Chapter 8
After Harry Thornton got out of the carriage at his home and Curtis turned toward the Bishop house, Daniel said, "When we get to the house, Matthew, you go in first and tell Amanda the good news. Dotty and I will follow at a more sedate pace."
"I will do so gladly, sir."
The carriage had barely stopped moving before Matthew jumped down, strode up to the front door, and used the key Dotty had given him; the family kept the door locked because of concerns about safety and security even in their respectable Georgetown neighborhood. Amanda heard the key turn in the lock and went to meet her mother and Daniel, only to see Matthew walk in the front door, sweep off his hat, and hang it on the rack nearby. He was still wearing his greatcoat, of course; he didn't even have time to take it off before she ran into his arms and lifted her face for a kiss, which quickly turned to two and then three.
"Hello," he said when they could talk again. "Maybe I should come home for dinner every day, if this is the welcome I get."
"Maybe you should. Where are Mother and Daniel?"
"Hard on my heels, but tactful enough to give us time to say hello properly. Now that we've done that, I can tell you that I've been sent ahead to tell you that Daniel has proposed and your mother has accepted."
"Oh, Matthew, how wonderful!"
At that moment, the door opened again and the happy couple walked in. Amanda immediately went over to hug and kiss them, and then she said, " Daniel, I am so happy to welcome you to the family. When is the wedding?"
"Can we talk about that over dinner? I'm hungry," Matthew said, as he unbuttoned his greatcoat and handed it to Molly, who had just come through from the kitchen to see what all the excitement was about. Of course, she had to hear the news, hug Dotty, and shake Daniel's hand, but once that was done, she said, " I'll have it on the table in two shakes, Miss Amanda."
"Good, because it seems Major Davis is about to expire from hunger, despite the food Lucy sent in with him today."
"I'm just a growing boy," Matthew protested.
While they ate, Daniel explained what Harry Thornton had asked them to do and why the wedding had to be held right away, and Dotty said, "So after we eat, we're going over to the Manse to speak to Reverend Findlay about the wedding. Will you come with us?"
"Of course, Mother, and it's so kind of the Thorntons to offer to host the ceremony and a reception afterwards," Amanda said.
As it was Monday, Reverend Findlay's day of rest, they were fairly sure of finding him at home. Though surprised to see them, he and his wife welcomed them warmly and invited them into the parlor.
"Now, then, my friends, what brings you here on this chilly December day?" he asked.
"Daniel has asked me to marry him and I have accepted, Reverend," Dotty said. " He has a new assignment that will require him to come out of retirement, and before he leaves, he wants us to be married. Would it be possible to have the ceremony one day this week?"
"Of course, Mrs. North; simply name the day."
"Colonel and Mrs. Thornton have graciously offered to host the ceremony and a small reception at their home," Dotty continued. "If tomorrow is acceptable to them, we'd like to have the ceremony then. Would two in the afternoon be agreeable?"
"Yes, of course. I have no previous commitments for tomorrow afternoon."
"Then unless we tell you otherwise, we will see you tomorrow afternoon at the Thornton home. There won't be any guests - just the four of us, the Thorntons of course, and the two of you. Our families are in New England and it's not feasible for them to travel at this time," Dotty said.
"I understand."
Twenty-four hours later, Dotty, wearing the green taffeta gown and a lace cap on her head and Daniel, in a black frock coat, waistcoat, and trousers, stood up together in Harry and Molly's parlor with Matthew, in his full dress uniform and Amanda, in her wine-red velvet gown, beside them while Reverend Findlay read the vows. At the appropriate time, Daniel slid a simple gold band that he and Matthew had gone into Washington to purchase earlier in the day onto her wedding finger, Reverend Findlay pronounced them man and wife, and they kissed for the first time as a married couple.
"My dear friends, it is my great honor to present to you Captain and Mrs. Daniel West," Findlay said, as he led them in applause for the newlyweds.
Somehow, Molly Thornton had managed to put together a wedding reception, complete with cake and punch, on one day's notice. The couple cut their cake, a rich fruitcake that Molly had made for the Christmas holidays, and everyone had a piece. At three o'clock, Reverend and Mrs. Findlay excused themselves, saying that they needed to make some hospital visits, and Colonel Thornton saw them to their carriage.
When he returned, Daniel said, "We didn't tell him the exact nature of our mission for you, Thornton, just that I'd been recalled to active duty for a special assignment."
"Very wise. I knew I could rely on your discretion, Captain. I can give you more details tomorrow; meet me at Assistant Secretary Fox's office at ten. It will look like a courtesy call on Mr. Fox, nothing more. To make it seem like just a courtesy call, Mrs. West, it's best if he comes alone."
"Of course," Dotty said. "I certainly won't get my feelings hurt because I'm not involved in every bit of the planning. I realize I'm basically just window dressing anyway."
"You're much more than that, my love," Daniel assured her firmly. "I'll see you tomorrow, Thornton."