Alberta awoke early the next day. She could hardly believe that she was to wed the man she loved this very day. His confession in the Saloon last night had made all her dreams come true, and she knew she would never regret the decision she had taken to come here to Sun River. He was a good man, and he would make her happy, she was sure of that. She jumped out of her bed and ran to pull back the drapes. Warm sunlight flooded in and she stretched languidly as she gazed out along the quiet Main Street. Maggie and Ellen were fussing about their window display at the bakery, and a lone carter was trundling along, but otherwise the little town was quiet.
She turned and moved to the washstand. Pouring water from the ewer into the bowl, she contemplated what her life might bring and knew that she had nothing to fear now she knew she had Gideon’s heart. She splashed her face, enjoying the cool water against her warm skin. A knock on the door made her jump, but she quickly grabbed at a cloth and wiped her face and went to open the door. Maddy stood outside her room. She looked happy, and in her arms was Alberta’s wedding gown. “We finished it last night,” she said shyly. “I hope you like it. We were up until the wee hours!”
“I am sure it will be perfect. I know few people with a better eye, and I know you could put many a seamstress to shame.”
“I had a lot of help. Catherine and Myra especially. But Emily is a dab hand at sewing on seed pearls – it must have been all those years of making her costumes for the circus!”
“You are all wonderful, every one of you. I do not know that I would have had the courage to do something like this, to travel all this way to meet a stranger if I hadn’t known how wonderfully it had turned out for you, and so many of the women here in Great Falls.”
“We have all been rather lucky, I think there must be something in the water here in Sun River. Everybody seems to find love. It is all rather romantic, don’t you think?”
“I do.” They both giggled at Alberta’s unintentional use of the traditional response to the vows she would be making later that day.
“I have the bath down by the fire, William has gone out to visit a sick widower and so we have the house to ourselves,” Madelaine said. “Why don’t you head down and you can have your breakfast in the bath.”
“The very height of decadence!”
“Indeed. Your parents arrived safely on the train yesterday, stayed in Great Falls overnight and will be here an hour before we are due at the church.”
“However do you know that?” Alberta asked.
“They sent word with Aaron. He met them at the station yesterday, and got them settled in to the hotel. They were surprised that the wedding was not to be held there, or in Billings.”
“They would expect only the biggest and best,” Alberta said. “I doubt they would understand why Gideon and I wished to be wed here, even before we acknowledged our feelings for one another. But, it is because this is our home, it is where we will bring up our children and so we wanted it to be the place where we were joined together.”
“I think everyone here is glad that you did so. It has helped Sun River more than you know. People will flock here to see you emerge from the church you know, Gideon has never been more popular since you came.”
“I just hope their affection for him will turn into votes in the election,” Alberta said emphatically. She still worried that Gideon may regret his choice of bride if he lost the election, but she had to have faith that he meant the words he had spoken, the words that had made her heart sing with joy. He loved her, he didn’t just wish to marry her because she was of benefit to his campaign, but because he cared for her as deeply as she did for him.
The water in the bath was warm, and Maddy had put in a handful of oatmeal to soothe and soften her skin, and rose petals to scent the water delicately. She brought Alberta a cup of chocolate, and some warm bread fresh from the oven, slathered with rich butter from Frederica’s dairy and a conserve made from local berries. “Enjoy the calm. It doesn’t remain this way,” Maddy joked as she disappeared upstairs to get herself ready.
Alberta washed her hair, lathering up a lovely lavender scented soap and then sank back into the tub, submerging her head below the bubbles. She listened to the gentle slosh of the water and the dulled pings as her fingers tapped against the side of the tin bath. Everything seemed otherworldly under water, and she could almost imagine herself as a mermaid as she swirled her long hair in the water. But, delightful and soothing as the warm water was, she had to get ready and so she eased herself back to a sitting position and then pushed herself up. She grabbed at the bath sheet Maddy had left for her, and stepped out of the tub onto the rug, allowing the warmth of the fire to help her to dry off.
Alberta pulled a robe around her shoulder and sat beside the fire. When Madelaine came back downstairs she was toweling her hair as dry as she could. “Here, let me,” she said as she took the towel from Alberta and continued to rub gently. Then she took a comb and began to ease it through the long lengths of golden blonde hair. She pulled a box of pins across the table so she could reach them, and started to section off the hair and expertly pin it into place. “Do you want flowers in your hair?” Alberta nodded. Maddy smiled and began to tuck fronds of delicate white and blue flowers into the plaits and coils.
She stood back, and admired her work. Alberta couldn’t help but grin at her friend’s pride in her efforts. “Whoever would have thought that you would become the perfect ladies maid,” Alberta teased her.
“I certainly never would, but it is rather fun. Like playing with dolls when I was a girl.” She handed Alberta a looking glass.
“Oh my!” Alberta gasped. “I look....”
“Perfect,” Madelaine said, a tear in her eye.
The rumble of carriage wheels outside the little house alerted them to the arrival of Alberta’s Mama and Papa. Forgetting herself, she ran outside and flung herself into her father’s arms, almost before he had gotten out of the comfortable barouche. “I am so glad that you are here,” she cried.
“Alberta, get inside. You are in your undergarments!” Mama cried as she emerged from the carriage and took in the spectacle of her daughter in only a robe. Everybody laughed.
“But you do look lovely,” Papa whispered as they went inside. “But I think a dress would be more traditional.”
Alberta had expected to be full of nerves as the time approached to leave for the church, but she had the most delightful sense of confidence and calm as she was helped into her dress by Maddy and Mama. Both were near tears as they made her turn and show them every angle. “My darling girl, I have never been so proud of you,” Mama said hugging her awkwardly.
The sun was warm on their skin as they made their way in the lovely open carriage to the church. There were people lining the streets, aching to get a view of Gideon and his bride. She waved at them, and was overwhelmed by their cheers of good luck and happiness. William was waiting for them outside the church. He helped his wife down from the carriage, and gave her a swift kiss before turning to assist Mama. “You are sure this is what you want?” Papa asked her quietly. “I must confess, I don’t want you to be so far from me.”
“Papa, I have longed to be wed and to have a family of my own for so long. You will like Gideon, I know it. He is honest and good.”
“Not much of a politician then,” Papa joked.
“He is like you in many ways,” she said gently. “I am sorry we will be so far away, but you will always be welcome here and I am sure that Gideon’s career will mean we will find ourselves on the East Coast often. I shall visit as much as I can.”
“I never wanted to let you go, my darling. I have been selfish. Now I see how radiant, how happy you are just at the thought of this marriage I am sorry if I put my needs and wants ahead of yours for so long.”
“I love you Papa,” Alberta said as she kissed him on the cheek. “Now, shall we?” She held out her hand, he clasped it firmly and helped her to stand. William assisted her to disembark, and then hustled Mama and Maddy inside. Papa eased himself down from the carriage, and took her arm and they made their way slowly towards the man Alberta adored.
The inside of the church was cool, but the pews were full. Alberta recognized faces from the town, but also many of Gideon’s supporters had come from all over the State. But, it was Sarah, and her husband Christian’s faces that stood out amongst the crowds. She could hardly believe that her friend had come all this way, but the endorsement of her husband would do Gideon’s campaign no end of good too.
But then she glanced down the aisle and saw Gideon standing there strong and tall, waiting for her to come to him and she forgot everything else but him. She fixed her gaze on his beautiful green eyes and moved gracefully towards him, her lavish ivory silk gown trailing behind her.
Papa placed her hand in Gideon’s as they reached the altar, and removing her veil pressed a gentle kiss upon her forehead. “God bless you my darling,” he whispered as he stood back. Usually such a stoic man, Alberta was sure that she had seen a film of tears, and as she glanced over at him quickly was not surprised to see him surreptitiously wiping them with his handkerchief.
“You are quite perfect,” Gideon said as he looked down at her, his love for her clear for all to see.
The minister spoke, welcoming everyone to their wondrous union, but Alberta heard none of his words. She could not focus on anything but the handsome man standing by her side. When he began to speak his vows to her, she could hardly believe that he was saying them to her and when it was her turn she could barely get the words out as she felt so overwhelmed with emotion. The touch of his hand upon hers and the knowledge that he would be hers, to have and to hold forever, seemed too wonderful to be true.
“I now pronounce you man and wife,” the Minister finished triumphantly. Gideon dipped his head to hers and kissed her. It was a sweet and tender promise, and one she knew she would hold him to for the rest of their lives. It said everything a kiss should, that she was cherished and that she held his heart. She hoped he knew that she felt the same way, that she adored him and would care for him no matter what may come their way.
They emerged from the church, and Alberta was astounded by the wall of noise that hit them. The cheers were deafening as the crowds clamored to get a glimpse of the happy couple. Gideon leapt up into the carriage, and helped Alberta to follow him. He stood for a few moments, then offered calming gestures to the crowd. Eventually they hushed. “Our friends, welcome to Sun River,” he began. “Thank you for making such efforts to come here and to celebrate with my wife and I on this very special day. Our families wished us to have a small and intimate wedding breakfast, but we knew that you would all wish to celebrate with us – and so please, eat, drink and be merry with us!” He flung up his arms, and much to Alberta and the crowd’s surprise Maggie, Ellen and Alice emerged from the bakery their arms laden with goodies; Tom and Catherine from the Saloon emerged with crates full of drinks. There were tables laid out along the Main Street, and soon they were filled with food and beverages as a small band struck up with lively tunes for people to dance to.
It was not the wedding anyone would have expected of a politician and his Society bride, but it was perfect. Alberta took her husband’s face in her palms and kissed him soundly. The crowd roared their approval. She giggled. “Thank you,” she said. “I would never have thought of such a thing, but it is perfect, just perfect.”
“Will you dance with me?” he said as a particularly vigorous jig began to parade past the carriage. She nodded and hitched up her skirts as he jumped down, then lifted her and whisked her into the fray. “I love you Mrs MacAlpine.”
“I love you, darling Gideon,” she replied breathlessly as they whirled past her Mama and Papa. “Come, join in!” she cried happily. Her Mama looked aghast, but Papa simply chortled and took his wife in his arms.
“Why ever not?” he said as he followed his daughter’s lead.