Charis (12 page)

It was while he was contemplating his vows that he came upon the
letter. His briefcase was upstairs and for the time being, until he got his new
desk, that was where he was keeping his pens and notepaper. Instead of going up
to get his own he began rummaging through Charis’ desk, hoping to find what he
needed. He noticed a small box, just about the right size for pens. He carefully
opened the lid and found a much-folded, crumpled piece of paper, which turned
out to be the letter that Charis had received from her father after his death.
It was extremely worn; the writing was faded, he thought from having many tears
shed on it and from being folded and re-folded each time she’d read it.
So
many times
, he thought.
She must know it off by heart.
 

Feeling somewhat guilty, but curious, he opened the letter and read:

My dearest Charis,

If you are reading this it means that I have gone to be with your
Mother and you are now alone. It makes me sad to leave you but you must not
worry about me. Your mother and I are very happy to be together again - I have
missed her so much. But it means that you must be a brave little girl and do
your very best to be happy without me. Find joy in the world, there is so much
that is beautiful and to be grateful for. Do everything that Mrs. Patterson and
James tell you. Work hard at school and enjoy your music. One day you will be
all grown up and make your mother and me so proud of you. And one day you will
meet someone who you will love and he will love you as your mother and I love
each other, the handsome prince we talked about in our stories, so then you can
live happily ever after. My dear sweet little girl – I love you so much.

Until we meet again,

Your loving Dad.

Ben sat for a long time afterwards, tears in his eyes, spilling
over, running down his face, his heart filled with sorrow for his love, his
darling Charis, before he could get his thoughts together enough to concentrate
on writing his vows. It took him ages before he was happy and content with it. He
returned to her desk to put her pen away, and the letter back in its box, but
in doing so dislodged a small notebook that fell to the floor. He leant down to
pick it up and it had fallen open to the last page she had written in. He
realised it was an appointment diary, her last entry being:

           
A ticket to Cairo!!!!! From
Henry???? Whatever next!!!

Idly looking through it he saw such entries as:

           
Pick up dry cleaning, Buy
bird seed, Meet Helen for lunch, Jennifer coming for 2 days – I wonder how Ben
is doing now?

Curiosity got the better of him…again! He read some more and noticed
a few times his name cropped up, just short little comments. And then one:

           
Saw Ben today. He was with a
beautiful girl coming out of a restaurant on the other side of the road. I wish
I was beautiful. I wish it had been me.

He sat a little longer thinking
if only
thoughts and chastising
himself before he could organise the things he would need to take with him –
not much, he'd left another suitcase behind in Cairo. Ben packed his bag, put
his wedding outfit into a suit carrier and was ready to go.

Charis was also getting organised; her dress was due to be delivered
early next week, the cake was almost done. The staff at the Embassy had been
exceptionally helpful and kind arranging it all. The Ambassador and his wife
were excited to have something special to arrange as a change from the usual
diplomatic affairs. When Charis had told Ben they only needed someone “to say
the words”, she had no idea it would end up being a
proper
wedding, even
if a small one.

They desired their wedding to be informal; no flowers, no speeches,
no bridesmaids, no walk down the aisle, no formal photographs. As Sir Giles was
a very keen amateur photographer, Charis knew he would make sure there were
some good photos of the event, and that was all she needed.

PART V

THE WEDDING

Ben's plane was due to arrive at noon and
Charis was both nervous and excited. To try and relieve her anxiety, Joanne
suggested they go to the market. Enjoying her previous visits, Charis happily agreed.
Each time that she and Joanne had left the compound they’d gone in a chauffeur-driven
Embassy car, but to go to the market the Ambassador insisted that they were
also accompanied by a couple of guards. They were immersed in the experience
and thoroughly enjoying themselves. Joanne argued about prices with the
shopkeepers as though she had been doing it all her life.

And then Charis saw him. Henry! He was standing just a few feet from
her. Their eyes met and held. He moved closer…close enough that she could feel
his breath on her face.

“We're not done, you and I,” he hissed. “I will have you and yours.”

Charis was terrified, almost as frightened as when she was in the
room waiting for some fat old prince to come for her. She was trembling all
over and unable to move. He leered at her then turned and melted into the
crowd.

“What's wrong?” Joanne asked. “You look as though you've seen a
ghost.”

“Can we go back? Please? Now?” she managed to say, her voice
shaking.

Joanne assumed it was just pre-wedding jitters and consented to her
request. They hadn't been in the Embassy long when Ben arrived. Charis ran into
his arms and clung to him as though her life depended on it.

“Ben, oh Ben, please don't ever leave me again.”

He felt her trembling. ”What is it love?” he asked. “Something's
wrong.”

“Yes,” she whispered. “I saw…Henry…at the market. He was…he was just
standing there looking at me. It was horrible and I was so scared.”

“I'm here now. You're safe,” he soothed. “We'll stay here, within
the walls of the Embassy until we go back to London after we're married. He
won't ever be able to hurt you again.”

*****

They still had nine days to go before their wedding. They spent it
quietly at the Embassy, relaxing together. Surprisingly the hours passed
quickly. Sometimes they were alone, sometimes with Gary and Joanne or with the
Ambassador and his wife. The Ambassador had been acquainted with Sir Giles
since University days so he and Ben had several things in common. He’d also
known the Qumrai royal family for many years, as he'd had several posts in the
Middle East and was friends with the King, so he understood Ben's position
well.

In the middle of the week Charis' dress arrived. She was absolutely delighted
with it. It fit perfectly and she was pleased with how it looked when she tried
it on. Made of ivory chiffon lace over a silk underdress, I had an empire line,
softly draped over her shoulders, and the skirt flowing to three-quarter
length. She’d bought a pair of simple strap shoes in the same colour that
completed the outfit. She hadn't planned on anything special for her hair but
Joanne insisted and she’d found a small pearl clasp to fasten her hair back in
its usual style.

By the time their wedding day arrived Charis had seemingly forgotten
all about Henry, although he would always be there, lurking in the recesses of
her mind, ready to spring out at the most unlikely times; alone in bed at night
or each time she thought about the market. And Ben couldn't forget either. He
wasn't worried about it; he knew she would be safe at the Embassy and they
would be going straight to the airport after the wedding, but he had a hard
time getting it out of his mind. He understood how much it had terrified
Charis. She had been frightened of the vile man her whole life and just when it
seemed that she was rid of him, he’d turned up again to disturb her peace.

They had separate bedrooms at the Embassy and had not slept together
since Ben left for London.  The morning of the wedding Joanne insisted that
they didn't see each other until they were to get married – after all, it was
tradition. It suited Ben, too. Charis still didn't know that she was to have a
few friends attending the simple affair and he wanted it to be a joyous surprise.
So between Ben and Joanne, she was kept away from the main part of the
building.

Charis had been up early, washed her hair and had a long luxurious
bath and was getting nervous. After breakfast she’d put on her wedding dress,
brushed her hair and put in the little pearl clip she’d bought. As she looked
into the mirror she thought of Ben telling her she was beautiful and sighed. 
She couldn't see it herself but thought she looked pretty enough.
It must be
the dress,
she reasoned. 

Joanne insisted that Charis kept out of the way until all the guests
had arrived. Charis assumed it wouldn't take long as there were only a few
coming, so she attempted to wait patiently in a room at the rear of the
building where there was a piano and she played softly to herself hoping the
music might calm her nerves.

She didn't hear him come in, so intent was she on the music and the
words she was singing quietly -Annie's Song. He stood just inside the door
listening and was grateful at how truly blessed he felt to have this precious
girl to be his wife. She was singing, “Let me lay down beside you, Let me
always be with you, Come let me love you, Come love me again.”

With a couple of steps he stood behind her, leant over and said
softly, “If you are singing that song to anyone but me, I’ll kill him!”

She was in his arms in less than a second. “As if I would,” she
whispered to him before he kissed her. “I'm so glad that today has finally come.
This has been the hardest week of my life, having you so close but not in bed
with me. I love you so much. I've wanted you with me.” Her voice was so soft
that he hardly heard her.

“Tonight,” he smiled. “I have such plans for tonight.” He kissed her
again. Minutes passed before he managed to pull away and said, “I have a
surprise for you sweetheart.” Turning her to face the door, he said, “There's
someone here who can't wait to see you.” 

Jennifer was standing there with her parents. They’d witnessed, but
Charis hoped not heard, her embrace with Ben, and any doubts that Jennifer may
have had about Charis' physical love for her brother were gone.

“Jennifer!” she exclaimed. “It's wonderful to see you.” 

They hugged each other tightly and she was also hugged by Ben's
parents. For Charis it felt like a real family reunion. They made their way
down the passage together, Ben with his arm around Charis' shoulder. The door
was open and Charis could hear voices – lots of voices. She looked at Ben
questioningly and he smiled and said, “Come and meet your guests.”

There stood James and Helen, the Pattersons, Sam and Eve Chandler
and the Ridleys, with various members of Ben's family and a couple that Charis
didn't recognise. 

She turned to Ben in surprise. “However did you ever manage all
this?” she asked.

“Well, I've been a bit busy,” he grinned in reply.

Charis greeted her guests with hugs and smiles and kisses. She smiled
at Ben's brothers, Adrian and his wife Felicity, and Simon and his wife
Lorraine, whom she hadn't met. There was his sister Elizabeth and her husband
Hugh - she hadn't seen them for several years but remembered them all fondly.
Then Amelia and her fiancé Charles. They would all be her family now. She had yearned
for a family for so long. Now, at last, she would have one.

Ben and Charis stood at the front of the room, hands held tightly
together as ‘the words were said’ until it came time for them to make their
vows to each other. 

First, it was Ben's turn. “Charis, my beautiful, sweet, adorable
Charis. You are the light and love of my life. I feel blessed beyond measure to
have met you again. I promise to love you, to cherish you and to always be
faithful to you. I promise that when you are happy I will share your joy, when
you are sad I will comfort you and if life gets hard I will hold you close and
keep you safe. And I will love you forever.”

Charis hardly heard the last few words because as he vowed to hold
her close and keep her safe she started to cry. As the tears spilled over he
took her in his arms and she whispered, “Ben, you remembered.”

Ben looked at the Ambassador, smiled and said, “Just give her a
minute. She'll be okay.”

Several of the women and a few of the men in the room were also
crying, or at least had tears in their eyes. After a moment or two of Ben
holding her close, Charis was able to continue and make her vows to him in a
quiet, clear voice.

“Ben, my heart is full of love for you. You are my love, my life, my
hopes, my dreams, my world, my
everything
! I promise to love you, to
care for you and cherish you, to honour and trust you, to always be by your
side through life's joy or pain. I give myself to you, my heart, my body and
soul. And forever and always, I will love you.”

They exchanged rings. The Ambassador pronounced them husband and
wife and then said to Ben, “You may kiss your bride.” The kiss was sweet and
tender, and full of promise.

Not long after the ceremony had begun, very few of the assembled
company noticed a tall, dark, distinguished looking man enter the room and sit
at the back. Ben noticed because he was turned sideways, facing Charis, and the
movement in the doorway caught his eye. A half smile crossed his lips and he inclined
his head in acknowledgement of the older man, then turned his attention back to
Charis.

After the ceremony was over, and he and Charis had signed the
register with his parents as witnesses, and the two of them had been kissed and
hugged and congratulated by everyone, and Charis had been introduced to Graham
and Allison Carruthers, the couple she hadn’t recognised, Ben steered her
towards the back of the room where the gentleman was standing quietly.

“Come and meet my uncle,” he said.

“You mean the King? He's here?” she asked nervously.

Ben nodded and smiled reassuringly at her. “He really is a very nice
man.”

“Should I bow or something?” she asked.

“Definitely not,” Ben said, smiling. “He is not your King. Shaking
his hand will be fine.”  Then turning to the King, he said, “Uncle, I would like
you to meet my wife. Charis this is my uncle Azhar, on my Arab side,” he added
jokingly.

Charis extended her hand to shake the King's, but instead of shaking
it, he held it closely then took her other hand, too, and bent and kissed her
on the cheek.

“Welcome to the family, my dear,” he said. “I am so pleased for you
both. I hope you will be very happy together.”

As they talked comfortably with each other, Charis realised where
Ben got his strikingly good looks from. The King was probably in his sixties
but still a very attractive man. His hair was dark - just a little grey showing
at the temples, and he had a short and neatly trimmed beard and moustache
whereas Ben was clean shaven, and his skin was several shades darker than Ben's.
They were both tall, a little over six feet, and slim, with dark brown eyes and
an engaging smile. Charis imagined Ben would probably look a lot like him when
he reached that age. She also recognised that there was a degree of
determination, a streak of steel in the man and felt sorry for anyone who dared
to cross him. The King spoke to them for a minute or two, then excused himself
to go to see Ben's parents, but turned back to say quietly to Ben, “That matter
you mentioned to me. I have not forgotten. I will give it serious thought and
take care of it for you.”

Charis watched him greet Emily with a tender hug and she remembered
that Ben had told her that his uncle had spent time at their family home in
Hampshire. The king didn't stay long but before he left Charis noticed that he
also made a point of talking to his niece, Ben's sister, Elizabeth.

The reception was a very informal affair; everyone mingling
together, except for the cutting of the cake, which they held to tradition.
Charis had been right about Sir Giles taking photographs. There would be plenty
of them.

Soon it was time for them to leave - they had a plane to catch. They
slipped away to her room to change. The door had barely closed before she was in
his arms where she stayed for several minutes before he said, “I wish we had
more time but we don't want to miss our plane.” He stepped away from her and
added, “By the way, I have never seen you look more beautiful than you do
today. Your dress is perfect.”

“And you,” she responded. “I love that suit you're wearing – you
look so good – a real dishy doctor!”

“Oh, no you don't, young lady,” he laughed at her. “That's enough of
that!” And he kissed her again. Somehow they managed to get changed, packed up
the last of their things and were ready to go. 

As they returned to the reception room to say goodbye to their
guests, Jennifer's first thought was how radiant Charis looked. Her face, as
she smiled up at Ben, was so full of love for him. Jennifer was thrilled that
after all the trials Charis had gone through, at last she’d found happiness and
she looked positively lovely in the outfit she’d chosen to wear. The dress had a
white background, patterned with various shades of blue, from a soft powder
blue though to a deep royal blue. The skirt was slightly gored, the jacket
royal blue with three quarter length sleeves, a round neck with no collar and
coming just to the waist. Her shoes, handbag and the clip in her hair all
matching the jacket. Jennifer hugged her, told her she looked beautiful and
said, “Be happy,” and meant it with all her heart.