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William gazed at the open ocean and a smile formed on his lips. A light breeze on the deck of the ship rustled his hair.
It had only been a few months since he had rushed through the train station in Somerset, purchased a ticket and jumped aboard the slow-moving train. He had never done anything as rash and impulsive as his actions that day, but it had certainly been the best thing he had ever done.
Declaring his love for Emma, despite not having any expectations from her, had taken all of his courage that day, but he would gladly do it all again.
Without a moment’s hesitation.
William and Emma, along with her maid, Anna, had proceeded to visit Edinburgh, and it had been wonderful. The Highlands were immersed in mysticism, which allowed Emma to confess her love for him under the starry skies while at Lake Lomond.
William’s universe had stopped during that a moment, and he had kissed her with all the tender love that had built up over those months of their trip.
Today they continued their journey across the North Sea to a port in Denmark, where they would travel to all the places that Emma’s heart desired to see.
The cold air was fresh against William’s skin and he placed his hand on the wooden railing of the ship. He stood close to the bow, and he could only see the ocean, the horizon merely a dark blue line around him.
Footsteps on the deck caused him to turn around and he noticed the captain of the ship approach him, a broad smile on his face. “My lord, are you ready?” the captain inquired.
“Indeed, but we seem to be missing one very important person,” William stated.
“Speaking of, there she is now,” the captain said and motioned to the starboard side of the ship, where the stairs met up with the upper outside deck.
There stood Emma, dressed in a pale blue velvet dress, the long sleeves covering her arms. The material was gathered at her bust and hung down, creating a soft and ethereal look.
Her skin glowed in the winter sun, and her crimson hair was set ablaze in the rays of the sun. Her eyes shone brightly as she slowly made her way towards William and the captain, followed by Anna and a young crewman, who would serve as their witnesses.
William’s heart pounded in his chest as Emma approached him. He reached out his hand towards her. Her touch was light as her hand rested in his and she stood beside him in front of the captain. Her smile was radiant and she could light up the entire sky with her beauty.
“Are we ready to begin?” the captain asked as he retrieved his communion book from his breast pocket.
It had not been the first time the captain had married a couple on his ship. In fact, both William and Emma had been quite surprised as to how many marriages Captain Moore had performed on his ship, whether it be docked or not.
By Scottish law, it was much easier for couples to wed without the three weekly readings of the Banns, much to their delight.
“Indeed, Captain Moore,” William said after a nod of agreement between himself and Emma.
Captain Moore cleared his throat and opened his book. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this Congregation, however small, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time...”
William did not pay much attention to the captain’s words, as the beautiful woman who stood before him captured his attention completely. He had never gazed upon a more exquisite young woman in his life.
Not only judged so by her features, but by the magnificence that shone through her eyes, and the strength she carried within herself with pride.
She was the epitome of a dream come true for William, despite their unfavorable first meeting. But as his sister-in-law had advised, the best kind of love was that which pulls the rug from under you.
One might fall flat on one’s bottom, but it certainly did make an impact.
Emma had certainly made an impact on William, and he would be forever grateful that he had her in his life.
“Marriage is ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can show any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace,” Captain Moore continued, and both Emma and William glanced at their two witnesses, who stood quietly behind them, smiling happily.
“That is certainly good news,” Captain Moore chuckled in a thick Scottish accent. “It has happened far too many times that a family member has stopped one of the ceremonies I performed. I am certainly guessing that is why none of my lady and my lord’s family are present.”
William shook his head. “Ah, no, Captain.”
Both William and Emma had been saddened by the fact that none of their family members had been able to join them on their special day, but they did not wish to risk the duchess traveling far, as she now large was with child.
Instead they had decided they would have an intimate family gathering when they returned home, where they would all be able to celebrate together.
“Please, do continue, Captain,” Emma said simply, with a faint smile.
“Certainly, certainly,” Captain Moore nodded and cleared his throat. “William Alexander Seymour, will thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Will thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her, in sickness and in health and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will,” William answered and smiled at the woman who would soon be his wife.
“Emma Caroline Carlyle, will thou have this man to be thy wedded husband? To live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Will thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him, in sickness and in health and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will,” Emma answered with a smile, her eyes sparkling with delight.
“My lord, please take my lady’s right hand with yours,” the captain said and William did as he was told. “My lord, you may now say your vows to her ladyship.”
William took a moment to smile at Emma, then began.
“I, William Alexander Seymour, take thee to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward. For better for worse, for richer, for poorer. In sickness and in health, to love and to cherish. Till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth,” William spoke with confidence and sincerity.
“Now, my lady, you shall do the same,” the Captain told her.
Emma nodded and took his right hand in hers. “I, Emma Caroline Carlyle, take thee William Alexander Seymour to be my wedded husband. To have and to hold from this day forward. For better for worse, for richer, for poorer. In sickness and in health. To love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part. According to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.”
There was a moment of silence as they loosened their hands and William retrieved a ring that had been in his family for generations.
He had kept it on his person since the day he had asked Emma to marry him, knowing that he would most certainly need it one day.
Perhaps he had been overly confident, but he did not care now.
That was why it had come as such a surprise when Emma had been the one who had asked him, while gazing out at a picturesque sky on their last night in Edinburgh, whether he would still consider marrying her. He agreed without a moment’s hesitation, as it was what he had wanted for a long time.
Emma’s eyes widened momentarily as the sparkling blue jewel – the color of the ocean – glistened in the light. He took her hand and slowly slid it onto the fourth finger of her left hand. “With this ring, I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
“If you both shall kneel,” the Captain ordered.
William was the first to kneel and offered his hand of assistance to Emma, which she accepted.
“Let us pray,” the Captain said and closed his eyes. “Oh, Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life: Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man, and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name; that, as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, whereof this ring was given and received is a token and pledge, and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
William opened his eyes and gazed directly into Emma’s sparkling eyes, and could not help but smile at her.
“Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder,” the Captain said and placed his hands on each of the couple’s shoulders. “For as much as Eliza and William have declared their love and devotion, as well as their consent together in holy wedlock, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be man and wife together, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
William and Emma stood from the ground and turned to Captain Moore.
“My lord, my lady, may God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you both. May the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting,” the captain concluded and stepped away.
“Thank you, Captain Moore,” they said in unison,
“My lady,” William said and took her hands in his. “If I have not said it today, I have not gazed upon true beauty until this day.”
“There is no need to flatter me. I have already married you,” Emma chuckled, and William joined in her amusement.
“I do mean it, Emma. I am truly grateful that you have given me a chance to show you how much you mean to me.”
“And it means a great deal to me that you freed me into making decisions. For allowing me to be myself, and to discover who I was meant to be. It means the world to me that you stood aside and allowed me to feel free for the first time in my life,” Emma told him.
“My love, you will never feel caged again, I will not allow it,” William whispered. “And I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life beside you, wherever that may be.”
Emma smiled happily as she led him to the stern of the boat and gazed out at the horizon. “Our next stop will be Denmark, and then,” Emma grinned, “the rest of our lives.”
“I would not have it any other way, my lady,” William replied, cradling her face with both his hands and kissing her with a heart bursting of gratitude, love, and happiness.
The End