He stared at the back of the church, hoping the sheer force of his will would make Elizabeth appear.He’d been waiting for a good ten minutes, even though it seemed much longer.The crowd grew restless, their murmurs becoming louder as they shifted in their seats.
And just what was the bloody delay?Jonathan wanted to know.
As the minutes ticked away, an uneasy, prickling sensation inched up his spine.He didn’t like this one bit.Something had to be wrong.
Finally, Adam appeared in the doorway and motioned for Jonathan to come to him.
Immediately, Jonathan stiffened.I don’t like this, he thought as he made his way to the back of the church, ripples of whispering following him.He felt as if a hand were closing around his throat.
“I need to talk to you,” Adam said in a low voice as he pulled his friend over to the little side room where Elizabeth had been earlier.
As soon as Jonathan stepped inside, he saw Jewel standing in the corner, a stricken look on her face.The knot tightened in his stomach, and he immediately swung around to Adam.“Where is Elizabeth?Has something happened to her?”
Adam rubbed the back of his neck before he looked Jonathan in the eye.“That’s what I need to speak with you about.Elizabeth is gone.”
“Gone?”
Adam took a deep breath.“Elizabeth has left Four Oaks.”
“Left?”Jonathan asked with deceptive calm.“And gone where, might I ask?”
“That I cannot tell you.”
“What the bloody hell does that mean?”Jonathan exploded.“You cannot tell me?Or you won’t?”He gritted his teeth.“The woman I’m waiting to marry has suddenly left, and you can’t tell me where or why she has gone?”
“I’m afraid that is true, Jonathan.”Adam sighed.“There will be no wedding.”
“Did she not even bother to leave me a note?”Jonathan’s voice was cold and exact.
Adam shook his head.
After a long pause, during which Jonathan fought for self-control, he asked again, “Nothing?”
“No.I’m sorry.”Adam paused.Awkwardly, he cleared his throat.“I wish I could tell you more, but Elizabeth has her reasons, and she will have to be the one to explain her rash decision.”
“And, of course, I’d have to find Elizabeth to hear this so-called explanation,” Jonathan stated sarcastically.“Well, that will not be necessary, because I already know.Your sister is a coward,” he ground out between his teeth.“She can’t face me and tell me the truth.She thinks I’m only half a man.”He glowered at Adam.“She has lied to me all this time, professing how much she loved me only to run when the time grew near when she would actually have to marry me.She couldn’t bear the thought that I might touch her with this damaged arm.”
Jewel rushed over and grabbed his good arm.“That isn’t it at all.I know Elizabeth loves you—”
“Then tell me the truth!”Jonathan cut her off.
Sadly, Jewel shook her head.“I can’t.Only Elizabeth can give you the answers you need.”
Jonathan shrugged away.“Please spare me.”He turned and started for the door.
“Where are you going?”Adam asked.
“To end the most miserable day of my life.Don’t you think the guests need to know there will be no wedding?”
Jonathan made his way to the church doors.Once he got out of this embarrassing situation, he’d make damn sure he never made the same mistake again.His father had always told him he didn’t raise a fool.Well, apparently he had.But a fool didn’t repeat his mistakes.He would never let another woman hurt him.He could feel a creepy coldness invade his body, sucking out the warmth and leaving him dead inside.He never wanted to see Elizabeth Trent again.
Standing in front of the altar, he cleared his throat.“Excuse me, ladies and gentleman.I’d like to thank you all for coming today, but you’ve come for nothing,” Jonathan said, his voice sounding like it came from a long way off.“There will be no wedding today.”
Everyone started talking at once as they stood slowly and started for the door.
Adam clasped a hand on Jonathan’s shoulder.Jonathan tensed.He didn’t want anyone’s pity, especially Adam’s.Elizabeth had not only made him look like a fool to strangers but also to his friends.
Jonathan stepped to the side as the congregation filed out of the church.Most didn’t bother to look his way.He nodded politely toward the few who did.His pride had taken a severe beating today, but no one would ever know.He felt like his heart had been ripped out and only a cold, hollow shell remained.As far as he was concerned, Elizabeth was dead.He never wanted to hear her name again.
