Willamina clutched the small bouquet of flowers in her hand. An organ had begun to play in the church, signaling that it was time.

She stood very last in line behind all of the other bridesmaids. She was terrified and it wasn't even her wedding. The first bridesmaid stepped through the doors and carefully made her way down the aisle.

She peered around the many heads in front of her and looked into the crowded church. The groom was standing at the end, awaiting his bride with a slight smile on his face.

Willie glanced over her shoulder at Evangeline, who was dressed in a magnificent white gown and holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Are you nervous?" Willie asked softly. It had been two years since the debutante ball. She had thought it was fast, but women often married much sooner.

Eva smiled brightly. "Not at all," she answered. "Percival is a perfectly kind man. I am fortunate to be marrying him. Now go, you're holding up the ceremony."

Willamina turned around to see it was her turn to walk down the aisle. She put a soft smile on her face, looked ahead, and made her way through the church. Every seat was filled. The wedding was rather high profile.

Evangeline had been one of the most sought after women in the city and her soon-to-be husband was a well known businessman.

Willie couldn't help but study Percival Johnson as she walked to her place with the others. The man appeared rather stoic, yet still happy. She estimated he was about thirty. Perhaps even older than that. The two made for an odd couple, but it wasn't her place to judge.

She took her place in line with the other bridesmaids and waited for Evangeline to appear through the doors. Everyone rose from their seats in anticipation for her arrival.

There were audible gasps when she stepped through the doors. Eva was stunning in her white dress. Her light blonde hair had been carefully pinned up and a veil covered her face.

Willamina couldn't help but think that eighteen was an awfully young age to marry. She couldn't imagine getting married herself. At least, not until she was older.

The ceremony seemed to drag on for ages, but by the end of it Abigail and some of Eva's friends were crying. The newlywed couple left the church and the guests followed.

Willamina stepped outside and breathed in the cool and moist morning air. She had woken up before sunrise to get ready for today and had not yet eaten, so the prospect of getting food at the reception excited her. Abigail had gone all out with the food.

When they arrived at the plantation, a large spread was awaiting them. Almost every breakfast food she could imagine was laid out on the table on fine china.

Everyone was congratulating the new couple and wishing them lots of happiness and healthy babies.

Someone settled into the seat beside her and she turned her head to see Vincent.

Just as she had feared, things had not gone back to normal. He and Maggie hardly spoke anymore. Whenever she spoke of it to either one of them they dodged the question, so she had given up.

"How do you feel about all this?" He asked.

"I am happy for her."

"Are you really?" He asked with a light laugh.

She scoffed. "Of course I am. She's my cousin and I want her to be happy." There was a brief moment of silence. "Although I do wish she had married for more than just money," she added quietly.

She truly was happy for Evangeline, but she didn't see this going well. Percival was serious, quiet, mature, and very business-oriented. She wondered if he would focus on Eva enough.

"It isn't my place to judge," she went on. "Eva married him, so she must like something about him."

Vincent sighed softly. "I just wish we lived in a world where we could marry who we pleased. I wished we didn't have to worry about fortune or social status."

He spoke as if he intended the words for Eva, but Willie knew what he really meant.

"Maybe one day," she said with a hopeful tone. She wanted to cheer him up, but didn't know how.

He was quiet for several moments until he suddenly stood up and held his hand out to her. "Enough moping," he said. "Dance with me."

Willamina took his hand with a smile and they gladly danced along to the music.

~~~~
Word Count: 823

Another short chapter for you guys. I promise some longer ones are coming up.

What do you think of Evangeline getting married?

This chapter pretty much concludes what I call 'part one' of the book. Things start to pick up in this next section.

I really hope I'm not boring y'all.

Thanks for reading! Have a good day!