Author's Notes: I'm very proud to say that I am a College Scholar this semester!!! YAY!!! My gosh, all those hellish weeks have finally paid off! I knew that inspiration coming from M/R has some great rewards!!! YESSSSS!!! Woohoo!!! I would just like to say a big THANK YOU to those who review and keep reviewing my little tidbits… all your words have inspired me to try and become a better writer (and a better student!) Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! *does a little shimmy*
And, yes, after stringing this out for sooo long, (9 chapters for two short days? Yikes!) This is finally it. The Wedding. I tell you, this IS the day you've all been waiting for!
Dedications, as well as little notes for those who reviewed the last chapter, are at the very bottom :)
Behold the Façade
Chapter Ten
The chapel was simplistically, beautifully decorated, rightfully befitting a Lord about to marry a Lady.
The humble walls were decorated with white draperies, where at the very top rested bouquets of fragrant roses, lilies and daisies. From the doors of the altar to the very first step of the stairs leading to entrance of the chapel ran a bright red carpet, its hue mixed and accented with a number of deliberately scattered white and pink petals. More flowers are to be found beside the carpet, numerous bouquets that also ran in the same direction that the lengthy material took. Long, thin chains of gold served to bind the flowers together, and also served to display some sort of affluence against the backdrop of nature and simple beauty.
The chapel was small, and could only contain about twenty to thirty individuals at the most in a single occasion. Such a small number compared to the numerous friends and acquaintances of the Roxton family, but this setting was chosen to serve the very purpose of limiting the number of the people to be invited. To Lord William Roxton, such a blessed and holy event should only be witnessed by those people who are close to their family's hearts, and not some public and scandalous event that would later on be dissected and discussed by society.
Those fortunate enough to be considered as friends gathered at the entrance of the chapel, waiting patiently for the arrival of the groom and the bride. Just before the clock read eight in the morning, an automobile pulled before them and from it came the Lady Roxton and her two sons. These guests smiled their welcomes to the groom, alternating from patting his back to shaking his hand to kissing his cheek. The mother looked on in quiet contentment; the brother looked on in quiet impatience.
William nodded and grinned as Countess Hilda Crant patted his hand. "Such a fine young man as yourself deserve happiness," she said pleasantly, a woman fond of the young boy she had read countless stories to before this day. "I wish you luck, William."
"Thank you, Aunt Hilda."
"My boy," Baron Richard Antel told him as he clasped William's hands in between his, a man fond of the young boy he had taught to ride horses, "congratulations."
"Thank you, Rick."
"William."
He turned around when he heard his name and felt a sharp tap on his shoulder. "John?"
The older Roxton just shrugged. "Sorry," he said thoughtlessly. "I just thought— never mind." He then walked away, leaving the younger Roxton shaking his head at his irrational acts.
William accepted several more pats and shakes, and even more smiles from his guests, but he cannot help but be impatient himself as he waited for Marguerite. Some form of fear, though he considered it illogical and foolish, not to mention unnecessary, it still entered his brain: what if Marguerite decided at the very last moment to change her mind? What if she chose to leave him, to desert him? What if she decided to–
Perhaps because of a mother's intuition, or perhaps due to the unfitting worry that fleeted across her son's face, Lady Roxton stepped forward and gently touched his cheek. "Do not fear, my darling." She said softly, lovingly. "She will come."
And, as if her prophecy came true, the grand car that carried the bride and her escort arrived, much to the delight of the guests and the groom himself.
Lord William Roxton smiled. "At last," he whispered to himself, relief and happiness tainting his voice
The time has finally come.
*
John Roxton grunted an animalistic sound that came so easily from his lips. He felt the pockets of his suit for a cigar, but found to his utter dismay that he has none. "Damn it," he swore softly as he ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.
He had been uneasy and restless this morning, a very eerie feeling that haunted and plagued him from the moment he entered the chapel. He recognized the signs; he was being told to run, to hide, to get into safety in the soonest possible time. His instincts were trying to warn him, tell him of something, but what? What could possibly go wrong today? John turned around and noted the simple decorations of the chapel, the few guests, his happy brother. This wedding was meant to be a solemn union between Marguerite and William. There's absolutely nothing that could go wrong today. He need not fear.
He need not fear.
But why was he still feeling troubled? Why was it that he feels as though if this wedding was to continue… if this wedding was to happen, something horrible was about to come?
Dread filled his being, a feeling so foreign and frighteningly strong that John just had to shake his head, as if trying to shake his fears away.
He had never ignored his instincts, never even in that moment it told him that this Marguerite was nothing but some sort of devil in disguise. He had learned that his instincts were never wrong; nothing good will ever come out of ignoring it.
But this time, he will.
He need not fear, John repeated to himself. He need not fear.
The slight cheering in the crowd caught his attention, and before he knew it he saw the bridal car, saw the bride herself come out from it, as well as her escort and giver. The guests were ushered to go to their designated places for the bridal entourage was now ready to commence.
John himself was ushered into his own seat, but before he entered the chapel he thought he saw a flash of red hair just behind the big elm tree that stood beside the church.
Shaking his head yet again as he dismissed it quite easily, he began to walk inside. But before he could take his first step, his eyes, as though it had a will of its own, traveled freely until it rested on a certain brunette. He stared at her, unwilling to take his gaze off of her, uncaring of the stares that he got at the act.
He stared at her, unwilling, uncaring… just so because she was staring at him as well.
*
George Challenger, clad in a black suit with his bright red hair glinting in the sun, stood behind the big elm tree, wanting, waiting… anticipating.
A smile appeared on his face, an act that looked so foreign on a person that hid such a cruel streak… such a cruel intention.
"At last," he murmured to himself, pleased beyond words about what will happen in the next few minutes.
Liezl, he thought morosely, a sad ache momentarily replacing his mirth. Daughter, do not fear… you will be avenged.
He looked down and met the sorrowful blue gaze of Evelyn Krux. He squeezed her little hand, the hand that he held between his, and said to her softly, lovingly…
"The time has finally come."
To be continued…
Dedications: this chapter is dedicated to my great, great, greeeeaaaaaaaatttttt reviewers:
Michi – oh, I understand the frustration and the clinging altogether… that's what keeping me alive as well. *grunts* just tell us already! There's really no need for them to slowly torture us with all the suspense, right? *grin* thank you for the review, truly!
Fab – my dear fab, I would really love to answer your queries, but alas that would kill the whole stor(y/ies) wouldn't it? Patience, my dear, that's what I ask of you :)
A. Windsor – I like keeping you guessing, though I would like to hear what your guesses are… ;) care to share it with me? Please?
Wishes – I will be elaborating the whole Evelyn Krux thing later in the coming chapters :) Thank you for sticking around to review!
TLWROX – I keep doing that to your poor heart… and I like it every time I did it *devilish grin* MUAHAHAHAHA ;) Oh TLWROX… you don't know just how much I missed your reviews! I hope you don't faint, though… I don't have anything with me to bring you to the hospital! Just… just breathe! Breathe!
AerinBrown – I know! I know! The wedding thing has been indefinitely postponed… *blushes* but thank you for the review!
Veggie5 - *shrieks* You're still alive!!! You're still alive!!! Don't you DARE disappear like that again, veggie5… ever!!! Or else I swear I will haunt your every dream! 'Ya hear me? Huh? Huh?! Eck, stupid work. I know the feeling, I am now on my internship and, yes… stupid, stupid work! Keeps us out of too many things, like our TLW life!!! But still, I'm very happy you're back, and doubly happy coz you posted your latest and sadly the last chapter!! After leaving us in the air for so long…!!! Okay, confused emotions much, but that just tells you how much I missed your reviews and how much I missed you… oh-kay, this reply thing is getting too emotional… better stop right now… *grin*
Stephie35801 – I hope that M/R get married too, and I am doubly hoping that they do it in an actual fourth season episode! Thankies for the review!
Mags968 – I'm really glad you liked that heirloom scene ;) it's a pleasure to know that you love this little fic of mine, thanks a bunch!
Beckers – I live to intrigue y'all ;) thanks for reading and reviewing, really means a lot to me :)
Gilly – Thanks for the review, Gilly. Believe me, I am hurrying… I am hurrying…
Smiley – Oh, how I wish I could just set aside all the other (unimportant) aspects in my life, but annoying little buggers, they always… well… bug me! But yes, thank you for the mantra, it helped me while I was doing this chapter ;)
Maloal – Oh, you scared me there!!!! But thank you for choosing to stick around, though only God knows where I'm taking this! Hehe ;0
Mistycara – Thanks, cara. I really appreciate your reviews ;)
Until the next chapter, people! Now please click that little button below and make me happy ;)