Page 196 of Storm of Bells
‘My Lady…My Lady, the…the…’ She swallowed.‘The flowers in the church have started to wilt.’
I blinked. ‘Um?’
‘I’m so, so sorry, My Lady! Old Mrs Battersbywas left in charge of watering the plants, and, well, her memoryain’t what it used to be, so…’ Her words trailed off into silence,her eyes pleading for mercy. ‘Please, My Lady, don’t be angry!Please?’
‘There’s no time for that now!’ Ella shookher head, wildly. ‘What should we do? Where are we going to findnew roses this quickly? The gardens in the village are nearlydepleted.’
‘You’ve donated your own garden flowers?’ Itook Mrs Delaney’s hand. ‘All for my wedding?’
‘Of course, My Lady!’ The woman bit her lip.‘And now it’s all in vain!’
I looked up at her, puzzled. ‘Can’t you justpick some wildflowers?’
‘Wildflowers?’ The village womengasped. ‘We couldn’t possibly! We want to honour and thank YourLadyship for all that you’ve done for us, not to shame ourselves byrepaying your kindness with weeds!’
Leaning forward, I gently took hold of MrsDelaney’s hand. ‘If you want to thank me, tell me how your childrenare doing.’
The woman’s face softened, and her tired eyeswarmed. ‘Quite well, My Lady, but…’
I gave her a smile, and held up a hand tointerrupt. ‘Wildflowers.’
‘But, My Lady…after all that you’ve done forus…’
My smile widened and, leaning forward, Iwhispered into her ear, ‘Please. Wildflowers for a wild girl, allright?’
A surprised chuckle escaped the older woman,and she righted herself.
‘You heard what Her Ladyship said!’ shecalled out. ‘Let’s go! We’ve got to find daisies and bellflowers,and perhaps…’ A smile spread across her face. ‘Perhaps some wildlilies.’
‘Are you sure?’ Lowering her voice, Ellaleaned closer. ‘This is your wedding, you know. You’ll only getone.’
‘I’m very sure indeed.’ Reaching over, Isqueezed her shoulder. ‘You will be there, along with all thefriends and family I love.’ I grinned. ‘Plus, there will even bethe family I loathe. What more could a bride ask for?’
‘Oh, Lill!’ Ella suddenly threw her armsaround me, giving me a firm hug and Amy an accidental jab in theguts. ‘I can hardly believe this day is finally here! I prayed andprayed and prayed! I told myself, somewhere in the world there’s aright person for everyone, even if they’re uncouth and unladylikeand trample on people’s feet when dancing…’
‘Don’t overwhelm me with your compliments.You’ll make me blush.’
‘But I never thought it would actuallyhappen!’ Ignoring my words completely, she squeezed me even moretightly, nearly weeping tears of gratitude. ‘Promise you’ll bethere at my wedding, too?’
‘If I survive,’ I wheezed.
‘Oh. Sorry.’
Releasing me from her death grip, Ella peereddown at me. ‘And you’re really sure that wildflowers are what youwant?’
‘Absolutely.’ I grinned up at her. ‘Though Imay try convincing my bridegroom that they are, in fact, sinfullyexpensive imported flowers from South America.’
‘Lill!’
‘Don’t look at me like that. If ever there’sa time to have some fun, it’s on my wedding day!’
Shaking her head with an answering smile, mylittle sister squeezed my shoulder. ‘It is, indeed. I wish you allthe joy in the world, Lill. Today and on all the daysafterwards.’
With that, she turned and bustled off to helpCora with her dress, and gossip about Lord John.
‘Nowcan I finish yer ‘air?’ Amygrumbled from behind me, not quite able to keep her vengeful toneup as well as before.
Grinning wildly, I winked up at her. ‘By allmeans, resume your torture.’
