by Regina Darcy
Alice smiled at her through the window. “Remember, you will be next,” she called, as the carriage began to move away. “You do not have to give in, Nora. Let go of the fear and find your own path.”
Nora waved as the carriage trundled off, leaving her standing in a cloud of dust. There was no one else about, with no sign of her father, for he was already waiting inside the church. Of course, he would never expect that any of his children would disobey him and therefore had left Nora to ensure Alice was ready.
Wincing inwardly, Nora faced the church and, trying her best to remain calm and at ease, walked towards it. She had to ensure that her father did not come out at once from the church, even though she knew he would be expecting them to enter the church at any moment now. There had to be something she could say, something she could do that would prevent him from going in search of Alice.
Opening the wooden door, Nora slipped inside and let it close softly behind her, her eyes roving around the assembled guests just a little further in. The doors were open and waiting for the bride, with the groom waiting at the front.
“Where is Alice?”
Nora tried not to tremble as her father came towards her, stepping out of the shadows.
“She should be here by now. She is tardy.”
“She is upset, Father, and asked for a few minutes to dry her tears,” Nora replied, trying not to let her voice shake as she told lie after lie to her father’s furious face.
The Duke of Hainsworth was a tall, broad shouldered man who had lost none of his height in his older years, his greying beard and small, dark eyes making him appear almost constantly angry. His lips were curled into a familiar sneer, and Nora could not recall the last time she had seen him smile. His wrathful gaze searched her face, as though seeking to discover whether or not she was telling the truth.
“I knew you would be angry if she came in with red-rimmed eyes and tear-stained cheeks, Father, so I gave her those minutes. I am sure she will be in the church very soon.”
The Duke grimaced. “I will not allow her more than five.”
Nora let out a slow breath of relief, turning away from her father and sitting down quietly in a small chair by the corner. She kept her head down and her eyes closed, concentrating only on her breathing and trying not to think of what might happen to her when her father discovered Alice was gone.
“Ridiculous girl,” the Duke muttered, striding towards the door. “This nonsense has gone on long enough. Come with me, Nora. Her veil must be just so, if it is to hide her tears.”
Nodding, Nora followed her father, her stomach so tight with anxiety that it was almost painful. She walked outside, only to see her father stop dead as he stared at the carriage.
Then, he rounded on her, one hand curling into a fist, which he waved in her face. “Where is she, Nora?”
“I– I don’t know, Father,” Nora exclaimed, her trembling very real as she looked back at him. “I promise you, she was here when I came into the church.”
“You are lying!” the Duke shouted, grasping her shoulders and shaking her hard. “You knew she did not want to marry the Marquess and now you have let her escape!”
“No, I did not, Father!” Nora exclaimed, seeking to hide herself amongst her lies, praying that they would give her safety. “I swear to you that I did nothing to aid her in this. She was still in the carriage when I came to the church, begging to be given a few minutes alone.”
She prayed silently that her father would believe her, only for him to slowly lessen his grip and let her go, his eyes now wild and blazing. She could not imagine what he must be thinking, what he would do now that the bride had disappeared. To have to go back into the church and tell his guests that Alice had disappeared, that there would be no wedding to speak of – that would be one of the greatest embarrassments her father had ever faced.
“Then you will go home and look for her, in case she has returned there to collect her things,” her father breathed, his hot breath drifting across her face. “And if you so much as help her, I will find out, and you will bear the greatest consequences for your betrayal.”
Nora, feeling as weak as a kitten, managed to nod as she swayed slightly, relief flooding her as she saw that her father had no other choice but to believe her.
“I will have to face these guests,” he roared, making her jump with fright. “Get out of my presence now, Nora, or it will be all the worse for you.” He made to stride towards the church, only to come back towards her and shake a finger in her face. “You will be waiting at the house when I return.”
It was a threat and not a request, and finding herself nodding, Nora stumbled back towards the carriage, waiting patiently for the driver to reappear. Her whole body was shaking, the fear of what her father might have done to her beginning to lessen as she realised she was safe – at least for the time being.
“I will not betray you, Alice,” she whispered, as the frantic driver climbed back up into his seat. “I will never betray you. I pray you will have the life you deserve.”
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