Page 108 of Christmas at the Castle
Chapter Thirteen
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At the altar,Gill stood next to Jamie. Bertrand was on the other side of his older brother. The doors at the back of the church were closed to keep people from seeing the bride in the vestibule.
Gill glanced at his watch. The wedding was supposed to have started five minutes ago. “Who bet the wedding would begin on time?”
Bertrand shook his head. “That was me. I thought today would be different.”
Jamie laughed. “Set all the clocks ahead by a half hour and you may come close to being on time in the future.”
A flourish from the pipe organ sounded.
“Five minutes isn’t that bad.” Impressive for Sophie, actually.
Gill straightened. He couldn’t wait to see his sister walk down the aisle. Kat, too. She’d been on his mind all morning. He’d enjoyed spending time with her these past two days from building snow soldiers in one of the pastures to decorating Christmas cookies with the kitchen staff.
The back doors opened.
“This is it, little brother,” Jamie said to Bertrand. “It’s not too late to back out.”
Sweat beaded at the groom’s temple. He shifted his weight between his feet. “Shut up, or I’ll tell Mom.”
Gill laughed.
Music played. The well-dressed and coiffed guests stood.
Sophie appeared in the center of the doorway in a breathtaking white gown. She wore a tiara and veil. The same tiara their mother had worn on her wedding day.
Instead of stepping into the church, Sophie reached out her arm. A beaming grin lit up the princess bride’s face.
A man stepped from behind the door. He placed his hand below hers and faced the crowd.
A collective gasp sounded.
This wasn’t any man. This man was a priest assigned to the Vatican. Father von Strausser. Their older brother Jacques. He wore a black cassock and stared at Sophie with the love and adoration of a big brother.
Gill stared in shock, but the relief that flowed through him was palpable. Sophie loved her oldest brother, so did Gill, and Jacques needed to be here.
The organist continued to play.
Jacques escorted her into the church and down the aisle. Exactly what he should be doing according to protocol. As the eldest son, regardless of relinquishing his title, he was the one who should be standing in for their father.
Sophie had known that. She had wanted to include her older brother in her most special of days. And had.
Little Sophie, their sweet baby sister, had pulled off the unthinkable—a miracle.
A wave of emotion overwhelmed Gill. Pride and respect for the woman she’d become filled him. His eyes stung. He blinked and then refocused on the pair walking toward him.
Jacques had always resembled their father with his lanky build, tall height, and easy smile, but now that he was older, the similarities between the two were more apparent.
No wonder Sophie had insisted on walking herself down the aisle. She’d had other plans for her wedding, ones she knew Mother would never approve.
Gill didn’t dare look at their mother. He didn’t want anything to ruin this special moment.
Bertrand rubbed his eyes. The emotion—his love—for Sophie was written on his face for all to see.
Gill had no doubt this was the right man for his sister. He was so happy for both of them.
