Chapter 13

The next day…

Wilma stood silently grinning as four maids rushed around her. She glared into the mirror and couldn’t believe her eyes. The wedding dress that had received many altercations was nearing perfect. A ruffled detailed blouse with full length voluminous sleeves and a high waisted band. The train swiftly fell behind her.

‘Oh it’s perfect! Sheldon will love me in this! I cannot believe I am the woman to tame the great Sheldon Winchester!’ Wilma cried as she fiddled with her faint makeup in the mirror.

Anne paced up and down the room with what little room she had to roam. Her dress was already on and well fitted. It was a yellowy cream in a similar style to the bride but without a train. Anne believed that the only good thing about the wedding to come was how elegant it all looked. Though she thought she would be the first sister to marry, being the eldest.

The horse and carriage, which was done up nicely with white roses and daisies, waited outside the grand house.

‘Girls? Are you ready, our transport is here!’ Bertha yelled upstairs. It seemed that she was in an unusually chirpy mood.

‘Did you hear that Wilma? It is time to leave.’ Anne said sternly.

‘Yes, does my hair look lavishing? Our maids spent a lot of time picking the perfect hairstyle for my big day. They say it is in fashion.’ Wilma said. The same big grin had not left her face since waking that at 5am that morning.

‘You look beautiful and I am very proud of you. It is just a shame you are not marrying a better man but we will not discuss the matter again. Shall we?’ Anne said. She began to escort her happy sister down the corridor and down the stairs.

The previous night, Anne had tried her best to plead with her sister. She was too embarrassed to say that Wilma’s blood stained sheet may make an appearance, so she tried to persuade her to break it off instead. It didn’t work and Anne was forced to endure her sister’s social demise. It seemed that Anne was relying on George to persuade his son to be kinder and marry Wilma but Anne had little hope about that plan.

Bertha, Anne and Wilma climbed into the carriage and the horses with white feather headbands began to march down the road. Bertha couldn’t help but glare over at her gullible niece and smile.

‘I must say Wilma, you do look impressive. Very easy on the eye! It is a surprise what makeup and fashion can do these days!’ Bertha announced. Wilma took it as a compliment and smiled along but Anne saw it for what it was, an insult dressed up as a compliment.

‘So neither of you believe that things will not be brought up today from the crowds? Bad things, about me?’ Wilma said, her bright smile slowly draining from her face.

Anne cradled Wilma’s gorgeous bouquet in her palms and tried her best not to ruin the big day before they even stepped into the church.

‘No they will have forgotten by now! Especially when you marry that strapping young man. Nobody will dare to say one word against you my dear! As you should know by now, the Winchester family are well respected. Sheldon will protect you.’ Bertha responded. Anne could see through her lies, she could see Bertha’s hand in Wilma’s misery.

Anne shook her head and refused to say anything on the matter. She knew that the minute she opened her mouth, insults of Sheldon and his big plan would come out and she would become the enemy. Wilma had already accused her of pure jealousy many times and Anne couldn’t risk it looking as though she was right.

They finally arrived at the St Ebbe's Church and Wilma felt ready to hand herself to the man of her dreams. She would have preferred Anne to give her away but as Bertha was the older family member, she had little choice in the matter. As Wilma was spotted at the church doors, The Bridal Chorus was played on the piano for her entrance. Everyone stood from their seats and began to watch as the bride was escorted down the aisle.

Wilma saw Sheldon standing near the Priest and a large golden cross between them. He was wearing a well fitted tuxedo which looked of great material quality and a large top hat to match. She had never seen someone look so handsome before. Anne also believed Sheldon to look good but she had already seen past his good looks and found his ugly side which couldn’t be undone.

As Wilma was given away to Sheldon, his face dropped. He was no longer looking at her in awe as he used to. He began to shake his head at her and form tears in his eyes. Once she noticed, her smile also vanished into the past. The piano stopped playing and everyone began to stare over, wondering what was going on.

‘It seems you would like to make a fool of me Wilma.’ Sheldon said, loud enough to make sure it echoed in the church walls.

‘Pardon? My darling, what have I done to offend you on such a day?’ Wilma cried.

Sheldon’s best man, a man that people had heard of but never spoken to, passed Sheldon part of a bed sheet. Anne knew what was coming. He would accuse Wilma of being impure with someone else and refuse to marry her, he wanted to ruin her. But before he had the chance to speak, the church doors burst open. A gorgeous red haired woman came in with her heels clicking against the floor. The whole room was swept away by her beauty.

‘This man here is a fraud! No creature on Earth should trust him!’ The woman yelled. She paced up to the distressed Wilma who remained speechless.

Anne stood up from her front row seat and watched in fear and hope. She could tell by the look on Sheldon’s face that it was something he was trying to keep a secret. Was this something that could prevent her sister from marrying such a wretched man?

‘I am Dorothy Winchester, Sheldon’s wife!’ She yelled. The whole church gasped and stared at Sheldon in disgust.

‘She is a liar. Nobody listen to her! Why would I try to marry Wilma Spenbourne if I was already wed? Please, let us continue with this wedding.’ Sheldon said, still smiling and trying to cover his embarrassment and shock. Wilma said nothing, she cried painful tears in silence. George then stood up.

‘This woman is telling the truth. He married her some years ago with only me as his witness. He cannot marry the young Spenbourne, it is not legal.’ George said. Anne’s shock transformed to anger when she realised that George already knew about Sheldon’s other marriage.

‘You knew about this and you said nothing? I have to say George I am very disappointed in you!’ Anne said and George looked disappointed for upsetting her.

Sheldon looked at Bertha, sighed and marched out of the church. A trial of gossip followed him. Dorothy tried to speak to Wilma but she stormed into the back room of the church crying. Anne gave George a look of scorn and then she ran after her sister. She feared that her sister’s name would be ruined forever and so would her feelings for George.