Free So Near So Far by Parkinson C. Northcote Page A

never was with anyone.”
    â€œWhere are you to stay?”
    â€œHere, at the—”
    â€œShall we have supper here?”
    â€œOf course, but what about the theatre?”
    â€œI took the evening off so as to give my understudy her chance to play the part. She will be one bridesmaid and the theatre, I find, is in the parish of Michael-le-Belfry. How would that do? It was where Guy Fawkes was baptised.”
    â€œAnd do you think Scarborough might be the place for the honeymoon? I was never there but it seems to be fashionable.”
    There was much to discuss and Delancey took Fiona back to her lodging after supper. Saying goodnight to her on the doorstep, which took a surprisingly long time, Delancey confessed he had gone through agonies on the journey, especially over the last few miles. “I half expected to find you betrothed to someone else—to Mr Matthews, for example.”
    â€œHe is married, love. But I thought maybe you would worry and decided to accept you at once. I’ll confess now that I never had the least idea of marrying anyone else. Well, it would be absurd, wouldn’t it? Mr Matthews has promised to give me away and he has a niece who will be the other bridesmaid. I have asked about Scarborough and we can’t easily reach there in one day—not, I mean, allowing time for the wedding. We shall have to break the journey in Malton, staying perhaps atthe Green Man in the Market Place. There is a good inn at Scarborough called the Royal but it is more the fashion to take lodgings there in the Crescent.”
    â€œAre the lodgings engaged, my love?”
    â€œNo, but I have the address. Why are you laughing, dear?”
    â€œI was laughing at the fears I felt that you would refuse me. While I was worrying about that you were deciding what to wear at the wedding!”
    â€œThe dress is not bespoke but I have chosen the cloth…. No, love. I had not the least idea of refusing you! I liked you from the day we met. Who did you think of asking to appear as best man?”
    â€œI hadn’t thought about it at all! You are miles ahead of me. But my former First Lieutenant lives in Westmorland, not all that distant, and might make the journey that I have just made. He would come to the aid of an old shipmate, I daresay.”
    On his way back to his inn Delancey reflected that an actress needs as much practical ability as a naval officer. She must be as ready for the curtain’s rise as any lieutenant must be ready for the morning watch, nor must she fail to cover up when someone else has missed his cue. There could be no doubt about the organisation of the wedding, due not to the bride’s parents but to the resourceful bride herself. All went as well as he expected and the eventful day ended, as planned, in the best inn at Malton where Fiona and Richard entered into a relationship which was to be passionate, loving, complete, and permanent.
    On the second day, going to bed at an earlier hour than some fellow guests thought was decent, Fiona and Richard had time to talk.
    â€By rights I should have hired a lady’s maid for you.”
    â€œI’ve no need for one. You found how to undress me quickly enough.”
    â€œBut what about dressing?”
    â€œThat is not as important. You married a slut.”
    â€œI married an angel!”
    â€œYou came nearer to marrying a whore. You are the seventh man to have taken me.”
    â€œAs if I cared! Was I the best, though?”
    â€œFar the best, darling. For one thing, you—oh, well, never mind—what really matters is the way you treat me like a goddess.”
    â€œYou are a goddess!”
    â€œI’m not even a lady!”
    â€œYou are, my dear. I have made you one.”
    â€œHow?”
    â€œI am an Esquire by virtue of holding the King’s commission. The King’s servants address me as Esquire when they write to me. The wife of an Esquire is a