Stephen glared back, then turned to his wife, giving her the same pleading look that Ron had given Annette. Maggie and Annette glanced at each other, both understanding what the brothers weren't able to say. The thought of their little sister in a marriage with a man they knew nothing about - and in a marriage bed with that man - made cowards of men who thought nothing of confronting enemies on a battle field. And Maggie and Annette knew this stemmed from love of their sister, the sister they had cherished and protected from any and all harm. Now they had to willingly give that sister up to the enemy who would have absolute control over her - body, mind and soul - for the rest of her life.
The next day dawned bright and clear and Bobbi woke with the sun. The marriage was to take place in the late morning, on the same field that had seen such bloody carnage only a few weeks back. All the deRothchild's and Warbrooke troops would be in attendance. The King, Lord Chancellor and High Priest had arrived yesterday. They would be attending to witness and bless the marriage.
Bless! Thought Bobbi contemptuously to herself as she got out of bed. Some blessing this marriage is going to turn out to be. She knew nothing about Alexander Warbrooke except that he was nineteen, a knight and Annette assured her that he was good looking. As if his good looks would ensure the marriage to be a happy one.
She was storming up and down her room when her maids and Nanny entered, to get her ready.
"Now enough of those dark looks my little Bubbin," Nanny said trying to sound cheerful, using her old nickname for Bobbi. "This is your wedding day."
"And it's the happiest day of my life, is it?" Bobbi retorted sarcastically. Nanny kept quiet and went on with the task of getting her ready like everything was fine. But every time Nanny looked at Bobbi, her eyes were dark and sad.
As they were dressing her, Nanny lamented at her short hair. They had had to cut her bright red hair when they ran away so Bobbi could be disguised as a boy. When Bobbi was ready, dressed in a rich gown of cream, reams of finest Spanish lace covering her head and shoulders, she walked downstairs where all her brothers waited. She looked at her brothers, with a pang realised that Jacques wasn't there and stopped dead on the stairs. She whirled around and ran back upstairs, rushing towards Jacques' room.
Opening the door quietly, she saw Jacques lying on the bed, a maid sitting on a chair beside him. To her eyes - or maybe it was just wishful thinking - his colour looked better. She went and sat beside him on the bed, the maid getting up discretely to give her privacy. With a gentle hand she smoothed his brow and was delighted to find it cool and dry.
"Jacques?" she called softly. "I'm getting married today, to Alexander Warbrooke. Won't you open your eyes and wish me luck?" When his eyes remained closed, Bobbi choked back a sob and laid her head on his chest, taking what small comfort she could from the sound of his beating heart.
That was how Stephen found her. With a sigh, he lifted her up gently from Jacques. "Bobbi, we have to go now. Everyone's waiting."
"Alright," she sniffed, wiping her eyes and nearly ruining her veils.
The bridal procession arrived at the field where the bridegroom and his entourage waited with the King and Lord Chancellor by the side of the High Priest who would be conducting the ceremony. Bobbi looked up and her eyes were drawn to a tall, blond man standing in front of the priest. He turned and even through her veils she could see his blue eyes, calm and piercing, seeming to take in everything about her in one quick glance. She quickly lowered her eyes and let Stephen help her down from her horse. She clutched Stephen's arm in a death grip, her other hand tightly held by Tony on her other side and they walked towards the priest.
When they reached the priest, Stephen tried to prise her hand from his arm but she only clutched tighter. "Bobbi," he whispered in her ear, "we're here. You have to let go, Alexander is waiting." The panic-stricken look in the eyes she raised to him almost made him give in to his desire to take his sister and run as far away from this mess as he could. Instead, stiffening his resolve, he pulled her to him in a tight hug and said quietly, "I'm sorry Bobbi, I'm so sorry. You have to be brave my dear." Pulling away from her, he gently prised her hand from his arm and gave her a quick kiss. "Always remember that you're a deRothchild," he said smiling encouragingly at her and turned away, throwing a quick warning glance at Tony for him to let go of Bobbi's other hand.
Tony glared at Stephen then turned to glare at Alexander Warbrooke, gave Bobbi's hand a quick squeeze before letting go. Bobbi watched them walk away with desolate eyes and drooping shoulders. Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders, raised her chin and turned to face the High Priest. She went through the marriage ceremony in a daze, her eyes fixed on her clasped hands, barely hearing the priest and had to be called at least twice every time a response was needed from her. The high priest had to actually touch her hand to make her unclasp them and present to her groom for him to place the ring on her finger.
Finally she heard the priest say solemnly, "I hereby pronounce you man and wife." For a moment, her mind couldn't comprehend the words and when full realisation came, she froze in panic and then her whole body trembled and she barely managed to choke off the scream that rose to her throat.
"You may kiss the bride."
'Oh please God, take me far, far away from here,' she prayed silently to herself, closed her eyes tightly and went perfectly still. She felt her veils being lifted, a pause, then a feather light kiss on her brow.
Opening her eyes slowly she saw an arm raised beside her in her line of vision. Without looking up at her bridegroom she lightly laid her hand on the velvet clad arm. But try as she might, she couldn't stop the slight tremor in her hand.
'Remember that you are a deRothchild'
Exercising all the control she could muster, she swallowed hard and raised her chin, managing to walk calmly beside her husband. Her eyes and ears registered nothing through the walk from the altar to the huge tent where the wedding mass and breakfast would be held.
All through the mass - which she concentrated on like her life depended on it - she was acutely conscious of the warm presence beside her. Thankfully, never once did he touch her nor said a word to her. She was in such a state of jittery panic, she knew she'd bolt if he'd done anything of the kind.
Finally the long mass was over and Alexander once again raised his arm to lead her to the breakfast table. Once there, through all the singing, music, acrobatic acts and other entertainment laid on for the King and the other wedding guests, she didn't even take a sip of water, sitting beside her husband staring down at the table as if turned to stone.
"Bobbi." She heard the soft voice beside her and her heart leaped in gladness. Getting up quickly, she bobbed a quick curtsy in Alexander's general direction. "With my lord's permission?" she muttered quickly, grabbed Tony's hand and rushed out before anyone could say anything.
Once outside, they quickly mounted the horses Tony had ready and rode away like the devils of hell were chasing them. They stopped at a favourite spot in the woods beside a stream and got down, Bobbi flinging away her veils and heavy overdress. She sat down, removed her shoes and stockings and sat with her feet in the river before breaking down in sobs. Tony came and drew her into his arms and she cried for a very, very long time.
Tony had brought a picnic basket along and they played, ate and frolicked in that beautiful spot in the woods like they hadn't a care in the world. When the woods darkened with the lowering sun, they heard the sound of approaching horses. Tony and Bobbi looked at each other and both realised their brief borrowed time of carefree happiness was over.
~ * * ~
