The Visitor (47 page)

“It just was, Cassie.” Even Lizzy chuckled a little. “The wording. You might wonder if a carriage would work properly, but not the relationship between a husband and wife.”

Cassandra laughed too, but both younger women waited until Charlotte was in control before expecting her to answer. She hadn’t meant to make light of the situation, and she knew she was the perfect person to help, so she searched her mind for what would have comforted her and spoke seriously.

“I think if I could give you one word of advice, I would tell you to enjoy yourself. Ask questions if something isn’t completely clear to you. If your husband doesn’t know, you can figure it out together. Don’t be frustrated and have high expectations of yourself or your groom. Think of it as an adventure and laugh your way through it. It’s only one night among a lifetime together. Don’t take it too seriously.”

“Thank you,” Lizzy said, now confessing that she’d been doing just that. “I’ve been reminding myself that God planned this very special time for husbands and wives, and we should enjoy His gift to us, but I can tell I’ve been seeing it as a project.”

“Morland is sure to enjoy that,” Charlotte teased her gently.

The women would have talked longer, but Barrington came looking for his wife not long after. Lizzy and Cassandra vacated the room, and when the door shut, Barrington’s brows rose in question.

“Did I interrupt something important?”

“No, I think I put their minds at rest.”

“The wedding night?”

“Yes.”

Barrington smiled. “They’ll be fine.”

Charlotte put her arms around him.

“If Morland and Tate are half as loving as you are, they’ll be more than fine.”

Barrington’s arms encircled her as well, their lips meeting in a kiss. There was much he could have said to that comment, but right now it was more satisfying to act out his feelings.

“Dearly beloved,” Pastor Hurst said as he began the service on a sunny Friday morning. “We are gathered today in the sight of God and in the company of this assembly to unite this man and this woman, and this man and this woman, in holy matrimony.”

Tate tried to hear the rest, but he was completely distracted. Cassandra stood beside him, ready to become his wife. He didn’t know when his heart had felt so light.

Morland was in no better shape. He listened to Pastor Hurst, but every fiber of his being wanted to turn and look at the beautiful woman beside him: the woman who loved him, the woman who filled his heart until it threatened to overflow.

The service didn’t last overly long. For all the preparation, the ceremony was rather swift work. Soon Pastor Hurst presented Mr and Mrs Morland and Mr and Mrs Tate to the church family and townsfolk who attended. The congregation was quick to wish them well and send them on their way.

The foursome shared a carriage back to Pembroke, where Tate and Cassandra exited Morland’s carriage and went their own way.

The sisters hugged, their eyes alight with happiness.

“I’ll see you when you get back,” Lizzy said.

“Yes. We won’t stay away as long as Charlotte did.”

“No, indeed.”

A final hug and a wave, and the two families separated. Having sat and visited in the coach, each couple was now alone, free to hold each other and dream and talk until they arrived at their destinations for the night.

The couples gone, Walker caught up with Henry outside the church, wanting to offer his congratulations to him personally.

“Well, Henry, all three sisters married in one year.”

“Yes, Walker.” Henry was smiling. “And to men I count it a privilege to know.”

“Do you never yearn for yourself, Henry? Do you never wish for a wife and companion of your own?”

Henry’s smile grew. “Walker, you should know better. She might expect me to talk to her.”

James Walker laughed and turned back to where the coach had departed. Though long out of view, he prayed for the two new families, feeling utterly content that they would be staying in the area. He hoped they would be among them for a very long time.

“That was a lovely meal,” Lizzy told Morland hours later, just as he reached for her hand across the dining table they shared at the inn.

“You didn’t eat very much.”

“I find I’m suddenly all aflutter, Morland. We’ve known each other for years. Why would I feel that way?”

“This is new. This is foreign and exciting.”

“But it’s with you. Not some stranger, but you, my friend, and the man I love.”

“I think,” Morland’s voice dropped, “that I would like to finish this conversation in our room.”

“Do you think someone will hear us?”

“No. I think I’m going to end up chasing you around the room, and I want to increase my chances.”

Lizzy’s hand came to her mouth to keep from laughing, but she wasn’t about to argue. When Morland rose to help her with her chair, she stood and tucked her arm in his. Rather taken with each other, that they made it up the stairway of the inn to their room above was something of a miracle.

“Do you know what my sister told me a few days ago?” Cassandra said when they were finally alone at the home they were staying in their first night.

Tate shook his head no, stepping very close to wait for her answer.

“She said to see this night as an adventure and to laugh my way through it.”

Tate smiled, his hands finding hers.

“I like that idea,” he whispered. “Will you go on an adventure with me, Mrs Tate?”

“Anytime you ask.”

Mrs Tate went into his arms, all doubts fleeing. His first kiss sent her pulses racing, and she found herself with one final thought:
You were right, Charlotte. This is going to be a most wondrous adventure.

Epilogue

Ludlow

“We’ve a letter, Lizzy,” Morland said as he climbed back into bed on a lazy Saturday morning. “It’s from Henry.”

“Oh, please read it, Morland,” she begged, snuggling close in the large bed they had shared for several weeks.

Dearest Morland and Lizzy,

We are arrived safely. It was raining when we got to the house, but nothing torrential. I can feel the heat that Edward spoke of, although I think the weather may have cooled some.

I never in my life thought to see a live elephant, but I can tell you that I have. He was huge. A bull with several females. When he trumpeted, I shook in terror but would not have missed it for the world.

Morland had to stop. His wife was gasping and laughing with such delight that he had to stop and watch her.

“Can you imagine?” Lizzy exclaimed. “I almost wish we could go.”

“Well, maybe someday we will. Shall I read on?”

“Yes, I shall try to remain quiet.”

The nights are warm, so warm that you can hear insects moving about all night. I haven’t slept deeply since arriving, but we nap in the afternoons when the heat is at its fiercest.

Edward and I speak of you often, hoping you’re doing well. We shall be gone for another two months, and then I shall be more than ready to come home. Your Christmas gifts this year will all be quite exotic. Lizzy, maybe you would like a huge beetle of your own.

Love to both of you. Take care and God bless.

Warmly,                            
  Henry