Charlotte opened her eyes and for a moment could not remember where she was. She gazed up sleepily at the emerald green of the silk canopy over the four-poster bed, and she found it reminded her of the first time she had seen the waistcoat that Alexander wore on the day after Lady Denham's Garden Party.
She had spotted him from a distance as she had walked up to the house — he was on Hannibal and talking with Mrs. Wheatley just outside of the front door. Charlotte had hidden herself behind a tree in her confusion — the last words they had spoken to each other had been in anger, and as she had walked the cliffs to work and tried to comprehend Alexander's actions, Charlotte could not seem to keep a clear thought in her head. She was bewildered by the way he had treated her, but she could not keep ignoring the growing feelings she was having for him. It seemed as if Alexander would push her away and then, just as she was getting her footing again, he would draw her back in. And later that morning, Eva's words: There is more to Alexander Colbourne than you can possibly imagine. Truer words were never spoken, Charlotte thought now. So much more.
Hearing a noise next to her, Charlotte turned to see Catherine snuggling further into the down pillows. Then it all came to her in a rush.
This is my wedding day.
Those days were in the past – the days of confusion and misunderstandings and hurt pride – and she and Alexander would pledge today to spend the rest of their lives together. Charlotte smiled at the ways of love – it pushes, it pulls, and then suddenly, all is clear. She would never again wonder if Alexander loved her. She knew beyond doubt that he did.
Slipping out of bed soundlessly, Charlotte put on her robe and went to the window seat to try to determine what time it was. The sun was low in the east, so still very early. She was happy that they had chosen an unusual time for their ceremony today. Weddings were usually held in the mornings as suggested by the Church, in part because religion says that honorable people should have nothing to fear in the light of day, and also because they felt that people would be more "serious" in the morning, which Charlotte found to be an amusing thought, considering how befuddled she usually felt upon first waking.
Since Charlotte and Alexander had chosen to exchange their vows at Heyrick Park under the auspices of Reverend Hankins, they felt they could break with yet another tradition and start the ceremony at five in the evening, as the sun generally set at about six, and the garden views of the final rays of the sun were so stunningly beautiful.
Hoping for some time alone with a house full of her very busy and noisy family, Charlotte dressed quietly, washed her face and brushed her hair, and made her way into the hall. It was utterly silent and she quickly walked down the stairs. She peeked into the drawing room to see the large mantel clock. Five-fifteen.
In the front hall, two of the housemaids were changing out pots of flowers, and Charlotte was pleased to see that each new arrangement had some of the small cornflowers she had requested at the base.
She smiled at one of the girls and received a short curtsey, which surprised her, until it again entered her mind that today she would become the lady of Heyrick House. Charlotte reached out and touched the girl's shoulder, which she supposed she should not do, but she was unable to help it. "Thank you, Molly. They look absolutely lovely."
The girl beamed at her. "Thank you, Miss!" she said proudly.
"May I?" Charlotte asked, as she plucked a cornflower by its stem from Molly's tray of flowers.
"Of course, Miss!" Molly said brightly. "Happy Wedding Day!" she added, giving another small curtsey.
Charlotte laughed softly. "Thank you, Molly," she said with her heart full, as she tucked the cornflower into her hair and walked toward the kitchen.
Eva and Ruth were already at work, baking pies and fresh loaves of bread. There was fruit of all kinds waiting to be made into tarts, and cheese for the trays, so Charlotte took some strawberries and a piece of soft cheese, hoping to remain unnoticed by the two women who were standing at the ovens.
"If you wait a moment I can make you a cup of tea," Eva said with her back still turned.
Charlotte laughed. "I have always wondered if you have eyes in the back of your head, and now it is confirmed."
Eva turned and pulled down a cup and saucer. In one graceful movement, she got a small pot and measured out the tea, then filled it with hot water from the kettle on the stove. "I'll have Molly bring it out once the tea steeps. Where will you be?"
"The greenhouse," Charlotte answered, as her mother came near to give her a warm hug. "I am so happy that you are all here, Mother."
Eva already had the tray fixed, and Charlotte dropped the strawberries and cheese on a small plate. "Thank you, Eva. Just hoping for a moment of quiet before the day begins."
Eva smiled, her eyes soft. "You will need it today," she said.
Charlotte put her arms around Eva and hugged her tightly. "I am so glad to become a member of this family," she said.
Eva placed her hand on Charlotte's cheek and looked at her with great love. "You have been a member of this family for a very long time."
Charlotte returned her smile. "I mean officially," she said with joy suffusing her face. And with that, she walked through the fresh laundry hanging in the hallway and went out the door into the morning sunshine.
There was still the aroma of the night in the air, and as she walked, Charlotte watched the wisps of dew evaporate as the sun crept over the flower beds. Birdsong was everywhere – woodlarks, thrushes and robins were greeting the morning all around her as her hems soaked in the moisture from the grass. She waved cheerily at some of the workmen who were already out, wiping down chairs in preparation for drying them in the rising sun.
The greenhouse was, of course, empty at this hour, although for the last few days there had always seemed to be someone sitting on the benches and gazing at Georgiana's palm. Charlotte sat on the West bench so that she could watch the sun on its rise beyond the trees. She loved how the light wind and the sunlight painted patterns on the glass.
Charlotte heard the door open, and she said, "Thank you, Molly," as she turned, only to find that Alexander was standing with the tray and smiling with the intensity of his love for her. "Not Molly, but I can go back and get her if you would prefer it."
Charlotte took an involuntary deep breath at her happiness in seeing him. "No, you will do," she said softly.
Alexander set the tray on the table by the bench and walked toward her. He wore the clothes she most favored on him, the ones he had worn at their first picnic that day. White shirt, no cravat, sleeves rolled up to show his strong forearms, tanned and lightly freckled under the soft brown hairs. Black waistcoat, black trousers, and the lone curl that in the diffused sunlight matched both perfectly in color, falling over his forehead.
"Good morning," she said, walking into his arms.
"Happy Wedding Day," he whispered softly into her hair.
She held him tightly, feeling the rise and fall of his breath and moving her hands slowly up and down the contours of his back. "And why are you up so early?" she asked.
"I might ask you the same question."
Charlotte leaned her head back and looked up at him, unwilling to loosen her arms. "I could not wait for this day to begin," she said.
"Nor I," he said, touching the cornflower in her hair and smiling. He sighed and moved his lips toward hers, slowly. They were so close that she could feel his breath on her lips, and she closed her eyes, anticipating.
"I was told I could find you here," Samuel said, bursting through the door. "Oh, apologies, I can come back," he sputtered, flustered, and began to back out of the greenhouse.
"A little late for that," Alexander said, laughing softly. "Come in, Sam, and good morning," he said. He continued moving his lips toward Charlotte's and kissed her lightly. "We will finish this later…"
Samuel moved toward the South bench and sat down, all business. "I arrived home very late last night and you were in bed, but I have news. Surprising and wonderful news."
Alexander sat down with Charlotte on the West bench and put his arm around her. "You mean apart from the fact that we are getting married today?" he said, his eyes dancing.
Samuel grimaced slightly and then laughed. "Well, yes, there is that, I suppose. But you will never guess who I ran into on the street yesterday afternoon."
Waiting, Alexander raised his eyebrows. "If that is the case, it would be pointless for us to attempt it, so you had better just tell us."
Smiling, Samuel said, "Charles Lockhart."
Both Charlotte and Alexander were rendered speechless. Finally, Alexander said, "That is honestly the last person I would have guessed. What did he want?"
"Even more surprising," Samuel said, leaning forward. "He wanted to legally sign away his rights to Georgiana's inheritance. It seems he has fallen completely in love with her, and he wishes to do so as an act of goodwill."
"Is that a possibility?" Charlotte asked, her eyes wide.
Samuel shrugged. "Legally, yes, it is possible. And he confirmed that he has been contacted by Edward Denham, who is playing both ends against the middle, it seems. In addition to blackmailing Georgiana and asking for a monthly stipend for his silence, he has asked Lockhart to pay him a percentage of the inheritance he stands to receive if the news of Georgiana's parentage is made public."
"What a horrible man!" Charlotte said.
"An understatement. But the truth is, his greed will only serve to compound his sentences in the courts. Both Lockhart and Georgiana have agreed to testify against him. He will be locked away for a very long time, and the possibility still exists for death by hanging. Although Georgiana favors his extermination by sharks in a public spectacle on the beaches of Sanditon," Samuel said, nodding.
"I stand with Georgiana on that account," Charlotte muttered. Then she looked up suddenly. "So Georgiana knows that Lockhart is here and what he intends?"
"After I spoke with him, I took him back to Arthur's theater and asked how we should proceed, as he knows Georgiana so much better than I do. There seemed initially to be some bad blood also between Lockhart and Arthur, but Charles managed to open a door once he made his intentions known and apologized very sincerely to Arthur. We then went to Georgiana's and after an initial slamming of her front door in our faces, we managed to sit down and have a reasonable conversation. She is still not entirely convinced of Lockhart's integrity, but at least I believe she will no longer be lobbing teapots at him." Samuel shook his head, smiling. "She has an arm, our sister does."
Samuel continued. "But we will talk of this no more today. I simply wanted you both to be aware of what had transpired, and of the fact that the case is all but won. Denham will be behind bars, Lockhart will relinquish his claim and either the inheritance will come to us and we will pass it on to Georgiana, or there will be no action taken and it will remain in place. Either way, our sister is safe."
Charlotte could not help herself, and she stood and went to Samuel, hugging him tightly. "Thank you for your help." She pulled away and looked at him sadly. "I shall be very sorry to see you leave Sanditon, Samuel."
Raising his eyebrows and sighing, Samuel said, "You may not have to be. I am finally acknowledging how much happier I am here than in London. And now that this house is filled with laughter as I never have heard it, I believe it will be quite impossible for me to leave." He looked over at Alexander. "Did you know that Sanditon has no barrister? And Mr. Tom Parker has offered me the moon to stay and fill that position."
Alexander laughed. "Hold out for the stars and he will give you those as well," he said. "He will be here today, and there is never an occasion when Tom is unwilling to talk about business."
Xander put his arm around Sam's neck playfully. "I could not be happier. This is truly a blessed day."
After a large country breakfast with over twenty assembled around the large dining room table, everyone went their separate ways – to the stables for a quick ride, to help in the kitchen with the wedding food, and the Heywood sisters and Ruth to Abigail Colbourne's room, where preparations were made for dressing Charlotte. The East Wing was filled with housemaids tidying rooms and changing out flowers.
Downstairs, the musicians were beginning to set up for the dancing later, and tables and chairs were being set around the Conservatory in Heyrick House – a room that had not been used in nearly five and thirty years, and was being converted into a ballroom of sorts. The floors had been polished to a high shine, all walls and mirrors clean and dusted and huge vases of flowers placed at intervals around the room. Its floor-to-ceiling windows sparkled as they looked out onto the gardens, and a lovely cool evening was promised to keep the room at an even temperature.
Before Charlotte joined her sisters and her mother to begin getting ready, she and Alexander took one last turn around the grounds as fiancés. They held hands and stayed mostly silent, their hearts full of what this day would bring. They stopped at what they now called their tree, and Alexander bent to kiss her.
"This is the last time I shall kiss Miss Heywood," he said, softly grazing her lips. "Later today, I shall kiss Mrs. Charlotte Colbourne." He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. "A part of me still cannot believe it, that I will have you by my side forever."
"Forever, my love," she whispered against his cheek. "I cannot say those words soon enough." She pulled his watch from his waistcoat and looked at it. "But my mother will be wondering where I am, and unless you would like me to marry you wearing this, I need to be going."
He pulled her back for one more kiss. "I would marry you wearing sackcloth, and you know it," he said laughing. "But I shall take you back. And I will see you at the pond. I will be wearing blue, as my soon-to-be-wife requested."
Another kiss, and they walked back to the house and went upstairs. At the landing between the East and West Wing, they went in separate directions, but in front of their rooms, they turned again for one last look.
Once Charlotte stepped into Abigail's teal-colored chamber, she was swept away into many loving hands helping her with her dress, her hair and the flower crown she would wear. If Abigail was looking down, she was surely smiling at all of the laughter, love and joy in her room.
Edward Denham arrived back at Denham Park early that morning from London, where he had secured a reasonably fine townhome. As the money came in, he would be able to upgrade, but for now, it would suit. Georgiana's initial five thousand pounds had not lasted as long as he had hoped due to some bad luck at the card tables, but that would soon be replaced by another ten. And if she balked, there was always Charles Lockhart. It had all gone perfectly to plan, and Edward had to admit he was feeling quite smug about it.
He was still wearing the fine clothes he had purchased, and for a time at least he needed to keep up the appearance that he was still penniless and mucking out stables at Lady Denham's – so he asked the London carriage he had hired to drop him off at the entrance to the great estate, and then walked around the back so as not to be seen. Wouldn't that old witch be surprised when he showed up at her front door with a carriage finer than hers and told her where to put her demeaning and counterfeit charity.
As he came around the corner, he was exceedingly surprised to see Lady Denham herself standing outside the workmen's housing conversing with three strangers. Edward squinted and started to duck behind a tree, but one of them turned and saw him, at which point all three began to run in his direction. They looked to be very large men and Edward was not in the least interested in meeting them, so he took off at a run himself toward the woods.
They caught up to him quickly and to his great surprise, wrestled him to the ground over his loud protestations that he was a gentleman and they would be extremely sorry when his solicitor in London put them all behind bars. They seemed not the least bit worried about this eventuality as they pulled his arms roughly behind his back and restrained him in handcuffs. His fine felt hat had been trampled and he had heard a rip in the sleeve of his silk coat, and he was wondering if they could possibly be salvaged, as one of the men enumerated his offenses.
"Edward Denham, you are being charged with maliciously committing blackmail with a view or intent to extort or gain money from Miss Georgiana Lambe of Sanditon. You will be extradited to outer London, due to the absence of a prison in this municipality, there to await trial. This offense carries with it the punishment of prison and the possible application of the death penalty by way of hanging."
His last view before being pushed roughly into the wagon was of Lady Denham, her eyes narrowed almost to slits and her mouth in a deep frown. "You have had your last chance, you scoundrel. Now it is good riddance to bad rubbish."
As the wagon pulled away, Edward Denham wondered where on earth things had gone so terribly wrong.
The time at Heyrick Park moved quickly toward five o'clock, and the girls watched from the upper windows as each carriage arrived and its occupants stepped out . At three o'clock, Lady Susan arrived from London in a fine carriage, and although Charlotte was busy with her preparations, Alexander was free to sit with her in the garden and to take her on a tour of the grounds, most especially the new greenhouse, which was a pleasant curiosity to her. One of the bedrooms at the far end of the East Wing was ready to welcome her for the night, and she and her lady's maid retired for a rest an hour before the wedding was scheduled to begin.
Other carriages arrived all afternoon, including ones with Tom and Mary Parker and their children, and Arthur and Georgiana with an extraordinarily beautiful young woman no one had seen before. The comely blonde was met at the door by Samuel, who took her arm for the short walk out toward the greenhouse.
Lady Denham's carriage arrived relatively late, and after a short discussion with the footman, Arthur and Georgiana exited the house and got in to ride with her out to the wedding site. At a quarter to five, Alexander's voice could be heard in the hallway, talking to Lady Susan as he escorted her out to the pond.
Finally it was time. Alison and Catherine stood back and looked at their sister in awe. "Oh, Charlotte," Alison said. "You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen."
Her shiny dark chestnut hair was in a mass of curls, pulled back at the sides and held with her crown wreath of cornflowers. A short veil of nearly translucent lace fell from the wreath to her shoulders, and around her neck she wore a gift from Ruth, the silver rose necklace that she had worn for her wedding to Joseph, that Alison had worn, and that would grace the neck of every Heywood girl down the line on each of their wedding days.
Catherine knelt down and pulled out the hem of Charlotte's dress to better see the embroidered cornflowers. Meggie touched them gently. "They look real," she said softly.
Now Ruth could see the blue shoes that Charlotte was wearing, and she asked, "Where did you get those? They are lovely!"
"Mary Parker purchased them for me last year as a gift. I wore them to my first Sanditon ball," Charlotte said.
"The Parkers have been so good to you. Your father and I will be very glad to see them again," Ruth said.
"And they you, Mother."
Ruth held Charlotte's hands and put her at arm's length. "My girl, you look very well." There were tears in her eyes and Charlotte pulled her into a tight hug.
Now all the girls surrounded Charlotte and held her, and it was impossible to hold back the tears. But finally, it was time to go downstairs, so all blotted their faces and replaced the tears with laughter. As Charlotte stepped out into the hallway, she felt so completely surrounded by the love of the women in her family. Alison and Ruth were on either arm as Catherine and the twins went ahead to be sure Alexander was nowhere near. Meggie and Sally walked behind, holding Charlotte's honeysuckle, forget-me-not and cornflower bouquet as tenderly as if it were made of spun gold.
Augusta and Leonora were waiting at the top of the stairs, having come from their rooms in the West Wing, and both looked so perfectly lovely in their robin's egg blue dresses with flowers in their hair, that Charlotte's eyes again filled with tears. She threw her arms around them both. "Oh, my girls. I love you both so much."
Leonora looked at her with bright eyes and whispered, "May I call you Mother now?"
Augusta laughed softly and kissed her cousin on the cheek. "Soon, Leo. After an hour or so."
Charlotte put her hand on Leonora's soft cheek. "I so look forward to hearing the sound of that, Leo. It is true now, but shall we go out and make it official?"
"Yes!" Leo said, and then she frowned slightly. "Father says that Turk may not come to the wedding. That hardly seems fair to me, but he says he might bite the toes of the guests."
Charlotte laughed. "I believe your Father may have a point. Turk does very much enjoy biting toes, does he not?"
"I suppose so," Leo said, resigned. "But I told him he might come to the dance."
Charlotte hugged both of the girls again, and the entire group walked down the stairs. At the bottom were Mrs. Wheatley, and Worthing, the butler of Heyrick House, flanked by the housemaids and serving girls. All were smiling and wished the bride well.
Eva stood beaming by the front door, and Charlotte put her arms around her, hugging her tightly. "You cannot imagine how pleased I am that this day has finally come," Eva said with tears in her eyes. "You have truly worked wonders and miracles with this family." She leaned up to Charlotte's ear. "Abigail would have loved you so dearly."
"Thank you. That means so much to me, Eva." Charlotte said, hugging her again, in danger of bursting into tears. And with that, she stepped out into the June sunshine as she began her walk to the pond.
Georgiana waited just outside the door, and the two friends walked arm in arm. "Of course you are beautiful – I expected nothing less. But more than that, Charlotte, you are glowing from within. Your happiness is positively radiating outward," Georgiana said. "And you know what this means, do you not? After today, you and I will not only be the best of friends, but we will also truly be family. You are marrying my brother today."
"Georgiana, I am so near to melting into a puddle right now, and you are most certainly not helping!" Charlotte said, laughing, and hugging her friend close.
"Alright then," Georgiana said. "Let us talk of less emotional subjects while we walk. Perhaps we could discuss all the different ways I will make Charles pay for his treachery before I finally allow him to kiss me again?"
Charlotte turned wide-eyed to her. "And you will let him kiss you again?"
"Have you not noticed that I only seem to fall in love with scoundrels and reprobates? At least this one is on the road to reformation, and it is so hard for me to give up the upper hand. But he made me happier than I can ever remember being, and he truly saw me, Charlotte. In a way that no one ever has."
Nodding, Charlotte said, "And he has given up your fortune, after all. That says something, does it not?"
Georgiana laughed. "It has not escaped me that if he wins my heart he still gets my fortune, and me in the bargain. But it is not a guarantee, and that is the key to him showing me that he is truly reformed. So I shall make him work for it," she said slyly.
They were nearing the pond, and Georgiana turned and looked Charlotte directly in the eyes. "You are marrying your perfect man, and Alexander is marrying his ideal match in a woman. It is glorious to behold the two of you together, and I am so very happy for you," she said, hugging Charlotte. "Now, go marry my brother… sister."
"How did I ever find a friend like you?" Charlotte said, wiping another tear.
"You were exceedingly lucky, and it is very good that you know it," Georgiana said, also brushing away a tear, and handing Charlotte over to her father, who was waiting just out of sight of the guests. Augusta and Leonora moved to the head of the line, with Georgiana behind them.
Joseph Heywood was not often an emotional man, but he was finding that the weddings of his daughters struck a chord in him that caused him to remember them as very small children, which in turn brought tears to his eyes. Charlotte had not seen her father as he had spoken to Alison, so her vision of him now was all new to her.
"My sweet Charlotte," he said, in a voice husky with feeling, "I could not have chosen you a better man than Alexander, and I wish to say here and now that you were correct in going against my wishes for you and Ralph. I will never again doubt your good sense, my daughter."
Charlotte took a deep breath and leaned over to kiss her father on the cheek. "I love you so very much, Father," she said softly.
Joseph Heywood patted her hand on his arm and said, "Now don't you go getting emotional on me, or I'll not be able to give you away when it is time to do it. Let's get this done, and then we can cry all we wish."
Charlotte turned forward so he could not see her smile. "Yes, Father," she said dutifully, and just then, the music began.
Alexander and Charlotte had chosen the Night Music of the Streets of Madrid to begin their wedding ceremony. It was the song they had first danced to at the Sanditon Ball, and though it was meant to be played allegro by two violins, a viola and two cellos, they had only a violin and a cello, and asked that the musicians play it slower and softer for Charlotte's entrance down the aisle.
So as the plucked strings began, Leonora and Augusta walked, dropping cornflower petals as they went, and then Georgiana, and finally, Charlotte on Joseph's arm.
As she rounded the corner, Charlotte wanted only one sight – Alexander. And there he stood, resplendent in his deep blue cutaway tailed jacket, a richly embroidered silver waistcoat, white cravat, black knee breeches and black stockings and shoes. There was a light breeze blowing, and the one curl that would not be tamed had fallen over his forehead. Her breath caught – she could not believe that this was finally happening. Alexander Colbourne would soon be her husband.
For his part, Alexander was having his own difficulty breathing. He had never seen Charlotte when she was less than beautiful to him, but now, as she walked toward him, a vision in white dappled with cornflowers, her eyes filling with tears and shining, her cheeks taking on a rosy hue, her lips slightly parted as she struggled to remain composed, but then, the smile that blossomed when she first saw him – he truly wondered if this was in fact a dream.
Alexander actually turned quickly to Samuel and whispered, "This is real, is it not?" and Samuel squeezed his shoulder, smiling broadly.
"Yes, brother. It is as real as it gets. That beauty is to be your wife." He laughed softly and nodded toward Charlotte.
Alexander looked back at her and he smiled, overcome with happiness.
Who giveth this Woman to be married to this Man?
They knew the words, and they knew what they should do, so both Alexander and Charlotte moved through the marriage ceremony from the Book of Common Prayer as if they were sleepwalking, their eyes never leaving each other, and a calm settling over them. This was the way of the world in which they lived, the rites that were required, but as they gazed at each other, they knew that their hearts were already joined. They were already married and had been from the moment they had first laid eyes on each other.
Wilt thou have this Woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?
Alexander raised his eyebrows and smiled at the woman he loved more than he had thought possible, his eyes unspeakably soft on Charlotte's. "I will," he answered in a strong voice on an exhaled breath.
Wilt thou have this Man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?
Charlotte smiled, her eyes filling again with tears. One fell, and Alexander reached out gently and caught it with his thumb. "I will," she said, in a clear and sweet voice.
I take thee Charlotte to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.
I take thee Alexander to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.
With this Ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
And although it was not a part of the strict ceremony from the Book of Common Prayer – they were outside of the church and under the trees, they could see the bench where they had sat by the pond, and the greenhouse and Heyrick House in the distance. This was their home and they were now finally, blissfully married.
Alexander leaned forward and took Charlotte's face in his hands, and he touched his lips to hers.
Reverend Hankins' eyes went wide and he looked out at the assembled guests, saying "Oh, my! Well, yes, they are married now! I give you Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Colbourne!"
The guests erupted in cheers, and Charlotte and Alexander looked out as if they had forgotten they were not alone. With their hands clasped together, they both raised the other arm in the air and joined in the celebration and began their walk to their guests. They hugged and shook hands and kissed cheeks all the way down the aisle, never losing touch with the other, never separating the hands that had just been joined together.
They led the procession to the house, where food, music, dancing and a magnificent sunset were waiting – along with their long life together yet to come.
The wedding feast was abundant and roundly declared delicious, and was eaten out in the garden to the final rays of a spectacular sunset.
The general feeling was that it was one of the most beautiful weddings the assembled parties had ever seen, with the possible exception of Lady Denham, who declared that it was very unconventional to have the ceremony out-of-doors and not inside a church, and that the very public kiss between the newly married couple was entirely unorthodox and somewhat scandalous. She did, however, have some very kind words to say about the greenhouse, and allowed as she might have one built on the grounds of Denham Park so that she might grow some pineapples.
Samuel was able to introduce Marie Branscombe to Alexander and Charlotte, and they had a short but lively discussion about the theater in general and Shakespeare in particular. Charlotte said she hoped that Miss Branscombe would be amenable to coming for tea someday so that they might continue the discussion, and both Marie and Samuel seemed very pleased at the idea.
The music and dancing were excellent, and Charlotte and Alexander managed to have two dances together before Charlotte was stolen away by Samuel and then her father, and Alexander was given the pleasure of a dance with Lady Susan and then with Ruth Heywood.
One lively dance found Alexander, Charlotte, Augusta and Leonora in a circle together, and Turk did in fact dance with them, to the laughter of everyone in view. At the end, breathless, Charlotte picked Leonora up into her arms and whispered, "Now, Leo."
Leonora threw her arms around Charlotte and said softly in her ear, "I am very glad you are my mother. I would not wish for anyone else."
Lady Susan agreed to stay another day if the hospitality of Heyrick House was still available. The happy couple assured her that it was, and that they would love to have the chance of more time spent with her.
After Alexander and Charlotte had said their goodbyes, Ruth came to get her daughter and met one of the housemaids to help move her things to Alexander's bedroom and draw her a rosewater bath.
Alexander went with Samuel to his room, to wash and dress in a simple white shirt and breeches. "I have never been so nervous in my life, Sam," he said, with his head in his hands.
Samuel smiled and sat next to his brother, putting his arm around his shoulders. "Xander. You love her, and she adores you. That is as plain as day. Just let nature take its course."
Alexander nodded, just as a soft knock at the door let him know that Charlotte was ready to see him.
Alexander stood for a long moment outside of his own bedroom door. If possible, he felt his heart speeding even further as he lifted his hand to knock. Taking a deep breath, he rapped gently.
"Come in," came the soft, sweet voice, and he knew at once that she was as nervous as he was.
The room was dark but for one candle by the side of the bed. That, and the bright nearly-full moon that poured in through the window like a Renaissance painting.
Charlotte sat in the window-seat with her arms wrapped around her knees and her back leaning casually against the wall, wearing only a white shift. Her hair fell loose around her shoulders and he could see that the ends were still wet from her bath.
Her bare feet peeked out from under the hem, her toes moving nervously on the burgundy tufts of the upholstery, and Alexander thought it was easily the most erotic sight he had ever seen, while simultaneously and incongruously, the most innocent.
The intimacy of the moment took his breath away, and in the way of things that are so deeply awaited for so long, when they become a reality, they can cause near paralysis. He could not move.
This was his Charlotte, his wife. She was the most beautiful woman he could imagine and for a moment he simply stood and gazed at her, wondering what wonderful thing he had ever done to deserve this exquisite happiness.
She looked at him standing in the doorway and smiled shyly. "Are you coming in? Or will you stand there all night making me more nervous than I already am?"
He smiled and managed to make his feet move. Alexander walked to her and sat on the window seat, just inches away. He had an almost irresistible desire to reach his hand the short distance it would take to touch her, but he managed to curb it. Speaking gently, he said, "Nothing has to happen tonight, Charlotte. We can bide our time. We have a lifetime…"
She reached out and placed her hand on his and laughed softly. "After our furtive goodnights in doorways and corners of this house for the last two months, if you believe this night will pass with us still waiting, then you are dreaming, my love."
She leaned forward and placed her hand tenderly on his cheek. "Being nervous does not mean I don't want it. It just means that I am not certain how. I am fairly sure books cannot tell the whole story."
He put his hand over hers and brought it to his lips, holding it there. Her bath had infused her skin with the scent of roses, and he closed his eyes, breathing it in.
"I want you to understand that this is new to me too. I have never known the feelings I am experiencing right now." His voice was low and deep. "I want so much to please you…"
Charlotte leaned forward and put her arms around him. "There is no possible way for you to not please me, my love. You please me every day."
From the day outside the stables, when she had calmed Hannibal, Charlotte had wondered what it would feel like to move her hands up under his white shirt, to feel the warmth of his skin, to run her fingers across the muscles that she saw pressing there against the cotton fabric.
As she gently touched her lips to his, she placed her hands on his back and trailed them down until she found the hem of his shirt. Tentatively, she reached under, and finally touched the skin there, smooth and warm.
She expected that he would deepen the kiss as she wanted him to, but instead he pulled away and she felt her cheeks begin to blaze, ashamed at having been so forward.
"I'm sorry…" she mumbled, pushing back against the wall and looking down at her hands.
"No," he said quickly, moving toward her. "You surprised me, that is all." He lifted her chin. "There is something I must show you, and I do not want it to give you distress."
She looked up and into his eyes, and even in the moonlight she could see his sincerity. "Show me, then," she said softly.
Alexander turned on the window seat so that his back was facing her, and he pulled his shirt over his head in one quick motion. At first, Charlotte gazed in wonder at his strong shoulders and the incredibly beautiful lines of his neck and arms, and then, as she looked lower, she saw shadows appear. Reaching her fingers out, she touched the ridges of scars, welts that had healed long ago, on his lower back and disappearing into the waistband of his trousers.
"Oh, my love," she said softly, tears springing to her eyes.
"When a belt is used the way my father and our governess used it," he said, through clenched teeth, "Without allowing the previous wounds to heal…" his voice trailed off, and Charlotte put her arms around him, leaning her face against his back, as if she could erase the pain he was feeling. She touched her lips to the scars and kissed him as he shivered under her care.
"I was afraid you might be disgusted by them. Lucy was," he said, his voice breaking.
"No, no, no…" she said fervently. "They only make me love you more. You have endured so much and come out of the other side stronger, with more love to give. And the way you are with Leo and Augusta, you have broken the cycle…"
Alexander pulled her arms around him and held them close to his chest as she lay her head on his back. "How do you always manage to say the best, most compassionate words? The ones I need to hear?"
Charlotte smiled, loving the feel of his skin against her cheek. She found her breath coming faster at the thought of knowing all of him. "I simply speak from my love for you…"
Alexander turned and she was in his arms – their lips found the other's as they had so many times, but this was as different as night and day. This time there would be no need to stop, this time there was no requirement to hold back what they were feeling, and this time, Alexander would not be putting Charlotte into a carriage. This time they would sleep the night through in each other's arms.
As Alexander's hands moved up and down her back, there was no coat, no dress, no corset, only a thin layer of cotton stood between her soft skin and his fingertips. Charlotte sighed under his gentle touch as she ran her own fingers from the curls at his neck down to his back and over his shoulders.
His hand moved up to her face, his thumb finding that spot that she loved for him to touch, gently back and forth on her cheek, to her neck, and then, as he had done on the beach the other day, to the hollow of her throat, as she sighed against his lips. Again, his fingertips moved lower, but this time he did not stop, and she did not want him to. She took his hand in hers and moved it lower still, and a low moan escaped his lips.
They both felt their desire rise as Alexander moved his mouth to her cheek. "Oh, my love, I do not want to rush you… "
Charlotte took a deep shuddering breath and whispered, "Do I seem as if I am being rushed? I am ready…"
That was all he needed to hear, and he slipped one arm under her legs and one under her arms and lifted her as easily as a feather. He walked her over to the large four-poster bed and laid her gently at the center of it, and then slowly laid down next to her, placing his arm under her head.
For a time they simply held each other, feeling their hearts beating in rhythm.
Charlotte finally knew the joy of feeling the bare skin of his chest on her cheek with the scent of sandalwood all around her. Her hand lay on the soft dark hairs just over his heart and she moved her fingers through them, smiling. She raised her head and looked into his eyes, and even in the candlelight she could see the depth of his love for her. But there was also fire there, and she knew that he was seeing the same thing in her eyes.
It was nearly dark and Charlotte felt it unfair that she was enjoying the feel of his skin while she still wore her long shift, but she was not entirely free of her shyness. "Close your eyes," she said softly.
He did as he was told and he heard the rustle of cloth beside him. When she leaned forward to kiss him again, it was her warm skin that he felt against his chest, and when he reached his arms around her, he could finally touch the softness of her back, the velvet skin that he had only imagined.
He pulled away and looked at her, and though he tried not to let his eyes stray from her face, he could not resist. She closed her eyes and did not protest, but when he leaned down to kiss her throat and her neck, he could feel her heartbeat racing. "You are so very beautiful, my Charlotte," he said, looking into her eyes.
She placed her hand on his cheek. "I love you, Alexander. I want this. We will find our way together."
She pulled him to her and let him feel the heat on her lips at the same time she pressed her body close to his. For so long she had tried to imagine what it would feel like to lie next to him, and now she knew. As they fell further and further into their kiss, they moved naturally together, and they discovered not only the wonder of the joining of their minds, their hearts, and their lips – but also the joining of their bodies in the purest expression of love.