Page 64 of Eight for Losing, One for Loving

“You’re not changing your mind?” Vi laughed and shook her head. “Indeed, I am not. Just a little nervous.”

Kitty snorted. “I don’t know why, for you’ve done the bit most brides fret over.”

“Mama!”Vi murmured, blushing rosily.

Kitty smirked. “Come along. Leo and Larkin are already there. I sent them ahead half an hour ago, for Larkin appeared a deal too cosy in the taproom. We might never have winkled him out otherwise.”

Vi nodded, relieved to know Leo was already at the church. She followed her mama out to the waiting carriage and sat down beside her.

By the time they got to the church, Vi’s nerves had fled. Mama was right after all, she reflected with amusement. What was there to be nervous about? She was marrying the man she had loved all her life, safe in the knowledge that he would not be the reckless fool she had feared him to be, and yet neither would he be dull or chafe at restrictions she felt she must place on him. Instead, they would have fun and many adventures, and they would have them together, and whilst she still feared he might regret not having children if she failed to produce them, she did not believe he would ever hold it against her or love her less.

When they arrived at the church, Vi found her father waiting for her.

“Luke, isn’t she beautiful?” Kitty said, hurrying down from the carriage with a rustle of flamboyant blue silk as she ran to embrace her husband. Papa kissed his wife firmly, his arm going around her waist and squeezing before he looked up at Vi.

“Indeed, she is, Kitty. More beautiful than I ever remember seeing before. It must be because she is happy. You are happy, love?” he asked Vi, releasing Kitty and holding out his arms to her.

Vi ran to him, and he embraced her warmly. This man had been a father to her from the moment she lost her own and, whilst he was a quiet soul, he had been a strong and steadfast presence in her life, one to be relied upon.

“I am, Papa,” she told him sincerely. “I am so very happy.”

“Then let us go in and witness the beginning of your new life,” he said, holding out his arm. “Kitty, you had best go ahead, love. I shall bring her in on my arm.”

Kitty gave a squeal of excitement and then hesitated, turning to Jenny, who was dithering by the carriage. “Well, come along, my dear. Norton is inside too. You don’t want to miss it, do you?”

“Oh! No, my lady,” Jenny said with a gasp, and hurried after Kitty as fast as she could.

Vi laughed and turned back to look up at her father. “I’m so happy you are here,” she said sincerely. “Only I now realise how sad Leo must be not to have his own parents here,” she added with a frown.

“They are here,” he told her with a smile. “Your mama sent for them when she returned to town. They arrived half an hour ago. We also asked them if they wished for Bella to be here too, but they said we would never keep it quiet if Bainbridge was anywhere in the vicinity.”

“No, indeed!” Vi said, laughing, and so she was still as she walked into the church.

She met Leo’s gaze and saw his eyes twinkling with amusement and knew that their lives would be full of laughter if he had anything to do with it.

They stood before the Reverend Harbottle, who beamed down at them, his expression one of delight as he regarded them both.

“Dearly beloved,” he began, sounding as if he truly meant it.

The service was short and sweet and once more they had Kitty to thank, for she’d had the forethought to provide a gold ring for the occasion. Vi almost cried when she realised it was her own mother’s ring and had to abandon the ceremony for a moment to hug Kitty for the wonderful thought.

Then it was time to sign the register. Leo signed first, then Violetta signed her name for the last time as a single lady. She paused as she looked down to where the Reverend Harbottle had filled in the date of their marriage on the certificate.

“I’m sorry, it’s rather messy,” he said with apparent regret. “The pen splotched, and it looks for all the world like it says the twenty-fourth and not the twenty-eighth, does it not?”

He gave her such a look of innocence that Vi gave a bark of laughter.

Leo stepped forward and took the man’s hand, shaking it warmly. “Thank you, reverend, I shall never cease to be grateful to you.”

Harbottle grinned wider still, looking exceptionally pleased with himself. “I cannot tell you how happy I am to have been of help. I believe my wife will be proud of me this day, for she was a romantic soul. I’m sure she is looking down upon us and smiling.”

“I’m very certain she is,” Leo said. “And as for the roof you’re needing, get it done and send me the bill.”

Harbottle’s mouth fell open, and he gaped at Leo. “B-But Mr Hunt, I… I hope you do not believe that I… for one moment did any of this in the hopes o-of—”

“No, reverend, I certainly do not,” Leo said, patting his shoulder. “Which is why I shall be pleased to help you in any way I can. You need only ask.”

The reverend sighed, shaking his head in wonder. “And my god will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus,” he said serenely.