Chapter Sixteen: Lessons Learned
Alexander looked around his room and thought to himself that this was his last night to sleep in this room alone.
Tomorrow, Charlotte would become his wife, and Alexander felt overcome with emotion. What a journey they had been on to get to this point, but it had all been worth it.
For so many years, he had not felt worthy of anyone's love, but Charlotte had shown him that he was worthy of being loved. She was always showing him in small ways how much she valued him. His heart was full tonight as he thought of all she had brought to his life.
He reflected back on the period of their courtship and all they had spoken of that they wanted for their future.
They both hoped for a large family, and to raise them in the most loving home they could provide. Alexander was determined that Heyrick Park would be a very different home for his own children than it had been for him and Samuel. He wanted it to be much more like Heywood Manor had been for Charlotte.
Alexander smiled when he thought of the night he asked for Charlotte's hand. He had asked Mrs. Wheatley to set a table for them before the fire in his study. When Charlotte arrived, she looked so beautiful. He had shown her into the study for their private dinner.
He shut the door behind them for privacy.
Charlotte asked, "The table looks lovely, but why are we having dinner here tonight?"
Alexander explained, "My love, this is where we began. I must have somehow known that you were to be someone special in my life because I hired you without any experience to take charge of the girls. Both girls had managed to run off their previous governesses, but you did not give up on them. You won them over as you won me over."
He continued, "This room is where I ruined things between us, and lied to you that I felt only guilt and shame for what had passed between us. I loved you then, as I love you now, but at that time, I was so afraid that I would fail you."
He took her hands in his, "In this room, you gave me a second chance."
"Now, in this room, I want to ask you an important question."
She said, "Go on."
With emotion in his voice, he said, "I have never known such love in my life as I feel for you, Charlotte. I cannot imagine my life without you. We once spoke about our hearts finding their home with each other, and now I want very much for you to make your home here with me, and with the girls."
"Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Charlotte put her hand on his cheek and said, 'Yes, I will be your wife, Alexander."
He finally was able to kiss her, and he did not hold back. They stood there, wrapped in each other's arms.
Alexander told her, "I hope you will always know that in my arms, you will find shelter from life's storms."
Charlotte said, "Yes, I do know that Alexander. I hope you know that I will always think the best of you, and that even if we disagree at times, my love for you will never waver."
That night, they shared their first dinner as an engaged couple.
The following six weeks were busy ones in preparation for the wedding. Georgiana had insisted on buying Charlotte's wedding gown and some items for her trousseau.
Tom and Mary had hosted an engagement dinner and ball in their honor, and it had been a wonderful evening.
Alexander had redecorated his room so that it now reflected Charlotte's taste. He had only moved into it five years ago, and the only memories he would have in here were the ones they made together.
He turned and looked at the bed. Tomorrow night, after all their guests had left, he and Charlotte would become husband and wife in every way.
He got ready for bed the last time in this room as an unmarried man.
He closed his eyes, and he whispered, "Until tomorrow, my love."
The next morning, Heyrick Park was organized chaos. The Heywoods were staying at Heyrick Park with ten of their children. Mr. and Mrs. Heywood were trying to get everyone dressed and down to breakfast.
The Frasers and Samuel had stayed at Heyrick Park as well.
There was much laughter and breakfast was a lively affair. There was an air of excitement in their air as they all left for the church.
At Trafalgar Park, Charlotte was getting dressed for the most important day of her life. Lady Susan, Georgiana, and Mary were all helping, and it was joyful to share this moment with these ladies who knew all it had taken to get to this day.
At one point, Charlotte felt overcome with emotion, and said, "I believe friends are our family of choice, and I want to thank you for being my sisters. I love each of you dearly."
Lady Susan said, "And we all love you, and we shall remain friends throughout the rest of our lives. I am sure of it."
Mary gave Charlotte a box and explained that it was a gift from Alexander for her to wear with her wedding gown. Charlotte opened the box and all of the ladies gasped, with the exception of Georgiana.
Charlotte turned to her and said, "You knew about this magnificent gift?"
Georgina said, "I did. He asked me to come to Heyrick Park, and he showed me some of his maternal grandmother's jewelry that had not been out of the jewelry box since she had passed away shortly after he was born."
"This set, with the pearls and the aquamarine stones, seems to suit you, so he had the set cleaned. I think they are a fitting set for a woman who will now reside in a seaside resort with her husband."
Mary fastened the necklace around her neck, and Charlotte put on the earrings. Mary and Tom had gifted her with a lovely pearl bracelet, and Mary helped her fasten it around her wrist.
Charlotte hardly recognized the woman in the mirror. Mary had outdone herself on her hair, and Lady Susan had gifted her a set of beautiful diamond and pearl combs.
A servant knocked on the door and announced that Mrs. Heywood and Mrs. Fraser had arrived.
The other ladies excused themselves to go on to the church.
Charlotte stood and hugged her mother and her sister whom she loved so dearly.
Mrs. Heywood let the tears flow down her cheeks, and said, "You made me a mother, Charlotte, and today is the culmination of all that your father and I have ever hoped for you. You have chosen your husband well, my dear."
Alison said, "We both found our life partners, the one who completes us, and I wish you every happiness in your marriage."
Mrs. Heywood took the veil she had sent over yesterday to Trafalgar House, and she carefully laid it over Charlotte's hair. Mrs. Heywood said to her eldest daughter, I hope you will know the same happiness as your father and I have known.
Mr. Heywood was waiting for them downstairs, and the ladies made their way to him.
He felt tears sting his eyes when he saw his oldest child dressed in her wedding gown. She was so beautiful, and it seemed like only yesterday, that she had been handed to him as a newborn babe.
Declan was waiting with him, and complimented the bride before he handed her a gorgeous bouquet of flowers from Alexander.
He said, "We best be going. I know your groom is anxious to make you his wife."
They got to the church, and it was decorated with flowers. Augusta and Rachel had helped with the decorations. Miss Hankins helped as well, and she would be playing the piano for Charlotte's walk down the aisle.
Alexander and Reverend Hankins stood at the front of the church.
Charlotte's oldest brother escorted his mother down the aisle and took his own seat behind her with his siblings.
Samuel escored Augusta and Leo down the aisle and they all sat together as a family.
It was time, and Mr. Heywood offered his arm to his beloved daughter.
"Are you ready, my dear?"
"Yes, Father, I am."
Miss Hankins began to play.
The doors of the church opened, and Alexander caught his breath when he saw his exquisitely beautiful bride.
Even though her face was concealed by her veil, he felt her smiling at him. He never took his eyes from her.
When her father placed her hand in his, he felt overcome with emotion, and Charlotte squeezed his hand.
He smiled down at her, and Reverend Hankins married them in a heartfelt ceremony. Alexander's voice wavered when he promised to cherish his wife, and there was not a single person in church that morning who did not know that he truly would cherish Charlotte.
Alexander lifted his bride's veil and kissed her for the first time as his wife. He whispered in her ear, "I love you, Charlotte."
She said, "I love you."
At the wedding breakfast, many toasts were given, but Alexander was especially moved by his brother's well-wishes for them
Samuel raised his glass to the happy couple and said, "I have never known two people better suited to one another or who loved each other more. To many years of happiness, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Colbourne."
Hearing the words, "Mr. and Mrs. Colbourne" meant the world to him. He married Charlotte because he loved her, and he was loved in return. His life had become richer because of her in so many ways.
He raised his glass to her and said, "To my beautiful wife, with whom my heart has found its home."
The wedding breakfast went on for hours at Heyrick Park, and everyone enjoyed the food and dancing. Alexander reveled in being able to hold his wife so closely when they danced.
Later that afternoon, Mr. Heywood decided it was time to get his family home. After the Heywood family and the Frasers left for Willingden, the other guests started departing as well. Augusta and Leo went home with Charlotte's family for the month the new Mr. and Mrs. Colbourne were on their wedding trip to France.
Samuel would stay at a hotel tonight before leaving for London in the morning.
Tom and Mary wished them every happiness.
Georgiana whispered to Charlotte, "There are gowns for you to choose from tonight. I think any one of them will please your husband."
Lady Susan smiled at her and told her that tonight would be one of the most wonderful experiences of her life.
Lady Denham turned to Charlotte and said, "I am glad you finally came to your senses and got married. I must compliment you on your choice in husband. He is a far better man than his father ever was."
After the last guests had left, Charlotte and Alexander climbed the stairs to their room.
When they entered, they found vases of fresh flowers everywhere, brought from the church no doubt, and there were candles lit around the room. The fire was roaring to ward off the winter chill, and the bed was turned back.
Charlotte's maid came to help her undress in the room next door, and Alexander made himself comfortable while she was getting ready for bed. Their bed.
He was nervous, but he knew that all would be well. How could it not when they loved each other so dearly?
He heard the maid leave the room next door, and he turned to wait for Charlotte to come into their room.
She walked through the door, and he was mesmerized by her. She was wearing a pale blue gown and robe made of silk, and matching slippers. She was stunning. And, she was his wife, for the rest of his life.
She smiled at him, and he opened his arms to her. She walked into her husband's embrace, and he held her close. She could feel his heart racing, and she knew he was as nervous as she was.
He kissed her again and again, and then led Charlotte to their bed to make her his wife in every way.
For Alexander, it was unlike anything he had ever known. He held her in his arms afterwards, and he felt so happy to finally be able to show her how much he loved her.
Later, much later, they drifted off to sleep.
In the morning, when they woke, they were slow to get out of their bed.
Finally, they made their way downstairs for breakfast, and Alexander told her they would leave on their wedding tour to France tomorrow. This was their day, and he did not want to spend their first day of marriage traveling.
She agreed.
He asked her to go out to the barn with him to see about Hannibal.
When Alexander saddled Hannibal, she asked, "Will you be gone long?"
"I am not leaving you, Charlotte, you are going with me."
He helped her get on Hannibal and hook her right leg around the saddle horn, so she could ride side-saddle. He got on behind her, and she was caught in his arms as he held the reins. They rode for an hour along the beach.
He held her close and he said, "I am replacing a bad memory with a beautiful one, my love. The day I decided that you would be better off without me, I rode down here and contemplated the situation I found myself in. On the edge of happiness, but too afraid of failing you to reach for it."
He turned her face to look at him, and said, "And now, I am holding my happiness in my arms."
"Charlotte said, "I am so happy that I don't even know how to express it."
He said with a smile, "I have an idea of how you can show me, but it requires going back to our room."
Charlotte kissed him and said, "Let's go, then."
When they got back to Heyrick Park, Charlotte told him how much she had enjoyed riding with him like that, and he told her he had dreamed of doing so many times.
He took her hand and led her back to their room where they found new ways of pleasing each other.
While Charlotte was napping in his arms, he thought to himself that he had everything he could possibly want in this life at this very moment.
She had taught him so much through their journey, and he chuckled to himself as he remembered the time he had told her that he had hired her to teach the girls, not him.
He gathered her closer in his arms, and knew that he had found all that had ever been missing in his life in this wonderful woman he was blessed to call his wife. He was no longer a loner, and recluse.
She stirred in his arms and lifted her lips to his. Soon, he was lost in her love again.
Later, Alexander thought of all the life lessons he had learned over the last several months since meeting her. The most important one of all, was that life was not meant to be lived alone, not for either one of them, it was meant to be lived together.
He was sure the both of them would learn many more life lessons over their lives together.
Alexander and Charlotte Colbourne, husband and wife, for the rest of the lives.
Author's Note: There will be a short epilogue to end the story coming this weekend. I so appreciate all of you reading my story and commenting! It means a great deal to me!