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| The blood stained bride & groom |
From Vanderbilts to Astors to Carnegies and even a member of the Windsor royal family had arrived just a day before from England. Everyone wanted to see David and Sabrina Lord's son finally tie-the-not. And of course, despite Rebecca's annoyance the manner of Sabrina's death still lingered in the gossipy whispers of the guests like a ghost floating around in the halls of the Tirymôr House.
By the fire place in the main drawing room under dazzling twin chandleries one wealthy woman dressed in her finest lace and satin dress and topped with the most flamboyant feathered hat whispered to another "I heard she was slashed in the throat...RIGHT HERE!"
The other woman equally as elegant gasped in horror and looked around the vicinity they were standing in as if she were looking for Sabrina’s old blood stains on the rugs.
By the glamorous French doors that lead to the Versailles like gardens a gentleman told his female plus one in a hushed voice "I heard he took her by the hair down the stairs and strangled her."
On a plush library sofa, Catherine--the same woman who came with Evie by boat to America from England--nibbled on a small cucumber sandwich with two other well dressed women in flowery hats and dripping with pearls, told them all she knew about the lovely bride. Most importantly, Catherine noted to the women, that Evie had no idea about David killing Sabrina; the pearl incrusted women giggled over their champagne at the absurdity of Evie’s supposed innocence.
“How can anyone not know?!?” A younger woman said in a snobbish loud voice.
It was this type of gawking and snickering in corners that Rebecca hated the most from her peers. She felt like a zoo animal being watched from behind the golden bars of her cage, prisoner to her family’s murderous secrets and lies.
Regardless of her discomfort Rebecca mingled with the guests as best she could. She was not only awash in the failure of attempting to remove the story from Evie’s mind of the big family secret, she was also now well aware that it was impossible to fully end the long lasting effects of such a devastating and public scandal and how the town’s people and other outside guests would react to being in the very place it all happened.
Rebecca shook hands with people. Hugged the ones she knew best. Smiled politely. But inside her heart was beating with a bleak and embarrassing beat.
“How are you dear?” Lady Annabelle Collins asked in a whispered and sympathetic tone as she hugged her old friend Rebecca.
Rebecca couldn’t help but lie, “I’m happy for my grandson, the purist happiness I have felt in a long time but…a party is the last thing I’d ever want to be in the middle of.”
Annabelle smirked, and shrugged as Rebecca waltzed off to great begrudgingly greet more guests.
Eventually, enough was enough and Rebecca swished her dark black dress over to a quite part of one of the over-filled parlors and pushed open and small hidden servants door that was only visible if a person really looked closely at the large French tapestry painted over it. The servants door lead to a small corridor behind the walls and into a cloak room. Rebecca flew into the cloak room, tears in her eyes overwhelmed with frustration that she had failed hypnotizing Evie and now had to pretend with all her guests that the murder of her daughter-in-law never happened. But it did.
The fake smiles and hugs and double cheek kisses were all for the sake of the wedding. Keeping up appearances. She felt out of control and the embarrassment of it all was making her unravel. She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. Then, like a true blue-blood and master of the stiff upper lip, she gathered herself and prepared to face the guests once more, but she had one more thing to do.
Leaving the cloak room and passing into another brightly lit corridor on the other side of the house, Rebecca entered another small private room with one oval window in the center frames by red wallpapered walls. She had this space all to herself to gather her thoughts, think, and plot. Over a large lit fireplace in that red room was a painting of her son and Sebastian's father, the vanished David Lord. She stepped over to a small circle table and lit incense. She spread the smoke around her body in a circle form three times with her eyes closed then turned around to face her son.
Rebecca looked up at her son's portrait and cried and fell to her knees in front of the fire that burned hot like lava. She began to pray. Over and over she repeated the same prayer. A prayer that was not in any bible the world had ever seen. It was one Rebecca made up. A prayer for God to take her all of the pain away from her and bring her happiness again and light.
When she opened her eyes. It was all the same. Again, she thought, God had abandoned her.
“Are you ok?” A voice said from the tiny door that opened into the small room.
Rebecca lifted her tear stained face to see Sebastian standing there handsome as ever in his tuxedo and tales.
“Yes yes! Of course! I just needed a moment to myself. What are you going in here? You should be out there enjoying your guests.” Rebecca said getting up from kneeling in prayer.
“I needed a minute too. I thought I’d come in here and visit father.” Sebastian answered looking at his father’s painting.
“He’d be very proud of you today, Sebastian, this was something he wanted so much for you.” Rebecca replied.
“I hope so. I hope you’re happy for me too. You seem rather distant. Every since Evie arrived I’ve felt like you and and I haven’t had a moment to speak.” Sebastian said.
“Of course! I just want what’s best for you, my love. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. You know that I would do anything for you and for Charlotte to make sure you both get the best of what life has to offer. But I also understand that a grandmother has her place. I’m doing my best to…” she paused. “know where I belong in the grand scheme of things.” She finished.
“You’re the glue that keeps this family together grandmother. We know you mean well.” Sebastian said as Rebecca smiled, hiding her guilt in what she tried to do to Evie and the hypnosis.
“Good. I do love you. More than you know and I just want to remind you that whatever you need I will give you. I want to protect you too. The world is a dangerous and cruel place, my love, and we must always look out for the ones we love. Now…go on, go out there enjoy your day and prepare for your bride. It’s a celebration! I’ll be out soon.”
“Very well.” Sebastian said kissing his grandmother on the cheek and leaving her in the small room to continue to contemplate her next move.
Back in the large gathering room where most the guests had convened for the ceremony, Constable Christian Evans kept a close eye on everyone; careful and keen on making sure Mary did not join in the festivities as Celeste worried she would. As he made his way towards a large French doors of the entrance to the room, Christian came across the glowing groom who was now back at his post welcoming in the gusts.
"Congratulations!" Christian said slapping on a smile for his old school friend Sebastian.
"Chris! I'm so glad you could make it. I was hoping you'd make it." Sebastian said, clearly excited for his wedding day.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world. Obviously you haven't seen Evie, that would be bad luck, so I can assume she's just as excited as you are." Christian replied.
"I hope so. Everything looks so wonderful, doesn’t it? I came down stairs right as they finished the final touches of the decorations and I cannot believe how they've transformed this dreary old house with the amount of flowers. Its like they stripped the entire nation of Holland to fill these halls." Sebastian joked.
The groom wasn't wrong. Everyone room that had guests in it, and most certainly the main room where the ceremony would take place was packed with the whitest and most perfect flowers Rebecca Lord could afford --and money was no object. There were some from the local shops on the island but most had been shipped in from New York City, especially the white daffodils and lilies that adorned the alter that was at the front the room where the rings would be exchanged. Being Autumn, it was incredibly expensive to find the amount of flowers needed to place all over the house but for Evie and Sebastian, Rebecca spared no expense.
"The beautiful scenery will fit the beautiful bride." Christian said reminding himself of how beautiful he found Sebastian's soon to be wife himself.
"You know when we were growing up I always thought it be you getting married first. Not me. But look, here we are. My wedding day. I never in my wildest dreams really thought Evie would come here and I never thought I'd fall in love with her so quickly as I did. But, again here we are." Sebastian added.
"Me? Merry first? Well I'd have to find someone I really loved just as you have with Evie. And for now, the island is my love. I enjoy protecting her. Which is why I'm here." Christian admitted.
"What do you mean? You're on assignment?" the groom asked.
"I guess you can say that. With all the high profile here to watch the last Lord Heir get hitched I thought I would keep an eye out... just in case." Christian said, glossing over the threat of Mary that Celeste told him about.
"I guess you can say that. With all the high profile here to watch the last Lord Heir get hitched I thought I would keep an eye out... just in case." Christian said, glossing over the threat of Mary that Celeste told him about.
"I guess you're right. Either way I'm glad one of my oldest friends is here to watch me marry the woman of my dreams." Sebastian replied as the sentence sent visions of the beautiful Evie in to Christian's mind again, warming his heart.
Over near a group of guests standing in their finest attire near a fancy decorated table with five live silver candelabras each with 5 long candles that’s stretched 8 inches tall Jacob Lord filled a champagne flute for the forth time. Filipe saw from just over the corner and walked over and patted him on the back.
They had a sorted history. Filipe was Jacob’s page as a teen. He worked long hours and never felt as though Jacob respected him. But this was just the short of their connections. The year David vanished after killing Sabrina, Filipe found Jacob completely drunk and trying to get into his automobile. He was in no condition to drive and refused to tell Filipe where he was going. Filipe, being the loyal page to the family Filipe decided to get into the car with Jacob hoping he could keep him out of trouble. But on that mysterious drunk drive down the long and winding pebbled covered drive way that lead from Tirymôr house to town, Jacob lost control of his car and it fell into a large ravine injuring Filipe’s right hand so badly it remained mangled to this day.
Rebecca agrees to pay Filipe for life but he never returned to Tirymôr.
“Still enjoying the old sparklings, eh Mr. Lord!” Filipe said to his old boss, he too dressed in a classic tuxedo with a burgundy bow tie that accented his caramel skin tone under the lights of the candelabras.
“Filipe old boy!!! You’re here! What a wonderful … ugh” Jacob said before glancing over at Filipe’s crushed but healed hand. The memory of the night Sabrina died and the accident quickly flushing back into his mind. “…it’s wonderful you’re here.” Jacob added now in a more subdued tone.
“I was invited. Celeste… she’s Miss. Jordan’s maiden of honor.”
“Of course of course. How have you been son? Mother’s payments still making their way to you?” Jacob asked passive aggressively.
Filipe smirked and changed the subject. “I’m very happy for your family sir. Celeste tells me so many good things about Miss. Jordan. She’s going to make a wonderful addition to the family.”
“Yes! She’s a … ugh…” Jacob said lost for words that’s to his champagne. “… kind. She’s kind. And lovely. And kind.” He repeated.
“And Charlotte? How is she? I have yet to see her.” Filipe asked of the youngest member of the family who Filipe found quite adorable when he worked there.
“Running around raising hell I’m sure. She’ll be in the wedding too. Flower girl.” Jacob said with a slurred tongue.
“Ahh. Yes of course” Filipe replied nibbling on some of the hor dourves.
Jacob, his eyes glassy and green, snuck another peek at Filipe’s hand. He felt for once a twinge of guilt. Perhaps it was the champagne finally breaking his icy exterior and cold demeanor but there it was, guilt. The hand, the accident. Filipe.
“Look, Filipe, I wish I could do something more for you. I know that since the accident all that time ago it’s been harder for you to find work and I know mother pays you but… I do, I really do wish I could do more. I am very sorry for … for everything Filipe.”
Filipe felt his stomach sink. His heart too. He had waited so long for something like this to come out of Jacob’s mouth some kind of acknowledgment of how he was wronged and here it was, under the light over silver candelabras and smooth sparkling champagne.
“I could use work. Anything.” Filipe replied.
Jacob thought for a moment as his brain suddenly turned back to the events of the night and what he had planned as soon as Mary arrived with the revolver. Once Jacob’s murderous plot was done he’d be in charge of everything at Tirymôr. He would control the family finances and purse, not his domineering and superstitious mother Rebecca.
Jacob looked Filipe in eye and nodded. “We’ll talk soon.”
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| The Glowing golden couple |
As the wedding guests finally began to be seated in the Tirymôr House chapel and the family gathered in the front seats, Sebastian and his best man made their way up the two small steps to the alter that was lit with a kaleidoscope off colors from the small oval shaped stained glass window just above it.
Jacob, Rebecca and Gaspar sat stoically waiting for the last of the vows to finally have the deal between Evie’s family and the Lord family sealed. Rebecca was nervous, her heart pounded in her chest unsure of which of the bad omens from the sham of a tarot card reading would occur first. For his part, Jacob sat smirking like a Cheshire Cat waiting for a weak sparrow to appear to snatch it up and eat it. Christian and Filipe sat side by side watching and waiting to see the biggest social event of the year happen before their eyes like a strange ritual they were witnessing from another world.
Moments later the chandeliers dimmed allowing the light of the thousands of surrounding candles to flicker and dance as the music began to play.
The chapel doors opened, and little Charlotte began her slow march up the isle flicking peddles of the deepest blood red rose onto the ivory colored carpet of the chapel. She smiled once she got to the alter where her handsome cousin Sebastian came down the steps and kissed her cheek and whispered a sweet “thank you” for her part in his wedding
In the little corridor right outside the chapel the beautiful bride and her maid of honor Celeste were about to enter.
“Here we go.” Celeste smiled, grabbing hold of Evie’s hand to guide her to her mark just behind as Evie was to enter last.
The bride who’s face was obscured but the white lace veil, tugged Celeste’s hand back. “Wait!” She said in an echoing hush.
“What is it?”
“I… I need a moment. I just need a moment.” Evie answered as she turned toward the opposite end of the entrance or the room. Her dress was a massive white cloud that engulfed her whole body while tiny pale blue roses adorned the hemline and swished across Tirymôr’s ancient stone floors.
“Evie, the music has started we have to go. They’re waiting for us. What is it?” Celeste asked taking Evie’s bouquet from her lace gloved hands.
“Something doesn’t feel right, something feels wrong. It’s like a weight in my body. I just felt so strange as soon as I walked into this area. Right in front of these doors, Celeste I don’t know if I can do this.” The bride said from behind her veil.
“It’s just nerves. There are so many people in there and it must be incredibly nerve wracking but you do love Sebastian don’t you?” Celeste asked.
“Well, yes of course I do.”
“You see? Love is all that matters. Love will conquer anything. Good or bad, light of dark. Love illuminates like a like a lighthouse over the darkness and foggiest seas. Sebastian is your lighthouse, Evie.” Celeste replied.
Evie took a step to the side and peeked into the chapel as she could see the visitors were now getting antsy and looked back at the open door. Evie’s butterflies were strong but her conviction was stronger. She grabbed the bouquet back from Celeste’s hands and motioned for her to begin her walk down the isle all the way down to the alter.
Then, the music made a sudden and dramatic turn— for the bride’s entrance.
As soon as Evie stepped into the chapel doorway, the entire room got to their feet. Rebecca grabbed Charlotte’s hand and squeezed and everyone gasped as the most beautiful bride walked her way down the isle to Sebastian’s absolute delight.
As she stepped up the small steps with Sebastian’s help the priest smiled and began the wedding sermon.
“Dearly beloved we are gathered here to join these two souls in holy matrimony. In the sight of our lord, the virgin and the friends and family here today we come together and make the sign of the cross and bless the couple and ourselves: in the name of the father, son and Holy Spirit. Amen.”
“Amen.” Went the vocal replay.
“God serves us all by sending us many messages to our heart but also to our eyes. We are given these messages because he wants to subtly gives us clues to the right path to take in our lives. He never tells us what to do but gives us the natural choice to make. Love, is such a sign. We choose to grab at and hold it close an nurture it wither on the vine.” The priest said as Rebecca glanced over at Gaspar who was intently staring a the couple.
“Everything will work out mother. I promise.” Jacob said, slurring his words from the many champagnes he drank.
Charlotte looked up at her father and furrowed her 10 year old blond brow.
Rebecca did not say a word.
“Do you Sebastian Andrew Lord take this woman, Evangeline Oceana Jordan to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, to bind your souls in an immortal bond in the eyes of god?” The priest asked.
Sebastian smiled and looked at his beautiful bride “I do.”
“Do you Evangeline Oceana Jordan take this man, Sebastian Andrew Lord to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, to bind your souls in an immortal bond in the eyes of god?” The priest asked.
Evie, still under her beautiful veil said in a faint voice “I do.”
“Your rings. Please place each around your fingers. These rings will connect and bond you for life, forever. Wear them as a symbol of this day.” The priest said as the golden rings sparkled in the candle light.
“With this an act of our lord in the form of s ring, please lift her veil and kiss your bride. I know pronounce you husband and wife.”
Sebastian did as he was told. He lifted the veil to see the beautiful face of his new wife Evie. She was perfect. Like an angel. Her white dress almost glowed in the dim light and everyone watching watched as he slowly placed his own perfect lips on hers. She closed her eyes and pressed her plump pink lips up against his returning his kiss.
The sensation felt like the two began to levitate and that everyone disappeared. Music began to play and together, in this fantasy within her kiss they began to dance, a waltz. Swimming in and floating in mid air like the two were up in the clouds together and dancing. Evie was elated. Sebastian was ecstatic. The arranged marriage had been perfect and he was in love, love like her never knew could exist.
But suddenly the floating fantasy ended when heart a shout towards the back of the chapel from Constable Christian Evans.
“MARY!!”
Mary’s arm was lifted up, on the end of it a gun. Women began screaming, men began pulling their wives and children down under the pews, bride and groom opened their eyes and turned toward the back of the chapel just as Christian tried to jump of his seat to block the intruder..
Mary screamed, the gun went off and she shot. Then again.
Two bullets.
Christian ducked down and everyone screamed. Gaspar held on to Rebecca who held on to Charlotte. Jacob, remained calm and stood.
It went by in a flash and when the dust settled Sebastian looked down at his white tuxedo shirt and saw two bullet holes in his chest. The blood began to seep out and create large spots of red that grew faster and faster and faster until he fell the floor. Evie screamed and fell to her knees herself. She began to slap his face to keep him awake. His eyes rolled to the back of his head. His skin turned ice cold and white. Evie was wailing in shock of her new husband bleeding to death in front of her on their wedding day.
Rebecca stood up and saw the omen come true. The River of blood of the tarot card was coming from Sebastian’s body and soaked at the hem of Evie’s white wedding dress turning the blue lace roses sewn there dark purple like a harsh painful bruise.
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| Sabrina’s ghost appears to Mary through Charlotte |
In the chaos to keep Sebastian alive, Mary escaped. She darted through the house. She wizzed passed the caterers and florists and late guests and ran down the large grassy lawn of the mansion and through the hedge maze and passed a back private courtyard.
She ran and she ran and never turned back.
Suddenly, towards the end of the small courtyard Charlotte appeared blocking Mary’s exit.
“What have you done?” Charlotte growled but in Sabrina’s voice.
Mary looked at her daughter who’s face was so pure and perfect and wondered how she could have caught up to her so quickly.
“Do you know who I am?” Mary asked her child cautiously.
Charlotte stepped forward slowly. One tiny foot then the next as the sun began to dip behind the forest trees behind Tirymôr.
“What have you done?” Charlotte asked again but this time her voice was that of Sabrina Lord, the spirit inhabiting her body.
“Charlotte why do you sound like that?” Mary asked as Charlotte only snarled at her estranged mother. “Answer me!” Mary screamed.
“You made a huge mistake.” Sabrina’s voice said.
Mary squinted, confused. “Do you recognize me? Do you know I am your mama?” Mary asked, her voice begging for recognition.
Charlotte scowled and suddenly lunged at Mary like a rabid tiger knocking Mary to the grass landing on top of her.
The girl was screaming and scratching in rage thanks to the pain of Sabrina seeing son being murdered in front of her. Mary was too afraid to fight her daughter back, she didn't want to hurt her. All she could think to do was slap the girl across the face; so hard was the slap, Charlotte’s hair flung in a wile whip across her face.
When Charlotte turned back around and moved her hair her 10 year old young face was gone. In its place was Sabrina’s ghostly gaze almost exactly as it was in life shocking Mary to her core.
“Leave this place and tell your mother what you have done. Go! Leave now, and tell Eliza! She will know what to do.” Sabrina said now in her own true face.
Mary screamed and pushed Charlotte off of her rolling over on her side in the process, her face returning to Charlotte’s and smashing into the ground.
Mary fell back too but quickly bounced up. When Mary turned around to find the possessed little girl, her bewitched young daughter was gone, vanishing into thin air. As if she wasn’t even there to begin with.
Mary felt faint she wanted to vomit. Her heart was pounding in her ears, and her stomach was in knots. The horror of what she saw was something from a dark world, something, Mary thought, from the shadow place her mother often warned her about.
Mary quickly took her daughter’s advice and ran the rest of the way through the forest to get to docks and load herself on a small boat to row to her mother’s house on Goode Island. Her mother HAD to know of what she had just witnessed.
Back at the house both Rebecca and Evie where on their knees begging for Sebastian to come back to them. A ghostly Charlotte was being hugged by Celeste, seemingly normal as if nothing had happened outside with Mary.
Christian was screaming at the other guests to find Mary. And Jacob stood over his nephew's body as the River of blood slowly met t the tip of his pattern leather shoes. He reacted unfazed.
Sebastian was dead, and now Jacob was the heir to the Lord family fortune. Just has he planned.
