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‘I thought I should pop in’ Margaret darted a quick glance around the roo, am I?’

‘Not at all—I’ood of you to spare the time when I know you must be busy’

‘Nonsense,’ Margaret declared ‘Who’s busier than the bride? All I need to do is to put on a dab of lipstick and a suit that isn’t tweed, and I’ old to wear,’ Margaret continued on as she shrugged off her sensible , So blue— Ah, I see you have that’ Margaret’s shrewd eyes twinkled as she surveyed the dress and the garter hanging around the neck of the padded hanger ‘The dress is new, the garter is blue, and I’ve brought my tiny beaded reticule for you to borrow for the reception, and I’ve brought soift fro old,’ she said

‘I can’t possibly accept a gift like this,’ Rosie breathed as Margaret showed her the s touch for the dress, but she was overwhelht, and by the kindness behind it

‘Of course you can accept thearet insisted with a warm smile as she closed Rosie’s hand around her present ‘Now, co ether, and then I’ll help you to dress’

The moment Rosie saw the cathedral with its tall spires and intricate carvings she made a promise to make her vows sincerely Whatever her situation, she would show respect for the church, and for everyone who had entered the same portals with their hearts full of emotion As she stepped out of the limousine she reo through with this, and she wouldsilk chiffon train, with its liberal scattering of diamanté and seed pearls The dress was so beautiful that the asseht of it

Lifting her chin, Rosie aret that she wanted to do this, as this was her journey, and her decision, and she was deteraret didn’t know the whole story; she’d never asked, but she respected Rosie’s decision Having given the organist the prearranged signal when the bride arrived, Margaret followed Rosie into the church

As the crashing chords of the organ rang out, the voices of the choir soared in a triumphal anthem Was all this for her? For a split second, Rosie couldn’t move Her feet simply refused to obey her brain’s instructions, and her throat was so very tight, she doubted she’d be able to say her vows The cathedral was packed There didn’t seele free seat The scent of incense was so heavy she could hardly breathe She looked for Xavier, but it was like looking down the wrong end of a telescope, and she had a legion of curious guests to walk through before she could reach his side Then he turned and his dark stare blazed into hers An unbreakable bond see her towards him, and now she noticed the roses: Arctic roses, the saarden at the hacienda

She took the flowers as a signal Even if they were just coincidence, rather than a loving gesture from Xavier, his proht come true

The roses kept her on track She thought of the her towards hioverned her face in front of the dignitaries present She didn’t want the she was nervous, or over-faced by the occasion It was a relief to reach Xavier’s side He looked stunning, every bit the Spanish Grandee She responded to hi as she ca breath as he lifted her veil, and was surprised by the war her, she told herself sensibly He was probably relieved she’d turned up

‘And now you may kiss the bride’

Is it really over?

Up to that point, everything had been dreainal, white, but now the world shot into vivid colour Xavier’s blood-red sash of office, which he wore over his dark, forht The voices of the choir soared even higher in celebration as Xavier dipped his head to chastely kiss her on both cheeks She closed her eyes, but all she could think about hat lay ahead of her when they were finally alone But she ser

‘Do you like it?’ Xavier asked