Nobody wanted to go to bed. They were all far too excited by the day's events. But at last it was time for Sir John to go home.
They spent a last few precious minutes together.
"I don't want to leave you," he whispered. "I can't bear to go away, even though I know I'll see you again tomorrow."
"Come back soon," she begged. "The time will seem so long without you."
"I love you," he said. "I love you, I love you."
She went to the door and watched as his carriage rumbled out of the gate. Then she went to bed and dreamed of him all night.
*
When Rosina awoke the following morning, she could hardly believe that everything was really happening.
Could it really be true that John was in love with her? Just as she had been in love with him for such a long time.
But she thought it was something which would never be a part of reality.
"I love him! I love him," she said to herself. "I thank God a thousand times that he loves me."
She thanked God she could give him her whole heart without reserve.
'Nothing could be more wonderful,' she thought as she dressed. 'I have been so lucky to find John, and I know when we are married, we will be so happy that we will somehow, in some way, make other people happy too."
She dressed herself hurriedly because she wanted to go downstairs and see the man she loved.
She found him already there in the garden, having arrived early because he was so anxious to be with her.
She saw him walking across the lawn and felt a little
throb in her heart, because not only was he there but in the sunshine he was looking so handsome and so happy, just as she was happy, too.
She ran out and threw herself into his arms, which folded possessively around her.
A few minutes later Lady Doreen arrived. Rosina saw her brother's joy at the sight of her, and thought that the Almighty had been very kind to all of them.
The four of them spent a happy day together. Officially they were canvassing, but not very much work was done. They were all too happy in each other's company for that.
And then, at last, it was the day of the election. Sir John called in on his way to the railway station, to start the journey to his constituency.
"How much I should like to stay here to see your father voted back in," he said to Rosina. "But I must be there for my own count."
"And Rosina should be there with you," said Sir Elroy, coming into the hall in time to hear this.
"But Papa, don't you want me with you?" she cried.
"Oh course I do, but I'll have your mother and Charles, and the Blakemores. You're going to be the wife of a Member of Parliament, and it's right that the constituency should get its first view of you, at his side for his great moment."
"He's right, my dearest," John said. "It would mean the world to me."
"Oh John, how I would love to be there with you."
"Hurry then, we leave in a few minutes."
Papa and Mama went with them to the station and waved them off. In half an hour they had crossed the constituency border into West Gradley, and a few minutes later the train pulled into the station, where they were greeted by the party representatives.
Wherever they went, the announcement of their engagement was greeted with joy. Rosina's heart soared. She was marrying the man she loved and allying herself to the only life she wanted, all in one.
Together they went around the polling stations, meeting some of the newly enfranchised men who had come to cast their first votes. They congratulated them, and were congratulated in turn.
In the evening there was dinner at party headquarters, and then on to the Town Hall for the count. As soon as they entered there were loud cheers, and someone said,
"Well done, Sir John. They've just finished and you've won by three to one. The announcement will be made at any moment."
Then Rosina had the proud experience of standing beside her future husband on the balcony of the Town Hall, as he was announced the winner for the constituency of West Gradley, to the cheering of the crowds below.
"If only things are going as well for Papa," she said to John when they were inside. "I've been thinking of him, hoping he is all right."
"Don't worry," John said. "You stopped Arthur Woodward's tricks, and he is surely safe."
He looked at the clock.
"It's time we were leaving or we'll miss the last train, and we must be there for your father's celebrations."
They made their farewells and set off. In less than an hour they were in East Gradley. At the station they took a cab to the Town Hall, where they found a crowd standing outside, with an air of expectancy.
"They don't seem to have made an announcement
yet," John observed.
"That's right," someone called. "They're on the third recount. It's very close."
They hurried inside and found Sir Elroy calmly drinking champagne, surrounded by his family.
"Papa, this can't be happening," Rosina said imploringly.
"Patience, my dear. I am ahead by only ten votes, but in three recounts they haven't managed to make that figure any less."
"Oh, goodness!" she breathed. "If they do manage it I think I will jump from the window and run away."
"If you do that I'll run after you," Sir John replied.
She slipped her hand into his.
"I am so frightened that we have anticipated too much."
"Have faith my love," he said.
Even as he spoke there was the sound of loud voices coming nearer. The Town Clerk appeared and stood before Sir Elroy.
"Congratulations," he said. "Your opponent has conceded, and you are elected member for this constituency.
Lady Clarendon threw herself into her husband's arms. Rosina and John hugged eagerly, so did Charles and Lady Doreen.
Together they all went out onto the balcony and the Mayor made the declaration to the waiting crowds below. They cheered and cheered, and cried aloud,
"You have won! You have won!"
As his family joined him, the voices grew even louder. Sir Elroy held up his hands, the cheers died away and there was silence.
"I want to thank you a thousand times for all your support and your help. What we have to do now is to make this country even greater than it already is."
He paused for a moment and there was a cheer, which he acknowledged with a wave, before continuing,
"God bless you all and thank you once again."
As he finished speaking there was a roar of applause.
Sir Elroy turned back into the room, and said,
"Let us hope we're not rejoicing too soon, and that Gladstone has the majority everyone predicts."
In the early hours they left the Town Hall and went to the Railway Station to catch the first train to London. Then they went straight to Party Headquarters, which they found in uproar.
"The results are coming in fast," a man said. "It looks as though the Liberals are headed for a majority of over a hundred. And there's a message for you, Sir Elroy, from Mr. Gladstone. Will you please see him at five o'clock this afternoon? It's about what he had discussed with you earlier."
"What did he discuss with you, Papa?" Rosina wanted to know.
"Which position he plans to offer me, my dear. He gave me a choice of two, and I said I would think it over and let him know when he became Prime Minister."
"What are they, Papa? And which will you choose?"
But Sir Elroy put his finger to his lips.
"Do you know, Mama?" Rosina asked her mother who was just behind them.
"Oh yes, your father told me weeks ago. He wanted me to help him decide."
"Then tell."
But she too shook her head and moved away, arm in arm with her husband. For the first time Rosina realised the full extent of the bond between them. Lovers and friends. He would confide in her what he would tell to nobody else.
"You're very pensive, my darling,"
John said tenderly. "Are you not happy?"
"Oh yes, very happy. It's just that I'm thinking about something you said, when Lord Blakemore managed to blight Arthur Woodward's chances merely by withdrawing his support. You said it wasn't right that one man could ruin another man's political opportunities, merely because the first man was powerful.
"I was angry because Woodward was so clearly a villain. But I've realised that you were right. It would have made no difference if he hadn't been a villain. Once a powerful man like Lord Blakemore became his enemy, his chance would be over. And it's wrong that one man should have so much power."
John nodded.
"Thank heavens I'm marrying a lady who can think," he said. "This is a fine and splendid country, but there's still much that should be put right – like some people having too much power and others too little.
"Today we've taken the first step, by giving so many more people the vote and encouraging them to use it. Now we must look forward to the next step, and the one beyond. And I thank my stars that I shall have you beside me."
"And I shall stay beside you forever," she said. "Because this is the only place I want to be."
She rested her head on his shoulder, happy in her love, and happier still in the true meeting of their minds.
John's words, "Thank heavens I'm marrying a lady who can think," seemed to shine a light before her, illuminating the years ahead when they would grow closer and more united, not only in heart, but in mind and soul.
And that was all she asked out of life.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE - 1868
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
Love is Triumphant Page 13