vain eyes. He stormed out of the room without offering her a word of farewell or even throwing her a backward glance. She did not mind.
Isla could not deny that the feeling that presided over her for the short time after Andronicus Gamp's departure was shameless gladness and bliss at having saved herself from a disastrous and loveless union. Indeed, it had been easier refusing him than she had thought it would be. But the euphoria she experienced at her intended one's final departure was short-lived, for Phineas entered the drawing room, with a furrowed brow.
"Isla, why did Gamp leave here in such a state?", was the calm and frightening question that he posed at her. The storm had began more swiftly than she had expected.
"Because there was nothing more to stay here for, brother", she said.
"What did you answer him?" His voice was no more than a whisper, uttered with closed, furious eyes; he knew the answer already.
"Well, I see I was the only one unaware that I would be receiving an offer of marriage today", she replied, suddenly very annoyed at Mr Gamp. "I refused him, Phineas", she said, daringly looking at him in the eye.
For an instant only, his face contorted with rage. But its serene exterior soon returned.
"And why would you do that?"
"Because I do not care for him. I find his company irksome" was Isla's loud, clear answer.
"I have told you before, sister; love has nothing to do with marriage. It is all politics. And you singlehandedly ruined a very desirable alliance between the Blacks and the Gamps!"
"For me, the feelings of the heart have everything to do with marriage, Phineas. I am not going to waste my life bearing the children of a man that I shall loath the instant he places the ring on my hand, and thinks that he can do with me as he pleases!"
She was out of the room, running on the stairs to reach her bedchamber, her raised voice still echoing in her ears, deafening her, even after the words had died in the silence of the house. As soon as the door was closed behind her, and the haze of anger subsided, she realized that perhaps she had spoken a little more of her mind than she initially had intended. But no regrets had time to form in her mind, for Godam was knocking at her door, informing her that Mr Black wished to see her in his study. Isla took a moment to calm herself and regain absolute control on her countenance and emotions; it would not do to break now. Phineas had acted quickly, she had to give him that.
There he was, holding the door ajar for her to enter, with his wickedest smile on his thin lips; a bad omen. She entered, and her brother closed the door for her. She was alone with her father, who had turned his back to the entrance of his study.
"Phineas has just told me a most extraordinary story", he began, in his deathliest cold voice. "That you have refused the hand of Andronicus Gamp in marriage. Is this true, daughter?", he asked sharply, turning.
He motioned at her to sit, which she did, reluctantly. He stood in front of her, tall and haughty, looking down on her with ice cold eyes, his hands linked behind his back. Her own father was too much like a hawk circling its unfortunate prey for her liking. But then again, it had been years since he had treated her with any sort of kindness. She blamed herself for hoping that he could change if she proved to be a dutiful daughter. Isla knew at that moment, beyond a shadow of doubt, that there was no going back to warm days in the unending frost of Number 12, Grimauld Place.
"It is, father."
"And why is that? Is he not good enough for you? Or were you hoping that an heir of a richer or older family would bestow upon you such an honor? All the Malfoys are married, as you very well know. He was your best hope, and you refused him?"
"I did. I..."
No. She had said it to Phineas. But she could not utter such words in front of her father. He seemed to guess, however, that which she had not spoken. Mr Black's eyes flashed, and, for a terrifying second, Isla feared that he might strike her. He did not.
"Get out" was all that he offered her.
Isla spent as little time in the house as possible after she refused Mr Gamp. Thankfully, she was busy with the research most of the day, and the rest of her waking hours were devoted to helping Sophia with the wedding preparations. She would return at Number 12 in the evening, and go straight to her room. No one sought her out, or wondered where she could be, absent from home as she was from dawn till dusk. Godam, who had taken it upon himself to wait on Isla with great care, would bring her breakfast and supper each morning and night in her room, sparing her the necessity of seeing her family during meals.
Sophia entreated her friend to spend the night before the wedding at her house, in order to rise early and help her dress for the ceremony. Isla accepted with gratitude her friend's invitation; she would give anything to get away from that wretched house she was forced to call home.
The much-awaited day dawned, and Sophia radiated happiness with such power that could challenge the warmth the sun was emitting on that beautiful June morning. She sat at her dressing table, unable to stop grinning from ear to ear, as Isla arranged her golden locks into a complicated bun, placing flowers in various places.
"Well, well, who would have thought it: here we are, all grown up, and you are getting married!", she could not help but laugh, as she looked through the mirror with pride and affection at her childhood friend.
Sophia giggled girlishly, a very rare practice for her, but understandable and excusable; she was about to wed her beloved Duilius.
"Oh, my dear Isla! I hope you too shall get married soon enough! But I am certain that your wedding will be nothing like this little family affair of ours. Yours shall be splendid, I know, and you shall wear a lavish gown that will make you look like a queen."
Isla pretended to fix a stray lock of her golden hair into its place in order to avoid her look. There would be no wedding day for her. She had taken great pains to avert it.
"Has Mr Gamp proposed yet?", Sophia asked, pressing her for an answer.
"Yes", Isla said finally. "But I refused him."
Her reply had not been at all what Sophia had expected. She could not contain the astonishment from her countenance. Could this be because of Bob Hitchens? Or had she realized that, Bob Hitchens or not, there was no way she could stand Andronicus Gamp? There was no going back now, however. Having proof that he had indeed intended to make her his wife, Sophia was struck by how abominable a husband Gamp would have made for Isla. Though she would never admit it to herself, she was truly relieved by Isla's decision.
"I think they are ready for us to come down now", Isla said, bringing her back to the blissful reality of her wedding day.
She carefully fastened a simple veil on Sophia's bun, and the bride was ready. She was the most beautiful creature Isla had ever seen; naturally graceful, simply and elegantly dressed. The two friends embraced affectionately, as Mr Prince entered the room to fetch his daughter. On seeing her in her white wedding robes and veil, he could not contain tears of happiness and love from appearing in his eyes.
But the most touching look of all was that of Duilius, not so much upon first seeing his bride, but as the ceremony was over, and each had a newly acquired golden band on the forth finger of their left hands, the bridegroom looked at his wife with such love, that Isla was surprised that Sophia's heart had not burst with it. She knew that, had Bob's blue eyes ever gazed at her like that, she would have been in grave danger of disownment. She would never admit it to anyone, but at that moment she realized that, between oppressing her beliefs and feelings for Bob and suffering her father's wrath, the second was the lesser of the two evils. She was not ashamed, or even afraid, of these heretical thoughts, and did nothing to stop them from invading her mind. She could not persuade herself to care anymore.