The Somerton Man

The Reluctant Bride and Groom

The wedding took place a few months later in the local church, Daniel wanting to get it over with as soon as possible.

It was a very quiet affair, with only Eleanor's Aunt and Uncle and their children, as well as Daniel's Uncle Henry and Aunt Mary in attendance.

Eleanor wasn't sure how she got through the ceremony. Her answers were given in a whisper as she took the vows. She trembled so much she was surprised that her legs had held her up.

Daniel's responses were almost as wooden as her own but they managed to get to the end.

After the ceremony, they went back to Henry and Mary's house for a quiet supper celebration

Eleanor found she could hardly eat a bite, and she only spoke when she was spoken to. Daniel just about kept up with the conversation going around the table, and drank a lot as usual.

Then it came time for them to leave. Daniel was taking Eleanor back to Somerton Manor. where they would begin their new married life. There was no point in having a honeymoon, he decided.

As the carriage moved away, Mary turned to her husband with a small frown of concern. "I must owe, I am surprised at Daniel's choice of wife. She seems such a timid little thing, I wonder how she will survive at Somerton Manor, I almost feel sorry for her"

"I am sure she will cope well enough. Maybe she can bring Daniel to his senses and make him start taking more responsibility with his life if they have a child," Henry replied.

"I hope so too," Mary replied, "For both their sakes"

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Daniel sat across the opposite side of the carriage from Eleanor, she seemed occupied staring out the window.

It was only starting to dawn on him now, as they made their way to Somerton Manor, that she was his wife and responsibility, one that he had not been keen on having.

Despite the drink he had consumed, he found memories of his wedding day to Isabella kept drifting into his head.

It had been a very happy occasion, despite the fact Daniel knew he had chosen her not only because he was fond of her and they would deal well together, but to spite Gwen. Now it all left a bitter taste in his mouth, that even the alcohol could not remove. He had chosen the right woman.. He just had not appreciated it at the time.. Until it was too late.

Eleanor was nothing like Isabella, or Gwen, perhaps another reason why she had appealed to him.

She was so much quieter and shyer. Her auburn hair was tucked neatly under her bonnet, and those big grey green eyes in her pale face didn't have any warmth for him, only wariness.. Which was understandable under the circumstances

He had been so occupied just wanting to get the obligation of getting married and keeping the promise to his dead father, that he had not thought greatly about what would actually happen after the wedding ceremony was over, and how they would deal with each other.

They had not exchanged a word with each other from the beginning.

Daniel's mind had been dulled with drink, he had not really cared to converse with her. She had made no attempt to speak, or even look at him. 'A fine start to a marriage' Daniel thought into himself a little sardonically

But even under the circumstances, he was not completely unfeeling for the young woman sitting opposite him.

He knew she was probably more than a little nervous about starting her new life, and it would be all strange for her, then there was also the fact they were still practically strangers. It could not be easy for her.