Love Knows Not Time: An Outlander Tale Chapter 5]
Several months had passed and it was now March of 1746. Catriona was excelling at her job of assistant washerwoman and healer to Matron Brown and her and Jeffrey's courtship was going very well. So well she was starting to think about what marriage to him would be like. And she had decided that unless something happened to him, she would never go back to the stones and her own time. Good morning, Catriona. How are you getting on? Very well, thank you, Matron. Have you spotted Jeffrey this morning? No, not yet. But I'm sure he's about somewhere. Thank you, Matron. Several hours passed and finally Catriona was finished with all her work for a while. Here he comes now, she said to herself. Good afternoon, Catriona. Same to you, Jeffrey. Will you walk with me for a while? Yes, of course. Is there anything on your mind, Jeffrey? As a matter of fact, there is. The war with these Jacobites is winding down and the regiment may be sent to Ireland any day now. Have you given any thought to what I told you several months ago, Catriona? Yes, I have given it very much thought. But I do not knw as of yet what I will do. I know no one here well enough to want to marry them. In that case, I have something I wish to ask you, Catriona. Will you marry me, Catriona Allan? Catriona was silent and thought for a moment, and then she knew what her answer would be. Yes, I will marry you, Jeffrey Foster. I love you and I don't ever want to be parted from you. Nor I from you, my dearest Catriona, he said as they embraced. I loved you from the moment I saw you that day. And I know that I felt the same about you, Jeffrey. There is one more thing I wish to ask you, Catriona. Will you wear this?, he asked as he took a ring on a chain from his neck. I would be honored to, Jeffrey. Was it your mother's? Yes, it was. I will cherish this always, my dearest one. As I know you will me. When would you like us to be married? As soon as possible, Catriona. The war could end any day now. We could marry today, then, could we not? As a matter of fact we could, Catriona. Do you wish to do it today? Yes, I believe I do. During the months I've been here, I've seen how fast things can happen during war. Alright, then. Let us go and see the chaplain about it. Ah, good day, Major Foster. Good day, Chaplain Wells. What may I do for you today, Major? My intended and I wish to be married. This is joyous news indeed, Major. Have you a ring? Yes, we do, he said as Catriona handed it to him. If we are to proceed I must have your Christian names. Mine is Jeffrey George Foster. And that of your intended's? Catriona Mary Allan, sir. Jeffrey George Foster, 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, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her as long as ye both shall live? I will. Catriona Mary Allan, 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 obey, serve, honour and keep him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live? I will. Then in the sight of God, I pronounce you man and wife. What God hath joined together let not man put asunder. Have you the ring, sir? With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow. You may kiss your bride, Major. Are you happy, my darling? The happiest woman in the world. And so it was that Catriona Allan and Jeffrey Foster were married.