The Winds Of Fortune Episode 28
Minnie walked across the lawn with a spring in her step and a smile on her face.
Darling Pearl was in much better health and spirits, and dearest Theo was back near her side!
She made her way towards the house and in through a side door.
A few minutes later, she pushed open the drawing-room door, stepped inside and gasped.
Her sister and Harry were the only occupants.
They were sitting close together on the sofa. Harry was holding Pearl’s hands tightly and gazing at her.
They were deep in conversation, their heads almost touching.
“Oh, I’m so sorry!” Minnie cried. “I’ll come back later.”
Pearl turned towards her, face flushed and her eyes sparkling with joy.
“No, Minnie, darling. Do come in.”
Minnie waited impatiently whilst Harry whispered something to Pearl, then kissed her cheek and left the room.
“Oh, Minnie, you’ll never guess what’s happened!”
Minnie beamed and dashed across the room to take Harry’s place beside her sister.
“He loves me!” Pearl exclaimed. “Harry loves me! We are to be married.”
“Oh, Pearl, that is the best news! I’m so very happy.” Minnie hugged her sister, her eyes filling with tears. “I know you will be very happy together.”
“I think so.”
For the first time since their father’s death, Pearl’s face was full of peace and contentment, and Minnie hardly knew how to contain all the emotions inside her.
Pearl had made a wonderful choice, and what’s more, she would no longer want for anything, which meant Minnie need no longer feel guilty for rejecting Ivor.
Her sister’s fortunes were secure again and Minnie could breathe once more.
She hugged her tight until Pearl pulled away, laughing.
“Harry has gone to tell his parents and I must find Mother right away.” She kissed Minnie, picked up her crutches and left the room.
For a moment, Minnie sat trying to absorb the news and found herself shedding tears of happiness.
Her mother would be overjoyed, too, and this wonderful turn of events would also help her heal.
Minnie smiled, wiped her eyes and rang for coffee.
She wasn’t left alone for long to enjoy her drink.
She could hear voices outside the door and it opened to admit all the Northavens, who were chattering away excitedly.
“Ah, Minnie, my dear, let me tell you I’m absolutely delighted that we shall be more closely related.”
Harry’s father, Edwin, shook her hand vigorously, his genuine joy apparent in his dark eyes and genial face.
Edwin’s wife, Flora, kissed her on the cheek.
“Such a sweet girl,” she said in a slightly more resigned tone than her husband.
Minnie smiled. Flora was a well-meaning woman, who would become very excited about the wedding plans given a few days, but was perhaps grieving the loss of a more splendid match for her only son.
It was only Violet who did not look happy.
“Now, where is the blushing bride?” Edwin looked about. “We must share a glass of champagne to celebrate the wonderful news.
“Ring the bell, Harry, there’s a good chap.” He clapped his son on the shoulder and beamed round at everyone.
“She went to find Mother,” Minnie explained. “They will be here soon.”
When Pearl and Carrie finally joined them, there were more exclamations of joy and a lot of kisses, hand-shaking and back-slapping.
Champagne was brought in and toasts made to Harry and Pearl.
Minnie watched her sister and mother with delight.
Pearl looked more beautiful than ever.
Her whole face was animated, her eyes aflame with happiness and her hair shining in the firelight.
Her mother was clearly more at peace than she had been since their troubles had started.
Her eyes had regained some of their interest and vigour, and a smile of real happiness lit her face.
Minnie grinned and sipped her drink.
She was interested to observe that, despite her sour face, Violet attempted to add her congratulations to everyone else’s.
Minnie even began to feel sorry for her.
She was clearly unhappy, and Minnie didn’t think it had much to do with the engagement, but rather more to do with one Alfred Maseley.
Poor Violet, who had been shocked by Maseley’s attitude to the car accident, would take a while to recover, but Minnie thought that, with time, she’d realise she’d had a lucky escape.
As Minnie gazed around at the excited faces before her, glowing in the light from the fire, there was just one nagging sorrow on her mind.
What could she do about her own situation?
To be continued…