Mysterious Seduction

XL. Wallace

Ellie sipped her drink as she read.

Her wide-brimmed hat gave enough shade against the bright sunlight.

A few minutes later, she realized she could no longer comprehend the words on the page. Giving up, she looked up and stared at the horizon.

She looked around. It was a beautiful, sunny day.

She was on the other side of the world.

That man would not be able to find her here.

She was safe. But most of all, Byron was saved.

With a bitter smile, she gathered her things and left the beach, wondering where she would go to next. A different question lingered at the back of her mind. Would she ever dare go back?

She walked the rest of the way to her room which overlooked the beach. She threw her book to one corner and went straight to prepare herself a drink.

With her glass, she walked back out to the balcony to wait for the sunset.

Then Ellie stopped just outside the door.

Coming toward her was a familiar silhouette of a man.

Without realizing, her feet slowly made their way out of the balcony and into soft, white sand.

Her eyes started to water as she walked to meet him.

-Above and Below

*****

There was no grand wedding as Lady Alice would have hoped.

There was simply a bride in haste and a groom without doubt.

How could he find the courage to doubt his decision to go to Tiny Town when his bride's mother was their one and only witness?

Lady Alice was dressed as though she was out for an afternoon tea with her friends. Wynne himself knew how the woman had been planning a grand wedding for her daughter and for a moment there, he hesitated.

"No, no time to change your mind or make preparations," Emma hissed at him as they waited for the vicar by the entrance of the small chapel in Tiny Town.

"But your mother wanted something bigger than his," he murmured under his breath, looking warily at Lady Alice. "Look at her pace about. She must think this a very bad idea." Lady Alice was walking back and forth by the chapel doors, murmuring incomprehensible words to herself.

"No, she is impatient," said Emma, staring at her mother fondly. "She worries that my brothers will arrive before the wedding starts." When Wynne stiffened beside her, she clasped his hand in hers. "And if that happens, you will fight for me, yes?"

Wynne looked at her incredulously. "You are not bloody serious, are you?"

She shrugged. "You know my brothers..."

Wynne scoffed and shook his head. "You jest." His head whipped to the side, his eyes anxious, as a carriage stopped outside the chapel.

Emma jumped to her feet almost immediately when she spotted the vicar climb out of the carriage.

"Ah, thank the heavens he has finally arrived!" Lady Alice said, facing the vicar who was entering the chapel. "What took you so long?"

The man blinked a few times, surprised by the demanding question.

"Well, do hurry on," Lady Alice said, gesturing for Emma and Wynne to enter the chapel. "Hurry now, children." As Emma and Wynne approached, Lady Alice added, "We do not have all day. Your brothers could very well be on their way as we speak! Alex and Ysabella could only try enough to hold them off."