At dinner that evening Barnaby got on famously with her uncle as they discussed politics and world events in general, so after the meal, while the women saw to the washing-up, the men settled in Uncle Jeremiah’s study with a glass of port and a cigar.
Once the washing-up was finished, Alice and Martha took Amber upstairs to see the outfit they had bought for her.
‘Your mother chose it,’ Martha said nervously as Amber stared at the beautiful pale-green taffeta gown hanging on the wardrobe in her room. ‘I do hope you like it and that it fits because we won’t have time to change it now.’
‘It’s stunnin’,’ Amber said and she meant it. The waistline was fitted into a fashionable V at the front with a tight-fitting, low-cut top and puffed, elbow-length sleeves, and the skirt was full. It was trimmed at the neckline and the waist with white guipure lace and she knew the colour would set off her strawberry-blonde hair and copper-coloured eyes to perfection. It was the sort of gown she had only ever dreamed of owning, although she recognised it was completely impractical for the life she led back at The Crow’s Nest. ‘But when will I ever get the chance to wear it again?’
‘Don’t worry about that,’ Martha said with a wide smile when she saw how much Amber loved it. ‘It’s my wedding day and I want everyone to feel as special as I will.’ She blushed like a girl and Amber and her mother exchanged a smile. Both Martha and her uncle seemed so happy that it was clear they were made for each other.
Next, Martha produced a dainty pair of satin slippers to complement the outfit and Amber giggled as she tried to picture herself wearing them when she was digging in the garden back at home or collecting the eggs from the chickens Barnaby had bought.
*
The next morning the house was in chaos as they all helped each other to get ready. Uncle Jeremiah looked very smart in his top hat and tails and gaily coloured waistcoat, and Martha looked beautiful in a lovely two-piece costume of pale lemon with a matching hat. She would carry a posy of sweet-smelling freesias, insisting that she was far too old to bother with a large fussy bouquet. Alice wore a gown in a fetching shade of blue and Biddy’s outfit was in lilac, while Charlotte wore the pretty ivory coloured dress Amber had lovingly stitched for her, and everyone agreed she looked totally adorable.
Then, while the womenfolk kept a watchful eye on the baby, Amber dashed off to get ready herself. She had washed her hair the night before so before getting dressed she piled it high on the top of her head and teased it into ringlets that fell onto her slim shoulders. The gown fitted as if it had been made for her and when she appeared at the top of the stairs, she saw Barnaby in the hallway.
When he glanced up and saw her his eyes almost popped out of his head, and as she came slowly down the steps, he could scarcely take his eyes off her. This was Amber as he had never seen her before and he couldn’t believe the transformation. He had always thought her pretty, although not in the ethereal way that his wife had been, but now he realised that she was quite beautiful.
‘Why you look?.?.?. just?.?.?.’ He was almost lost for words. ‘Justbeautiful.’
Amber felt beautiful in the wonderful gown and she blushed prettily and actually smiled at him.
Outside two carriages were waiting for them and they piled into them in high spirits. Her uncle, her mother and Martha went in the first carriage while Amber, Barnaby and Charlotte followed on in the next. The quaint little church where they had chosen to get wed was perched high above the town just below Scarborough Castle and when they entered, the scent of the flowers her uncle had thoughtfully ordered to be set on either side of the alter greeted them.
It was a very simple service but it was plain to see that the two people taking their vows as the sun shone down on them through the stained-glass windows were very much in love, and just for a moment Amber felt herself envying them. She would never know a love like that now, she thought, glancing at Barnaby. The happy couple left the church to a hail of rose petals and rice and then they all set off for a fine wedding breakfast at a smart hotel on the seafront.
In the early afternoon they returned to the house where the bride could change into her going-away outfit and soon after the carriage arrived to take them to the train station to begin their honeymoon.
‘Eeh, it were a lovely service, weren’t it?’ Alice said dreamily as they sat enjoying a cup of tea after the couple had left. ‘It’ll no doubt be your turn next, lass!’
Amber scowled. ‘I won’teverget married,’ she said with conviction and a glare in Barnaby’s direction, but Alice merely smiled.
‘I wouldn’t count on it. Never is a long time. But now, why don’t you two take Fancy for a stroll along the front and enjoy the fresh air? You’ll be back at home an’ workin’ again in the blink of an eye so make the most o’ your break. Charlotte’s fast asleep an’ I’ll keep me eye on her while you’re gone.’
‘Actually, that sounds like a very good idea,’ Barnaby said with a grin at Amber and knowing that it would appear churlish to refuse she nodded.
‘Very well, but then I really must get back an’ pack if we’re leavin’ first thing tomorrow.’
And so they set off, Fancy frolicking on her lead ahead of them, and when Barnaby tucked her hand into the crook of his arm she didn’t release it. In fact, she was surprised to find she quite liked it.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
The following morning, Amber and her mother said a tearful farewell, while Barnaby carried out their luggage to the barouche.
Charlotte was tearful too, although they guessed it was more because she couldn’t take Fancy with her than because she was about to leave her doting grandmother. She and the little dog had taken a great shine to each other and had been inseparable during their time there and now Charlotte didn’t want to be parted from her.
‘We’ll come and see Fancy again soon, sweet’eart,’ Amber promised as she tried to prise the child away. Eventually, she somehow managed to get her outside into the carriage.
‘Are you sure you’ll be all right here all on your own?’ Amber was concerned at the thought but Alice smiled.
‘I won’t be on me own,’ she pointed out stoically. ‘I’ve got little Fancy ’ere an’ Biddy to keep me company. Now have a safe journey an’ write to me often.’
Barnaby came to shake her hand. ‘Thank you so much for having me, Mrs Ainsley, and for allowing me to attend your brother’s wedding.’
Alice knew she should hate him after the way he’d treated her daughter and yet, after spending some time in his company, she’d actually grown to like him, especially when she saw how he doted on her granddaughter.
‘You just take care o’ my girls, now,’ she told him sternly and he nodded before hopping onto the driver’s seat and urging the horse on. Alice waved until they were out of sight before turning and going back into the house.
