"James?"
Clara tapped James again and smiled brightly at him, "You're also proud of our baby girl, right?"
James rolled his eyes but responded anyway, "Of course. She is settling in so well", lowering his voice, "… a little too well."
He was secretly glad that Ian had not turned up. That partially confirmed the rumours that Ian might be sick and incapacitated. If that were true, Shelby would suffer in her new household, which brought James some pleasure. It did not mean James was happy with her smiley appearance, even for a few seconds.
'The marriage was to make her miserable! Not to enjoy herself!'
Clara bobbed her head up and down, never once detecting the sarcastic undertones in his voice. Clara wiped the small tears that had seeped out with nostalgia after she witnessed the dance. Clara knew that Shelby loved dancing but had never seen her do that. Not even once in her life! 'That's my daughter,' she gushed, oblivious to her husband's true emotions on the subject.
Clara suddenly asked, "Are you sad that you did not have the bridal dance with her? …. It's all okay. You can dance with me at any time!"
James smiled and kissed her straight on the lips.
"James? Come on, we are in public!"
"Who dares question when and where I kiss my wife?"
Clara giggled like a child in return and lightly thumped his chest. James held her close and continued looking over her head at Shelby.
On the other side of the dancefloor, Geneva was still mesmerised like her husband and everyone else. But unlike them, her only thoughts were, 'Only if I can drag Ian even to take a glimpse of her…. that seductress in her should be enough to ward off the dead woman's memory temporarily. Just long enough for him to impregnate his new bride.'
She nodded as she saw that the video coverage of the program was going as she had instructed. "That video of the dance should get to Ian by hook or crook!"
Katie nodded and sprang into action then as well.
"This should be enough to move my stuck-up son. I think that the heir will come early!" She said smugly, but Geneva had no idea that Ian had not only gotten more than a glimpse of his bride and her dance but had left indifferently.
The workers continued serving the wine, and the guests happily drank their fill. The Thornston family were involved in the wine-making business for centuries on end. The business had been passed down through the generations, and they controlled more than half of the wine businesses on the Island they stayed.
The Thornston family had been the first settlers on the Island and, therefore, had the place named after their family: Thornston's Vino Island. As time passed, it got shortened to T-Vino, just like the name of the wine they produced.
One of the distant family members savoured the wine and relished it, keeping her eyes trained on all the drama enfolding around her and not missing even one gesture, 'Heeheheheee…. she would regret not coming today!'
Shelby continued twirling with Gabriel on the dancefloor as others joined them.
"Sam! Ingrid! Come and join us!" Gabriel shouted and gestured at the two girls who stayed close to Geneva.
"Such a show-off!" The girl called Sam angrily looked at Shelby and turned away. As soon as the dance was over, she pulled Gabriel and the other sister, and they left the venue.
"But Mama Shelb-"
One glare from his older sister shut him up, and the three kids left the scene.
Shelby walked to one of the long tables and picked up a glass of juice. She turned back to gaze at everything going on and tried to take in her surroundings while she sipped the juice to moisten her throat.
Clara and James walked over to her.
"Shelby dear, we must leave now," Clara said reluctantly, not because she was sad to leave her daughter but because she did not interact much with Mrs Thornston.
"You must take care of yourself in your new home. But why did you not wear the dress I gave you?"
"Mum, Mrs Geneva Thornston had already prepared this for me…."
"But my dress would have been more sentimental!" Clara examined the dress on Shelby, and a rare trace of jealousy crossed her eyes.
"This is even better than Pierre's collection!" Clara murmured as she circled Shelby.
"Shelby, do you mind if I try it on later?"
"Mum, I would love to. You know I don't have any issues with that, but this time, the dress was given by Madam Geneva, so technically, it is not mine to give…."
"You really can't?"
"Stop putting the girl in a tight spot. She just entered the family, and we cannot inconvenience her."
"Ok, if you say so."
Shelby hugged her mum, "Thank you, mum." One of the workers around Katie, who had been tasked to assist Shelby, watched on in surprise. 'Did I hear right?'
She could not believe the ridiculous words spoken between mother and daughter. But she kept her respectable space and did not interrupt. After all, it was not her place to think or even reason in the stead of the higher-ups!
Clara stepped out of Shelby's embrace and said, "You have to make sure to obey your new family and visit us when you can."
Shelby nodded and hugged her again. "Here is your phone. How could you have left it behind? You should be happy that I had the mind to bring it!"
"Thank you, mummy! You're the best!" Shelby received the phone in gratitude and kept her eyes from meeting those of James.
"Pay no heed to the fact that Ian did not make it today. He may have been busy, but I know my girl…." Clara looked into Shelby's eyes.
"Walk with me."
The two took a few steps out of the earshot of all.
"You have to understand men's actions. I know you like Ian, and that is why you accepted the marriage…"
Shelby tried to hide her irritation from hearing those words, especially when her eyes met James's.
"…but you must maintain a few things to keep the marriage alive. Be patient and docile to him. Also, it is best not to wear underwear when you sleep. No- no… I mean, sleep naked, that is-"
"Mum! What are you saying?" Even in her chaotic mind, Shelby blushed as listening ears were nearby…
"What! These are all ways to get the marriage on the right track…."
"It's okay, I understand. There is no need for such details!"
"Ok, if you say so."
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