Thanks you to ljstravel and ElizabethSoph. I can't wait for you all to read what comes next!
49.
Frederick Wentworth was not a man of much belief and hardly ever prayed, believing it to be useless, but he muttered under his breath as he escorted Anne toward the St. Thomas church door, not knowing who he was asking, but hoping fervently that he would be heard, "Please let our journey here not be in vain."
Anne heard Frederick's entreaty and held his arm a little tighter. She added in her mind, Please Lord!
The well-oiled wooden church door swung open easily. The morning light streamed in the windows, lighting up the polished pews. Frederick and Anne walked in first, with Mrs. Croft and Mrs. Holmes just behind them.
They saw an old man kneeling in the aisle and praying earnestly near the front of the church, a young towheaded boy on one side of him, also kneeling, and an old woman sitting at the end of the pew on his other side. Their party paused respectfully and waited. They could not hear the old man's words, but every line of his body bespoke his earnestness. When he paused, the old woman, who they correctly presumed must be his wife, grasped him by the shoulder and shouted in his ear, "We have visitors, dear."
The boy sprang up, a lad of perhaps eight or nine, laboriously helped the old man up on his shaky legs, and handed him a carved cane, which the boy managed to fumble to the floor just as the man was on the verge of grasping it. Anne gasped as the old man teetered, grabbed at the edge of the pew, and steadied himself.
The boy in a teary, loud tone said, "I am so sorry, Reverend," as he retrieved the cane and this time more carefully placed it in the old man's hand.
The old man replied, "It was just an accident, Tim, and no harm is thereby done." Once he was steady on his cane, with his free hand he slowly reached toward the boy's head. The boy waited, and he ruffled the boy's locks. The boy seemed mollified that he was in no trouble.
Slowly and carefully, the old man pivoted and walked toward them. As he approached, his voice boomed, "Welcome to St. Thomas. All are welcome in the house of the Lord. I am Paul Kirkpatrick, the reverend here. How can I help you?"
Frederick felt gladness in his heart, a lightness in his feet, and a certainty that this man of God would help them. Anne felt joy too but tried to tamp it down, worried she could not bear to be disappointed again. They hurried down the aisle toward Mr. Kirkpatrick.
Mr. Kirkpatrick was stooped, balding, and what hair he had was white. He leaned heavily on his cane and his kind blue eyes were a bit rummy, but a smile of welcome was on his chapped lips. The boy followed after him, and the old woman followed likewise but at a slower pace, balancing herself on the edge of the pews as she went.
Frederick spoke first, in a loud voice understanding that the minister was likely somewhat deaf, "Reverend Kirkpatrick, we are very glad to meet you." Frederick extended his hand, which Mr. Kirkpatrick shook, and said "I am Frederick Wentworth, this is my fiancée Miss Anne Elliot, and we are accompanied by my sister Mrs. Croft and our friend Mrs. Holmes."
Mr. Kirkpatrick greeted each of them in turn and then asked Frederick "What may I help you with today?"
Frederick replied "We have sailed from St. Kitts on the suggestion of Mr. Hammet of the Westley Chapel (he sends his fond greetings, by the way), for you see, we wish to be married and as the episcopal ministers on St. Kitts are quite preoccupied in tending to their brother, he thought you might help us."
Anne added, "Before St. Kitts we were reunited on Antigua, but Mr. Weevelforth there refused to marry us as neither of us was of his parish. I sailed from England with the Admiral and Mrs. Croft for the sole purpose of marrying Captain Wentworth. We have been engaged but separated for far too many years. Please, Reverend Kirkpatrick, please will you marry us?"
"Why Miss Elliot, Captain Wentworth, it would be my delight." He smiled and everyone smiled back at him. "We can get everything done in the next hour or so, should you wish it."
Flabbergasted that this time it would be so easy, Anne could only nod to Frederick's, "Yes, please!"
There were of course some forms to fill out, some money to be exchanged, and Mr. Kirkpatrick even asked that his wife Mabel speak to Anne alone to be certain that this was what she wanted to do (which Anne thought was certainly a kindness, for it would be awful for a woman to be brought before the alter unwillingly, even if she did not like the minute additional delay). But before too long, they stood in the front of the church, while Reverend Kirkpatrick, who had donned spectacles, steadied himself on the pulpit.
Tim laid the Book of Common Prayer on the lectern atop the large Bible and opened it to a blue bookmark, but he did not place it well and the Book of Common Prayer slipped to the ground, hitting the floor with such a loud "crack" that Anne feared its spine might be broken. In the process, several bookmarks fluttered away and the book landed akimbo, pages creased.
"I'm sorry," Tim cried, aghast at yet another error. This time Anne could see that a tear hovered on the edge of his eye for several seconds before it spilled down. He wiped it away quickly with the edge of his sleeve and sniffed.
"Just pick up the book Tim," Reverend Kirkpatrick said patiently, in a gentle voice, "all is well."
Tim picked up the book, saw how the spine was half separated from the binding, and flinched as he lay the damaged book back on the lectern, as if he feared a strike. Reverend Kirkpatrick remained perfectly still until Tim had retreated. Anne could see that the book was upside down, with several pages still bent. She was just on the verge of suggesting that she might help the reverend with it, when he opened the book to a random page and then began the service, apparently having conducted the marriage ceremony so many times that he had no need to consult the words on the page.
The marriage ceremony proceeded as those things normally do, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and before these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman in holy Matrimony . . . " although Anne was familiar enough with the words that she noted where Reverend Kirkpatrick made a few alterations, such as saying they were gathered before these witnesses, rather than before the congregation. She listened intently, taking each word to heart and letting the solemnity of this sacred ceremony embrace her as she took on the most serious and most blessed role of her life.
By contrast, Frederick's happiness was such that he could not properly attend to the words of the service. He kept questioning and pleading in his mind: Can this be real or is this all a dream? Am I truly marrying my dear Anne at this very moment? Oh please, do not let it all fade away with the morning sun, let me go to sleep tonight with my beloved wife by my side, I beg of you.
Then it was time for the vows:
Mr. Kirkpatrick turned to Captain Wentworth and asked "Frederick William Wentworth, 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, honour, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?"
Frederick answered firmly and decisively, "I will."
Mr. Kirkpatrick turned to Miss Elliot and asked "Anne Bethany Elliot, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, 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?"
In a steady but quiet voice, she answered "I will."
With a slight twist of his lips, as if he was not sure if he should ask, but doing so anyway because it was part of the ceremony, the reverend asked, "Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?"
Mrs. Croft was ready to reply if need be, but Anne beat her to it, saying as she had rehearsed since the day she knew she was coming to marry her love and would not have her father to give her in marriage, "I give myself, for I am of age and I know my own heart."
Mr. Kirkpatrick nodded in approval and instructed, "Turn toward each and Captain Wentworth, hold Miss Elliot's right hand."
Their hands were bare in anticipation of what was coming soon. Anne's hand was slightly cool, while Frederick's was somewhat sweaty. Anne did not care, however, nothing could have marred the moment for her.
"Repeat after me," Mr. Kirkpatrick instructed. He provided the words and Frederick repeated them with all earnestness:
"I Frederick William Wentworth take thee Anne Bethany Elliot 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."
"Now let go of her hand, and Miss Elliot, you hold Captain Wentworth's hand and repeat after me."
Anne did so, saying "I Anne Bethany Elliot take thee Frederick William Wentworth 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."
Mr. Kirkpatrick turned to Frederick, holding out his hand. "The ring if you may."
With a sinking feeling, Frederick searched his pockets in vain, recalling once he was asked, that the ring was safely back aboard the Song in the Charleston harbor, locked up in the captain's cabin with the rest of his party's possessions. Frederick had the ring with him when they visited St. John's Cathedral in Antigua. He had it with him when the visited St. George and the Westley Chapel in Basseterre, St. Kitts. So how could he have forgotten to bring the ring on this occasion, when they were getting married at St. Thomas? He did not know what to do!
But fortunately for Anne and Frederick, Mrs. Holmes had a solution. She wrenched off her own ring, given to her by her dear husband Edgar, and handed it to Frederick. With a quick "Thank you kindly," he put the ring on the Bible as he had seen done. The reverend took the ring, muttered a blessing over it, and handed it back to Frederick, telling him the words to say, which Frederick did in his clear, confident voice.
"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."
Frederick slid Mirabella's ring upon Anne's hand. It was neither too loose nor too tight; it was as if it were the perfect ring for her although it could not be, for it belonged to another. Frederick planned to replace it with the one he had purchased once they returned to the ship and return this one to Mrs. Holmes.
Frederick was so happy, for with the placing of the ring he felt them to be married. He could not help himself, he leaned forward and Anne did as well. Without any plan on their parts, they leaned in further toward each other and exchanged a fervent although brief kiss. The reverend had given them no permission, but neither cared.
Mr. Kirkpatrick indulgently waited for them to finish, his eyes catching those of his beloved wife's as they recalled their own wedding day. Mrs. Croft and Mrs. Holmes were doing likewise, but the latter was remembering both marrying Edgar and her more recent vows to Purser Perry.
The reverend bid them kneel and then prayed, afterwards joining their right hands together and saying "Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder."
He addressed the witnesses, "Forasmuch as Frederick William Wentworth and Anne Bethany Elliot have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be man and wife together, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
Anne and Frederick kissed again. This time the kiss lasted longer.
Mr. Kirkpatrick waited again, praying after they concluded, "God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you, and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen."
The ceremony was not concluded yet. Mr. Kirkpatrick raised them up and brought them to kneel before the Lord's Table. He gestured Tim up, and the boy approached hesitantly. To the amazement of all but the Kirkpatricks, Tim began singing Psalm 128. Tim's tenor swelled from a whisper to clear, bell-like tones. Anne and the others had never heard its like, for each note was like a shining dew drop, perfect and fleeting. She felt it was like to an angel's voice, or what one might be like to one had she ever met an angel and had he ever deigned to sing. As the notes faded away, Anne knew she would never forget the privilege of having such a singer at her wedding. She had heard the Psalm sung before, of course, for it could either be sung or read, but never had she heard such a voice.
The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur for Frederick through the call and answer of the witnesses and the additional prayers. Anne was paying closer attention and listened attentively to the second prayer:
"O merciful Lord, and heavenly Father, by whose gracious gift mankind is increased: We beseech thee, assist with thy blessing these two persons, that they may both be fruitful in procreation of children, and also live together so long in godly love and honesty, that they may see their children christianly and virtuously brought up, to thy praise and honour; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
It brought to Anne's mind her wifely duties that Sophia and Mirabella had instructed her on a few days ago, and that in consequence it was expected that at sometime she would become with child, her child, Frederick's child. She thought back to her naiveté when she first accepted Frederick when she was little more than a girl. Why, she had hardly been ready to be a mother then, but now, now she thought it would be quite a glorious thing.
Mirabella in hearing such words recalled that she had only been able to give her husband one child, and now it was too late for there to be anymore. She thanked God, however, that she would be with her son again when she took up residence on Captain Wentworth's ship.
Sophia recalled hearing the same prayer at her own and at other weddings. She had never been blessed, but save perhaps one time, but if it were so, that child had been lost far before the quickening, but not so early that she had not been disordered. In a sudden rush of insight, Sophia recalled her earlier stomach upset, and the queasiness of the morning. Could it be? After so many years could I be with child? Such would surely be a miracle. Yet in that church, at that time, all seemed possible to her.
The prayers continued, the lesson was read, and the ceremony concluded with Frederick and Anne Wentworth taking communion. Finally well and truly married, with their marriage blessed and sanctified with communion, they went to meet their friends and heard hearty congratulations given to Frederick and wishes for her happiness to Anne.
The Wentworths sincerely thanked Reverend Kirkpatrick for marrying them. He responded, "It was my pleasure." He had them sign the marriage certificate and the registry, handing the certificate to Anne.
Mrs. Kirkpatrick told them, "If you would like, you are welcome to join us for the evening meal, and all of you might stay overnight, for we have plenty of room."
While Frederick was anxious to return to his ship, he knew even if they could persuade Mr. Smithe to leave as soon as they returned, that it might well be dark by the time the reached Antigua, therefore he asked, "Anne, what should you like to do?"
Anne glanced at Mrs. Croft and Mrs. Holmes. As eager as Mrs. Croft was to return and tell her husband of her possible news, she had no great desire to reboard the ship just yet. She answered for the two of them, "We shall be happy with anything you decide, dear sister."
"I think then, I should like to dine and stay here tonight, but let us go update Captain Smithe, and then perhaps walk about the island a bit." Everyone else was agreeable, so they set off for the harbor.
Anne and Frederick lagged behind the others despite his long-legged stride, for he was forever pausing to kiss Anne's hand or cheek, and on one occasion he pulled her behind a tree to kiss her softly and hold her tightly in his arms. Anne felt herself to be in heaven and could not imagine being ever being happier.
A/N: Super, super important question, which I will let you all decide by voting in reviews. Do you want the story to be over with one more chapter but for an epilogue? This would mean I could get this done early in January, not so far off from finishing by the end of this year as was my goal. Or would you like to have a few chapters, in the neighborhood of three to five, to enjoy the Wentworths' wedded bliss and get more detail about how Mrs. Holmes's life is resolved and how things go with the Crofts? That would more likely have me writing into February (if real life doesn't get in the way).
I couldn't find a first name for the Reverend Mr. Kirkpatrick, so I just gave him one. I also have no idea whether he was married, but the account with him hiding in the oven during the hurricane makes no mention of a wife, although I suppose he could have married later. I quoted from the Book of Common Prayer including the British spellings, as it just felt wrong to change that.