When the investiture vows and declarations were spoken, first by Du Montfort and then by George in a clear, smooth voice, he stood up and faced the congregation. The church erupted in loud and enthusiasticapplause.
If he had looked stunning before, now he looked like PrinceCharming.
I am Cinderella.Millie’s eyes couldn’t leave George as he moved to the lectern and started talking. It was her who’d found his glass slipper, his newspaper, in that London café and followed it to the Island.In this strange fairy tale, she had also been her own fairy godmother and possibly his. Now that he’d been transformed, shouldshepropose tohimin this upside-down Cinderella story?
She had rejected him before, partly unfairly, it now transpired. She had judged him and misunderstood him.
When he misunderstood and judged me, last year, I took my trust away. He came as soon as he found out, dropped everything and came, yet I turned him down. She remembered his bleak expression as he walked out of the café last Easter.I doubt his pride would let him come tome again.
But she didn’t rage at him.
No, but he offered me his heart, his future, his everything, and I told him it wasn’t enough. How can he forgive me?
Stop trying to guess. Wait and see howhe feels.
Millie watched his face. If he looked at her, if there was any hope for them, it would show in his eyes. I don’t mind making the move. I owe him this much. But I need to know he stillwants me.
Just then Suzie crept quietly up the aisle next to Millie and bent down to whisper in her ear. “I forgot to tell you, sorry. He wants you to come up on stage. When he looks at you and says the words ‘your partner,’ you are to walk up to the stage behind him.” Suzie crept away, leaving Millie breathless.So that’s why there was a reserved seat for me so close tothe front.
She kept her eyes on George, but her heart was in her throat as she listened for the promised words.
“New additions that are very close to my heart,” George was saying. “In honour of my late mother, I announce the opening of the Lady Isobel Refuge for Women. This charity will support and help find new housing, jobs, training and security to any woman from the Channel Islands who finds herself at risk.” George had to break to wait for the applause todie down.
“Another new addition to La Canette,” he continued, “and one that gives me great pleasure, will be the Du Montfort Library and Lecture Hall open to any and all residents. Some of the books will come from my father’s own collection. He hopes to share his love for the history and heritage of La Canette with all of us. In fact, I believe,” George said turning a wicked smile on his father, “if you ask him nicely, he might even give talks to groups of students.” He winked, and his father gave him a mock scowl.
Something like sunrise was bursting inside Millie to see both men had made peace. She wanted to hug George, to hug his father, to hug everyone. George did more than make peace; he turned his grief and rage over his parent into something positive that will help others.
“As new seigneur”—George turned serious now, his eyes surveyed the crowded church—“I hope you will think of me not as your governor but as your partner.” His eyes wereon Millie.
This’s my cue. Heart fluttering, she rose, uncertain, but George gave her a subtle nod.
She walked to the front, feeling all eyes on her. White noise whooshed in her ears; someone was walking behind her, but she climbed the few steps without help.Focus on your feet. Don’t fall in front of six hundred people.
Up on the raised platform, old Du Montfort smiled at her, nodding encouragement.
Look ahead. Don’t turn this way or that. One foot in front of the other. Millie walked and stood by the table behind George, who was stillspeaking.
“If La Canette has been a success story, it isn’t because of who governs it but because of all of us.” And George turned to look behind him, but his eyes weren’t on Millie alone, and that’s when Millie realized she wasn’t the only one who’d come up. She’d been too fogged to see. Everyone sitting in her pew had followed her.
Indicating a couple to the left, George said, “Mr and Mrs Ward, who run Apple-Tree Farm and produce the best cheeses anywhere.” The Wards stepped forward and smiled as George led theapplause.
Then he looked towards another older man. “Roger Wheatley, who ensures our village school offers free and excellent education to local children…” Again and again people applauded as the new seigneur focussed on each person behind him.
“Blue Sage Café.” He turned to Millie. “One of our most recent and most remarkable success stories. In a few months, Miss Summers has become a major attraction and a lesson to all of us on how to celebrate our own island’s resources.” Millie stood perfectly still and smiled politely to acknowledge the applause. George was smiling, too.
But search his face as closely as she could, she found nothing warmer than his pride and pleasure in any other business he’d mentioned tonight. His eyes were polite, but they didn’t connect. All too soon the others filed down and back to their seats, and Milliefollowed.
It’s okay. He won’t look at me like a lover. I sent him away after all; he’s too proud.But she was proud, too, and she wasn’t going to make a move. She needed a sign, something inhis eyes.
George was winding up his speech. “Times have changed, and it’s time we moved on from feudal land ownership. We will start the process of devolution together, and within five years, I hope that many of you will own your own farms, homes, and lands.”
Millie watched him, standing tall; he was proud but not arrogant, a new man bringing a new age. Bringing transformation.
But had everything changed? His feelings for her? Had they transformed into a new love for something else? His island?
Look at me, George, look me in the eye.
“Elections will follow, and we will vote for a new governor.” His gaze travelled past where Millie sat. He didn’t avoid her, but the eye contact was fleeting and impersonal. “For now, I put my hand in yours, and together we will create a new beginning.” His voice was rich and deep, filling the church as he asked the crowd. “Are youwith me?”
