“Come, we must hide you away until time for the ceremony. We can’t have the groom seeing you before thewedding.”
The two of them ran giggling into the vestry where they would wait until the processional music started up. Thomas, the Squire, and Susan’s father, soon arrived to sit with them until it was time to lead her down the aisle when the ceremony was to begin. Mother, Louisa, and Jacob and wife had been seated in the front row on the bride’s side of thechurch.
“Daughter, you tell that husband of yours that I’ll be sending over three brace of sheep as promised—four ewes and two rams.Twern’tready till yesterday, and this day being the wedding, thought it best to wait till later in theweek.”
“Yes,Papa.”
None of the three could think of anything further to say. Susan was too nervous, Katherine was too sad to be losing her friend, and Father hardly ever spoke unless spokento.
They sat for quite a few moments before Father took out his pocket watch and checkedit.
“Quarter past,” he said, putting the watch back in his waistcoat pocket, and shifting his bulk in the uncomfortable chair. The Squire was a solid man with a mane of unkempt hair, rosy cheeks and a wicked grin when he was playful—which wasseldom.
After a while longer, he stood and went to the vestry door and looked out. He turned back to Susan and said. “Wait lass, I be rightback.”
Katherine reached over and took Susan’s hand. “Nothing to fret about. You know the aristos. Bound to be late to make an impression,no?”
Susan nodded but wasn’t so sure aboutthat.
The Padre opened the door and looked in. He smiled and rubbed his chin andleft.
The Squire returned. “The sheep are getting restless. Your groom better show up soon or the church will emptyout.”
Mother appeared at the door. “What’s going on, Thomas? It is half past, and no one from Haverford House has made any kind ofappearance.”
“Now, Mother, stop your fretting. There could be any number ofreasons.”
Mother pursed her lips and shook herhead.
“Go back and sit down. What’ll people think with you strutting around the sanctuary like a Guineahen?
“Now, Papa, let her be,” Susaninsisted.
“Humph,” Mother said and turned andleft.
By now Susan was becoming anxious and she stood and went to the vestry window and looked out toward the road at the front of thechurch.
“I see a carriage,” shesaid.
“Ah.” Father stood and left theroom.
Katherine went over to the window with Susan and they watched the carriage until it disappeared from theirview.
They turned back and watched the door which shortlyopened.
Father stood there. “Daughter…” He looked back into the church and stood back as a man appeared at theentrance.
“Miss Wilton…” It was John Chamberlain, the Duke of Lennox. “Miss Wilton…” He strode into the room, holding his hat in hishand.
Susan was surprised for he did not look as though he was dressed for awedding.
“Miss Wilton… I don’t quite know what tosay.”
John Chamberlain was a tall and quite imposing man. He was much taller and more solid than his younger brother. He had broad shoulders, an equally handsome face, but had dark hair while his brother wasblond.
Susan’s stomach seized. “He’s not coming, is he?” sheasked.
The Duke shook his head. “The scoundrel has absconded with all the family silver, the best horse and carriage, and several hundred pounds ofcash.”
