The Bride (The Wedding Series) - By Christine Dorsey Page 0,25

her fingers. “I don’t give a damn about society or anything but you.” He swallowed ignoring the stamp of approaching feet to the side. “I know I’ve messed things up for you and you probably can’t forgive me but I had to let you know how I feel.”

He was going to leave. Eleanor could feel it. He loved her, but he planned to sacrifice that love so she could continue as she was. Well, Eleanor had no intention of staying as she was. Before he could turn away she grabbed his arm.

“Don’t go without me.” His grin showed he was hoping she’d say that. “I love you, too.”

Before she could finish her words he scooped her up. Her gown flowed down over his forearms and she pressed herself into his body. But as quickly as he picked her up, he let her down. Then turned to face Matilda and her enforcers.

“I’m leaving here, Mrs. Fiske. And I’m taking Ellie with me.”

“You are doing no such thing.” She motioned for the men behind her to step forward. But Eleanor was faster. She was in front of John, facing her mother before anyone could move.

“I am leaving, Mother. And I’m going with John. You can’t stop me. But I’d like your blessing.”

“Eleanor, I demand that you go to your room.”

“No Mother.”

“You are a foolish, stupid girl.”

Eleanor felt John stiffen behind her but she glanced back and shook her head, giving him a sad smile. “I’m sorry you feel that way, Mother.” Then looking back at John, she asked, “Are you ready?”

In response he again scooped her into his arms. Skirting Eleanor’s mother and the servants John strode toward the house. Behind them the guests started whispering among themselves but John and Eleanor didn’t notice. Nor did they care.

Epilogue

The bride wore a white gown designed by Worth. It was long and flowing, with seed pearls and apple blossoms, the cut complimenting her willowy figure. She was glowing with happiness and everyone in Butte, Montana thought John Bonner the luckiest of men.

None more than John Bonner himself. As he stood by the flower festooned altar in the small clapboard church waiting for Eleanor Fiske... his Ellie... to walk down the aisle he couldn’t help congratulating himself. He’d gone in search of a bride who could insulate him from the hurts of his past. And he’d found one.

But her position in society had nothing to do with it. Ellie... was Ellie. He could talk to her about his past and she listened. She sympathized and accepted. And John accepted himself.

She even suggested a wedding trip to New Orleans. At first John was adamantly against it. Then he began to see the wisdom of facing his past. So they were going to make the trip to Louisiana. But not for a month or so, which was how long John figured he’d keep Ellie holed up in his cabin above Butte.

The preacher’s wife began playing music—on a piano John brought in by rail for the occasion—and he looked toward the vestibule where Eleanor stood. He smiled and so did she, then her father took her arm and she began the short walk up the aisle.

It wasn’t St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Fifth Avenue, but Eleanor insisted she didn’t want to be married there and John agreed. They were taking their vows where they planned to live and raise their family. Amid the people who would be their neighbors.

There were some scions of society sitting shoulder to shoulder with Butte’s miners and townfolk. Even Eleanor’s mother had relented and come. But it was by no means the social event of the season. It was however, the most important event of John Bonner’s life.

The ceremony was short and John tried to concentrate on the words, but he kept losing himself in Ellie’s eyes. And then it was over and he was kissing her and holding her and wishing they didn’t have a three-hour ride by buckboard till they were home.

~ ~ ~

“Well, this is it.” John reined the horses to a stop in front of the two-room cabin he’d built as a retreat for himself.

“Oh my,” she said and climbed from the seat before he could help her down. “Oh my.” She walked slowly toward the front door.

“I know it’s small, but I can add on, or we can build another house. Hell, Ellie we can still go back and have something built on Fifth Avenue if you like.” John leaped from the seat and tried to see the cabin