Page 113 of A Wedding in the Country
‘Yes?’
‘Yes. She was so helpful finding out your address from her mother, and of course came with us on our mad adventure.’
Simon didn’t speak for a while. ‘It wasn’t as mad as all that. I mean, Hugo’s father is a difficult chap. He wasn’t at all happy about his son letting his wife live in “some damned servant’s cottage and being a damned embarrassment to the family”. It offended his pride.’
Lizzie laughed. There was something in the way that Simon spoke that made it seem like a direct quotation; he had Sir Jasper’s tone of voice perfectly.
‘He’s a bully,’ Simon went on. ‘But Hugo is more than a match for him when he cares about something, or in this case someone. I think Sir Jasper knew that and didn’t even try to talk him out of it.’
‘I am so relieved. Hugo’s father being against the wedding has been a bit of a dark cloud over it. Not that Hugo and I ever talked about it, but I know he felt it. My father wasn’t keen at first either, but I knew he’d come round, once he’d got over showing such an eligible man the door!’
Simon smiled. ‘I’m so pleased I’ve had a chance to get to know you a bit. I can see that you’re going to make Hugo very happy. And I’m prepared to make sure he does the same for you.’
Lizzie laughed.
‘Now, why don’t you shut your eyes and try to have a doze?’ Simon went on.
‘Why?’
‘Because I’m going to go faster than you might be comfortable with.’
Lizzie shut her eyes.
Simon parked the car in front of Patsy and Tim’s house with a slight skid. It was twelve fifteen. Before Lizzie could even think of getting out of the car, the front door opened and people and dogs streamed out. There was her mother, her hair revealing that her perm hadn’t been given long enough to relax and so the curls were too tight, wearing her dressing gown over her wedding outfit. Behind her, carrying a glass of water, was Gina, wearing a very dashing headpiece complete with veil, looking harassed, obviously having had a hard time keeping Mrs Spencer calm. There was Patsy in a smart, close-fitting dress with a matching jacket all covered with an apron, worn with very old driving shoes. Then there was Diane Baker, the vicar’s wife. She was dressed for a wedding but was currently missing a hat. She was there to take the bridesmaids to the church; she had a big enough car.
Lizzie’s mother didn’t know if she should scream at her daughter or just be relieved she’d arrived. Her tone vacillated between outrage and happiness.‘Elizabeth! Darling! Where have you been? Now come upstairs and get dressed this instant!’
Lizzie got out of the car. She felt very calm. She knew it wouldn’t take an hour to get ready, let alone the two originally scheduled. All would be well. It was going to be the perfect wedding in the country.
At last the time came for people to leave for the church. Lizzie, who had been ready for ages, had vacated the bedroom so her mother could put her hat on in peace, and observed the departures from the doorway of the morning room.
First to go were Hugo’s parents. His mother looked tired but extremely elegant in a wonderful hat with a long feather secured by a diamond brooch.
His father looked distinguished in his morning suit, holding his top hat under his arm. He paused on his way out of the house, saw Lizzie and turned back. He looked her over critically. ‘Hmm, yes, very simple, very nice, covers your knees.’ Then he winked before he led his wife out to the waiting car.
Lizzie nearly fainted with shock.
The vintage Bentley lent by Tim and Patsy was being driven by a local man in a chauffeur’s uniform. When it returned from taking Hugo’s parents, it was going to take Patsy, Tim and Lizzie’s mother. Lizzie was glad that her mother had someone to go with as, having been the centre of the day in herimportant role as mother of the bride, there was suddenly no role for her now the wedding was about to take place. Lizzie thought she looked lovely in her closely fitting hat covered with flowers with a little veil.
Patsy looked elegant too, now wearing heels and a veil secured by a large bow on her head. Tim, like Sir Jasper, looked timeless in his tailcoat and he took the mother of the bride’s arm with great kindness.
At last, everyone else had left so it was just Lizzie and her father, waiting for the car to return.
‘It’s not too late to change your mind,’ said her father gruffly. ‘Well, of course it is, but I’m supposed to say that.’
‘I don’t want to change my mind, but thank you for asking!’
‘Ah, the car is here,’ said her father, relieved that there was no longer any danger that feelings might become apparent. Feelings had always been his wife’s department.
A few minutes later Lizzie glanced up at her father and saw he was trembling. He was more nervous than she was. She gave his arm a reassuring pat; then her bridesmaids assembled behind her and after a certain amount of whispering and ‘good luck’ messages between them, they were ready. The vicar gave the signal and everyone in the church stood up.
Lizzie looked down the aisle and saw Hugo waiting for her. His arm was half held out to greet her.
Purcell’s ‘Trumpet Tune’ began and Lizzie and her father set off. A moment later, Hugo had hold of her hand. ‘I love you,’ he said, quite audibly. Lizzie gave a sigh of deep happiness.
All was going to be well.
