Page 195 of Storm of Bells
Amy covered her face with her hands, clearlysuffering. ‘Politely?’ came her voice from beneath her fingers,dull and filled with doom. ‘Do I ‘ave to?’
‘Afraid so.’
‘I couldn’t just kick him in the—’
‘I’m afraid that wouldn’t be acceptable. Atleast not on my wedding day. It would mess up the schedule.’
The desperate young woman gave another groan.Finally, her hands lowered just enough to show her eyes, once againfilled with hope. ‘And da third option?’
‘Well,’ I replied cheerfully, ‘You couldreject him several times but simply be so irresistible that he asksyou again and again, whereupon you finally accept, feeling reallygood about yourself in the process. Trust me, it does wonders forthe ego.’
Amy buried her face in her hands again.‘Ye’re the worst friend ever!’
‘Indeed.’ I nodded happily. ‘Now, come overhere and help this worst friend ever do her hair, will you?’
‘What would you like?’ Amy’s eyes glitteredwith the desire for vengeance. ‘Gorgon style? Haystack?’
‘Something more traditionally bridal, ifpossible.’
‘Hm. We’ll see about that, ye bloodytraitor!’
There were several large windows set into thewall of the big drawing room where all the ladies had assembled toprepare for the ceremony. I settled down at one of the largerwindows, gazing out over the path to the village. Tomyvillage. Looking outside into the bright noon sunlight, I couldhardly believe my eyes. The villagers had been pretty busy while Iwas away.
‘Holy…! What do these people think is goingon here?’ I sucked in a sharp breath. ‘A royal wedding?’
‘To judge by the people I’ve talked to,’Amy’s voice came from behind me as she grabbed hold of my hair andtwisted it like the neck of a rooster she wanted to strangle, ‘animperial one. Don’t ask me why, but for some bloody reason peoplearound here seem to really, really like you.’
She tugged on my hair, apparently determinedto add hanging, drawing and quartering to strangling therooster.
‘Ow!’
‘Don’t fidget!’ In the window, I saw thereflection of a wicked smile. ‘I’m workin’!’
Oh dear. Into what kind of devil’s hand had Idelivered myself?
I tried to hold still as the Beelzebub ofbridesmaids commanded. However, it was difficult not to want tolean forward and admire the view. Outside, the villagers haderected poles all the way from the doors of the manor to the gatesof the church. From the posts, garlands of flowers dangled in thelight breeze, and upon the path, all the way up to the church,blossoms had been strewn upon the ground, creating a carpet morebeautiful than the finest creations of Persian carpet weavers.
A carpet I would soon be walking upon.
‘Lill! Lill!’
The door to the room burst open, and Ellaraced in along with several people in her retinue. When I turned tosee, Amy gave a determined tug on the reins, a.k.a. my hair.
‘Hold still, ye!’
‘You’re enjoying your revenge, aren’tyou?’
‘Ye’ve got no idea.’
‘Lill? We have a problem!’
‘Really?’ I asked, this time taking care tohold absolutely still. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw hercoming around my chair, along with several village women. ‘What’sthe matter?’
The village women were whispering amongstthemselves, shifting anxiously. I spotted Mrs Delaney right upfront, nearly in tears. Sharply, I sat up, ignoring Amy’s attemptsto rein me in.
‘Mrs Delaney? What’s the matter?’
Were the children all right? If the doctorhadn’t done his money’s worth, I’d…I’d…
