Many, many thanks to Tarbecca for rec'ing this story on A Different Forest, and Nic on The Lemonade Stand. It was very kind of them to mention my little tale there!
A warm welcome to all the new readers!
Quote from a message Starnosy sent me: "With all his wealth, Anthony was a prisoner of himself because he had not the confidence and courage Edward has now."
I couldn't have put it better myself!
Heartfelt thanks to LovePotionsBrewer. This story wouldn't be half as good without her comments and suggestions
Chapter-4
My second wedding is a complete contrast to my first.
There are no laughing bridesmaids, no grand reception, and no swarm of guests from the nobility. The wedding is attended only by our immediate family members—my parents and siblings, Lizzie, Edward's mother, and of course Lord Masen—and a few members of the staff—Mister and Missus Stanley, Jenks, Alice and Jasper, and Maggie.
Rather than go to the church, Edward invites the minister to the manor house.
Instead of snowy white, I wear a deep blue gown that Edward had brought with him from Paris. It is pretty and not at all flashy, with a modest neckline and full sleeves edged with ivory lace. There is no veil of course, as a widow marrying a second time does not wear one. Neither do I carry a bouquet which is a sign of purity and thus unsuitable for me.
I had been most surprised when the gown had been delivered to my room a few days before the wedding. Inside the large, rectangular box and on the top of the neatly folded garment, there was an envelope with my name on it. I had picked it up with trembling hands, the handwriting familiar to me even after all the years that had passed.
Inside there was a letter addressed to me.
Dearest Isabella,
I saw this gown in a store window one morning when I was going for a meeting. Its style reminded me of your unassuming beauty, so I purchased it, even knowing that there was only a slim chance of giving it to you. Still, I hoped.
Today that hope has come to fruition. God has reunited me with you, and soon you will be mine for eternity. I cannot sleep for happiness!
Please wear this gown on our wedding day. I know that you will be the most beautiful bride ever whatever you choose to wear, but it will give me great joy to see you in this.
Yours, Edward.
How could I refuse his wish?
He could have commanded me to wear the gown, but no—he had made a request instead. And reading the first paragraph made my heart ache. It proved that even when he was far away from me, he had been thinking about me.
And so the gown had hung in my closet, a physical reminder of my fast approaching nuptials with Edward, until the day itself arrived.
It is a beautiful day with clear skies; only a few puffs of cotton clouds here and there. The warmth of the late summer sun caresses our skin. The ceremony takes place out in the rose garden, so we are surrounded with colours and fragrance.
Even the beauty of the day cannot prevent my heart from sinking as I take my place beside Edward. I am marrying this man. Can I honestly mean the vows I will take?
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God…"
The same words had prefaced my vows to Anthony. Had they not meant anything? If they had, how could have I cheated on him with Edward?
"I Edward Masen, take thee, Isabella Masen, to be my lawfully wedded wife…"
The voice reaching my ears remains smooth, but the pressure on my hand increases suddenly, making me look up and into Edward's eyes. Had it been that obvious my attention was wandering that Edward had to bring me back?
"…and thereto I plight thee my troth."
He releases my hand, and the minister gestures to me. Mechanically I take Edward's hand, my thoughts chaotic.
"I Isabella Masen, take thee, Edward Masen, to be my lawfully wedded husband…"
As I repeat after the minister, my eyes remain locked with the forest green ones in front of me. Their intense gaze makes me realise that I may be going into this arrangement for the sake of duty, but Edward is not. Maybe gaining a title is a powerful incentive, but the manner in which he looks at me makes it clear that he is utterly serious as far as his vows are considered.
I have a feeling that my plan to keep him at arm's length is not going to be easy to execute.
"…and thereto I give thee my troth."
Edward produces a ring from his pocket and places it on the book in the minister's hands, together with a gold coin. The good reverend smiles and gives the ring back, and Edward takes my hand and slides the ring smoothly onto my finger. I am not wearing gloves because the weather does not demand any, and also it is awkward to take one off for the ring.
"With this ring I thee wed…"
I look at the plain gold band upon my finger. Something is engraved upon it, but it is too fine to be read easily. Later, then.
To my surprise, Edward brings forth another ring. The minister blesses it and offers it to me. I stare at him like a fool.
"It is not usual, but Lord Masen wishes to wear your ring. Please put it on his finger," says the reverend.
Swallowing once, I do as he says, feeling the warmth of Edward's hand in mine. He wants to wear my ring? It just reaffirms what I had thought earlier.
When we are pronounced man and wife, my throat goes dry in anticipation of his kiss.
He keeps it chaste, yet it is firm, just like his words. The brief contact leaves my lips tingling.
The prayer over, we are introduced to the family as Lord Edward Masen and Lady Isabella Masen. My mother is the first to hug me, her eyes shining with tears even as her lips stretch in a wide smile. She is happy, believing that finally I will shed my grief and find the joy of matrimony with Edward.
My father congratulates us in his taciturn manner, but his eyes say he is relieved. I had no idea he was so worried about me.
Elizabeth Masen is the next to enfold Edward and then me in her thin arms. She is dressed simply in a pale blue gown, its cut almost severe. With a start I realise that blue seems to be the running theme in the small group around us. Everybody around me has a touch of blue in their clothes.
I assume Edward has something to do with this harmony.
Edward himself is wearing a dark blue morning coat over a white shirt. I was too engrossed in my thoughts to notice earlier, but he looks very handsome in his wedding attire.
Elizabeth has a thin black band around her hat, a symbol of her grief for her husband. I wonder why she did not remarry. She could not have been much older than I am now when she lost her husband.
I wonder if she hates me. Does she know the true reason for Edward's exile?
Her light blue eyes look into mine but do not reveal much. Her smile is formal, a courtesy to the occasion.
Lizzie has been squirming in her royal blue satin frock as Maggie held her hand, but now she runs forward, arms stretched out. I stoop to embrace her, but Edward surprises me when he kneels on the grass. Lizzie kisses my cheek and then moves to kiss Edward's with an ease that speaks of mutual comfort. I knew of course that he has been visiting her off and on, but I had no idea that they had grown so close.
Am I jealous of my own daughter? Why am I being so irrational?
Angela hugs me and congratulates both of us. Mike bows to Edward and does the same, in his shy adolescent manner. When Edward offers him his hand to shake, he looks surprised but pleased at the unexpected honour. Now he can boast to his friends that he has shaken hands with an earl!
The staff bows and murmurs their best wishes to us, and then Edward's mother assumes the role of the gracious hostess and invites the guests into the house for the wedding breakfast.
James—Lord Masen—is the only one left behind while everybody else moves towards the manor. I am surprised he waited for them to finish before taking his turn.
He offers us a stiff if somewhat smug congratulations. He barely deigns to smile, and his eyes remain cold. He places his right hand rather heavily on Edward's shoulder and leans towards him.
"You better bed her right away, boy," he hisses harshly, almost making me doubt my ears. How can he be so crass? "I want an heir and a spare within the next two years. None of that my wife is too delicate or she needs to recover from childbirth first or poor lady is feeling indisposed nonsense that Anthony used to spew. My estates need fresh blood, the lustier the better. Do you understand?"
I feel like my whole face is on fire. I look around surreptitiously to make sure nobody is paying attention to James. Luckily, they are far enough not to be able to hear his serpentine whispers. Only my mother looks back over her shoulder, her expression curious. I hurriedly nod at her to resume walking.
"Yes, sir." Even though I am not looking at Edward, I know his words have come through clenched teeth. He must be furious at this treatment, but he can't very well shout at James. Lord Masen is a powerful peer, probably capable of taking away what he has given.
"Good. Let us go in then," commands James in a satisfied tone. I am grateful that he does not linger to throw any orders in my direction. Instead he marches off, leaving us staring at his broad back.
Edward brushes at his shoulder as if getting rid of James' touch. I hear him sigh quietly before he speaks. "We will talk about this later, Isabella. Just… don't let his rudeness spoil this day for you, all right?"
I am not sure how unspoilt this day was before James opened his crude mouth, but I nod anyway. I want this to be over as soon as possible.
Of course, it won't be really over with the day, for night will follow it: a night where Edward is supposed to bed me right away.
I don't want to think about it right now. I take the arm that he has offered.
"Let us go in then."
A.N.: Thank you for your kind and encouraging reviews, and questions! I love that you are so involved in the story.