My morning wedding was beautiful, bright and early with all the windows of Blaren House open for the sun to come inside.
Ester, Mama, Clancy, and Mrs. Fitterwall made everything perfect.
White tablecloths on tables of treats.
Beeswax candles edging the grand staircase.
Mama’s three-tiered fruited cake with white bliss icing on the pedestal in the center of the hall.
Lady Hartwell and Mrs. Fitzwilliam-Cecil and their husbands brought silver and white bows to hang everywhere.
Cicely stood near Mama, and even with my poor vision, I saw how their faces radiated joy.
My sister was lovely in pink, and she was smiling at me and Wycliff. Then she turned to her tall husband, Bexeley.
Papa sat with baby Josiah. Chris was at his feet, playing with his toy frogs. Sweet Jonesy stood like Lawden, hovering in the rear, ready to help my father.
Wycliff, my Wycliff, trimmed his beard to just a shadow. He looked young, so handsome in formal dress—black pantaloons, a high ivory collar and swirly ebony-and-purple waistcoat.
I wore the brightest, boldest color gown that my closet held, deep violet with short sleeves and a lilac ribbon about the bosom. There were daisies in the lace collar about my neck. I felt like a queen, Wycliff’s queen.
He took my hand and kissed me when he I descended the stairs.
We said our vows again.
But this time it truly was forever.
When the ceremony ended, everyone went into the smallish back garden of Blaren House, but I watched them enjoy Mama’s hearty fare of beefsteaks and fowl from the threshold.
Chris ran around the small enclosed yard with Cicely chasing him.
The girl had had an adventure. There was something she wasn’t saying to her brother. Perhaps she’d tell me in time.
Nothing mattered. She’d returned to be with her family. This mesh of Wilkinsons and Croomes was strong.
Wycliff came to me and held my hand. He didn’t ask me to go beyond the threshold. He looked down at me with all the love in his heart. “My old trunks have arrived from my father’s country house. If my half of the registry is to be found, it would be in one of those.”
“Have them set in the attic, my lord. I must finish getting Blaren House in order before I dig into the past. Besides, our special license is in one piece.”
“As you command, Lady Wycliff.”
He started to head in, but I held him in place.
Wycliff understood. He stepped closer and hung an arm about my waist.
My chest felt full, full of love for him and me.
My heart beat strong and wild.
Though I had been scared, I wasn’t afraid.
Though my vision was bad, I wasn’t without sight.
Though I once had been a victim, I wasn’t one anymore.
I was a wife and a mother, a woman who was believed and loved beyond measure.
The proof was visible to all, my fingers entwined with Wycliff’s.
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