Briar Patch by Linda Sole Page A

keep Harry waiting at the altar.’
    â€˜You are happy about this?’ Lady Thornton laid a gloved hand on her arm.
    â€˜Why should I want to change my mind?’ Roz lifted her head. ‘You can visit your friends or us whenever you wish, Mama. If you’re lonely you could take on a companion.’
    â€˜I suppose so.’ Lady Thornton smiled but Roz saw regret in her eyes.
    Picking up the spray of white lilies and roses that Harry had sent for her, Roz gathered her long skirt for the slow walk down the stairs. In the hall several servants, relatives and friends had gathered. Her uncle, Matthew Rooke, looked up at her and smiled. He was her mother’s elder brother: white-haired, gentle and a bachelor, he lived alone in a house filled with dogs and clocks, which he loved in equal measure.
    â€˜Beautiful,’ he murmured as she reached him. ‘I never expected this honour, m’dear. Philip should have given you away, but I’m glad you chose me.’
    â€˜Harry didn’t want to wait – and I would rather it was you.’ Roz took his arm. ‘Your gifts are much appreciated by us both.’
    â€˜I wanted you to have something nice for yourself as well as the silver candelabra.’ He nodded as she showed him that she was wearing the pearl and diamond bracelet he had given her. ‘You won’t be forgotten when I’ve gone, m’dear.’
    â€˜I would rather have you than anything you might leave me. You’ve always been a second father to me – and someone I can trust.’
    Her uncle patted her hand. ‘I’ve told your mother she can come and stay with me if she’s lonely, but I doubt she will.’
    â€˜That was kind of you, uncle.’
    â€˜Well, I felt I ought to ask, but truth to tell I’m used to my own ways and I dare say Amelia is the same.’
    Roz laughed softly. They went out to the waiting carriage. The sun was shining but there was a definite bite to the air. Roz shivered and her uncle glanced at her in concern.
    â€˜Are you cold, girl? Do you want to send for a shawl before we leave?’
    â€˜I shall be fine. The breeze is a little cool but once we’re in the carriage it will be warmer.’
    â€˜Might be cold in church,’ her uncle warned but she took the groom’s hand and climbed into the carriage. Matthew followed and gave the order to move off.
    Roz waved to the servants who had waited outside to see her off. Many of them had come down from the hall for the occasion and her mother had given orders that a celebration should be held for the servants at the hall. Yet her mind seemed to be wandering, skittering here and there like spring lambs. She couldn’t stop thinking about Ellen Blake’s kitchen – how warm and comfortable it had been, and Tom Blake holding her when she felt faint. He was one of the most attractive men she’d ever met – apart from Paul Richmond. A shudder went through her and she hastily blocked out the memory of that night.
    â€˜I told you it was cold.’
    â€˜I’m not cold, uncle. Just a little nervous.’
    â€˜Rushden is a decent fellow. He’ll be good to you. If he isn’t you let me know and I’ll sort him for you.’
    â€˜Harry loves me.’
    Would he know that he wasn’t the first with her? Roz had tried not to think about it but the guilt had stayed at the back of her mind all this time. She ought to have been honest with Harry, even if he had claimed whatever she told him wouldn’t matter.
    The carriage was drawing to a halt. When it stopped, her uncle got out and then offered his hand. She climbed down, shaking her skirts out and glancing about her. Several people were outside the church and she heard cries of good wishes. A man was standing slightly apart from the others. She wanted to wave and smile at Tom Blake but somehow she couldn’t manage it. He inclined his head to her, then turned and