“Children are innocent,” he always told her and would say the same to his parishioners in similar situations.
She ran her hands along the pale blue silk, feeling her mother’s spirit within the gown and within herself. Her father had given her the gown and insisted she wear it for her own wedding day. “It was your mother’s wish,” he’d said.
Viola was not certain how he would react to seeing her in it now.
Mrs. Bligh bustled in. “The Earl of Trent’s carriage has just turned in the gate. I’m sure the rest will follow soon. You look so lovely, Miss Viola. Not a soul will be able to take their eyes off you. What else do you need?”
“Nothing, Mrs. Bligh. I am all set.”
The woman’s niece, Lila, who worked at Ardley Hall as a maid, had been sent to assist her this morning. The girl was familiar with the vicarage since she had been here assisting her aunt while Viola was at Ardley Hall for the house party.
“Doesn’t she look marvelous, Auntie?” Lila said. “Do you like the flowers in Miss Viola’s hair?”
Mrs. Bligh nodded. “Yes, indeed. You did a fine job.”
“My heart is in a flutter,” Viola admitted. “I cannot believe the hour is at hand. Is my father ready?”
“I helped him downstairs and he is waiting for you in the parlor.”
“How does he look?” she asked, wringing her hands in worry.
Mrs. Bligh patted her cheek. “Like a new man. His little girl is getting married and there is not a thing in the world that ails him or will ever stop him from participating in your special day.”
“Well, let’s hope he does not overdo it.” Viola hurried downstairs to find him. “Don’t get up, Papa. The Earl of Trent’s carriage just pulled up. I’ll ask his footmen to assist you into the church. They’ll seat you in the front pew. Will you be all right? I hope you don’t mind that Vicar Ainsley will conduct the wedding ceremony and not you. Your role today is father of the bride.”
“Stop fretting, Viola. All will be fine. Ainsley is a good man. I do not mind his officiating since I will be crying too hard throughout it anyway.”
“Oh, Papa.”
“Don’t you start crying now. And do stop fussing over me. Let me get a proper look at you. Twirl around and let me see how pretty you look in your mother’s gown.”
She slowly turned. “What do you think?”
He withdrew his handkerchief and quickly blotted the sudden well of tears. “Best day of my life. You look beautiful, my child. Your mother would be immensely proud.”
She bussed his cheek. “The gown is perfect. She is with us today.”
Their courtyard soon filled with carriages, carts, and horses as Alex’s family and villagers began to arrive. Many were on foot since the vicarage was on the outskirts of Ardley and an easy walk on this fine day.
The sun shone, and Viola felt it was her mother smiling down on her.
Gabriel and Graelem walked in with several footmen. “We’ve come to collect you and your father. Alex is impatient for the ceremony to commence. Any second thoughts, Viola?” Gabriel said with a grin. “My brother can be a cantankerous bear.”
“I will feed him whenever he gets unruly,” she joked.
He laughed. “That tactic worked brilliantly on my father. Just keep those cheese tarts flowing and he will be forever in your thrall.”
“Laurel has not stopped talking about your recipes,” Graelem remarked as they left the manse and walked across the courtyard to the church. The footmen had gone ahead with her father, carrying him in a seat made of their arms. “She and Daisy enjoyed helping out in the kitchen. They used to prepare meals in their own home with their cook, Mrs. Mayhew. Fair warning, those Farthingales are going to abduct you the moment you step foot on Chipping Way.”
Gabriel nodded. “This is where their parents reside. A lovely street in elegant Mayfair. Our grandmother lives next door to Daisy and Laurel’s parents, John and Sophie Farthingale. You’ll like the entire family. I’ve never seen so many aunts, uncles, or cousins in my life. I doubt you’ll mind if they take you hostage for the week you are in town.”
Viola smiled. “I think I shall like that very much.”
“They can be a bit overwhelming,” Gabriel continued, “but they’re also generous and kind. They travel in hordes, and I cannot keep up with all the children. They are like little crabs popping their heads out of the sand. A dozen more show up every time you turn around. I have a hard enough time keeping track of my own.”
“You’ll like Gabriel’s children. They are as sweet as Daisy,” Graelem said. “Mine are beasts, especially the eldest. His name is Ragnar and he thinks he is a marauding Viking. His little sister is just as bad.”
Viola could not stop smiling.
