Page 77 of His Perfect Bride
“I didn’t mean to scream when we were leaving, but when Nelson swept me off my feet to carry me outside, I was taken by surprise.”
“We thought you were in trouble.” Jackson’s glare was still foreboding.
“I have never been happier in my life.” She smiled up at Nelson, and her eyes truly did radiate with a happiness that Sage had never seen there before. Her husband peered at her with just as much happiness.
“How? When?” Sage fumbled over her questions since there were too many, and she didn’t even know where to start.
“I met Nelson in India when he was working there for the East India Company.” Augusta leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “But since he was in the process of moving, we couldn’t make any plans, not until we knew where he would be sent next. When he wrote that he’d taken a position here in British Columbia in Lytton, that’s when I decided to come.”
“I had no idea,” Sage said. How had she spent months with Augusta and never once had a discussion about Mr. Roundtable and the possibility that Augusta would reunite with him in the colony?
“Why didn’t you tell us you were getting married?” Jackson asked, some of the tension gone from his tone. “Why run off like this?”
Augusta had the grace to look chagrined. “I apologize to you both. But I sent a message to Nelson the first day I arrived in Victoria. Yet I did not want to tell anyone about my love interest until I knew for certain he still felt the same.”
Sage nodded in understanding. Augusta probably didn’t want to face anyone’s pity if the relationship with Nelson didn’t work out.
“I most assuredly did feel the same.” Nelson spoke so tenderly that Sage already liked him.
Augusta exchanged another smile with the man. “I’d been checking the post every day for a letter in return and had even begun to inquire about traveling up here to Lytton by myself.”
That accounted for all of Augusta’s secretive errands, the many times when she hadn’t wanted Sage to accompany her.
“Of course, the moment I received her missive,” Nelson said, “I dropped everything and came to Victoria as quickly as I could. I sent Augusta a message the night I arrived.”
“The night of the dinner party,” Augusta added. “I decided to send you both to Salt Spring Island together so that I could leave without you knowing what I was doing. We left for Hope not long after the two of you departed and were married the same day by Reverend Roberts.”
If Augusta was in a hurry to pack and leave, was that why she’d left her room in such a state of disarray?
“You could have told us,” Sage offered. “I would have understood.”
“Then you would have insisted on coming.”
“You’re right.” Sage had almost stayed home that morning because she hadn’t wanted to leave Augusta behind even for the short trip to see Willow.
“And if Nelson had rejected me,” Augusta said more quietly, “I didn’t want anyone to know.”
“I wouldn’t have.” Nelson patted her hand affectionately.
“That doesn’t answer my question, though,” Jackson persisted. “Once you learned Nelson still cared about you, why didn’t you stay and introduce him to us? Why did you run away with him?”
This time Augusta shrugged sheepishly. “I also knew that the only way to make you face your feelings for Sage was to force you to spend lots of time together.”
Jackson arched a brow. “So the clues were nothing more than a matchmaking mechanism?”
Augusta arched a brow back. “Did it work?”
“We were worried about you, Augusta.” His voice turned sober.
“I regret any distress I may have caused.” She gave both of them an apologetic smile. “But I was hoping you would forgive me once you realized the brilliance of my plan.”
Jackson crossed his arms and glared at his sister.
Sage ducked her head to hide a smile.
Before they could say more, the hotel door behind her swung open. Pastor Abe stepped inside, bringing with him a gust of the chilly October night.
He smiled broadly at Sage. “And where is that husband of yours? Once he had you in his arms, I didn’t think I’d ever see him let go.”
