Lilyanna smiled with joy. "Oh, I have always longed to go there!"
"I know," Elijah said, smiling. "It was supposed to be a surprise for you in the morning, but…"
Mrs. Bainbridge held up her hands and shook her head when Elijah sent an accusative look in her direction. "I did not say much, Elijah!" she said.
Lilyanna laughed. "It is still quite a surprise," she said. "And now I can enjoy the thought of visiting there all night long."
"You see, Elijah," Mrs. Bainbridge said, playfully swatting her son's arm, "I have not spoilt anything."
Just then, they heard the familiar clip-clop of the team of horses arriving, pulling the stagecoach behind them.
"You two should be grateful you do not have to ride in this again," Mr. Bainbridge said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Father has hired and paid for a carriage for our traveling comfort before we set sail for Ireland."
"How kind," Lilyanna said. "Thank you."
"It is the least we could do, my dear," Mr. Bainbridge said. "You may as well be comfortable, for you only get a bridal tour once. Come, Joycey," he said, motioning toward the stagecoach. "We had better board. We shall see you both when you return."
"Yes, Father," Elijah said, hugging his parents as Lilyanna followed suit.
They boarded the stagecoach, and Lilyanna and Elijah stood hand in hand, waving to them as they departed from Gretna Green.
Lilyanna sighed, leaning her head against Elijah's upper arm as the stagecoach bounced away.
"Everything all right, my darling?" Elijah asked.
"Yes," Lilyanna said. "I only sigh out of joy."
Elijah moved to stand in front of her. "You have had a good day then?"
"A wonderful day."
They smiled at each other before Elijah bent down and kissed her, and her heart beat fiercely within her chest.
"Unfortunately," Lilyanna said, feigning a drawn-out yawn and rubbing her eyes, "I am exceptionally tired at the moment, so I fear I must be off to bed now."
Elijah stared down at her, and Lilyanna fought the urge to smile as long as she could before a grin stretched across her lips.
"Oh, I think not, Lilyanna Bainbridge," he said, laughing as he brushed a stray curl from her mouth the wind had blown there.
Lilyanna's breath escaped her as Elijah kissed her there in the middle of the street. She did not hear the giggles from children who passed by, the gasps from older women, nor the approving comments from other gentlemen, her only thoughts focusing entirely on the man kissing her and how deeply she loved him.
He broke away for a moment, whispering, "I love you."
Lilyanna smiled. "I love you, too."
"I could have assumed as much," Elijah said, taking her hand in his as they made their way back to the inn, "given that kiss you just gave me."
"I believe you started it, sir," she said, squeezing his hand as she smiled.
"Yes, well, I am afraid I could not help myself."
"How improper you are."
"I like to think of myself as more romantic than improper."
Lilyanna paused and reached up to hold Elijah's face between her hands. "As do I," she said, bringing him down to meet her in a kiss.
"Come, come, darling," Elijah said as he pulled back, "people will talks."
He winked as Lilyanna laughed. "Oh, let them talk," she said.
"You do not care what people will say?"
"I used to," she said. "But I find a greater strength inside myself whenever I am with you, a strength to withstand disapproving looks and negative comments. A strength to be cheerful and positive. After all, what matters of other's opinions if we are happy?"
"Very little. Especially because we are happy," Elijah agreed, bringing up her hand to kiss the back of it.
"We are, indeed," Lilyanna said, sighing as she thought she had never heard truer words in all her life.
Epilogue
"Oh, Mother, they are beautiful," Lilyanna exclaimed as she held up the laced handkerchiefs embroidered with small, purple thistles and red roses. "Girls, come see what your grandmother has made for us."
Lilyanna smiled as her oldest child, Christine, came running toward her and Mrs. Crosgrove, her bright blue eyes alight with excitement as Olivia followed shortly behind, her little legs trying to keep up with her older sister.
"You see?" Lilyanna said, placing one of the white handkerchiefs into each of her daughters' hands. "Grandmother has stitched new handkerchiefs for us all so we may match."
"Look at how small these flowers are," Christine said, squinting her eyes to look at the roses and thistles. "Mama always says how very good you are at stitching, Grandmama, but however did you make them so tiny?"
"Yes, Grandmama," Olivia copied, "how?"
Lilyanna looked up to see her mother smiling warmly at her granddaughters. "Through much practice and patience, dears," Mrs. Crosgrove said.
"And talent," Lilyanna added.
Mother and daughter shared a smile as Christine and Olivia walked back to their pile of dolls, still examining the handkerchiefs.
"Be careful with them, darlings," Lilyanna called after them as a soft cry burst forth from the small crib nearby. "Oh, Samuel," she said, "did Mama wake you?"
She walked over to see her newborn son wriggling out of his blanket. After being picked up and covered warmly once more, Samuel's cries instantly ceased, and Lilyanna looked over to her mother who sat silently watching her.
"What is it?" Lilyanna asked.
"Are you sure you would not like a wet nurse?" Mrs. Crosgrove said softly. "You look nearly done for."
"Thank you, Mother," Lilyanna said, knowing her mother was only trying to help, "but I can manage. Mrs. Westland, our head nurse, helps enough, so I shall call for her when I am in need." She looked down to the small bundle in her arms, examining his thick, dark hair, and she said, "At any rate, I do not think I could be parted from my little boy for even a moment."
She glanced up to Mrs. Crosgrove who smiled hesitantly.
"However," Lilyanna began again, "I suppose I could manage a moment or two away from him if you would like to hold him."
Mrs. Crosgrove nodded eagerly. "If you would not mind, I would like to very much."
"Of course not," Lilyanna said, moving to hand her son over to Mrs. Crosgrove. "He is quite a happy boy. When he is being held, that is."
"He looks like his father," Mrs. Crosgrove said. "I am sure he will turn out to be quite as handsome, too."
Lilyanna smiled warmly at her mother and could not help but think of how much their relationship had improved since those emotional days nearly five years before.
As she moved to take her seat, Lilyanna's mind recalled how hesitant she and her mother had been when they first saw each other after Lilyanna's marriage. It had taken a year for their reunion to take place, and Christine had been born only a few days before Mrs. Crosgrove had come to visit them in Warwickshire.
Lilyanna vividly remembered the regret she saw in her mother's eyes, though no words were said, and the embrace they had shared solidified their desire to better their relationship from that point on.
Just then, the door to the parlor swung open, and Elijah and Captain Crosgrove stepped inside.
"Papa!" Christine and Olivia squealed, and their father knelt on the floor with wide-open arms to hug them both.
"How are my beautiful girls?" he asked with a smile, tickling them both as they squealed with delight.
"No, Papa, stop!" they both shouted, gasping for air.
"How was the shooting?" Lilyanna asked with an amused expression as she watched her handsome husband interact with their children.
The girls ran off once more to play with their dolls as Elijah stood and approached Lilyanna.
"It was unbearably cold," he said, "but we managed to get a few birds."
"He managed," Captain Crosgrove corrected as he stood near his wife with a hand on her shoulder. "I was only able to shoot the leaves o
ff of every tree in Warwickshire, I am afraid. Mr. Lowick found it quite humorous, as well, though he tried his best to hide his chortling."
Lilyanna laughed with her father, his face wrinkling as he grinned, the hair on his temples growing grayer by the day.
"It is good you shall be staying with us for another week then, Father," Lilyanna said, "for now you may take part in my husband's spoils."
"Right you are, Lilyanna," Captain Crosgrove replied with a wink before eying his grandson Mrs. Crosgrove held. "And how is our young Samuel doing, eh?"
"He is quite the pleasant little thing," Mrs. Crosgrove said, "and very handsome."
"Especially in the arms of his lovely grandmother," Captain Crosgrove added, and the couple shared a smile before he kissed her on the cheek.
Lilyanna marveled at the change that had come over her parents the past years, particularly since her father's retirement. She felt a deep joy each time she saw them together and happier than ever before.
The door opened to the parlor once more as Mr. and Mrs. Bainbridge stepped in. By habit, Lilyanna glanced worriedly to her mother, but she soon relaxed as she saw a smile, although tense, on Mrs. Crosgrove's face.
They had not worked out their differences entirely, however, Mrs. Crosgrove had ceased her unkindness toward Mrs. Bainbridge, and Lilyanna would forever be grateful for the fact.
"Oh, dear," Mrs. Bainbridge said, "how long have you been back from shooting, Elijah?"
"We only arrived moments ago, Mother," he responded.
"You see, my dear?" Mr. Bainbridge piped in.
"Oh, how wonderful," Mrs. Bainbridge said, clapping her hands, "we did not miss much then. Roddy told me you would not be back from shooting until now, but I was not so sure. I made him rush on our walk so we could be here all together again as soon as possible."
She walked over to Mrs. Crosgrove with a smile. "And how is our handsome grandson, Mrs. Crosgrove?" she asked.
Mrs. Crosgrove smiled. "Perfect. Would you like to hold him?"
"Oh, thank you," Mrs. Bainbridge said, "but I do not wish to impose on your time. You keep a hold of him awhile longer."
"Mr. Bainbridge," Captain Crosgrove said from across the room, "we missed you during the shoot today. You will have to be sure to join us next time. I believe you are the only man who can beat your son in the number of birds he obtains."
The men chuckled, as well as Elijah, until he moved to Lilyanna's side, sitting next to her and holding her hand.
"How are you, darling?" he asked, examining every inch of her pretty face.
"I am feeling better," she said, though there were small, dark circles visible underneath her eyes. "A little tired but becoming stronger by the day."
"It is a wonder you are even out and about," Elijah said, marveling at his wife's strength, "what with three children now to take care of, on top of one troublesome husband."
"I can manage," she said with a wink.
Elijah leaned in to kiss her softly on the cheek. "I know you can."
"Have you heard from Hazel and Isaac?" Lilyanna asked.
"Indeed," Elijah replied. "They shall be on their way here tomorrow, along with the boys."
"I am excited to see them all," Lilyanna said, picturing Hazel and her family, including her two handsome sons. "It has been far too long since we have all been together."
Christine and Olivia giggled behind them, and he and Lilyanna turned around to see them dressing their dolls up with various bonnets, ribbons, and lace. Watching them was like seeing two miniatures of Lilyanna, both with growing blond hair and bright blue eyes, and the sight made his heart warm.
As Samuel began to fuss in Mrs. Crosgrove's arms, Lilyanna sighed. "I suppose it is time to eat again," she said, and Elijah detected the exhaustion in her voice.
He stood before Lilyanna had the chance. "Wait a moment, my darling," he said. "I will hold him while you relax for a moment."
"Thank you," she said, and they shared a smile.
Elijah took Samuel from Mrs. Crosgrove, exchanging smiles with her before he cradled his son in his arms, feeling a sense of deep joy inside his heart.
"I love you," he whispered to his son as he walked over to the window with him.
The pride he felt with each of his children, with his wonderful wife, filled his soul as he looked from each member of his family. He never knew he could be so happy, and his joy only proved to increase as each day passed.
Lilyanna watched Elijah hold their son, and she smiled, trying to remember the image before her so she could draw it later on and capture the happy moment forever.
She knew when she chose to marry Elijah her life would be joyful, but as time continued to fly by, she realized how blessed she truly was to have such a caring man and beautiful children in her life.
"Papa," Christine said as she approached Elijah, Olivia following closely behind, "may I hold baby brother?"
"Me, too," Olivia said, "I want to hold brother first!"
"No, I said I wanted to first! Papa!"
"No, it is not fair!"
"Just a moment, girls," Elijah said with a smile. "Why do we not sit by Mama and have both of you help me hold Samuel?"
The four of them sat near Lilyanna on the sofa, and she leaned in close to her family, sighing with deep joy.
"What a beautiful family," she heard Mrs. Bainbridge comment from across the room.
"Indeed," Mrs. Crosgrove said, "a beautiful, and happy, family."
And as Lilyanna and Elijah shared a smile, Lilyanna knew they both wholeheartedly agreed.
THE END
About the Author
Deborah M. Hathaway graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in English and an emphasis in Creative Writing. As a young girl, she devoured Jane Austen’s novels while watching and re-watching every adaptation of Pride & Prejudice she could, entirely captured by all things Regency and romance.
Throughout her life, she wrote many short stories, poems, and essays, but it was not until after her marriage that she was finally able to complete her first romance novel, attributing the completion to her courtship with, and love of, her charming, English husband. Deborah finds her inspiration for her novels in her everyday experiences with her husband and children and during her travels to the United Kingdom, where she draws on the beauty of the country in such places as Ireland, Yorkshire, and her beloved Cornwall.
Learn more about Deborah and her writing by visiting her website.
www.deborahmhathaway.com
Be sure to sign up for her newsletter to receive the latest news of her upcoming novels!
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When Two Rivers Meet (Regency Romance) Page 29