The sound of the wedding guests moving outside caught her attention and she pulled away to put a little distance between them. It wasn't that she was ashamed, it was that things were happening. She had forgotten about Rose and the wedding for the moment and being reminded caused her to stiffen a little. "Some of them stared," she said then, indicating the people in the church.

He thought of saying something sweet like "it's because yer beautiful." but that would have been daft. More than likely, she had been unusual, slightly too polished, a shade too pretty, and had stuck out; Just as he would do at a fancy ball if he were in her place.

"Pay 'em no mind." He knew better than most how much the fisherfolk gossiped or liked gossip. "Yer 'ere to support Rose on 'er day, and nowt else. Yer intent does you credit. Anyone who thinks less of ye fer it should be fish bait."

"You are such a good soul," she said softly. She dried her tears with her hand and gave a little hiccup. What a day, she thought. She wanted to be there for Rose, it was true... but with the added stress of what her brother was doing on top of people staring, added to what she was about to do to her eldest sibling... she was feeling overwhelmed.

"We can go to the Cragg for the celebration, or I can walk ye home, if you'd rather?"

She had to think about it for a moment, and then she nodded softly. "It's Rose's day... I can't just leave... no matter what." There was that strong-willed lass he met.

"Hanky, Miss?" Joe produced a folded square of white cloth, now bearing his initials stitched neatly in a corner. "I promise it's clean." He smiled widely. Echos of other conversations.

She gave a soft laugh when he handed her the hanky. "Thank you. Oh goodness, here I am again, a mess." She dabbed her eyes with the cloth and she went on to say, "Let's do this. I'll be just fine."

Joe offered her his hand

"Tears don't look good on anyone, especially you Pearl." Joe said smiling softly, remembering similar words during their first meeting. "Come on, let's go to a party." he said in a cheery tone.

She put his hand into his and smiled. Let them talk, she thought. And so, they were on the way back to the festivities.