Chapter 6

The next hour flew by. She was so withdrawn she lost the concept of time. They said their I do’s, but before he could seal the deal with a kiss, she fainted. Again, he caught her before she hit the ground. She wished that was the worst part of the ceremony. Someone brought out a pretty decorated broom for them to jump over, and she tripped over it. The gasps from the guests echoed off the walls. Apparently, that meant the marriage was doomed. Good thing it was fake. The pastor calmed down the congregation, and then people started to depart for the meal that the women of the church put together.

“Mrs. Hurston, are you okay to join us?” Victoria didn’t answer because she forgot what his last name was and thought the person was talking to someone else. Winston stepped in at that point.

“She’s fine. My dear cousin just isn’t used to being anything but Miss Jameson,” he said quickly.

“Yes, yes, I’m fine,” she said, standing upright again without Garrison’s help. Only he