Finding Forever(53)

“Now, my son, let’s go and get you married.”

“That’s the best piece of advice you could ever give me.”





Chapter Thirty-One


Whitney tried to catch her breath. Passing out at the altar wouldn’t make for a great impression.

It was her wedding day — unbelievable. Less than two years ago, after losing her sister, she’d never thought she’d be able to feel joy again.

The ceremony and reception had taken six months to plan. Liam Felton was too much of a business celebrity to allow this event to come together quickly. And she’d had to suffer through so many interviews that she felt as if a faux smile were permanently fixed on her face.

But Liam promised her that things would slow down after all the hoo-ha. He was going to take her on a month-long honeymoon to a private island, far away from cameras and reporters. Would he really stay away from work for that long? Probably not. But she could still hardly wait.

All the final primping had taken her two days, and she missed Liam desperately. But knowing he’d be waiting at the end of the long aisle would get her through this chaos.

There was a knock on the door and she froze. She wasn’t ready yet to face the crowd. Face the wedding march.

“Your carriage is waiting,” Darcy said as she stepped through the door. “You truly are a vision.” The maid came up and adjusted the already perfect bridal headpiece.

“I’m having trouble breathing,” Whitney had to say.

“The wedding itself will soon be over,” the maid replied, “and then you’ll have the rest of your lives.”

The once stern woman had become quite soft in the time Whitney had known her. The bride-to-be couldn’t help but throw her arms around the woman and give her a hug.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me,” Whitney told her with emotion crackling in her voice.

“Now, now, don’t start ruining your makeup,” Darcy said, but the tears in her own voice took away any harshness from the words.

“Okay, I’m ready.” Whitney lifted her chin in determination.

The maid led her from the room, down the long staircase, and out the front door. Sitting in front of the mansion was a beautiful horse-drawn carriage, with a footman waiting outside.

It took several people to help her inside because of the long train of her wedding gown. She had been intimidated by all the silk and lace when she’d first seen the exquisite dress, but it floated on her, and she could barely feel the yards of fabric.

The bodice and skirt gleamed with thousands of pearls and crystals, and the gown hugged her tightly down to her hips, but then cascaded into a full skirt. Before the train was attached, she had twirled in a wide circle, loving the way the layers of silk flared out as she moved — it reminded her of when she was a little girl and dreamed of being Cinderella. The buttons up the back of the dress had taken many, many long minutes to be fastened. Whitney smiled, thinking how crazed and frustrated Liam would be when it came time for the gown to come off.

Her long hair was up in a chignon, with sparkling gems throughout. She knew she would glow when Liam took her into his arms on the dance floor.

The carriage started off on its journey, and after half an hour’s ride, it finally entered the small town square. She’d grown so attached to the beautiful town, where almost everyone she’d met was kind and helpful.

And then the carriage arrived at its destination, the beautiful old church. It was where Frederick had been married, and where his two sons had been baptized. It was where her sister should have married Vincent.

No, Whitney refused to go there — not now. She would allow no sadness on her wedding day.

The door opened and Mr. Smotter was waiting outside to help her from the carriage. She took his hand and stepped onto the red carpet rolled out before her.

“You look enchanting, Ms. Steele,” Mr. Smotter told her.

She beamed at him and replied in hushed but affectionate tones, “Thank you, Mr. Smotter.”

Attendants came forward and straightened her train so it was flowing on the carpet behind her.

“Aunt Whitney, you look like a princess,” Ally said as she came barreling through the doors, looking adorable in her beautiful blue dress, with her hair almost identical to Whitney’s.

“You’re so beautiful, Ally. I do love you, but you know that,” Whitney said, and she bent down to take her niece in her arms. She ignored the murmurs from the attendants, who were grumbling about having to redo her wedding train. She needed to hold her niece.

“I have a basket full of roses I’m going to drop on the floor,” Ally told her aunt with a big smile. “Uncle Liam says you’re so beautiful that you should walk on rose petals every day of your life.”