I had this ready to post Saturday, but unexpected family in town delayed my posting until now. I received such kind reviews for the first three chapters- you really are the most gorgeous of people. Thank you! This chapter completes the story. Hope you like how it ends!
"Handfasting, Mr. Carson? Like in the olden days?" Once a popular practice in Scotland, Mrs. Hughes had certainly heard of the ancient ceremony from her mother and grandmother who had recounted tales of ancestors who had taken part in such undertakings over the centuries. "I didn't know people still did that."
Mr. Carson gave her a gentle smile, "Some people do and if you are willing, I would like us to be some of those people."
She had always considered Charles Carson to be a model of propriety; a man practiced in careful consideration, but what he suggested now was romantic and impetuous. She searched his face for some sign of the stoic butler she had known for so many years, but found only love and hopefulness in his warm, gentle eyes. "But there is no officiate, Mr. Carson. Is this real? How would this work?"
Still holding her hand, he drew her closer to him so that only a few inches separated their bodies. "We would make our vows to one another in front of our witnesses and God to create our marriage contract. Of course we will have another wedding in the next few months to fulfill the legal requirements and to celebrate with our friends, but, as far as I am concerned, this would be very real, Elsie. When I make my vows and promises of love to you they will be unbreakable, as I believe your's will be to me."
"So you and I would be…"
"Man and wife, as of today. As of the next few minutes." He gently cupped her face in his hands as he explained, "When I slid the ring onto your finger this morning, I immediately knew, without a doubt, that becoming your husband would give me more joy than anything else in my life ever has or ever will. You and I have lived the majority of our lives in the service of others, but today would change all of that because it would mark the start of our living our life together in the service of our love and commitment to one another. I would like to start our life together here, in our house. Our sanctuary." He leaned his forehead against hers as he asked, "So will you? Will you allow me to become your husband today, Elsie?"
She managed a whispered "Yes, Charles, yes," just as Mr. Bremmer and Tommy rapped on the bedroom door to announce their arrival.
After placing a light kiss on her forehead, Mr. Carson let them in and began explaining the reason for his request. "I hope you won't find this too strange, but I mentioned we might need you to witness something." Mr. Carson took Mrs. Hughes' hand before continuing, "We were wondering if you would mind being witnesses at our wedding?"
The two men exchanged puzzled looks before Mr. Bremmer spoke. "Many congratulations to you both, but, Mr. Carson, are you asking us to join you at the registrar's office? I am afraid we aren't really dressed…"
Mr. Carson offered the man a warm smile, "What I am asking doesn't require us to leave this room. I don't know if you have ever heard of it, but there is an old Scottish tradition called 'handfasting.' It means 'to make a contract.' All we ask is that you witness the making of our marriage contract as we exchange our vows. I will be happy to compensate you both for your time."
Mr. Bremmer looked at his young assistant who merely smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "Very well, Mr. Carson. You have your witnesses."
Charles Carson gave the men his brightest smile, "Thank you! Thank you both so very much! Well… I suppose you can just stand where you are." He turned back to Mrs. Hughes, "Please take off your shoe."
She looked at him incredulously, "What?"
He gently repeated his request, "Your shoe, Elsie. Please take off one of your shoes."
"I don't remember my mother or grandmother mentioning anything about taking off a shoe…"
Mr. Carson quickly fished a sixpence out of his pocket. "It's new. I got while I was in the bank. Please slip it into your shoe."
Elsie responded with a confused smile, but quickly complied so that the coin soon rested under the ball of her right foot.
"Very good. Now, this should take care of the something borrowed and something blue…" Mr. Carson pulled the box that held Cora Crawley's repaired necklace from his inside pocket and upon opening it, gingerly produced a stunning sapphire pendant and gold chain.
"Charles, I couldn't…"
"I am quite certain her Ladyship would be pleased for you to wear it, Elsie. I wouldn't be surprised if our whole trip to the jewelers wasn't some sort of conspiracy on her part to push us together."
Mrs. Hughes blushed at the thought of her employer playing matchmaker, but put up no resistance as Mr. Carson placed the jewel around her neck.
"So that leaves something old and something new…"
A high voice from the other side of the room startled them, "Sorry to interrupt, but you'd be welcome to this if you'd like." The young apprentice held out his hand as he took a few steps towards the couple. "It's a good luck charm. It was me mums'and her mums' before that so it is awfully old." Mr. Carson held out his hand into which Tommy placed a lovely ivory and jet cameo brooch.
"It is beautiful, Tommy. Thank you." Mrs. Hughes reached out and took the young man's hands into her own as she gave him a grateful smile. "I am honored to wear it."
Tommy nodded with a toothy grin before returning to his place beside Mr. Bremmer.
"Oh! This might do for your something new." It was Mr. Bremmer's turn to make a contribution. "I picked it up this morning for my daughter's birthday, but it would make me very happy if you would accept it as a wedding gift." Pulling a small brown paper wrapped package from his front overall pocket, the man quickly unwrapped a delicate tortoise shell comb which he proceeded to hand Mrs. Hughes.
"It is lovely, Mr. Bremmer, and I will treasure it."
Mr. Carson carefully affixed the brooch just over Mrs. Hughes' heart as she slid the comb into the back of her hair. Taking both of her hands, Charles stepped back to survey his intended. "So you have something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue…"
"And a sixpence in my shoe." She beamed up at him, "I am a proper bride, Mr. Carson."
"Indeed you are." He gave her hands a warm squeeze, "Are you ready?"
"Yes. Very much so."
The sun had just began to set in the late winter afternoon sky as Charles Carson looked into the eyes of Elsie Hughes and began to make his vows:
"I, Charles Edward Carson, take you, Elisabeth Cecilia Hughes, to be my wedded wife. I vow to love you with my whole heart and soul. I vow to share the rest of my days with you, celebrating with you in our joys and comforting you in our sorrows. I vow to put you before all others, honoring you with kindness and thankfully receiving that which you so freely give. I vow to care for you and support you in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, as long as we both shall live."
He released her hand in order to reach into his right pants pocket from where he fetched the thick gold band he had slipped onto her finger only hours before.
"Charles…" She whispered in wonder.
Pausing to give her a knowing smile, he proceeded to lift her left hand and gently slid the band onto her finger. "This ring signifies a never ending bond between my heart and your heart. In wearing it, you honor me by becoming wife."
Mrs. Hughes beamed up at him as she wiped tears from her cheek before taking both of his hands. With a deep breath, she began her vows:
"I, Elisabeth Cecilia Hughes, take you, Charles Edward Carson, to be my wedded husband. I vow to love you with all that I am. I vow to appreciate and cherish every minute of our life together. I vow to be your best friend and your greatest champion as I put you before all others. I vow to honor you, body and soul. I vow to care for and support you in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, as long as we both shall live."
After a quick brush of tears from his own cheeks, Mr. Carson reached into his other pants pocket and produced a larger version of the gold band he had placed on her finger.
Taking the ring from Mr. Carson, Mrs. Hughes brought it to her lips for a kiss before sliding the band onto his finger. "This ring signifies a never ending bond between my heart and your heart. In wearing it, you honor me by becoming my husband."
There was not a dry eye in the room as Charles Carson pulled Elsie Hughes into his arms and completed their handfast with a gentle kiss.
Mr. Bremmer and Tommy refused any remuneration other than a kiss on the cheek from Mrs. Carson and a warm handshake from her new husband. The brooch returned and comb complimented, the foursome made their way to the backdoor of the house. Watching the men prepare to leave, Mr. Carson called out, "We would be honored if you would join us at our church wedding in the next few months."
"It will be our honor to attend." Mr. Bremmer called back. "Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Carson."
The couple stood in their dark back garden as they watched the men wheel the cart into the alleyway and out sight.
"Well, Mr. Carson." Elsie smiled brightly as she laid her hands on his chest.
Well, Mrs. Carson." Placing his hands on her hips, he looked down at her, the refection of the new moon shining in her deep blue eyes so that they matched the glimmering sapphire that hung from her neck.
She reached up and cupped his cheek with her left hand, "I have one question. How did you come to have these rings in your possession?"
Charles' chest rumbled with warm laughter, "My trip to the bank was quite productive."
"Oh, yes?"
"Yes. I withdrew the money to purchase the bands, used the telephone to call Mr. Goodwyn who managed to close up his shop long enough to bring them to the bank…"
"And he managed to bring the perfect sized ring for you, as well?" She pulled his left hand from her hip and clasped it to her heart as Charles nodded.
"Of course he did."
"You came up with all of that in the five minutes between leaving his shop and going to the bank?"
"No." He admitted, lifting her hands to his lips for a kiss before continuing, "I came up with all of that as I watched you put on your glove when we stepped out of his shop. It took me five minutes to come up with an excuse as to why I needed to go to the bank."
Returning his left hand to her hip, she wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head against his chest for a moment before sighing, "I would like to stay like this forever, but it is getting cold.
Charles kissed the top of her head. "I agree and I don't want either of us to catch pneumonia on our wedding day."
Having released him from their embrace, she followed him towards the back door, "I suppose we should head home."
Charles stopped at the threshold, "We are home." Having pushed the door open, he lifted Elsie off her feet so she was cradled in his arms as they stepped into the house.
Placing a sweet kiss on his lips, she whispered, "I vow to love you with all that I am."
After returning her kiss, he leaned down so that his words caressed her ear, "In sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, as long as we both shall live…"