The Cautious Maiden

by Dawn Crandall

  “You have all these trunks to pack them into, so why not?” she asked, plopping her little dog onto my bed to open one of the many empty trunks the servants had brought up for me. “If you truly don’t want them, perhaps you can give them to some of your new friends?”

  “I hadn’t thought of that. Perhaps I will take them all.” I studied the massive pile silently; there were so many! I had no idea what it would be like in Tennessee, but every girl loved pretty dresses—surely I could find good homes for most of them. I glanced up quickly to ask, “Will you come to the train station with me when I leave tonight?”

  “Of course we will.” Miss Abernathy soon fell silent as she walked about my room examining my things as I packed the rest of the gowns. “Vance probably never told you he’s in love with you, did he? He is, though, I promise you. I’ve never seen him as he is with you; so gallant and chivalrous.”

  I kept myself turned away from her, staying busy, and refused to answer.

  There was no answer. Because she was wrong. He didn’t love me. He’d thought he wanted me for a spell, and obviously had got over it.

  “I’m not sure who you’re in love with, Violet, or what you mean by breaking off things with Vance to run off with Reverend Whitespire. I thought you loved Vance, but now…now, I just don’t understand.”

  Neither did I, actually.

  “I’m not in love with anyone,” I lied. “My reputation has been ruined by the shady actions of my brother. I have to marry someone, and Ben is the best choice.”

  Miss Abernathy harrumphed loudly.

  “Vance and I agreed a long time ago—well, months ago—that marrying was our only option, but considering the opportunity with Ben, we thought it best that I—”

  “Are you telling me the break was mutual? That Vance wants you to marry Ben?”

  “It is best.”

  “Violet, you shock me.” And she walked out of the room without another word.

  I finished packing, hurriedly throwing the rest of my belongings into the now-opened trunks scattered about my room.

  My maid Bessy had come with me to Hilldreth Manor, but had been let go when I’d announced I was leaving to become a missionary. As I flung dresses into the trunks, folded up ribbons, and balled stockings, I was relieved that no one witnessed either my haphazard packing or my sour mood.

  The trunks were filled in no time, but what Miss Abernathy had said about Vance being in love with me ricocheted through my heart. I wished it were true. But I knew better. It had been clear to me that she’d always believed Vance loved me; ever since meeting me for the first time.

  And she’d obviously been wrong.

  ***

  My horse, Lancelot, was tied to the back of the carriage as Miss Abernathy, Roxy and I rode to the train station later that evening. I’d met the Hatfields once at the mission society, and I didn’t look forward to having to pretend I was happy to be going with them. I couldn’t very well let on that going to the mission at Roan Mountain Station to marry their colleague was actually the last thing I really wanted to do. I’d have to live with or near them, and they needed to believe this was my choice. They already knew that Ben was in love with me—they’d been led to believe that we’d had a lover’s quarrel at some point in the past but that I couldn’t stand living without him now that he was moving so far away.

  Yes, it all sounded quite believable.

  I was so tired of living a lie, and this was just the beginning. My whole life would be a lie from then on. Forever and ever.

  As I sat across from Miss Abernathy and Roxy, I tried not to look at them. Miss Abernathy seemed to be quite put out with me, while Roxy looked pale and acted as if she were going to be sick.

  Fortunately, it wasn’t a long drive, and once we’d arrived, the busyness of getting my horse untethered from the back of the carriage and my trunks brought down and loaded onto a cart was distraction enough. I held onto a large bag with my most precious possessions in it—my books.

  I really wasn’t sure what to do or where to go—did Miss Abernathy know?

  Before I could ask, I noticed Miss Abernathy’s face transform from a disapproving frown to a gleeful smile.

  I turned around to find Vance—of all people—stalking up to the three of us. He looked about as unhappy as Miss Abernathy had been a moment before, his dark even brows low over his eyes, and his steps decidedly determined. He was aimed straight for me.

  Why had he come? To make my going away worse?

  “What are you doing here?” I asked when he stood before me, not caring how rude I sounded.

  “I’ve come to apologize.” His dark eyes stayed steadily on me, so focused, not noticing a thing of everything going on around us on that busy sidewalk. He acknowledged neither Roxy nor Miss Abernathy who both now stood behind me.

  “For?”

  “For breaking our engagement; please forgive me.” He took my hand in his, stretching his fingers into my sleeve, caressing the tender skin there.

  “What is that supposed to mean?” I pulled away halfheartedly, which achieved nothing.

  “It means, I’ll marry you, if you’ll only stay. Don’t go. I need—I need to marry you. I want to marry you.”

  I was stunned into silence.

  Before I could gain my composure, he continued, “If you’ll excuse us, Claudine, Miss Blakeley, I’d like to speak with Violet in private.” He managed to link my arm around his and led me away without waiting for their response. He looked at me intently as we walked around the corner of the building to a vacant area everyone passed by without a glance.

  When we came to a stop, I let go of him and backed against the brick wall. “What are you saying?”

  “I thought I was doing what was best, but as it turns out, I’ve had a difficult time deciding exactly what that is. I’ve been miserable without you. You’re all I can think about.” He shook his head, took off his hat and let it drop to the ground. “How would I know you’re safe? How would I live knowing you were his, and not mine?”

  I could tell he wasn’t speaking about Rowen Steele, but Ben.

  “But you gave me up. You wanted me to marry Ben. You told me—”

  “I never wanted that, believe me.” He grabbed my hand, but this time he simply held it tight. “I was trying to do what was right. But it wasn’t.”

  “It wasn’t?” I repeated.

  Vance’s gaze left mine for the first time. He seemed so different, so unsure of himself. As if he were truly afraid I wouldn’t take him back.

  “Would it help to know that Ben has decided to marry a young woman he met on the train down to Tennessee?”

  “Instead of me?”

  “I was just given his telegram from the mission society. They contacted me. They aren’t sure what to do with you now. Which is why you should marry me.”

  “Surely, you’re mistaken!” I exclaimed. “He knew how desperate of a situation I was in…why I needed to marry him.”

  “But it’s not too desperate anymore, Violet. There’s my offer, after all.” Vance smiled rakishly, suddenly with much more confidence. “Perhaps he wasn’t sure enough of your affections. And can you blame him, when you’d refused him and told him you wanted to marry me, only weeks ago? And now you can.”

  I didn’t answer. I wasn’t sure how to yet.

  He was who I wanted to marry, the only man I’d ever been in love with, and although he’d hurt me dreadfully…there he was now, asking me to forgive him and to reconsider; asking me to take him back.

  And of course I would.

  But I was still as confused as ever in regards to what he felt for me. He hadn’t mentioned love, only that marrying him was what he wanted me to do.

  “Will you marry me, Violet? Tonight? So we can forget this nonsense of going back and forth and just be done with it?” He produced a diamond ring from his breast pocket and held it before me. It sparkled radiantly in the lamplight. “I’ve waited too long already; these last two weeks being the worst
of it, thinking I’d lost you.”

  He’d never given me a ring in all those months we’d been engaged the first time. Did it mean this was a genuine proposal because of his genuine desire to marry me?

  I couldn’t help but love him all the more for this thoughtful touch. I knew he had a good heart, although sometimes terribly misguided.

  “You never lost my heart, Vance.” I brought my hand up to the ring and slipped it snugly onto my finger. “It’s been yours—”

  He took two steps forward, and reached up, slid his right hand behind my neck, bringing me swiftly to him, and pressed his lips to mine—right there, not too far from the crowded sidewalk, as people walked by and went on with their business! My hands rested at his shoulders, savoring the solidity there, and the glorious fact that he was indeed mine, once again.

  He kissed me much longer than I’d ever dreamed anyone would dare kiss on a public sidewalk. He kept his one hand at the back of my neck and the other at my elbow, maintaining a respectable distance between us. But oh, the blazing fire just his lips on mine could create!

  He wanted to marry me now? As in leave the station, be married, and finally go home?

  It was everything I wanted, suddenly within my reach.

  After a few minutes I broke away, breathless, recalling where we were, my luggage, my horse, and oh gracious—Miss Abernathy and Roxy!

  “Can we? Can we really?”

  “Can we…what?” he asked; I could feel his heart pounding underneath my hand.

  “Marry tonight? Your family won’t mind? I would go home with you to Everthorne?”

  “Yes, and no.” Fire blazed from his eyes as he purposefully, and slowly, contemplated his last answer. “And yes.”

  I knew exactly what that last “yes” entailed, and why he’d answered me so deliberately.

  “We need to tell Miss Abernathy and stop my things from being loaded onto the train, to have them and my horse delivered to Everthorne instead.” I could tell my cheeks were flushed, but I kept talking regardless, hoping he wouldn’t detect my bashfulness. “Where will we marry on such short notice?”

  “Trinity Church.”

  “The fashionable church your father was just married in? I thought it took years—”

  “Not when all you need is an officiant and two witnesses. And that’s what we’ll have. Dr. Grig Wellesley can officiate, and Claudine and Roxy Blakeley can witness. And we can go home to Everthorne afterwards, together.”

  I grinned giddily, unable to contain my joy. Fifteen minutes before, I’d been terrified of my future, broken-hearted and afraid I’d never be happy again—and now I had everything I’d ever wanted restored to me, tenfold.

  22

  Trinity Church

  “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

  —Leonardo da Vinci

  Hello Vance. Miss Hawthorne,” Dr. Wellesley greeted me with a quick handshake as he held open the door, ushering us into a semi-darkened back corridor of Trinity Church.

  That he already knew who I was didn’t shock me. Not with how much time Vance had been spending with him over the last few months.

  I could hardly tell a thing about the elderly gentleman’s appearance, as not many of the wall lamps in the hall were lit.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Wellesley. I know Vance values your friendship, and that your mentorship means a great deal to him.”

  “Our two witnesses are close behind us, in another carriage.”

  Dr. Wellesley didn’t seem surprised by Vance’s remark; he only smiled. Did he already know why we’d come? In the dimly lit corridor, I found Vance’s hand and took it in mine. He squeezed his fingers between my own, holding my hand tight.

  A few moments later Dr. Wellesley asked, “Would you like to marry in the garden you just walked in through? With the moon shining overhead, it would be fitting for a clandestine elopement.”

  “That sounds quite lovely, but how did you know the purpose for our visit?” I asked, my curiosity getting the best of me.

  “I sent a message before meeting you at the station, that he might expect us,” Vance quickly said.

  “Might?” I whispered with a hidden smile.

  “I hoped.” He leaned in and breathed the words into my ear. “But I couldn’t be absolutely certain.”

  I flushed remembering the last kiss. Yes, he would have known what my response would be. Even if I’d never told him I was in love with him, he had to know. I covered my confusion by addressing Dr. Wellesley.

  “Do you live in adjoining quarters?”

  “I have a room close by, but I basically live here at the church. I had a nice little room at an inn a while back, but the building was burned to the ground last summer, so now I spend most of my time here.”

  “I’m sorry for your misfortune. I hope you didn’t lose much in the fire.”

  “Just a few earthly possessions, but nothing of consequence. And through the process of going through my misfortune, as you called it, I was able to meet the gentleman you’ve come here to marry tonight and to witness the transformation in his life. That has been worth it to me.”

  I turned to Vance, drawing nearer to his side. That he had Dr. Wellesley’s high regard meant so much. I had a feeling that he knew Vance better than anyone did.

  A knock sounded upon the door we’d just come through. Dr. Wellesley reached to open it and Miss Abernathy and Roxy entered the church, the few dim lights illuminating the hall casting shadows over them. Miss Abernathy handed me something, and as I took it, I realized it was a fragrant, white peony from along the walk outside the church.

  “You’ll need to have a flower for your wedding, Violet.”

  “Thank you,” I said simply, and took it from her, bringing the fragrant bloom to my nose. I’d always loved the sweet scent of peonies.

  “Dr. Wellesley, this is Miss Claudine Abernathy, a dear friend of my family’s, and my youngest sister’s sister-in-law, Miss Roxanna Blakeley, who is currently visiting from Maine.” Vance turned his attention to everyone else, but still held my hand close between us. “Claudine, Roxy, this is my friend, Dr. Grig Wellesley, who will be marrying us tonight.”

  “This is a splendid thing you’re doing for Vance and Violet, Dr. Wellesley. You would never imagine how many prayers I’ve sent up on behalf of this young man throughout the years, hoping for the Lord to bring him to Himself, and then that He’d have someone like our dear Violet for him.” Claudine nudged Vance with her cane as Roxy stood silently beside her. “Though there were times my heart hurt for him over the years, thinking all was lost, here we are, ready to celebrate with them. I’m happy for you, Vance, for so many reasons.”

  “Thank you for doing this for us,” Vance said, though I wasn’t sure who he was exactly speaking to—all three of them? They were all doing us a favor, after all. “With our wedding plans cancelled and Rowen Steele still a threat, it is best to—”

  “You don’t have to convince me of why you wish to marry this young lady,” Dr. Wellesley uttered. “You’ve already said plenty in the last months to vouch for this hurried wedding—” he scratched the scruffy whiskers at his chin, “Well, I suppose not exactly hurried since it was already planned once.”

  “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with getting married when in love and equally yoked,” Miss Abernathy responded.

  Vance didn’t say anything in response to this—but then again, neither did I.

  “I’m just so happy the two of you were able to resolve whatever misunderstanding you’d had, Vance, that would make your fiancée practically move across the country to marry someone else. And well, I don’t even know what to think about Reverend Whitespire now!”

  Roxy sighed beside Miss Abernathy. Yes, I couldn’t imagine what she must have felt after hearing about Ben’s thoughtless and uncharacteristic actions, but still, I couldn’t help but be thankful for his rash decision to marry another. Now that I wasn’t on my way to Tennessee with the Hatfields, I felt such an
immense relief.

  “You ready?” Vance asked.

  Dr. Wellesley took a slow step down the hall. “I’ll be right back with the papers you’ll need to sign.”

  Vance took my hand and guided me outside, and then along a brick path that led to an arched entryway through a stone wall. The pathway winded through the walled-in garden area toward another row of peony bushes. I heard Dr. Wellesley guiding Miss Abernathy and Roxy behind us. We stopped at a small wooden table nestled against a gazebo covered with fragrant wisteria blossoms. Dr. Wellesley set the certificate upon it, along with a basket containing a bottle of wine, a stemmed glass, and a folded white cloth. He then gestured to Vance and me to stand before him.

  Vance lifted my left hand to his lips, slipping the diamond ring he’d just given me at the train station off my finger with a sly smile. “I promise I’ll give it back.”

  Still in my stylish gray traveling suit, I felt far from the society bride Vance’s family had turned me into over the months. What would the newspapers say now? They’d never caught wind of our broken engagement, quite purposefully, or my plans to marry Ben Whitespire and were, I suppose, still looking forward to reporting on the elaborate details of the ceremony at Everthorne…which wasn’t to be. But wouldn’t they be surprised to find that we were already married—and living serenely at Everthorne. Or would we be in Europe? My mind whirled with the details of what I was about to do as Miss Abernathy and Roxy took their places as witnesses to our right and left.

  Before I knew it, Dr. Wellesley had started the ceremony with the simple words, “Let us begin.”

  I stood before Vance, holding the peony Miss Abernathy had picked, completely undeterred by how thrown-together everything seemed. I didn’t care. It was much more like I’d envisioned my wedding compared to what Vance’s family had been planning at Everthorne. With the fragrance of the nearby row of peony bushes, and the moon and stars shining over us, the setting was more beautiful than I could have ever asked for.

  “Vance and Violet have come to witness before us, telling of their commitment to belong to one another in holy matrimony. This wedding, an act of complete faith, each in the other, is the heart of the faithful relationship created between them.” Dr. Wellesley held his Bible open, but didn’t look at it as he spoke. “Vance, if you would take your bride’s hand and give her the ring symbolizing your faith and commitment.”