The Legacy of Hope House (14 page)

Epilogue

Time seemed to slip by at an amazing speed, and by now, Anna had efficiently organised her hotel business, invested most of her fortune wisely, and Quentin had successfully taken over his uncle’s busy law practice.

‘So, my sweet, we’re getting married tomorrow,’ he whispered in her ear as he watched the van from ‘Beautiful Brides’ pull up outside.

‘Yes, so you had better make yourself scarce now,’ she said, with a smile, ‘because Madeline is delivering my wedding dress right now, and it’s said to be unlucky if the groom sees it before the ceremony.’ She reached up and gave him a big hug and saw him to the door. ‘Have a pleasant overnight stay at your uncle’s,’ she said, as she welcomed Madeline inside.

They went straight upstairs to Anna’s bedroom. ‘This is a dream,’ she said, as she tried on the wedding dress for the last time before the big day. She pirouetted in front of her cheval mirror to see how she looked in the Broderie Anglaise rose pink silk gown made in the same style as the gown young Letitia wore in the painting. She nodded approval. ‘It’s perfect, Madeline; you’ve captured the period exactly as I wanted it.’

Anna ran her fingers lovingly over the deep lace frilled yoke that reached from shoulder to shoulder. Gathered into the edge of the yoke, the sleeves draped over her arms like small capes, widening to cuffs that were edged with a two-inch frill, as was the yoke. The neat bodice was gathered tightly into the waist. The skirt fell away in gentle swathes, ending in a five-inch frill that matched that of the yoke and sleeves. From underneath the skirt, peeped the toes of a pair of delicate hand embroidered silk wedding shoes she had just slipped on to complete the look. ‘Oh, wonderful,’ she murmured, twirling around again. ‘I feel so much a part of history, dressed like this,’ she said, swinging around to Madeline for approval.

‘Whatever you feel like, you look truly stunning,’ Madeline said, as she admired her own handiwork, made from sketches she had made from the painting of Letitia’s gown.

Anna smoothed her hands lovingly over it. Then she placed the ruby and emerald collar around her neck, and stood silently in awe for a few moments, thinking of young Letitia.

Ten minutes later, with great care she took off the necklace and the gown, and laid them on the bed. ‘I’ll put them away now,’ she said, carefully arranging the gown over a padded clothes hanger. ‘The next time I put it on will be for the wedding downstairs.’

Once Madeline had left, Anna checked for the last time that the caterers providing the buffet wedding breakfast the next day had everything organised. She had sought approval for weddings to take place at the manor, and had been in touch with the minister who was to conduct the blessing that would take place after the civil ceremony. Everything was ready.

She barely slept that night, tossing and turning with excitement, and glad to wake to an early dawn. She lay there for a little while until she heard the sound of the caterers getting everything ready in the huge dining hall. She was also more than aware that her mother and her two bridesmaids, Liz and Dot, were already moving around downstairs. David would be arriving soon with Mary, his girlfriend, and he had agreed to give her away. She took a leisurely bath, and then went down for some breakfast.

‘No more to do now,’ Margaret announced, with a beaming smile. The old grandfather clock chimed ten, and she pointed at it. ‘Two hours to go. The caterers have arranged everything beautifully in the large dining hall, so all that remains is for you to get dressed, and for the groom, the registrar, and the best man to arrive, plus all the guests, of course.’

As she took in her mother’s words, Anna felt the grip of excitement churning her stomach again, and at that point she wished it was already over and done with. It took no time at all for Anna to slip into her gown and fix her hair in a perfect chignon style. Liz and Dot were both there to help her, but as soon as they saw she was ready, they put the finishing touches to their own appearance. By now, there were sounds of people arriving, and Anna’s pulse quickened even further with excitement.

She was ready, and with nothing more to do, it was time to present herself downstairs, on the arm of her old pal, David.’ A knock on the door and an urgent call from Margaret made her gather up her skirt and hurry to the top of the staircase, but not before taking one last glance in the mirror.

Waiting for her on the great landing, were her bridesmaids, who took her antique lace train in their hands. David, who was to give her away, was waiting alongside them with a beaming smile. She took his proffered arm, and lifted the front of her gown as she graciously descended the wide staircase to the strains of the small string quartet playing the wedding march.

Feeling more like a princess than Anna Williams, she looked around happily at the sea of smiling faces assembled to witness her wedding in the hall below. Waiting in the front with Greg at his side, Quentin was more handsome than she had ever seen him look before. Her heart leapt for joy as she reached his side and looked into the adoring eyes of the man with whom she would spend the rest of her life.

A hush descended over the hall, and the ceremony began. For a short while, she felt as though she were in a dream, but her senses crowded back on her as Quentin pressed the gold band onto her finger.

‘I now pronounce you man and wife,’ the registrar announced. It was all over.

Quentin took her in his arms and gently kissed her. ‘So, how does it feel to be Mrs Hale?’ he murmured into her hair.

‘Incredibly wonderful,’ Anna replied. ‘I am so happy.’ They walked back towards the end of the hall, shaking hands on the way with all the guests who were waiting eagerly to greet them. As they came to the end of the line, she turned and whispered to Quentin.

‘Both our ancestors are at our wedding.’

Quentin’s eyes widened. ‘Come on, Anna, you’re dreaming again.’

Anna couldn’t stop her giggles. ‘I’m not dreaming,’ she chuckled, ‘their portraits are up front, see them?’ Anna laughed with happiness as she pointed to their respective ancestors before drawing Quentin back into the centre of a crowd of guests.

He took a deep sigh of relief that the ceremony was all over, and wrapped his arms around her in a loving embrace.

‘By the way, your mother told me you want to know what your family motto is. Well, “Quid Nunc” means “What Now”. So let’s both enjoy the rest of a most wonderful wedding day.’

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The Legacy of Hope House
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