Chapter 1: I Object!
"If there is any person here present who knows of any lawful impediment to this marriage, then they should declare it now or forever hold their peace." The priest said to the congregation.
Lyse had often wondered why that statement was included during the wedding rites, it seemed so inciting. She almost giggled as she imagined someone yelling "I object".
She looked through her veil at her groom who stood opposite her and she blushed, she could still not believe that the day had come at last and in a few seconds she would say "I do" and become Mrs Brandon Marlowe.
"I object!" A voice rang out very loudly and the chapel full of people went up in an uproar while Lyse felt the blood drain from her face and she stared at Brandon who looked as shocked as she felt.
Her sight became blurry from sudden dizziness and she was sure that she had imagined it.
Her nightmare was happening. She tried to convince herself that she was just having one of those nightmares caused by pre wedding jitters and she was probably still in bed.
Her wedding was going to be perfect. The bead of cold sweat that rolled down her back told her that everything was in fact not a dream.
She felt even worse when she turned around and watched as the refined dame who had been sitting on the front row marched up to the altar, her massive hat doing nothing to hide the expression on her face which looked like the one on a venomous snake ready to strike its victim.
"I object to this accursed marriage, my son cannot marry this whore whose mother is a home wrecking mistress!" She sneered, "I am sure that she also carries that same gene of being an unfortunate gold digging mistress."
The people in the chapel gasped at the outrageous statement and Lyse felt like she was going to faint and she pressed a shaky hand against her head. She stared at the disgusted face of the stunning woman standing before her.
Sutton Marlowe had always been standoffish and cold but then, she was that way with everyone and Lyse never had problems with her. She turned to look at her groom who was looking away from the drama as if it did not involve him.