Chapter Twenty-Eight

 

As the wind continued to blow around Alice, she heard the pounding waves crash against the shore behind her. The rain had let up somewhat, now only a light mist rather than the downpour it had been. As she looked up into the face of the man she loved, the sun broke from behind the clouds and shone over them as if God Himself were smiling down and blessing their relationship, bringing on a promise that, even in the darkest of times, light would always shine through. It represented the light that illuminated one’s heart and soul, and that light was called Love.

“And now you know the truth,” Alice said as she completed her tale, unable to stop the tears that mixed with the drops of rain on her face. Yet, she did not want to stop them, for it was as if they were cleansing her soul, sanctifying and renewing it, something which needed to be done for a very long time. “I promised I would remain a spinster in order to honor Thomas. Then I met you. On the onset, I must be honest and admit that I could not stand the sight of you. You reminded me so much of my father in that you loved business more than you loved those around you. However, as we spent time together, I came to learn that what I thought I knew of you was untrue.”

Johnathan nodded. “I am not certain I cared much for that person either,” he said.

She peered down at his hands, which held hers. “That day I opened my heart up to you had shown me that I did not wish to be that woman any longer. So much about you, the manner in which you laugh, the way in which you hold yourself, and even how you are able to use the ocean behind us to make something complicated seem that much easier to understand, everything about you, I have come to love.”

“I feel the same for you,” he said in reply, and Alice could see what he said was true, for his eyes were as clear as a summer sky.

She tilted her head and crinkled her brow. “Title and wealth have hurt us both. Perhaps I should not speak ill of her, for I know her not, but it seems that Jane left you for a man of greater title and of greater wealth and cared nothing for the devastation she left behind. My father, on the other hand, would never accept a man who was without either title or wealth.” Then she giggled. “That night in the stables…I thought you could never be a gentleman, perhaps you were more of a mask of one, even with your title and wealth. You were so arrogant I wanted to strangle you.” She gazed into his eyes and smiled. “I am glad I chose not to.”

Johnathan smiled. “I must admit that I thought you a mad woman for talking to yourself that night. I am glad you are not.”

“I have found what I have needed all this time is you, Johnathan,” Alice said. “I must admit that the words you spoke to me, ‘the past should stay in the past’ had me thinking.” She kissed his hand. “Now I know that there is no more past…only a future. A future which is grander than anything I could have imagined.”

“And I want that future only with you,” Johnathan added.

“I want you to know,” Alice said, her cheeks heating up, “I was foolish to spend so much money, and I will not do so again. It was only my anger over Jane that caused me to do so, and I now know she poses no more threat.”

Johnathan laughed. “Does that mean that if I anger you again, you might leave me a pauper?”

She gave him a light slap on the arm. “Johnathan!” she gasped, but she laughed all the same. “You never have to worry again. I make my promise to be much more prudent with your money.”

“Our money,” he whispered. “And if you wish to buy a hundred gowns, you may do so.” Then he paused and added, “Well, perhaps not a hundred.”

Alice smiled up at him and her heart swelled. “I need only a husband who loves me, one who can help guide me as we build a family together, and I know that man to be you.”

“Know this, I know that you are the only woman for me. I love you, Alice.” He lowered his lips to hers, and Alice thought the world around her would explode. Their kiss deepened, became hungrier and when it ended, both were breathless.

“We really should get out of the rain,” Johnathan said, although he made no movement toward the pier.

“Indeed, we admittedly should.” Neither moved as they stared into each other’s eyes. That is, until a wave washed up and over their feet.

“We look quite the pair standing out here in the rain with ocean coming in to cover us, do we not?” Johnathan said with a laugh.

“Shall we go back to the shop? Well, if I am still allowed in it.” She gave him a mischievous smile.

Jonathan laughed again. “Yes, you are allowed to return to your shop, and I will even allow you a bit of spending money, but not too much.”

She gave him a feigned scowl. “A bit? Do you not know a lady needs new dresses? Do you expect your wife to appear impoverished?”

“Impoverished? No. But seventeen dresses and gowns? I believe you would agree that it is a bit much.”

Alice sighed. “Indeed. I realize the builders, the cobbler, the jeweler…yes, they were all a little…excessive.” When they reached the road, Alice suddenly stopped and turned to him. “By the way, have the new horses arrived yet?”

Johnathan’s mouth hung open as he stared down at her. “New horses?” he gasped. “I did not purchase…” Then he let out a groan.

They laughed as they hurried across the road, her arm in his, ready to be out of the rain and onto their new lives. Together.

***

Alice stood with Sally outside the shop, their meager bags beside them. “I am quite excited,” Alice said. “Are you?”

Sally nodded eagerly. “I am. I have never been so far from St. Mawes.” She turned to Alice. “Thank you again for everything, and I’m sorry…”

Alice covered the girl’s hand with hers. “No. Thank you. If you had not spoken to Johnathan, I would be leaving today in a much soberer mood.” Nothing could have been truer. The debt of gratitude she owed Sally was great, and she would be forever thankful.

A large carriage with four white horses pulled up in front of them, and Johnathan put his head out the window. “How can women travel with so much?” he demanded.

Alice glanced up at the large trunks strapped to the top and back of the carriage and laughed. “You certainly did not have to bring everything,” she said defensively as she picked up the single bag beside her, the same she had brought with her when she had run away from Glassberry Estate. “I need only a few things.”

“If I had forgotten even a button, you would have scolded me,” he said playfully as he opened the carriage and waited for the footman to place the step on the ground.

“And rightly so,” Alice said with a sniff. As Sally got into the carriage, Alice gave one final glance at the sign above the door, and though she would return relatively soon, she could not hold back tears.

“Alice?” Johnathan asked in a soft voice. “Is something wrong?”

She shook her head and bit at her lip in an attempt to stop the flow but found it difficult to do so. “Everything is perfect,” she said. “I have all I ever need. The shop, the sea, and most importantly, you.”

“You are everything I have dreamed of and more,” Johnathan said. “Come, let us be on our way. We have our whole lives waiting for us.”

He took her hand and helped her into the carriage. The footman put away the last of the belongings Alice and Sally had brought, and soon the driver flicked the reins and the carriage rocked forward.

Alice watched the docks roll past, the dock hands hard at work and sailors moving to and fro. Seagulls hollered and squawked as they flew in great circles overhead. As the horses gained speed, the landscape became a blur, much like Alice’s life had over the past two months. She had gone from bitter and angry to happy in love, and just as it had been for Johnathan, it was the love they shared that broke through the hurt in their hearts. It was love that brought a spinster who vowed never to marry and a man consumed with anger together, shattering both of their illusions of what they thought happiness was, revealing instead the ultimate truth: Love was not found in dresses or gowns, nor in the purchasing of land and home. It could not be bought or traded. It was the smallest of things, like a man offering his hand so a woman would not stumble. It was the ear that would listen without judgment. It was what was found in a smile.

Alice turned to Johnathan and found him grinning widely at her, and she knew that everything they shared was deeply rooted in love.