Chapter 6
Christmas Goose and the Great Scandal of Elopement
Freddie rubbed the back of his head, and opened his eyes, bewildered. Suddenly, he found himself folded into an unbreakable embrace. He stared at the person who had grabbed him, and choked. "Niagara?!" He hissed, as the pretty little red-head crushed her lips against his cheek.
She bobbed her head energetically. "I'm sorry Freddie, but I couldn't stand it any longer!" She murmured, squeezing his shoulder. "Did you get the wedding band and veil I sent you?"
Freddie gave her a confused look. "Did you send me those things? I don't remember receiving anything like that. You did send me a love letter though, didn't you?"
His fiancée colored. "I did, and I'm not ashamed of what I wrote, either. All of its true, and nothing of what I said, should be cast off as nonsense. You know I love you." She said simply.
Freddie grinned. "Well, I bet my Aunt C confiscated those wedding articles and the telegram that probably accompanied them. She probably thinks that if I meet another girl on the street, I'll be turned to jelly on the spot. But not so this time." He reached forward and stroked Niagara's alabaster cheek.
Niagara rose from her seat on the bed, and gave a prolonged sigh. "I suppose, we should head downstairs for dinner. Your Aunt Constance told me that Christmas dinner was going to be extra special this year." She paled as Freddie shook his head. "But what's wrong?"
"Would you mind terribly, ringing for Beach. If I'm going to get down the stairs, I'll need some assistance. I have a few broken ribs you see." He explained, trying to remain cheerful.
Niagara shook her head and clicked her tongue. "Oh, you poor dear! You don't need to ring for Beach. I will help you downstairs myself." She reached forward, and coaxed him out of bed, letting him rest his weight on her.
Slowly and painfully, they made their way down the stairs and into the dining room.
As they entered, Galahad gave Freddie a guilty look, but instantly took over helping him to his chair, nodding to the gorgeous bride-to-be.
Once Freddie was settled. The conversation became less tense. "So this is the dashing, future Mrs. Threepwood? I have never seen a lovelier creature, Freddie!" Galahad grinned. "Are many of your relatives Scotch?" He asked, running his fingers through his gingery hair.
Niagara laughed. "My father is American, but my mother came from Scotland as a little girl. But what are the plans for the wedding?" Her eyes glinted with anticipation.
Freddie shrugged, and reached up to grab at the bandages underneath his quickly donned evening dress. "I don't know. I was thinking we would get married in the Market Blandings chapel, and then hop over to Martinique or some exotic place for a honey-moon. What do you think?"
Niagara's face lit up. "Why Freddie, how romantic! And will my father move in here, or shall we go back to America?"
This question seemed to stump Freddie. He could never imagine leaving England, a place that was not only his home country, but the place where his ancestors had made their homes. "Your father shall come here." He finally replied firmly. "I am afraid that I cannot make myself leave old England. Not just yet, my sweet."
"I believe, Miss Donaldson, that my nephew has forgotten to tell you, that he means to elope with you, my dear." Aunt Constance confessed mildly. "That is the general impression, that Freddie seems to be making." She watched with fascination the look of anger that crossed the girl's face.
"Not so! Freddie has given every impression that he was going to wed me in complete style, wedding dress and all! I have complete trust in him, and his promises!" She turned to give Freddie a troubled glance. "That isn't so, is it, darling?"
Freddie gave her a guilty look. "I thought we could antelope in class." He stuttered. "But, I now realize that we should set a good date. Next week suit you?"
Niagara nodded her head energetically. "If everything's ready by then. But I'd like you to be healed up before our honeymoon!" She winked at him, and blew him a kiss across the table.