Emma wasn’t surprised when she arrived home to a houseful of strangers. She laughed aloud to see children in her daughters’ rooms.
But there was Paul to face. He had wanted to talk before the night’s debacle. Did he even want to see her now? She went to her room and prayed. “I misjudged my husband. You tried to tell me. My distrust led to disaster. Thank You for rescuing me.”
At the knock on her door, she rose. Paul entered her room.
Emma’s throat constricted. Sweat coated her palms. She waited for him to speak but kept her gaze on the floor. She couldn’t bear his censure tonight.
“Can we talk?”
She nodded.
They sat on the window seat.
“How much of what Uriah said was true?” His voice was neither accusing nor tender.
“All of it. I didn’t know you were hiding freedom seekers. I thought you were having an affair. I uncovered secrets and told Steeple because I thought it would expose your mistress.” Emma’s head remained bowed. “I’m so sorry.”
“When did you discover I had no mistress?”
“After you left this evening, Steeple came and urged me to accompany him, but I refused. He turned ugly, and if it hadn’t been for Clancy, I may have been in danger. Then I put the clues together in a different way. We—myself, Beulah, and Mandy—came as quickly as we could to warn you, but I was too late.”
“That’s what Mandy said.”
The room fell silent. Emma could not look up. She couldn’t meet his eyes, couldn’t endure his disapproval. She should have known better than to entertain thoughts of his infidelity. He was a good, good man. Better than she deserved.
Paul broke the silence. “Mandy also told me another story. One that happened twenty years ago.”
Emma glanced up. “But she doesn’t believe it.”
“She does now. And I do too.” He took her hands in his. “I was wrong not to ask your side of the story. I was wrong to think so ill of you. Will you forgive me?”
“Yes! Can you forgive me?”
Paul took her in his arms. Their tears mingled as their hearts re-joined.
He whispered in her ear, “Can we start over, Emma?”
She leaned into his embrace.
“Do you love me, Emma?”
“Yes, yes, yes.” She smothered his face with kisses until she found his mouth, and a long-overdue passion built.
Early the next morning, Paul rode into town, waved at Uriah through the jailhouse window, then stopped at the Presbyterian church. After speaking with Reverend Bachus a few minutes, he left, smiling, and returned to the manor.
He found Mandy in the kitchen, whispered instructions to her, then bounded upstairs, taking two steps at a time.
Samson swung open his door before Paul had a chance to knock. “Something wrong?” Worry lines creased his face.
“No, nothing’s wrong.” Paul entered the room Samson shared with another male freedom seeker and shut the door. “Been through a lot lately, haven’t we?”
The men nodded, their eyes cautious.
“But today is for celebrating.”
Samson shook his head. “We ain’t in Canada yet.”
“That’s true. But the bounty hunter is in jail and Sheriff Martin won’t be letting him out anytime soon. No one knows you are here. I say we celebrate, Samson, with a wedding.”
“You mean today?”
“What’s Canada got that we can’t provide right here, this afternoon?”
“Yes, sir!” Samson almost danced a jig, but for his wounded leg. “Have you spoken to Tabitha?”
Paul grinned. “Didn’t think that my place.”
Samson raced down the hall as if his gunshot wound didn’t exist.
Emma’s brow furrowed as Beulah entered her room, wedding dress in her arms.
“Do you think we could use this again?”
“I suppose, but I’m confused.” Emma fingered the smooth satin fabric. “Who?”
Beulah explained about Samson and Tabitha. “They want to get married today, right here. I think this will fit her.”
Joy flowed through Emma. “Of course! Bring her in, have her try it on.”
Delectable smells of fresh-baked bread and roasted chicken wafted through the manor as Mandy put the freedom seekers to work helping her prepare a wedding feast.
Paul found Emma gathering the few remaining mums from the garden for Tabitha’s bridal bouquet. She blushed as his gaze met hers, and he took her in his arms again.
“Joe has secured passage for our guests. They’ll leave around midnight on a ship going to Canada.”
“So we just have to keep them safe until then.”
Paul nodded then whispered in her ear. “Emma, will you marry me—again?”
A few unexpected guests showed up with Reverend Bachus. Mrs. Linde and Mrs. Potter embraced Emma, tears glistening. “Forgive us?” they asked.
She kissed their cheeks. Everything she’d ever wanted was coming true.
After Reverend Bachus united Tabitha and Samson, Paul and Emma stood before him.
She held Paul’s hands as the reverend blessed them. Gazing into Paul’s eyes, she felt his intensity. Never again would she doubt his devotion. This wonderful man loved her, and now trusted her as well.
If the guests were confused by the double wedding, they kept it to themselves, for one thing was obvious to everyone: underground weddings were the best of all.