Chapter Seven:
What Goes Around Comes Around
Everyone gasped and turned around to see who it was that had dared interrupt such a happy occasion. It was Lord Harry Lacey!
"Annabelle," Harry began, "You know I wanted to fight for the king, but his majesty's army would not have me. It turns out my lungs aren't fit for the conditions battle would bring." Concerned groans went humming about the chapel.
Harry looked around. "Oh, no no no, my condition is not a dangerous one, nor is it contagious. It's just that my lungs are not suitable for war standards. They are perfectly healthy for life in general, be assured," Harry chuckled, putting everyone at ease. Sighs of relief echoed throughout the chapel.
Harry took that as clearance to continue, "Afterwards, Annabelle, I could no longer put off my duty to marry, and I couldn't get you out of my mind. I'm ever so sorry I broke our engagement. It was most unfair to you, and if I'd known then that the army wouldn't be a possibility for me, I never would have done it. You've become engaged since, and this may not be the right time or place, but it was the soonest I could get back over from England. I beg you to reconsider my original offer and marry me."
Everyone in the chapel was turning right and left whispering. Elizabeth turned to exchange a shocked look with Felicity, who was sitting a few rows behind. Mr. Cole turned back around to the front, slipped down into his seat, and let out a sigh of relief. Ben looked earnestly at Annabelle, hoping she would accept Lord Harry's offer.
Annabelle finally broke the palpable tension. "Lord Harry, I am terribly flattered. But you see, Ben does love me, and I love him," she replied. Ben rolled his eyes, but his family's situation and his steadfast devotion to their care didn't change a thing. Annabelle continued, "I am sorry you went to all that trouble to get here, but I cannot marry you."
"Oh, yes you can!" decreed Mr. Cole. "Because you certainly are not going to marry Benjamin Davidson." Everyone gasped once more.
"Father, whatever has come over you?" Annabelle asked in surprise.
"Lord Harry has beaten me to it, but I object as well. Only just before the ceremony began, I made the unhappy discovery that the Davidson family is left practically penniless after some unfortunate mishap with Mr. Davidson's company," Mr. Cole said. Annabelle disgustedly looked Ben over once or twice, who returned her glare with an awkward grin. "I'm sorry to have to publicly reveal his family's shame once more, but so it is, and I will not leave a crowd wondering," Mr. Cole finished.
"And me," Mr. Davidson chimed in, "I object too. What kind of a heartless, pompous snob backs out of an agreement—especially the day of—upon the discovery of a family's hardship? It was not as though this information was intentionally omitted; it was all a perfectly legitimate misunderstanding. Ben, you will not allow our family to be associated with the likes of the Coles."
Ben felt such pure relief as the prior months' weight of worry was suddenly lifted off his shoulders. Accordingly, he could not refrain from looking upward, closing his eyes, detaching his arm from Annabelle's, raising his fists high above his head and loudly cheering, "YES!" before running back up the aisle and out of the church.
Felicity and Elizabeth again looked at each other and burst into giggles, as did most of the congregation. Even Mr. Cole and Mr. Davidson burst into laughter, which softened their hearts to the point of approaching each other to shake hands. Annabelle remained at the altar, embarrassed and confused. She turned to the priest, only to find him trying not to laugh.