Chapter 49: An End to a Journey
In the wee hours of the morning of April 20th, 1784, Eve shot out of bed, feeling an urge to walk about. She didn't know why but a terrible restlessness had overcome her. Her dressing robe was draped over the chair near the door. She grabbed it and put it on, wondering if she should walk outside for a bit and get some fresh air. It was still a bit dark but some purple and orange lit the sky. It had to have been no earlier than five in the morning but Eve felt pulled to get out of bed. It was the strangest feeling, she thought. As if she was being called to go outside and she could not resist it.
She quietly opened the door and snuck out. Her cousin Joshua's oversized riding coat kept her warm and his hunting boots, which had been sitting by the kitchen door kept her feet dry. She felt odd being outside in a nightgown and a dressing robe. It made her feel bare. She pulled the coat closer to herself and walked a bit away from the house. She looked out over the moors and took in the scenery. The hills, the sweeping grass, and the craggy rocks stretched for miles it seemed. She sat on a rock and watched the birds dipping up and down in the air. The sun was finally rising and it blinded Eve a bit. She looked down at the button of her cousin's coat and twirled a loose thread around her finger but she looked up once she heard a horse galloping in the distance.
…
Jean had finally reached Hutton-Le-Hole. It was a quant little town. With a little asking and some confused looks from the villagers who were up that morning, he finally learned where the Parsonage was located. He made his way there quickly and upon reaching the home, he saw Eve. His heart skipped a beat, he swore. She was sitting on a giant rock, looking out at the scenery. Her back was to him but he knew it was her from that distance. He only hoped he wasn't hallucinating. He galloped his horse a few hundred feet more but decided to dismount, wanting to get there himself. At that moment, he felt as if he could run faster than a horse. The foolishness of love can make even the most seasoned man do the most incredibly insensible things.
Eve looked up and wondered where the sound was coming from. She searched the horizon but saw nothing. It was then that she felt a presence behind her. She turned around and saw him, running like a fool, towards her. Her heart lifted from where it had been those past few months. She jumped off the rock but before she could run towards him, he met her. He ran quite fast. It surprised Eve.
"You got my letter?" she asked with a breath of exclamation. He nodded as he tried to catch his breath.
"You could have written-" Eve chided but Jean just smiled and before she finished her sentence, he kissed her.
"I did not have the time to write you," he answered her. She was still too shocked to argue with him.
"I waited for so long," Eve cried, "I thought you would not want to hear from me again."
"Even if you had married him, I would have rushed to your side if I heard any trouble had befallen you," he exclaimed. She let out a little laugh, knowing it was true.
"You asked me a question a long time ago before I almost went through with it," Eve said, "and I believe my answer is yes."
A huge smile crossed his face. he didn't even have to ask her if she would marry him again.
"I can't imagine how this will go over with my father," Eve joked, "I believe he had given up hope."
"I think you underestimate him," Jean said. They were embraced and hadn't realized they were being watched. They were completely in their own world.
Her aunt and her uncle were standing at the back door, squinting to see what was happening. Mrs. Meriweather had been preparing tea when the sight of a horse in the kitchen window startled her. She had no idea what was happening and her startled shriek drew her husband into the kitchen. He opened the door and stepped outside. He had been watching the commotion from his study. Eve had thought she was the only one awake during that hour. When she trounced outside in Joshua's riding coat and boots, he couldn't help but to look up from his book and look out the window in confusion.
"I suppose we will have spare room now," he joked, "it's a shame, I will miss her. I had the best conversations with her."
"You still have my company," Mrs. Meriweather laughed, "I could pick up a few of those dust ridden books myself you know."
"I don't doubt it," he defended himself, "but would you want to red past the first two pages?"
"Probably not," his wife laughed, "philosophy and history have always bored me."
Eve and Jean found themselves face to face with her aunt and uncle once they ran back to the house. Her aunt was hiding a huge smile. Eve's cheeks turned bright red and she quietly walked past them. Jean kept his head up and walked behind her. A massive shrill squeak followed by a squeal of happiness pierced the silence once they entered the dining room and Mrs. Meriweather knew Jane and Mary were awake.
"So much for peace and quiet," Mr. Meriweather laughed.
….
