Page 102 of A Slight Problem with the Wedding
One would think a maelstrom had torn through the bedchamber by the time Gory’s outfit was chosen. She and her friends agreed upon a lovely, tea rose silk that suited her complexion and seemed to brighten her eyes.
In truth, Julius was the one who put the pink in her cheeks and the sparkle in her eyes because she could not think of what he had done to her last night without blushing or smiling.
On a more serious note, Syd and Adela also helped her select a gown for tomorrow’s funeral. Adela’s maid brought in several that were of more somber colors, and Gory chose a violet silk that was so dark in shade, it appeared to be indigo. She thought it was a perfect choice, not quite black and not at all frivolous.
She felt relief in getting that unhappy chore out of the way.
As the ten o’clock hour approached, they all climbed into their carriages. Julius insisted on riding with her since he was serious about protecting her at all times and had no intention of ceding the task to anyone else, not even his brothers.
Before Gory knew it, they were standing together in front of the altar and exchanging vows. As Julius looked into her eyes and promised to always love and protect her, a physical change came over her. It was as though a heavy spirit weighing her down for years had suddenly lifted off her and disappeared. Gone. Done. Defeated. Her heart felt lighter and she was suddenly imbued with a hope and happiness she had never felt before.
When the vicar pronounced them husband and wife, she threw her arms around Julius’s neck and struggled not to sob as she said, “Thank you.”
He closed his arms around her waist and lifted her to him, holding tight as he whispered back, “I have you, Gory. Always. You’re mine to love and protect forever now.”
The handful of friends and family present were about to come forward to congratulate them when the chapel doors suddenly burst open and a pistol-wielding harridan came charging at Gory, shrieking, “You’ve ruined everything!”
Julius flung himself over her at the same time two shots rang out, or was it merely the echo of only one?
No, it had to be two.
The shrieking woman suddenly went quiet…and so did Julius.
Gory’s heart shattered, for she had felt the jerk of his body atop hers as she fell backward against the stone altar that broke her fall.
But she knew…oh, she knew… Julius had been hit.
“No, no!” Her voice was barely above a whisper and strangled with agonizing sorrow. “Julius, no! Tell me you are all right. Julius!”
There was a flurry of activity around her.
She ignored the chaotic whirl, all her attention on Julius and how to keep him alive. “Julius! Speak to me, please. Please,” she begged, willing to strike any bargain to exchange her life for his.
After a moment that felt like an eternity, he groaned and struggled to sit up. “Bloody blazes. Gory, are you hurt?”
“You’re talking!” She squeezed out from under him, daring not to feel elated until she had managed to inspect his body.
After ordering him to stay down, she searched for signs of blood on his light gray morning coat.
A red stain was beginning to spread along the meaty muscle of his uninjured arm.
Was it just his upper arm the mad woman had struck?
She dared not feel any relief yet, for the mere fact of his being shot was serious. And twice in a matter of days, no less. Was it another graze? Or had the bullet lodged deep and needed to be dug out? “We must get him to Dr. Farthingale’s surgery at once.”
She had no sooner said the words than Ambrose and Octavian fashioned their arms together to form a stretcher and carried a protesting Julius out his carriage.
“I can walk!” Julius bellowed.
“Shut up, little brother,” Octavian and Ambrose replied at the same moment.
Leo had tossed his arms protectively around Marigold, but now released her and stepped forward to take charge of the ladies as well as the vicar who was pale and trembling. The saintly man was the one who required all the help because Gory and her friends, the dowagers included, were quicker to regain their wits and now wanted to leap into action. “Take care of your brother,” Leo called out to the Thorne men. “I’ll take care of matters here.”
“I’m going with Julius,” Gory insisted.
As she hurried after them, she realized the crazed woman had likely been killed. She was lying so motionless on the chapel’s cold, stone floor. Kneeling beside her was Havers and two of his constables who must have been hard on her heels and shot the shrieking woman at the same time she got off her shot and hit Julius.
Havers glanced up at her, his expression pained. “Lady Gregoria, I’m so sorry. I was mere seconds behind her. I…”
