Free Darkwood by Rosemary Smith Page B

concerned as my veil, headdress and silk boots had not yet arrived, but as Aunt Rachel had so rightly said yesterday, there were still seven days to go.
    Pru helped me choose a dress for the morning’s outing to church while I stood in only a bodice and hooped petticoat. ‘What about this one, Miss Silvia?’ said Pru as she took from the wardrobe a pale mauve walking dress.
    ‘I think, Pru, it is admirable and I shall wear a matching cloak and bonnet.’ As I spoke I realised my arms were cold. The fire had not been lit that morning and looking out of the window I could see only grey skies.
    A fleeting thought crossed my mind, that I hoped the weather would be more favourable on our wedding day. Suitably attired, I stood in the hall waiting for the others.
    Uncle William appeared first looking quite fetching in a loose grey striped jacket and matching trousers. ‘Silvia, my dear, you look charming,’ he said, walking across to me and kissing my cheek. I smiled back at him. ‘You seem far more relaxed than on the day of your arrival,’ he observed.
    ‘You are so right, Uncle. Whereas I dreaded the whole charade, I now look forward so much to my forthcoming marriage to Gareth,’ I replied with honesty.
    ‘That is grand,’ he said, just as Aunt Rachel, accompanied by Gareth, entered the hall to join us. My heart leapt at the sight of my future husband. He was indeed very handsome, dressed today in a dark grey jacket and trousers with a pale mauve shirt. Pru had indeed chosen my outfit well. Aunt Rachel looked lovely in a pale grey silk dress with matching cloak and bonnet.
    ‘We should be gone.’ Uncle William’s voice interrupted my thoughts of Gareth and I realised I was gazing at my betrothed with adoring eyes. Thankfully he seemed not to notice. We all stepped on to the path outside the house and into the carriage. Gareth sat next to me as on the day I had first visited Caroline Peacock’s dressmaking establishment, but today I felt far more relaxed and unconcerned at his nearness.
    Gareth’s hand steadied me as we walked up the path to the church gate, villagers were headed this way, too, all dressed in their Sunday best. Some of the men touched their caps in acknowledgement of us.
    As we stepped into the church porch the men removed their hats. We walked down the aisle to the first pew which was obviously reserved for the Hunter family as it had been left vacant. I could see Isabel sat at the small organ on one side of the altar. Seeing her I smiled and she smiled back, her whole face lighting up as she did so.
    The vicar appeared and we all stood to sing the first hymn, during which there was a commotion at the back of the church. I looked around to see Jared and Estelle walking down the aisle. On reaching the front of the church they settled in the adjacent pew. Jared glanced across at the four of us conveying a look of total defiance.
    Throughout the service, Aunt Rachel who was sitting next to me kept leaning across to observe the two of them. Jared looked back at her with a cruel twist to his mouth. I perceived Aunt Rachel was longing to say something, but in view of our surroundings, was forced to keep silent. Someone else, however, we were all to learn, would not keep so silent.
    The moment had arrived for the publishing of the banns before the sentences for the offertory.
    The vicar stepped forward saying, ‘I publish the banns of marriage between Gareth Samuel Hunter and Silvia Eliza Harvey of Darkwood. If any of you know cause or just impediment why these two persons should not be joined in Holy Matrimony, ye are to declare it. This is the third time of asking.’
    The church was silent. Gareth and I looked at each other and smiled, then a voice broke the silence.
    ‘I have just cause why they should not be married.’ Estelle’s measured and melodic voice echoed around the church. My heart started racing as she stepped forward from her seat to face the congregation.
    George Poulter looked lost