Dinah studied the gentleman she’d just met. He was handsome. He had nice broad shoulders, a warm smile, and attractive features on his face. What she liked most about him, however, was his hair. It was slightly disheveled. Her brother’s hair was always neatly combed. She couldn’t recall a time it’d ever been out of place. But Baldwin had a few errant strands. He had taken the time to comb it earlier that day, but something had happened to disturb it, and he hadn’t bothered to comb those back down.
She knew that was a small thing, but it made her feel more at ease with him. Sometimes her brother intimidated her because he was always perfect whenever she saw him. In addition to his hair, his clothes were in pristine condition. Even when he swept up her hair a while ago, he hadn’t disturbed a single piece of his clothing. If he didn’t move and talk, she would swear he was a statue.
“I’ve never been to a wedding,” Baldwin told her. “I don’t know what to expect.”
“I’ve only read about them,” she said, “but it seems like we’ll be promising to spend the rest of our lives together.”
“Yes, that’s what we’ll do.” He offered her another one of his attractive smiles and added, “It’s a shame my cousin isn’t here to meet you. I think she’d like you.”
It was on the tip of Dinah’s tongue to say that it was just as well his cousin stayed in London since the creatures were prone to attack ladies more than gentlemen, but she resisted the urge to do so. Donald had warned her not to mention the creatures. He hadn’t told Baldwin about them. It was best if Baldwin didn’t find out. If he did, he’d run back to London, and she’d be all alone again.
She had enjoyed their conversation. She could barely recall the last time she’d talked to anyone other than the maid or her brother. Baldwin was someone new, and she wanted to find out all she could about him. She had to remind herself not to startle him by asking him a lot of questions. She had to let him take the lead.
“So,” Baldwin began as he scanned the room, “is one of these books your favorite?”
She went over to the bookshelf where she kept books she read over and over and studied them. “I never thought of which of these I like most. They’re all my favorite.”
“All of these?”
Surprised by the bewildered tone in his voice, she said, “Compared to all that I have, they aren’t a lot.”
His gaze went to all of the books in the room. “You’re right.” He brought his attention back to her. “Have you read all of the books in this room?”
“No. The books in that bookcase over there are new. Donald took the books that were in there and put them in another room.”
Baldwin’s eyes grew wide. “You have another room full of books?”
For some reason, the way he asked the question humored her. “There’s not much for me to do but read. I’ve been in this wing since I was eight.”
“That’s a long time.”
She thought she detected a hint of sympathy in his voice, but then she heard her brother and another gentleman talking so her attention went to the doorway.
Donald gestured to the old gentleman. “This is Vicar Wilson.”
The vicar stepped into the room and gave her and Baldwin a greeting. “His lordship said you both wish to get married.”
Baldwin nodded. “I do.” Then he glanced at her.
Sensing he wanted her to answer, she added, “Yes, I do, too.”
“I suppose the vows are only a formality at this point,” Donald teased.
“I don’t mind going through with the vows,” Baldwin said. “It’d be nice to hear them. I haven’t had the pleasure of attending a wedding before.”
“It’s rather romantic that the first wedding you’re attending is your own,” Donald commented.
“It is,” Vicar Wilson agreed. “Do we want to have the ceremony in this room, or would another place be better?”
Everyone looked over at Donald, who seemed surprised they wished for him to make the decision. “I think having it in front of the large window facing the hills would be nice,” he finally said.
He was right. That would be a lovely view. She often looked out that window until the sun set.
“Dinah, my dear,” her brother began, “would you like to lead the way?”
Her face warmed at having everyone’s attention on her. She didn’t know why the thought of leading them to the window should make her so nervous, but it did. Gathering her courage, she headed for the door, acutely aware they all followed. She didn’t even know who was directly behind her. She was afraid if she glanced back, she would do something foolish like trip on the hem of her gown. The last thing she needed was to fall flat on her face.
She made it to the window without incident. Breathing a sigh of relief, she turned to face the others.
Baldwin came up beside her and peered out the window. “It is a pleasant view. I can see why you suggested having the wedding here.”
“I have an eye for beauty,” Donald replied. “The best philosophers knew how to appreciate nature’s generosity. Every morning, the sunrise graces us with the splendor of its majesty, and then we’re given the privilege of the day to enjoy what’s around us.”
Baldwin nodded. “Sunsets and the night sky are attractive as well.” He glanced at her. “Do you ever look at the stars through this window?”
“No.” Nor would she want to. Night was much too scary already, even with all the candles in her room lit.
“Maybe we’ll do it sometime,” Baldwin told her.
She shot a startled look at her brother. Should she tell him about the creatures? Surely, Baldwin would stay clear of the window at night if he knew about them.
Donald chuckled. “I’m sure you’ll have better things to do than look out a window at night.”
Dinah waited for her brother to offer some suggestions, such as reading a book or mending clothes, but he didn’t. He only left the statement at that. For some reason, this made Baldwin blush. She glanced at the vicar, who cleared his throat as if he wished to change the topic. That was curious. What was it she missed? She didn’t know what should be so embarrassing in Donald’s comment.
The vicar opened his book, and since he started talking, she turned her attention to him. The sunlight coming in through the window warmed her. Sometimes during the summer, she’d come here and lie in the sun. It was one of the few pleasures she had, and it was the only one she received from the outside world. She wondered if Baldwin would stay here with her all the time or if he would go outside like her brother did. Surely, he would spend some of his time here with her. From what she’d read in the books, husbands spent time with their wives. Even if he wasn’t going to be here all the time, she’d get to see him sometimes.
She hoped it would be more than she saw her brother. Her brother used to visit her often when he first brought her here, but over time, he came less and less. Last year, he had come by eight times. This year, he’d only come by to visit four times. This was his fifth visit, and this time he’d brought someone to marry her.
She’d ask Baldwin how often he intended to be in this wing with her if she didn’t worry the question might make him think she was being too forward.
The vicar finished reading from his book much sooner than she would have liked. If it was up to her, the ceremony would have been much longer. As long as the ceremony was going on, she wasn’t alone.
“Thank you for coming by to marry us,” Baldwin told the vicar.
As the vicar extended his welcome, she glanced at Donald. He went over to her and excused them both then led her further down the hall. “Is something troubling you?” her brother asked. “I thought you wanted to marry Baldwin.”
“I did,” she said. “I was just wondering what will happen now. Will he be leaving with you and the vicar, or will he stay with me?”
He paused and glanced over at the two gentlemen. Though Baldwin was watching them, he wasn’t close enough to hear them.
Donald’s attention went back to her. “It would mean a lot to you if he stayed here tonight, wouldn’t it?”
Worried by the way he worded the question, she asked, “Can’t he be with me for more than a night?”
“Of course, he can. He will be. It’s just that he has other obligations to tend to. For one, he will need to arrange to have his things brought over to this wing. And two, he has to write missives to his family. He’s giving up everything to marry you. He won’t be returning to London. He will be here with you.”
He glanced over at Baldwin again, and this time she noticed Baldwin was talking to the vicar.
“Why don’t I do this for you?” Donald began. “I’ll take him to the other side of the manor for the night and let him write those missives and arrange to have his things brought over here. Then tomorrow around noon, he’ll be ready to return. Then you’ll have plenty of time to spend with him.”
Her eyebrows furrowed. “He’ll be here for tomorrow night?”
“Yes, and more nights after that. He might have to slip out from time to time to write more missives, but this will be the only night you’ll have to spend without him.”
“You promise?”
“Have I ever told you anything that didn’t come to pass before?”
“No. You’ve always told me the truth.”
“You’re my little sister.” With a smile, he patted her cheek. “I will always do what’s best for you. I think being married will make you very happy.”
She suspected he was right. In the short time she’d been with Baldwin, she already felt the oppressive loneliness lifting from her shoulders. “I’ll do what you think is best.”
“That’s my girl.” He took her by the arm and led her over to the vicar and Baldwin. Facing Baldwin, he said, “Dinah and I were talking, and we agreed it’s best if Dinah had the rest of today to get your bedchamber ready. This will allow you time to get your things ready to bring over here, and you can write to let your family know you got married if you wish. Dinah, would you like the maid to come and help you get the bedchamber ready?”
She shook her head. “I’ll do it myself.” It would give her something to do while she waited for Baldwin to return. Time would pass slowly enough as it was.
“It won’t take long to bring my things here,” Baldwin told Donald.
Dinah’s heart leapt with hope. Perhaps he might return this evening.
“While that’s true, the bedchamber you’ll be using hasn’t been used in decades,” Donald said. “There’s a lot to do to get it ready for you.” He glanced at Dinah with a concerned expression on his face. “Are you sure you don’t want the maid’s help?”
She considered the option. If she had the maid’s help, would it mean Baldwin could come over here sooner?
Before she could ask the question, Donald turned to Baldwin. “There’s so many other things to do that it’s best to wait until tomorrow.”
Dinah sighed in disappointment. So even if she had the maid’s help, it wouldn’t do any good.
Donald directed his attention to her. “Would the maid’s assistance be helpful to you?”
“No,” she replied. “I’d rather do it myself.”
“All right. I’ll have the maid bring your dinner in a couple of hours.” Donald turned back to Baldwin and the vicar. “We should let her get that bedchamber ready.”
Baldwin seemed ready to say something when Donald added, “I’m sure the vicar is tired after the long ride here. I should take him to the drawing room and let him rest.”
“It would be nice to sit,” the vicar admitted.
“Then it’s settled.” Donald started to lead the two gentlemen down the hallway and called out to her, “The night will go fast. Before you know it, it’ll be morning.”
Though she couldn’t be sure, she thought she saw a flicker of disappointment on Baldwin’s face, and that made her heart give an unexpected flutter. Maybe he was as excited about seeing her again as she was about seeing him.
When Baldwin called out, “I look forward to returning,” that only confirmed her thoughts.
She smiled and waved.
Her brother turned from talking to the vicar and gestured for Baldwin to follow him. Baldwin joined the two gentlemen and walked down the hallway. She supposed she should go to the musty bedchamber that was closest to hers, but she opted to watch them.
She watched them as they passed the rooms. She watched them as they went down the stairs. She didn’t take her eyes off of the staircase until she heard the door open and shut, letting her know she was, once more, alone.