Summer Seaside Wedding (12 page)

S
EPTEMBER
was almost gone, October was waiting at the gate, and the house was finally theirs. The sale had gone through smoothly and they’d been sure enough of its completion to fix a date and arrange their wedding.

The church was full and if there were some present who wondered how the young French doctor had managed to capture Leo Fenchurch, they needed only to observe his expression as Amelie appeared on the arm of Charles Benoir, dressed in a white wedding gown that set off her dark tresses and clung to her slender curves.

There were no bridesmaids, but Phoebe Balfour, with whom Amelie had become firm friends, was her matron of honour and Harry was Leo’s best man.

His mother and sister were there from abroad, and on being introduced to her new mother-in-law who, though frail, had the same looks and personality as her son, Amelie had felt that here was a kindred spirit.

Her own mother was seated in one of the front pews, elegant and withdrawn on the outside but inside rejoicing that it was all coming right for her daughter.

She and Charles had brought a very special wedding present with them for Amelie and her new husband. It was the news that the divorce was off. They’d both only been fantasising about having someone else and had decided to stay together because they’d been partners too long to change their ways, and if they’d never thought her to be particularly striking before, today their daughter, Amelie, looked radiant and would continue to be so because she and Leo had reached out and taken hold of the kind of love that lasted for ever.

The evening reception, the final part of the wedding festivities, was over. Their special day was coming to an end, but not yet. They’d arrived at the house and after he’d unlocked the door Leo bent and, picking Amelie up in his arms, carried her over the threshold and up into a large bedroom with a breathtaking view of the sea.

Laying her gently on the bed, he looked down on her and said softly, ‘It’s been a long journey for us both, Amelie. But at last we are together, and if I have my way we’ll stay here in Bluebell Cove for ever.’

Amelie smiled up at her handsome new husband. ‘This place has healed us both. I could never consider being anywhere else. I came here because I was running away, but instead I have finally come home, and that is all because of you, Leo. I do love you so much.’

‘And I love you, my beautiful French wife.’ And with his eyes darkening with tenderness and desire, ‘Now
I’m going to show you just how much, Amelie, because we’re in the right place and it’s the right time.’

And after that it felt as if there was only the sea, the sand and the two of them in the whole wide world.