At the back of the church, Elyse tried to smile as she took Cedric's arm. He'd been both father and grandfather to her for as long as she could remember. It was only right he should stand at her side now. Her hand was ice cold, her fingers trembling as he placed his large hand over hers.
"Ready, my dear?" He gazed down at her quizzically, perhaps sensing some of her own uncertainty.
Elyse nodded and smiled, though her face was pale and drawn.
Lucy followed behind as they walked down the long aisle, passing row upon row of guests, friends, and acquaintances and relatives turning discreetly, to catch a glimpse of the bride.
Elyse saw her grandmother amidst the sea of faces and focused on that one beloved face and forced herself to be strong.
She felt the faint pressure of Ceddy's hand and looked up. They'd reached the end of the aisle. Jerrold was waiting for her. Ceddy inclined his head faintly as he extended her hand to Jerrold's.
She looked for a smile, something in Jerrold's eyes, a look or a glance. Anything to show even the slightest affection. She saw only a momentary flash of disapproval as his gaze fell on the sapphire and diamond pendant she'd chosen to wear instead of his choice for her.
Nothing was ever good enough. It angered her, causing vivid color to spread across her cheeks in what would undoubtedly be mistaken for bridal radiance.
It should have been different. Her gaze met his and she immediately looked away, not wanting him to see her true feelings. How had she become so certain of them so late?
It wasn't a matter of knowing what she wanted, but what she didn't want. But now it was too late. What could she do? Turn around and inform everyone present that it was all a mistake? Laugh it off as a foolish charade?
I can't do this, she thought.I don't love him!She wanted to scream it at the top of her lungs.
She thought of her grandmother and everyone who had campaigned for this marriage, the perfect match several had told her.
Everything swam before her as the Anglican priest's words droned on and on, intoning the ancient rite that would join her to this man forever.
Forever!the word screamed at her.
She couldn't breathe.
It was as if a great weight were pressing down on her. All feeling seemed to seep out of her. She wanted to make it all stop.
Zach watched from where he stood, for a moment caught by the solemnity of the marriage ceremony. Then his gaze fastened on Elyse. She was so beautiful, he thought. Her gown was pale blue, tightly cut across the bodice and slender waist before falling into a slender skirt. The sleeves were tight fitting to the wrist, the neckline cut low across the swell of her breasts.
This is what she apparently wanted, he thought. But even as he felt anger over her obvious scheming to be Lady Barrington, he couldn't suppress his surprise at the simple but elegant diamond and pearl pendant she wore and wondered at the reason she had chosen it.
The church was softly lit by row upon row of candles, and a dozen more set before the altar that was draped with a crimson tapestry embossed with the sign of the cross.
The priest's words echoed off stone walls as light shimmered throughout in colorful reflection from the stained-glass panel behind the altar. Then, all eyes focused on the somber beauty of the bride.
Behind the altar, all was steeped in shadows. She glimpsed the robed figure emerge from the left of the altar, bearing the rings that were to be blessed. It will soon be over, Elyse thought, yet briefly wondered why the man had the hood pulled low over his face. Just as quickly, it was forgotten. She heard the priest call for the rings a second time and looked up as candlelight from the altar glinted off the long, curved blade pulled from beneath the heavy robe. It slashed through the air, but she was too stunned to move.
She heard Lucy's startled gasp. Beside her, Jerrold muttered a curse, "What the devil?"
The figure moved toward them, and a hand closed over her wrist. Before she could think, before she could react, she was pulled past the startled priest, then pulled back against the heavily muscled chest of the man beneath the robe. With his other hand, her assailant pressed the blade against her throat.
"No one moves!"
Finally recovering from the intrusion, Jerrold took a step forward as if he meant to pursue the man. "Let her go."
"One step further, Barrington." At the warning, the blade was pressed more firmly against Elyse's throat.
She could feel the faint sting of the blade pressed into her flesh. But whoever this man was, if he intended to kill her, he would already have done so.
"Please," the priest implored with outstretched hands. "Let her go. Surely you can't mean to harm her."
Zach hesitated. Yes, he thought, it would be the perfect revenge against Barrington. He turned the blade on the priest.
"Please, continue," he ordered.
