Page 45 of Storm of Bells
‘Miss Linton!’
‘Lady Samantha!’
Jumping up, I rushed towards her. I was aboutto curtsy, but instead, she gently took hold of me and enfolded mein a hug.
‘Oh, fiddlesticks! Forget about thoseformalities, my dear. After all, we will be family soon.’ Shelaughed, her eyes shining. ‘Family! I can hardly believe it. Mylittle Rick is getting married!’ Her gaze settled on me. ‘And hecouldn’t have chosen a better woman.’
I felt a tug on my heart. ‘You really meanthat?’
‘Of course I do! When the two of you leftBattlewood without him proposing to you last year, I wasdevastated!’
Oh. Should I tell her that he actually didpropose to me back then, and that, at the time, I turned him down?More than once?
Probably not.
‘I was so crushed when I thought nothingwould come of the two of you. But then I got a telegram from him,and, and….’ She burst out in gleeful giggles, unable to contain hermotherly joy.
‘He actually sent you a telegram?’ I raisedmy eyebrows. ‘Don’t those cost a fortune for every sentence?’
‘Yes, he did! I have it here!’
Digging into her purse, she pulled out acarefully folded piece of paper. It didn’t look as if it had beentreated like a telegram, but rather, like a missive announcingblessings from heaven. Cautiously unfolding it, she held it out tome. I looked down, and read:
R.A. wed L.L.
I nodded approvingly. That was my man. Why botherwith such useless frivolities as the future progressive tense?Grammar is such a bother anyway. And why use ‘marry’ when ‘wed’ hastwo whole letters less?
Carefully re-folding the telegram, LadySamantha pressed it to her heart. ‘You can’t know what it meant tome when I received that!’
I grinned. ‘The dreamy look in your eyes isgiving me a hint or two.’
‘I’m so happy to know you’ll be family, dear.So happy! Our family is going to be a much happier, more peacefulplace with you in it.’
Just then, the crash of a vase came frombehind a certain nearby door, followed by a male yelp.
‘What was that?’ Lady Samantha enquired.
‘Err…oh, nothing.’ Hurriedly, Ella stepped inher way. ‘Spring cleaning.’
‘Ah. And who is this lovely young lady?’
‘Lady Samantha, may I introduce my littlesister Ella? Ella, this is Lady Samantha Genevieve Ambrose,Marchioness Ambrose.’
Ella, bless her, sank into a perfect littlecurtsy. ‘It’s a pleasure, Your Ladyship.’
‘And this is Eve, Your Ladyship.’
‘Marchioness.’ Eve, too, curtsied deep enoughfor her crinoline to brush the ground. ‘Such an honour.’
‘Oh no, please!’ Beaming, the Marchionesspulled them up and pulled them into a hug, too. ‘It is my pleasureto meet any friend or relation of dear Miss Linton. I’m sooverjoyed, I just can’t be bothered with formalities on a day likethis. But tell me…where is my boy?’
Another crash came from beyond the nearbydoor. Quickly, Ella and Eve stepped closer together, blocking theway. ‘Err…he’s just revising his plans regarding some weddingpreparations. I think someone brought up some valid points that ledhim to change his opinion in regard to certain aspects.’
Concern clouded Lady Samantha’s happy face.‘You mean you haven’t settled on a venue yet?’
Crash!
‘The matter is being discussed as we speak.’Eve’s face lit up. ‘Why don’t we have the wedding at your estate,Your Ladyship? What is it called again? Battlewood? I’m sure thatwould be more than appropriate. From all I’ve heard of the place,you have more than enough space.’
