Esther alighted from the beribboned carriage and stared at the façade of the town hall.
Nerves leapt in her stomach and her heart beat so fast she feared it would burst from her chest, but she had never been so happy.
She pressed her hand to her stomach. Lawrence was so absurdly exultant she carried his child that he’d insisted they marry as soon as possible. Tears pricked her eyes as she thought of the moment they had announced their intention to marry and that she was expecting. Not a single member of his household had held an iota of judgement about their premarital affair and Rose and Nathanial were elated about the upcoming arrival of a little brother or sister.
Even Elizabeth and Joseph, when they reinstated Esther to her position at Pennington’s, had been overjoyed for her pregnancy. Elizabeth, who desperately wished to start a family of her own, had squeezed Esther tight wishing her all the happiness in the world. Even saying in jest that she’d had the foresight to bring Amelia forward as assistant head dresser in preparation for Esther leaving.
Aunt Mary came to stand beside her and ran her gaze over Esther from head to toe. ‘You look lovely, my dear. I’m still not sure how you managed to win the hand of a gentleman like Mr Culford, but I applaud your tenacity.’
Even her aunt’s disparagement couldn’t affect her joy. Although initially dismayed by Esther’s pregnancy, when she told her that Lawrence had proposed, Aunt Mary’s congratulations had been positively gushing, followed by a speedy telephone call to her father and Viola. Apparently, it was all down to Aunt Mary that Esther and Lawrence had fallen in love.
Esther smiled. ‘Tenacity is my middle name, Aunt. Surely, you know that much about me.’ She glanced towards the grand double doors at the top of the stone steps. ‘Shall we go in?’
Her aunt reached out and tucked a stray curl behind Esther’s ear. ‘You won’t forget me, will you?’ Tears glazed her eyes. ‘I know I’ve been hard on you from time to time, but I would not have allowed you to stay with me if I had entirely agreed with your father’s decision to send you away. You have a good heart and big ideas, but you’re a wonderful woman all the same.’ She sighed. ‘I’m sure Viola will realise that, too, in time.’
Genuinely touched, Esther clasped her aunt’s hand and brought it to her lips. ‘Of course I won’t forget you. Or everything you’ve done for me by welcoming me into your home. You are as much a part of my new family as I am. Lawrence has already said you’re welcome at his home whenever you might wish it.’
Her aunt’s smile slipped and her gaze sobered. ‘Your home, my dear. Not his home. Yours and Lawrence’s home. Now that nasty postbox matter is over and your part in it exonerated, it’s time to be happy and enjoy your new life.’
Esther smiled, offered her aunt her arm and they climbed the steps into the town hall.
The foyer windows were swathed in soft rose-pink drapery and matching roses were displayed in intricate glass vases upon alabaster plinths. The wooden floor shone beneath the electric lamps and the sand-coloured walls were ornate with cornices carved with vines and cherubs. Everything looked beautiful and entirely fit for a wedding.
Childish chattering to the side of them turned Esther’s head and her heart leapt to see Rose and Nathanial, her bridesmaid and page boy, standing with Cornelia.
Esther hurried towards them. ‘You look adorable. Both of you.’ She bent down and kissed each of their cheeks. ‘So very pretty, Rose.’ She turned to Nathanial. ‘And I hardly recognised you. You look so grown-up.’
Nathanial grinned. ‘I look the same as Daddy.’
Esther straightened and faced Cornelia. ‘Is he here?’
She laughed. ‘Of course. He’s as jumpy as a dog running over hot coals, but he’s most definitely here.’ She turned to Esther’s aunt. ‘Hello again, Mary.’
Her aunt smiled. ‘It’s nice to see you again, Cornelia.’
Esther inhaled a shaky breath and looked at each face of her new family before walking to the side of the foyer to greet her other guests.
‘Elizabeth.’ Esther held out her hand, the other clutching her small posy. ‘I’m so glad you’re here.’ The two friends embraced and kissed cheeks before Esther pulled back and looked past Elizabeth. ‘Is Joseph not here?’
Elizabeth shook her head and squeezed Esther’s hand. ‘I’ve warned you how distracted he is these days. He was dressed and ready to come when his father called and said he might have found a lead on you know what.’ The skin at her neck shifted as she swallowed. ‘I fear it will come to be worthless once again, which will only serve to send Joseph into another spiral of frustration.’ She inhaled a deep breath and smiled. ‘But today is not for lingering on my woes. Today is about you and Lawrence. Nothing else.’
Sympathy for her friend whispered through Esther but she forced a smile. ‘All will be well. I’ll see you after the ceremony.’
Esther walked a little further to the side and accepted kisses to her cheek from Charles, Helen and Mrs Jackson who dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. ‘Thank you all so much for being here and making me so welcome in Mr Culford’s home. Now Lawrence has inherited his mother’s estate…’ She drew in a heavy breath. ‘There may be some, or a lot, of upheaval ahead of us, but as long as we stick together, everything will be fine. I’m sure of it.’
They nodded and smiled, Charles clearly fighting to keep a stiff upper lip and Helen blushing with complete happiness.
Turning, Esther focused on the closed double doors ahead of her and tried not to linger on Lawrence’s anger when he’d discovered his mother had every intention of leaving Culford Manor and the estate to him all along. The claims and threats she’d made on her deathbed were nothing more than a way of further tormenting Lawrence and his new life in Bath. Cornelia and Harriet were barely mentioned in her Will past the clothes, jewellery and trinkets they would inherit. Everything had been left to Lawrence with what felt like a last stab of spite.
Esther had no idea what he’d want to do next, but whatever he decided, she would be right alongside him, supporting and loving him. The only spate of satisfaction he’d had thus far was travelling to the Manor to sack his mother’s long-time butler.
The guests all walked into the room ahead of her and once they were seated and the doors closed behind them, her stomach quivered. ‘Well then, it’s now or never.’
Her aunt offered her elbow and Esther slipped her slightly trembling hand against her aunt’s forearm, happy and ready to start her new life with the man and the family she loved deeply.
‘Esther?’
She turned and looked towards the town hall’s main entrance.
Her father walked alone as he slowly approached, uncertainty etched on his weathered features. Esther’s heart quickened as he came ever closer, dressed in a suit the same dark blue as Lawrence’s and Nathanial’s… and wearing the same pink carnation in his buttonhole.
She swallowed. ‘Papa. Did Lawrence invite—’
‘Yes.’ Her father’s eyes glistened with what looked to be unshed tears as he stared into her eyes.
Esther’s throat clogged with love for her soon-to-be husband. Her father looked so very old. So very, very sad.
‘You look beautiful.’ Her father stepped in front of her. ‘So much like your mother at your age. Resplendent and happy.’
Esther hastily forced back her tears. ‘Thank you, but—’
‘Esther, please listen to me. I made a grave mistake sending you away how I did. I should’ve listened to you and your mother. Learned more about your passion for the Cause. I understand that now. I realise the fight you’re prepared to take on and it’s right and just that you do. I was ashamed of you for no reason and now it is I who is ashamed.’ He lifted her hand to his chest. ‘Let me start two years of apologies today, my love. Please. I want to meet Lawrence properly and share in your happiness.’
Hope rose inside her, but Esther could not deny the fear that swirled through her, too. She would not withstand his rejection a second time. Lawrence had made her stronger than she’d even made herself since she left home, but, if the ache in her heart was anything to hold measure by, her father still held the power to hurt her as deeply as he had before.
She slipped her hand from his and grasped her posy. ‘And what of Viola? I don’t believe she can be happy about you being here, telling me you want to be a part of my life again.’
‘She’ll come around.’ His face turned sombre and his eyes burned with determination. ‘She’ll have to or leave. I won’t be parted from you. Not any more. It’s a sad day when a parent must learn from a child, but your aunt and Lawrence told me everything you’ve achieved and strive to achieve. I’m in awe of you and realise just how wrong I’ve been… about everything.’
She stared into his eyes, looking for signs of his insincerity, but only genuine grief and candour swirled in his hazel eyes. She inhaled a strengthening breath. ‘One day at a time, Papa. No promises.’
His smile lit his eyes, making him immediately younger. ‘One day at a time.’
He offered his arm.
Esther hesitated before pulling back her shoulders and sliding her hand into the crook of his arm. He clasped her fingers and they walked forwards, Aunt Mary following silently behind.
As her father opened the doors, Esther caught her breath at the ivory and cream splendour encasing the room. Lush drapery fell at the windows, the gold chairs and their ivory upholstery glowing beneath the low lighting. Flowers decked the cornices and top table, sweetening the room with soft perfume.
She slowly continued to walk, her hand trembling on her father’s arm and her heart swollen with love for the man waiting for her by the magistrate.
When Lawrence stepped in front of her, Esther’s heart leapt with happiness. He looked so handsome, she could barely resist leaping into his arms in front of everyone and kissing him until she couldn’t breathe.
As though reading her thoughts, he winked before turning to her father. Lawrence nodded and took her father’s hand. ‘It’s a pleasure to see you here, Mr Stanbury.’
Her father nodded, his gaze intently studying Lawrence. ‘I should have been with Esther all along.’
Lawrence nodded, released her father’s hand and wrapped his fingers around Esther’s. ‘Yes, I believe you should.’
Turning, he led Esther to a spot in front of the magistrate.
The elderly man had kindly eyes and a soft smile as he lifted his hands. ‘Welcome everyone. Can I ask that you remain standing throughout the ceremony and keep your congratulations until the very end? Thank you.’ He faced Esther and Lawrence, his eyes cheerfully twinkling. ‘Are we ready to begin?’
Esther lifted her gaze to Lawrence’s and tightened her fingers. ‘Yes. We’re ready.’
Lawrence squeezed her fingers. ‘Always.’
We hope you enjoyed this book.
Rachel Brimble’s next book is coming in 2019
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