106. Love's Dream in Peril (18 page)

Digby was hers and she belonged completely to him. They would be married and she would wait for that heavenly day if it took ten years.

*

But Cupid had other plans for Adella and Digby, and they did not have to wait so long for their happiness to be complete.

The God of Love took pity on them and one day not long after the incident by the River Thames, Digby’s pretty mother came to London for a visit.

Cupid saw an opportunity that could not be missed and he lifted his bow and arrow and aimed straight for the heart of a certain Mr. Staunton, one of Judge Dryden’s close friends, a widowed gentleman of considerable means.

Within just a couple of months, Mrs. Dryden had become Mrs. Staunton and Digby found himself relieved of his heavy responsibility to provide for his family.

His career prospered greatly too and so it was that little less than a year after the traumatic night under the arches that a sumptuous double wedding took place.

Lady Ireton was amongst the throng of guests.

“So the prettiest young heiress in London has found herself a charming husband!” she said to Judge Dryden, who was seated on her left as they watched the exquisite bride walk up the aisle on her uncle’s arm, followed by a cluster of bridesmaids and two pages.

“He’s a fair-haired young Adonis indeed. But is it true that he has not even a penny to his name?” Lady Ireton burbled on.

The Judge gave her one of his famous sideways looks that had subdued many an unruly Courtroom.

“My nephew Digby will one day be one of the most formidable practitioners of the law and may command the highest fees for his services,” he said. “Adella will have no reason to regret her choice.”

Adella reached the altar now and her hand, where it rested on Uncle Edgar’s arm, was trembling.

Not with fear but with excitement and joy at this golden moment, the happiest in her whole life.

And as she made her promises to Digby, the golden light within her seemed to grow stronger and stronger until it spilled out of her and surrounded him too.

He raised her fine lace veil and his blue eyes met hers.

“I am so happy,” Adella whispered. “I hardly know who I am anymore.”

Digby smiled at her.

“As of a few seconds ago, you are now Mrs. Digby Dryden,” he sighed. “Hello, my wife!”

And their lips met in the first kiss of their married life and they touched the stars.

It was a perfect moment, timeless and exquisite and seemed to Adella to last forever.

But in reality it passed by in a flash, for, almost at once, the small page, young Peter Dryden, tripped over Adella’s train and fell on his face and then the aisle had to be cleared as the music of
The Wedding March
began.

“Now comes someone who really does not have a penny to her name,” Lady Ireton said, as a second bride began her slow march up the aisle towards the tall figure of Lord Ranulph, who had now taken Digby’s place.

“But perhaps I should not be surprised,” she added in a low voice.

“Why is that?” Judge Dryden asked.

Lady Ireton smiled,

“I hope I may trust to your discretion, Judge,” she said. “For there are very few in Society who know that
I
was once a Governess!”

Now the gold light that filled Adella’s heart seemed to be spilling out through the whole of the Church.

As she stood with Digby, her hand in his, she could see her Uncle Edgar, a new look of pride on his face as he watched her.

Next to him, holding the hand of her new husband, was Digby’s mother, her face aglow with joy and delight.

There as well were the older bridesmaids, Digby’s sisters, comforting little Peter after his fall and advising Ned that it was not at all appropriate to play chariots with the younger bridesmaids, Agnes and Katy, by driving them up and down the aisle by the ribbons of their dresses.

But perhaps the sweetest sight of all was that of her dearest friend Jane in the arms of Lord Ranulph, as he tenderly drew her to him with a proud and possessive look of love in his dark eyes.

“What are you thinking, my sweetheart?” Digby asked her.

“This is undoubtedly the happiest day of my life,” Adella replied. “I wish it might never end.”

Digby put his arms around her, drawing her into the golden warmth of his love.

“This happiness will be with us forever,” he said, “and, who knows, it may grow even greater.”

“You are right, my darling Digby!” she sighed. “I love you and adore you.”

The two of them stepped out of the Church and into the brilliant sunshine just as a small silver chariot drew up pulled by two snow-white ponies.

“Oh, Digby, surely not!” Adella cried, delighted to see Sugar and Spice again. “They are so sweet, but – ”

“Don’t blame me,” Digby said, smiling at her. “It was Ned’s idea. I think Ranulph put him up to it.”

A shower of flower petals filled the air as Digby Dryden helped his wife into the chariot and took his place beside her.

And no one at all thought the young couple looked absurd as they drove away to begin their long and happy life together.

All eyes were filled with tears of joy and all hearts were full with a golden dream of happiness.

“Love’s dream is now fulfilled,” Digby murmured to his beautiful wife.

It was the very same dream that had brought Adella to her glorious wedding day and would last into eternity.

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