They all followed the vicar to the vestry. It was cold and Indra shivered as she signed the documents which would make them man and wife.
If the vicar and their witnesses had been expecting refreshments afterwards they were disappointed. As soon as they had signed the paperwork, Sebastian led the way out of the church, where they said their goodbyes to the others and walked back along the woodland path toward the house.
Sebastian walked slowly with his hands thrust into his pockets. Indra had to lift her gown so she didn’t trip over it. That walk seemed the longest and most incongruous of her life. She felt as if she’d stepped into a parody of a fairy tale—one where there was no happily ever after. She could hide her sadness as they walked because it didn’t appear Sebastian was in the mood for conversation, either. Maybe he was feeling the same? But a quick glance made her doubt it. Eventually, they reached the door, and he held out his hand to stop her from disappearing inside.
“Indra, look, I’m sorry you had to marry like this. You deserve better.”
“I do, you’re right, but it looks like I’ll have to settle for this.”
“No woman should have to settle for anything, least of all you.” He sighed. “Why don’t you go and get changed and we’ll meet on the terrace.”
“What’s the point?” she asked. “You’ve made it clear you wish to avoid me. The only reason you’re here now, talking to me, is because we’ve just got married.”
“The point is that I need to explain something to you.”
“Explain now.” She folded her arms.
“No, not yet. You go and change and I’ll meet you on the terrace. I’ll open some champagne.” She hesitated. “Just one glass,” he said quickly, when she opened her mouth to remonstrate. “It is our wedding day, after all.”
“Okay,” she relented.
She went and slipped out of her dress and felt an immediate sense of relief. She shouldn’t have worn it. It felt wrong. Quickly she changed into a summer dress and strappy sandals and went out on the terrace. He hadn’t changed but had taken off his jacket and tie and was extracting a bottle of champagne from an ice bucket. He must have had it there all along.
There was a pop, and he poured two glasses, bringing one over to her.
“Here,” he said, passing her the glass which she took from him, his fingers brushing hers. “I’m serious about a toast. We may not have married for the usual reasons, but we married for our mutual benefit and for the future of the Richmond Estate. If there’s one thing we share, it’s our love of this place. I saw that in you straight away.”
“I didn’t see it in you,” she said honestly, holding the glass of pale gold wine away from her. “You hadn’t been here in ten years and you hardly looked delighted to be back.”
“I’ve always been able to hide my delight well.” He smiled a genuine smile and she couldn’t help but return it.
“Yes, you are certainly excellent at that.”
“And you’re excellent at sharing your delight. I’ve seen it in how you interact with the estate workers, and the house staff. They’re all intensely loyal to you.”
She opened her eyes wide. “I’m surprised you noticed!”
“So am I,” he said. He raised his glass and touched hers with a slight clink. “To our joint excellence and all it can bring to the one thing we both agree on—the Richmond Estate.”
She gave a half-laugh. “Not your usual wedding toast, but then, this isn’t your usual wedding reception. But it’s a start. It’s something we can build on.” She took a sip of champagne. She rarely drank, and was aware of the strength of the liquid as it slid down her throat, relaxing her tension. For the first time that day, she felt as if it might truly be all right. Different, but all right, just the same.
They sat down on the comfortable wicker chairs which had been brought out since the run of fair weather had started. Sebastian put on his dark glasses as the sun shone directly on him. She was again struck by how handsome he was, especially now he seemed a little less cold and distant. She compared him to the man she’d first met and realized there was a big difference. She just hadn’t noticed it, as it had crept up on her over the weeks since he’d arrived. It made her curious about what he wanted to tell her.
“So, the Richmond garden party.”
Indra was unaccountably disappointed he wanted to talk business.
“What about it?”
“All the arrangements appear to be in hand.”
“Yes. It seems my team is more used to planning events like these than I realized. They’ve moved into action with incredible speed and efficiency. Apparently Charles used to hold garden parties annually before my mother and I arrived.”
“He did,” Sebastian confirmed. “And he was good at them. That was partly the reason I suggested it, because it was so successful for him. We need something like this now.”
She knew it but hated it at the same time. She shifted in her seat, trying to figure out how to tell him.
“What is it?” he asked.