Page 66 (2/2)

Belle nodded and a tear welled up in her eye "I just thought it'd be different My mother isn't even here!" She sniffled loudly

Emma touched her arm, deeply moved by her cousin's tears "You can wait, Belle There is no reason you have to go through with this today"

Belle shook her head "I can't wait, Emma Not another day" And then she told her the entire story

Chapter 17

Once Emma was convinced that Belle was truly in love with John, she helped her cousin into her wedding gown and proclaimed her the most radiant bride she'd ever seen

"I suppose that er," Belle joked She'd let loose quite a torrent of tears

Eive you away?"

Belle frowned "I had hoped that Ned would be here by now If I cannot have a father of the bride, I was hoping for at least a brother As it is, Father is going to be furious that he didn't get to give ive me away," Emma said efficiently "That will have to do Did Ned send a reply?"

"There wasn't tio downstairs and stall the proceedings? I'll be right back"

She slipped out the door andback and forth, not soso long?" he snapped

Emma pursed her lips and looked up at the clock "It's only tenthat is supposed to begin at seven"

"Women" This came from her husband, as sprawled on a sofa which wasacross fro

E back to her future cousin-in-law "We only need a bit ," her husband said in an unbelievably smooth tone "Could you come here for a moment?"

Emma eyed him suspiciously but walked over to the couch

"Do you see the priest over there?" he whispered

She nodded

"Do you see anything, er, shall we say, odd about hientle a little to the left"

"Just so He's been here thirty ht to get this ceremony underhile we are still able"

Wordlessly, Emma exited the room and went back upstairs When she reached Belle's bedroo"

"Not even a few ht"

Belle had no idea what that meant but decided she'd rather not find out She picked up a piece of white Spanish lace and fixed it on her head "I suppose we cannot wait any longer for Ned You had better suive me away"