Straw in the Wind (35 page)

According to Celia, the specialist doctor had told him that nerves had been damaged by the blow to his head. The fact that he could make out shapes and colours showed that they were beginning to heal. How well they would heal was unpredictable. Since that first diagnosis, he'd regained a little more sight, enough to read large letters, though they were still blurred. They were optimistic.

Adam's mother, Florence Wyvern sat next to them with her husband Edgar. She was very grand, so Serafina was a little in awe of her. Her husband was a lawyer, and had been kind enough to sort out the estate left to her by her aunt, Mrs Jarvis – which had been fraudulently acquired by Tyler Fenn, who was now in prison.

Serafina didn't want to go back to the farm at Gloucester; she wanted to put her past behind her and move into the future with Adam. Rather than sell it, because property always appreciated in price, Adam had suggested that she put tenants in it, so it would bring her in an income from the rent while the property appreciated in value. She was now looking forward to living in London with the man she loved.

To most of the guests she was known as Serafina Thornton, and nobody had questioned that she was anything but a distant relative, since she had the Thornton look.

In the front pews sat Daisy with her husband, who wore a jolly smile. Nick stood a little behind and to the side of Adam, ready to hand over the wedding ring. Her sisters stood at the other side. Erasmus handed her over to Adam, then stood proud and tall with the men.

Adam smiled at her as he took her hand in his. ‘I love you,' he whispered.

Reverend Jolliffe stepped forward, his face reflecting the gravity of the ceremony he was about to perform. The ceremony began.

‘Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony . . .'

‘
Adam Christopher Chapman, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife . . .
'

Adam sent her a smile. ‘I will.'

‘
Serafina Honeyman Thornton, wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband . . .
'

A buzz went through the church when Erasmus exchanged an amused smile with Charlotte, who smiled back. Neither had won the argument about Serafina's name, and in the end they'd compromised on the suggestion made by Serafina. Not that it had mattered, she thought, because today she'd become Serafina Chapman.

‘
Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?
'

‘I do,' Erasmus said, and looking round at the congregation he informed them rather smugly, ‘On account of the fact that I'm her father.'

Serafina exchanged a glance with Adam and they smiled at one another when Marianne giggled and Nick chuckled.

A little while later they joined their right hands and the reverend smiled benevolently on them as he said:

‘I pronounce that they be husband and wife together.'