The Secret Of The Silver Locket – Episode 35
The Secret Of The Silver Locket
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- 38. The Secret Of The Silver Locket – Episode 37
ROWENA stood, hands on hips, blatantly watching Grace fly into Harry’s arms.
She turned to Emma.
“Let’s leave them to it. I can’t wait to hear what changed her mind but I expect you already know.”
“If you don’t mind, Miss Rowena, I won’t spoil the surprise for you.”
Only yards away, Grace and Harry still stood on the pavement, holding on to one another as if they couldn’t bear to let go.
At last, he kissed her tenderly on the lips.
“I don’t know what she said to change your mind but I’m thanking all my lucky stars that she managed it.”
“Managed what?” Grace’s tone was teasing.
“Oh, darn it, I can’t go down on one knee here.” Harry took her by the hand and marched her across the road without ploughing under the wheels of any oncoming vehicle.
“If you sit on that bench, beneath the leafy tree, I can propose to you properly.”
Grace sat down, modestly averting her eyes as Harry got down on one knee and reached for her hand.
“Would you do me the honour of becoming my wife, Grace?”
She smiled at him.
“Yes, Harry. I can’t think of anything I’d like better.”
“You won’t mind my carrying you off to New England?”
“I’ll go anywhere in the world with you.”
“I love you, Grace.”
She rose from the bench and waited while he scrambled to his feet.
“I love you too, Harry.”
“Now, I suppose I have to go and beard the dragon in her den.”
“I’d better tell you what my telegram said before you speak to her ladyship.”
Grace handed Harry the telegram. He scanned the message and whistled.
“Iona’s full of surprises. But you still don’t know who your father was and why she ended up marrying her cousin.”
“Maybe I never will know. It does seem odd though… deciding to give me away even though she was married…”
“You could always ask Iona herself.”
“I’m not sure. I’m a bit wary of coming face to face with her.”
Harry laughed softly and pulled her close.
“I’m ruining your reputation. We can discuss what happens next after I’ve spoken to her ladyship. With all that’s been going on, I clean forgot to give you your birthday present.”
He pulled out the package from his inside waistcoat pocket and placed it in her hand.
“Maybe proposing before giving you this little thing is the right order to do things in.”
She pulled apart the ribbon and folded back the tissue paper to reveal a small black velvet box.
“Harry? Oh, my word. This is beautiful.”
“May I put it on your finger? That’s where it belongs.”
She held her breath as he slipped the narrow gold band with its central sparkling diamond, on to her ring finger.
Grace held out her hand to admire it.
“It fits perfectly, Harry. However did you choose the right size?”
“It wasn’t difficult. You surely do take after your mother in more ways than one.
Two months later and only a fortnight after Emma and Alfred’s quiet wedding in Marylebone, Grace and Harry were married in the village church a short distance away from Admiral’s Rest and Sea Breezes.
Grace chose to wear a long, pearl grey wedding dress with beading on the bodice and a silver bridal coronet upon her dark head. To Harry’s delight, she wore Iona’s silver locket around her neck and carried a bouquet of pink carnations mixed with sprigs of nigella and Queen Anne’s lace.
Rowena, her maid of honour, wore a pale pink dress and seed pearl tiara, while carrying a smaller version of the bride’s bouquet.
Lord Carmichael, who told Grace he’d never felt more honoured, had given her away. Harry’s best man was Sir Redvers Fountain, the two young men having struck up an instant friendship once introduced. Red was well aware Harry’s first choice had been his friend Alexander Maxwell, from Oxford days, but said he was pleased to stand in, knowing Alex’s military duties prevented him from attending.
Grace hadn’t been sure whether she felt ready to meet her half-brother yet. Harry realised this and sympathised with her, whilst hoping that his honeymoon plan might pave the way for a future meeting.
His own parents had travelled from America for the wedding and had spent a few nights in Sea Breezes. His uncle drove them back to London after the wedding feast so they could spend time with him and also seize the chance to see some of the sights before returning to New England.
Already Grace adored her in-laws and was relieved that they felt the same about her.
