Yorkshire Lady

Yorkshire Lady part 23

Part 23

Christmas had an added excitement that year as wedding anticipation was added to the general excitement.

Freddy and Charley were full of the news at school and were asked by their teachers to bring in pictures after the holidays.

Roger and Doreen stayed at the Manor on Christmas Day so as to be there to help in the morning. At bed time Caroline teasingly kissed John's nose as she headed off to the bedroom where her hired dress was stored.

'I think a night apart is in order' she purred softly. 'Have you as hungry for me as possible tomorrow'.

John groaned. 'Can I at least have a good snog to keep me going'.

' That's a good idea.' Caroline smiled. 'It'll keep me going too', she whispered as John's mouth came down onto hers'.

'Good night then you little tease' John said softly as they reluctantly parted. ' Just don't bank on getting much sleep tomorrow night after this'.

Caroline gave him melting look. 'What makes you think I'd want to waste my first night as your wife by sleeping'. She blew him a  kiss. 'Good night My Gorgeous Man'.

John and Rick arrived at the church at 10:45. John was expecting to see just the invited guests but half the village including to whole rugby team and their yoga sizing WAGS, were also there. John felt a lump in his throat. He noted that most of the people here would be at the New Year Party so he'd thank them then.

It had been agreed that Caroline would walk in to the first hymn, so when Judith asked the congregation to stand and smiled encouragingly at John he stood and turned to look at the church door to get a first glimpse of his Caroline.

And there she was. The hymn was her favourite. 'Love Divine all loves excelling. Joy of heaven to earth come down............' She loved these words and the glorious welsh tune Blaenwern. John would now associate it with this moment for ever.

Caroline was in a pale lilac cloak. The verger helped her off with it at the door and John saw her dress. Her scrumptious breasts filling a strapless bodice. Her arms and shoulders covered in delicate organza. She carried a basket of magnolias with purple freesias and ivy and her soft waves of hair were swept from her face with 2 magnolias.

He felt proud and highly emotional as he gazed at her.

Caroline had felt nervous as she and her father rode to church in a vintage car hired in Hebden. Roger helped her out and hugged his daughter with tears in his eyes.

'Where's that shy little mouse that couldn't have said boo to a goose? You're glowing today sweetheart. Do you know that ?'

Caroline hugged her father back. 'I know for certain that I'm with the right man this time............Let's go in. I'm dying to see him'.

Her nerves vanished as soon as she saw John standing there gazing at her. His smile lit up the church and warmed her heart.

She wanted to run down the aisle and throw herself into his arms but she took her father's arm and walked gracefully with him.

John held out his hand to her and Roger relinquished his hold, taking the flower basket and sat beside Doreen who was already wiping her eyes. As the last verse of the hymn was sung John raised Caroline's hand to his lips. 'Good morning'. He smiled. 'Good morning' Caroline replied also with a smile.

John softly stroked the inside of Caroline's wrist. 'I don't want to sound corny but you look like you've just dropped from heaven'.

Judith made the ceremony fun and the little church was filled with happy laughter as John made Caroline his wife and Caroline made John her husband.

They walked back down the aisle together arm in arm, chatting together and waving to as many people as they could.

At the church door John gently wrapped the cloak back around Caroline's shoulders before they stepped out into the winter sunshine.

Photographs were going to be taken at the Manor after lunch, so in a shower of confetti John and Caroline climbed into the car. The driver would take them a long route round to let the guests arrive at the Manor first.

John slid his hands under the soft velvet cloak exploring familiar yet still exciting acres covered by beaded silk and organza. His mouth brushed softly at Caroline's lips while his tongue slid between them intent on finding as many hidden corners as possible.

They were both ready and willing to be alone once they got home.

'Sadly, we can't do much about it yet,"  John said.

 " The WI ladies have worked hard at this lunch and it wouldn't be fair not to eat it. Not to mention the sin that would be abandoning our guests. There's nothing else for it, I'll need to find a way to keep my mind off you for the next couple of hours.'

As much as it was frustrating it was also enormously flattering and exciting to know that they each had someone desiring them to such an extent.

As the came towards the house they could see Rick waiting outside for them. As the car drew up he went inside.

As the front door closed behind them John slid the cloak from Caroline's shoulders eyes dark with desire noticing with infinite pleasure that hers were in the same state.

'I think we're grown up enough not to get too carried away with a kiss don't you'. Caroline nodded and they embraced.

Rick came out of the living room. ' Dinner is about to be served Mr and Mrs Standring'.

He announced in his best 'Jeeves' voice. John and Caroline parted with reluctant slowness,  smiling shyly at the titles.

Everyone cheered as they walked into the dining room taking glasses of champagne from the waiter. It was a wonderful way to spend their Wedding Day. Good food ( delicious in fact) and the company of the people they loved most.

They all sat in the living room for coffee. John. Roger and Rick had decided to forego speeches to give more time to chat. They were still chatting at 4 O clock but guests were getting ready to leave.

Doreen and Roger were taking Freddy and Charlie for the night. Freddy had of course asked why they couldn't stay with Mummy and John. Doreen gently explained that when people have just got married they like to have time with just each other, so they could enjoy being just married. She had felt a little perturbed when asked what they would be doing together but she rallied herself. 'Lots of cuddles and kisses', she told her grandson.' But not the sort you have with little boys'.

TBC