When Two Rivers Meet (Regency Romance)

by Deborah M. Hathaway

  As the stagecoach moved forward, the mother nodded pleasantly to Mrs. Bainbridge and Lilyanna, and Lilyanna directed her attention to the girls, smiling as she watched them whisper into each other's ears, laughing in the same high pitch.

  "What are you silly girls giggling about now?" the older sister asked, and Lilyanna looked over to see her trying to appear older than she was.

  "Nothing," answered one of the younger sisters, though she looked slyly at the girl next to her.

  "Come, come, Melinda," the mother said. "Do share with us your secrets. We all would like to join in on the fun."

  "Well," the one called Melinda began, "Darla and I were only commenting on how genteel the man was who gave up his seat for us."

  Lilyanna's ears perked up at the young girl's comment.

  "My goodness," the older sister said, rolling her eyes, "he has to be five times your age."

  "Not the old, wrinkly one!"

  "Darla Moore," the mother chimed in, "that is no way to speak of your elders."

  "Sorry, Mama," Darla said, discreetly sticking her tongue out at her older sister.

  "We were speaking of the younger gentleman," Melinda said, "the one with dark hair and such handsome, brown eyes."

  Lilyanna saw Mrs. Bainbridge's small smile, and she joined in with a grin of her own.

  "Did you not think him handsome, Sharon?" Melinda said.

  "I hardly noticed," came the older sister's reply.

  "Oh, I find that hard to believe," the mother, Mrs. Moore, said.

  "I noticed him," Mrs. Bainbridge then piped in, and all the girls turned to her, including Lilyanna. "It is quite hard not to notice such a man, is it not, ladies?"

  The younger girls giggled, and Lilyanna saw Sharon blush as she looked out her window.

  Lilyanna smiled, listening to the pleasant chatter between Mrs. Bainbridge and Mrs. Moore as she wondered how Mr. Bainbridge and Elijah were faring, riding on the back of the stagecoach with the rest of the male passengers.

  Within a few hours, the Moore family scuttled off the stagecoach, and the gentlemen were informed they could again ride inside.

  Lilyanna glanced out the window as Elijah walked past the Moore family, and each of the three girls ogled him, no one more so than the eldest sister.

  She could not help but feel a little pride at having captured the attention of Elijah, and she could not wait to be seated next to him again.

  "How was the wind?" Mrs. Bainbridge asked her husband as the men seated themselves.

  "Windy," Mr. Bainbridge said with a wink as he patted down his thick, graying hair.

  Lilyanna looked to Elijah who ran his fingers through his own hair before looking down at her.

  "I am glad you will be riding with us again," Lilyanna said.

  "As am I."

  He sat next to her, taking her hand in his, and again, Lilyanna's heart flipped.

  They were soon joined by a middle-aged couple with sweet smiles who began speaking as soon as they entered the stagecoach.

  "Oh, my, look how fortunate we are, Mr. Tensley," the woman said. "We are to sit near young love!" She turned her attention to Lilyanna. "No doubt the two of you have not been married long. I can still see the glow in your eyes."

  Lilyanna blushed, anxiety raising within her. The others who had ridden with them had simply assumed she and Elijah were married, so Lilyanna had not had to lie, but when the question was brought before her, she froze, uncertain of how to respond.

  Thankfully, Elijah quickly came to her rescue. "We have not been together long," he said, "only a matter of months."

  Lilyanna smiled, nodding her head to agree with Elijah's use of the word 'together.'

  "Oh, how wonderful," the woman said. "You see, Mr. Tensley, I was right, was I not?"

  "You were, my dear," Mr. Tensley said.

  "We are quite fortunate then," Mrs. Tensley continued, still smiling and staring at Elijah and Lilyanna. "It reminds me of when we were young, does it not, Mr. Tensley?"

  "Yes, my dear," her husband replied, though his gaze moved to the paper in his hands.

  Lilyanna felt Elijah squeeze her hand reassuringly, and she felt calm knowing he was there for her, to protect her and come to her aid whenever she needed it.

  Introductions were made throughout the coach, and the next few hours passed pleasantly enough as the conversations between the families continued. However, when the couple exited the coach at the next stop, no other passengers entering, Lilyanna could not help but feel more relaxed.

  "It really is quite the romantic thing you two are doing, is it not?" Mrs. Bainbridge said with a little giggle when the coach continued on its journey.

  Lilyanna smiled at the notion as Mrs. Bainbridge continued.

  "Falling in love," the woman said, "a forbidden love at that, and running away to be together. It is all so romantic."

  "Yes," Elijah said, "especially the fact that my parents are here. Very romantic, indeed."

  Lilyanna laughed as Elijah got a swat on the leg from his mother. "You make your jokes now, Elijah," she said, "but you would be sad were we not here."

  Lilyanna's smiled faltered, and despite her best attempts at hiding it, Mrs. Bainbridge noticed.

  "Oh, my dear," she said, her cheerful smile gone, "I am so sorry. I did not mean to…"

  She trailed off, and Lilyanna shook her head.

  "It is no trouble," she said. "I cannot pretend to be happy my parents will not be present at my wedding. I do wish it could be different. However, I am still deeply happy, for I get to marry the man I love. After all, that is what is most important, is it not?"

  She looked to Elijah who smiled down at her. "I love you, too," he mouthed out to her.

  "Of course, my dear," Mrs. Bainbridge said, her smile still revealing her guilt.

  Lilyanna renewed the smile on her face. "And besides," she said, "you are right. Elijah should be grateful you are here." She winked at him before continuing. "I, for one, am happy you both are. It does me good to see a couple so in love."

  The conversation continued until the next stop where they exited the coach to stretch their legs and eat. They did not stay long, however, deciding to hop aboard the next stagecoach that passed by.

  Lilyanna's legs protested as she sat down once more, so she tried to imagine herself sleeping in a nice, cozy bed that night, and the idea managed to put a smile on her face once again.

  As the sun lowered for the night, Lilyanna watched the color of the landscape turn from green to yellow, then to a rich orange, the tips of the trees on the horizon looking as if on fire, the clouds burning brightly pink and gold, and she sighed, feeling a deep sense of peace.

  "Beautiful, is it not?" Elijah whispered in her ear as he leaned close to her to look out the window, as well.

  Lilyanna could only nod as she focused on Elijah's proximity and the beauty before them.

  They watched the sun sink behind the rolling green hills until it disappeared, and the world was left a dark blue. Lilyanna felt fatigue lower her eyes as their journey began to take its toll on her.

  She leaned against Elijah's shoulder, felt him rest a strong hand on her knee, and her heart warmed as she heard him whisper in her ear.

  "Tomorrow," he said.

  She simply nodded and smiled.

  Tomorrow, she thought, tomorrow we will be in Scotland. Tomorrow we will marry.

  And at the thought, she drifted to sleep.

  ***

  "Lilyanna."

  She tried to ignore the voice calling her name, but it was so loud.

  "Lilyanna, we are here."

  Here? she thought. Where is 'here?'

  "Hmm?" she muttered sleepily.

  "We have made it to Scotland."

  Scotland? Scotland!

  Her blue eyes popped open as her memories came flooding back. She looked up to see the shadow of Elijah's face, the two o'clock moon concealed behind the clouds not giving off much light.

  "We are here?" sh
e asked.

  "Yes, darling."

  Her heart rate increased as the stagecoach slowly rolled to a stop, and she tried to clear her mind, realizing what was about to happen.

  They filed out of the coach as Lilyanna looked around, trying to take in her surroundings, for she had never been to Scotland. However, the small candle lit near the stagecoach was their only source of light, and it illuminated a mere portion of the luggage the coach held.

  "Where is the blacksmith shop?" she asked as the family moved forward.

  "Oh, no, my dear," Mrs. Bainbridge said, "it is straight to the inn for you."

  Lilyanna paused following them and frowned. "But, but…" she stammered, her mind groggy, "we…Elijah and I must be married first before we…before we…"

  She heard a few chuckles come from the men until Mrs. Bainbridge reached out for her hand.

  "Elijah thought it best for you to get some rest first, my dear," she explained, patting Lilyanna's hand. "You shall be married first thing tomorrow."

  Lilyanna shook her head, knowing by then her parents must surely know about her running away. "No," she said, "we must marry now, or we shall be discovered."

  Elijah took Lilyanna's other hand, and she strained to see more of his face in the dim light.

  "Do not worry, Lilyanna," he said gently, "for all will be well in the morning after we receive some much needed rest."

  Lilyanna nodded her head and let Elijah lead her the rest of the way to the nearest inn where she managed to stumble up the stairs, say a rushed goodbye to Elijah, then fall onto the bed without so much as taking off her slippers.

  Though small and lumpy, the mattress she rested on was more comfortable than Lilyanna thought possible, and she fell asleep within seconds, thinking of how grateful she was for being able to marry such a kind and thoughtful man as Elijah Bainbridge.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Lilyanna sighed as she felt herself waking up. She nuzzled in closer to the feather pillow she slept on, planning on going right back to sleep until her eyes fluttered open to reveal an unfamiliar room with dark wood furnishings. A brown blanket was draped over her shoulders, and she wondered who had placed it on her the night before.

  Her uncertainty continued until she heard the gentle scratching of a quill on paper. Her eyes followed a long shadow on the floor cast by the morning light, eventually ending on Mrs. Bainbridge, who sat at a desk as she hunched over a piece of paper.

  Suddenly, Lilyanna's heart lurched forward.

  I am going to marry Elijah today, she thought, and a smile broke out on her face.

  She sat up in the bed, the frame creaking beneath her alerting Mrs. Bainbridge of Lilyanna's wakeful state.

  "Good morning, my dear," she said, "did I wake you?"

  "No, indeed," Lilyanna said as she stifled a yawn.

  Mrs. Bainbridge smiled. "How are you feeling? Better?"

  "Much better," Lilyanna said, straining to remember the previous night. "I feel much more aware now."

  Giggling, Mrs. Bainbridge returned to her paper. "I am glad to hear it," she said. "If you will give me only a moment, I am almost finished writing my sister."

  Lilyanna nodded. "Elijah mentioned she lives not too far from here."

  "Yes," Mrs. Bainbridge said. "Roddy and I shall be staying with her while you and Elijah go to—"

  She gasped, lifting a hand to her mouth as she stared at Lilyanna in alarm. "Why, I almost spoilt the surprise!"

  Lilyanna tilted her head. "What surprise?"

  "Oh," Mrs. Bainbridge said, returning to her letter and stammering, "I…I was merely stating that Roddy and I shall be staying with my sister after you and Elijah marry."

  Lilyanna narrowed her eyes at the woman but decided to let Mrs. Bainbridge's mysteriousness go. She got out of bed, still wearing her traveling dress, and was relieved as her muscles only slightly protested her movements.

  She made her way to the single, small window located on the east wall, peaking out past the simple, brown curtains to see a small village below. The quiet streets and currently unopened shops gave her an odd feeling of peace.

  Gone were her worries from the previous days, gone were her fears of being forced into a marriage she did not want and forced out of the only marriage she longed for.

  As if on cue, Lilyanna looked down to see Elijah speaking with Mr. Bainbridge. She smiled as she saw Elijah's broad shoulders, handsome face, and kind eyes wrinkling at the side from the laughter he shared with his father.

  So distracted with staring at her husband-to-be, Lilyanna hardly noticed when Mrs. Bainbridge stood from her desk and made her way to stand beside her.

  "He is handsome," Mrs. Bainbridge said, "like his father."

  Lilyanna nodded. "Indeed," she said. "I feel very blessed to have him in my life."

  "You have both been blessed," Mrs. Bainbridge said. "It is quite a rare thing to experience true love. Many people I know do not have it, though they could. You and Elijah have both been wise enough to work through your differences and surpass the trials that surround every couple. And I believe you both will be all the more happier because of it."

  Lilyanna smiled at the kind words of hope and adoration from Elijah's mother. "Thank you," she said.

  She patted Lilyanna's cheek affectionately before scuttling to the trunk placed at the foot of the bed.

  "Now, my dear," she said as her hands disappeared inside the trunk, "we must get you changed into something more fit for a wedding."

  "Oh, I am sure this dress will be well enough," Lilyanna said, embarrassment overcoming her as she hesitated in telling Mrs. Bainbridge she had no other option.

  "Yes, your dress would be fine," Mrs. Bainbridge said, still pulling things out of the trunk, "but we shall dress you in something Elijah has not yet seen you in. It is much more exciting that way."

  "But I…" Lilyanna said, shaking her head, "I am afraid I have not a change of clothes. I did not have the room."

  "Oh, of course you do not have another dress, dear," Mrs. Bainbridge said, never ceasing in her search, "but that does not mean I do not have one for you."

  Hope blossomed in her chest as Mrs. Bainbridge finally stood, walking over to the small wardrobe in the room and pulling out a long dress of periwinkle blue.

  "Now where did you procure that from, Mrs. Bainbridge?" she asked with surprise.

  "It is Hazel's," Mrs. Bainbridge said, smiling as she walked over to the bed and smoothed the dress against the mattress. "She has only worn it a few times since her wedding, as she has a great sentimental attachment to it. However, she asked that I would take it for you to wear, as she could not be here in person to see her brother and his new wife wed."

  "How thoughtful," Lilyanna said, trying to blink back her tears. "I would feel quite honored to wear it."

  "See this here?" Mrs. Bainbridge said, pointing to the lace that trimmed the sleeves and modest neckline. "This lace was on the dress I married in, although, that was many years ago."

  Again, Lilyanna fought back her tears.

  "I think it will fit you quite nicely," Mrs. Bainbridge said as she compared the dress and Lilyanna with her eyes. "We added more lace on the bottom of the dress, for you are a great deal taller than Hazel. I think it is a good thing we did so, too, for otherwise, the dress might not have reached even your knees!"

  Lilyanna laughed, a feeling of giddiness pervading throughout her soul. She had set her mind on being satisfied with wearing her traveling gown for her wedding, so to have the surprise of a beautiful dress filled with such history caused her spirit to swell with joy.

  "I do not know how I can every repay you, Mrs. Bainbridge," she said. "You have all been so kind to me, despite my many faults."

  "Nonsense, dear," she said. "We are happy to do it."

  They shared a smile as Mrs. Bainbridge continued. "Now, we have paid for a bath to be drawn for you, so as soon as you are finished, we shall get you dressed and ready to marry your true love. Will that be quite all ri
ght with you?"

  "Of course," Lilyanna said. "I particularly am looking forward to the last item you mentioned."

  Mrs. Bainbridge giggled. "Oh, this is too exciting!"

  Lilyanna could hear Mrs. Bainbridge's laughter even after she closed the door behind her, and she was half-tempted to join in with the joyful noise.

  After waiting to have the small, wooden tub filled with warm water, Lilyanna removed her dirty gown and undergarments and slipped into the soothing water, the knots in her sides and back beginning to loosen at once. She relaxed as long as she could, careful to keep her hair dry, until the water began to cool.

  When she was once again dressed in her fresh undergarments, Mrs. Bainbridge knocked on the door.

  "Lilyanna," she called, "are you ready?"

  "Yes," Lilyanna answered, feeling a little exposed at having anyone but the lady's maid see her in such a way.

  However, she was soon distracted as Mrs. Bainbridge bustled around her, helping her into the dress as she gushed about how it accentuated her curves and caused her eyes to reflect an even brighter shade of blue.

  Lilyanna had no time to respond before Mrs. Bainbridge urged her to sit at the desk while she stood behind her, running a brush through her wavy, blond hair.

  "Are you anxious yet, dear?" she asked.

  Lilyanna sighed. "Yes, a great deal so," she said, enjoying the feel of Mrs. Bainbridge brushing her hair with calming strokes. "The time cannot move fast enough, though," she said.

  "I can only imagine," Mrs. Bainbridge responded. "I waited a mere three weeks after our meeting to marry my Roddy, and even that seemed an eternity."

  She sighed blissfully before continuing. "Yes, there is nothing so beautiful as watching a young couple fall in love. It is the same as witnessing when two rivers meet."

  "What do you mean?" Lilyanna asked, her mind instantly reverting to her and Elijah's regular meeting spot by the large oak tree.

  She had never given much notice to what occurred near them where the two rivers combined to make one, too distracted each time with Elijah's company.

  "Well," Mrs. Bainbridge began, "each river travels in its own direction, neither of them knowing how weak they are alone until joined with another force. When those rivers finally come together, when a man and a woman love each other unconditionally, there is nothing so powerful, nothing so sacred, in the world."