Chain of Iron

Chapter Twenty-Nine

"Congratulations, Miss Carstairs." Catherine Townsend bowed her head.

"Thank you, Miss Townsend." Cordelia replied while giving her a small smile.

She stood in the ballroom of the London Institute, that evening, for her and James' wedding ball. Cordelia was still dressed in her golden wedding dress and could not count how many people had come up to her and had congratulated her on her marriage. She had not seen James since they had entered the ballroom together but she figured that he was greeting guests just as she was. Cordelia stood with her mother, father and Alastair.

"Oh, I am just so happy for you, Cordelia." Her mother smiled gleefully. "I had always thought that you and James would make a good match."

Cordelia could not help but smile at her. "Well, I have always deeply cared for James."

She then looked over at her father. "I am very happy that father was present for my wedding. I had been upset because I had thought he would not be able to attend."

Her father smiled. "As was I. You looked very beautiful, Layla, I feel very proud to be your father."

Cordelia smiled at him and then turned her eyes onto Alastair. She noticed that he was staring across the ballroom at something. Cordelia followed his gaze to see that he was looking at Christopher and Thomas who were holding wine glasses and laughing about something. As her mother and father walked away to greet Charlotte Fairchild, Cordelia addressed her brother.

"You seem very distracted, Alastair." She commented.

He snapped out of his trance and looked down at her. "I am not. I was simply surveying the room."

Cordelia did not reply and only studied her brother; he looked very handsome in his formal clothing and his dark hair was swept neatly to the side.

"Are you happy, Cordelia?" Alastair then asked her softly. "In regards of your marriage to James?"

Cordelia nodded her head. "I am. You know that I have always harboured romantic feelings for James ever since I was very young."

Alastair only nodded his head at her and she suddenly wished to tell him that her and James' marriage was not real but she refrained. Too many people already knew the truth about it and it was too much of a risk.

"Have you spoken to Charles Fairchild since my engagement party?" Cordelia found herself asking.

Alastair shook his head. "I have nothing to say and he has not tried to speak to me. I suppose that really is the end for us."

Cordelia frowned and wished that her brother could fully move on from Charles as she could tell that he had not. Music then began to play as Cordelia was about to reply to her brother, and then suddenly James was at Cordelia's side. He was giving her a small smile and then he held out a hand to her.

"Would you care to dance with me, Daisy?" He asked.

Cordelia smiled at him and nodded her head. She bid goodbye to Alastair and allowed James to lead her out onto the dance floor. She could not help but remember the last time they had been in this position, as they danced together. James had left Cordelia in the middle of a dance, without a word, to go greet Grace Blackthorn. Matthew had then swooped in and saved her from humiliation. Matthew. Her heart hurt at the thought of him and recalled how she had not seen him all evening.

"We are married." James spoke, an odd smile on his face. "It seems as if I am in a dream when I think about it."

She felt surprised by his words. "In which way?"