To Have and To Hold

by Tracie Peterson

  “I doubt I can eat,” Audrey said, putting her hand to her stomach. “I already feel like there are hundreds of butterflies nesting here.”

  Mattie smiled. “I expected as much, but a little bit of food might settle them down.” She pulled back the napkin to reveal biscuits, jam, butter, and tea.

  Audrey sat down at Mattie’s instructions and began to butter a piece of biscuit. Mattie, meanwhile, picked up the hairbrush and began to comb through Audrey’s hair.

  “Good luck with that task,” Audrey said as Mattie continued to work. “I tossed and turned all night. I even tried to wear a cap, but it was no use.”

  “Not to worry,” Mattie declared. “I’ve worked with worse. I’ll have you looking every bit the beautiful bride in no time. It’s quite an honor, you know.”

  “What is?” Audrey asked between bites of biscuit and jam.

  “To be the first to marry at the resort. Quite an honor. I heard that there are already a dozen or more weddings planned for the weeks to come. Word is spreading about the island and the owners’ plans for the future.”

  “It’s hard to imagine,” Audrey said, shaking her head. “I suppose it should matter to me that I’m leaving it all, but honestly . . . this was never home.”

  “But neither was Pittsburgh. You said so yourself many a time.” Mattie went to the dresser for hairpins and returned with a handful.

  Audrey considered her words as Mattie began pinning the curls into order. “I know you’re right. Pittsburgh wasn’t really where I wanted to remain, but neither is Bridal Veil Island. I’m glad that Marshall is of the same mind. I’m looking forward to our great adventure in the West.”

  “But won’t you miss the memories?”

  “The memories will come with me, silly.” Audrey put the biscuit aside and wiped her fingers on the napkin. “Who knows, maybe I’ll have Marshall plant me a live oak wherever we finally decide to call home.”

  Mattie continued working and soon had Audrey’s hair arranged in a fashionable crown of curls. “You will certainly carry the memory of this day with you.” She handed Audrey the mirror. “What do you think?”

  Audrey studied her reflection and shook her head. “It hardly looks anything like the woman I know to be me.” She sighed. “I wish Father could have been here to give me away. I miss his boisterous laugh and the way he could affirm me just by glancing my way.”

  “No doubt he will be watching from heaven,” Mattie said. “Come. Enough daydreaming. We have a wedding to prepare for.”

  “I, Marshall, take you, Audrey, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward. . . .”

  Audrey scarcely heard anything else after the word wife. She had waited a very long time for this day to come. Now, standing in the glorious ballroom of the Bridal Veil Island Clubhouse, Audrey felt as though all of her dreams had come true. Her elegant gown looked like something out of Godey’s, her veil of delicate Belgian lace had been remade from a piece her grandmother had once owned, and the flowers were the most beautiful white and pink camellias money could buy.

  There remained a tinge of sadness that her father and Aunt Thora had gone on to heaven and couldn’t share the day with her, but Audrey felt confident that they were, as Mattie had said, looking down upon her.

  “You’re not listening,” Marshall whispered, nudging her.

  Audrey looked up, rather alarmed. “What?”

  Her reply came so loud that the guests burst into laughter. She turned to see many of the island investors and their families smiling in amusement at her. She felt her face grow hot and was thankful for the veil that hid her from view. She hadn’t expected to have such a crowd for the exchange of her vows, but Mr. and Mrs. Morley had convinced her that since it was the very first wedding at the resort, she should openly welcome the investors. Besides, Mrs. Morley told her in confidence that they were very generous folks, and no doubt Audrey and Marshall would benefit nicely from their kindness. An overflowing table of gifts in the breakfast room was proof of that.

  Audrey hadn’t said yes for that reason, however, but for another. Mr. Morley had been a blessing to her family, and she would do just about anything to please him and help him in his endeavors. That included selling him the remaining property on Bridal Veil Island. In return, he had insisted that Audrey and Marshall, as well as their offspring, would always be welcome on the island. Inviting his investors to the wedding would benefit his revenue and future, and for that she was more than happy to give her assistance.

  “Well?” Marshall asked. “Should we just call this off?”

  Audrey squared her shoulders and looked at the minister. “He’s always so impatient. I’m ready now.” She turned back to her soon-to-be husband. “I, Audrey, take you, Marshall, to be my husband, to have and to hold. . . .”

  An hour later, still dressed in her bridal finery, Audrey listened in wonder as Mr. Morley offered a toast to the wedding couple.

  “I have known this young woman for quite some time. She has proven herself to be a blessing to my family, and so on this day I am glad to honor her. Marshall has also made himself quite the benefit to me—well, to many of us.”

  “Hear! Hear!” someone called from the gathering of wedding guests. There were rumbles of approval from even more people.

  Audrey smiled and nudged closer to Marshall. “I think they like you.”

  “Hmm, I’m afraid they’re only agreeing to hurry along the toast. They’re most likely half starved.”

  “Well, certainly not for long,” Audrey whispered, glancing at the extravagant arrangement of foods. The finest dishes had been prepared to entice the investors to see exactly what could be accomplished on this little Georgia island.

  There were perfectly roasted game hens, ducks in honeyed orange sauce, platters of quail eggs, and poached eggs with hollandaise sauce. Fruits of every kind had been carved, balled, sliced, and arranged in such fashionable centerpieces that it seemed almost criminal to eat them. Other platters contained cheeses and pastries of every sort, as well as a variety of baked quiches, minced pies, and of course a beautiful five-tier wedding cake that had been especially prepared by the new French baker.

  “And so I wish for this wonderful couple the blessings of a lifetime. May God give you happiness and tranquillity. May He give you the desires of your heart.”

  The guests rose to their feet and lifted their glasses to Audrey and Marshall in cheers of agreement. Audrey turned to her husband and smiled.

  “Including Colorado,” she murmured.

  He grinned and leaned closer. “And many offspring.”

  Audrey pulled back rather quickly, unable to hide her surprise. She could feel her cheeks grow hot and quickly looked away.

  “It would appear the blushing bride and her handsome groom have something to add,” Morley said in a teasing tone.

  Audrey wanted to crawl under the table, and to her horror, Marshall got to his feet and turned to her. “I do have something to say,” he announced.

  She forced herself to look at him with an expression of adoring surprise. She could only pray he would refrain from saying anything that might further embarrass her. He glanced at her momentarily before speaking.

  “I would like to offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the food, and then . . . eat.”

  The suggestion was well received, and Audrey breathed a sigh of relief as Marshall gave a brief blessing and then quickly rejoined Audrey at the table. He winked and handed her a slice of melon.

  “Wife.”

  She took the piece and smiled. “Husband.”

  An hour later, the couple managed to slip away. It wasn’t in keeping with the traditions that Mrs. Morley had planned, but Audrey didn’t care. She preferred to make her own traditions, and when Marshall suggested a waterside walk, Audrey quickly agreed.

  The sun was nearly full in the sky, and the day continued in a radiant beauty that Audrey would always remember. Glad to have left the long train of her gown back at the resort, she maneu
vered without much difficulty when they left the path and headed to the water’s edge.

  “Will you miss it?” he asked as the water lapped softly against the shoreline.

  “Oh, there are things I will remember fondly,” she replied. “The trees, the water, the slower pace of life.”

  He laughed. “Well, you certainly haven’t had that these past months.”

  “No, perhaps not,” she said, “but there is something about this island that beckons one to rest.”

  Marshall pulled her closer and resumed their stroll. He led her away from the water and back up through the forested path, under the tranquil canopy of her beloved live oaks. Audrey could not imagine being any happier than she was at that exact moment.

  When they reached her childhood swing, Marshall assisted her to sit. “Won’t you miss this?” he asked, giving her a gentle push.

  Audrey held on to the old rope and closed her eyes against the rhythmic sway. “I will miss this, but then I thought it might be possible to have someone . . . someone who is capable of working with wood and rope . . . someone who perhaps is trained in construction of houses and such, build me a swing in Colorado.” She opened her eyes and cast a quick glance over her shoulder to see Marshall laughing.

  “You already have jobs figured out for me, eh?”

  “Just one or two.”

  The swing slowed and after a few moments, Marshall took hold of the swing and halted it all together. He pulled Audrey up and into his arms and wrapped her delightfully close against him. She felt emboldened, despite the fact that it was broad daylight, and clasped her hands around his neck.

  Without waiting for him to initiate, Audrey leaned up on her toes and pressed her lips to his. Marshall needed no urging. He lowered his head and deepened the kiss. Audrey could scarcely draw a breath, but she didn’t care. A lifetime of sorrows were lost forever in that moment.

  However, as Marshall tightened his hold, Audrey could feel every inch of the spoon busks in the center front of her corset. They dug in painfully against her tender flesh until she could no longer stand the pain. “Ouch!” she squealed in protest.

  Marshall was so surprised he dropped his hold. “Did I do something wrong?”

  “It’s just this . . . well . . . I have . . .” She felt her cheeks again grow hot. Lowering her face she whispered, “It’s my corset.”

  Marshall’s roaring laugh was not at all what she had expected. Nor was his action of pulling her along the path.

  “What are you doing? Where are we going?”

  “Back to our room at the clubhouse.”

  “Our room?” She looked at him oddly as she hurried to keep up with his long strides.

  “You don’t intend to do something about your corset out here, do you?”

  She stumbled at his words and would have fallen flat, but he pulled her close and lifted her into his arms.

  “You are positively scandalous, Mr. Graham. Imagine if our guests knew what you’d just said. Imagine if they saw you doing this.”

  His voice came low and husky. “Imagine if they knew what else I was thinking of doing.”

  Audrey giggled. “It’s four flights up to our room. Do you intend to carry me all the way?”

  He glanced at the distant building and stopped midstep. “We couldn’t get a room on the second floor? How about we just make our way back to Bridal Fair? After all, everyone else is at the party. The house will be empty, at least for a time, and I’d only have one flight to climb.”

  “You forgot about Samson. He will be there,” Audrey said seriously. “My guardian is quite protective. He would hardly tolerate our not including him in our . . . celebration.”

  Marshall laughed, set her down gently, and swatted her playfully on the bustled back of her gown. “Then the resort will have to do. Get a move on, Mrs. Graham. Four flights are a lot of stairs to climb. We might well have to rest on the way. Perhaps we can make it by nightfall.”

  Audrey giggled again and took hold of his arm. “The length of the journey doesn’t matter, so long as you are at my side.”

  “Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you.”

  She leaned her head against his shoulder and sighed as Marshall put his arm around her waist. “Imagine that.”

  Author’s Note

  Dear Reader,

  The idea for this independent series was born when a reader attended one of our book signings for the Broadmoor series set in the Thousand Islands. She’d stated that now that we had written about the Thousand Islands, we should consider a series set on one of the islands along the southeastern coast of the United States. She mentioned both St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island as possibilities. We tucked away the idea, and when the time came to develop another series, we decided the rich history along the southeastern coastline would provide another unique setting for us.

  As in most of our books, there are fictional characters and settings, as well as authentic people and places. While Jekyll Island is an amazing resort in the southeast, we decided we would enjoy creating our own island, just as we had in the Broadmoor series.

  Bridal Veil Island is fictional, as are Bridal Fair and the Argosy River. However, we do make many references to Jekyll Island, so we wanted to point out that because our books are set prior to 1929, you’ll notice that the spelling appears as “Jekyl” Island rather than “Jekyll” Island. It wasn’t until the summer of 1929, at the instigation of club members, that the Georgia legislature passed a resolution to correct the spelling of Jekyl by adding a second “l.” The resolution noted that the island had been named by General Oglethorpe in honor of his friend, Sir Joseph Jekyll, and the correct spelling had been corrupted by omitting the last letter. Thereafter, Jekyll became the proper spelling for the island.

  The city of Biscayne is also fictional, although loosely based upon Brunswick, Georgia. However, never doubt that the live oaks are very real and exceedingly breathtaking trees.

  In the second book of the series, To Love and To Cherish, you’ll discover President McKinley makes a visit to both Jekyl Island and to Bridal Veil. The president did visit Jekyl Island, and it was, of course, the highlight of the season for those wintering on the island. Names of some well-known wealthy industrialists and entrepreneurs of the time period are sprinkled throughout the series, but the characters we hope you will come to know and love are the fictional ones that we have developed in our imaginations.

  If you’d like to learn more about Jekyll Island, please visit their Web site http://www.jekyllislandhistory.com/ and consider a visit in the future. You’ll fall in love with yet another part of our beautiful country.

  We hope you’ll enjoy this new series.

  ~Tracie and Judy

  Acknowledgments

  No book is written without the help and support of many people. The entire Bethany House staff constantly amazes me with their creative talents and ability to make each book shine. Special thanks to editors Sharon Asmus and Charlene Patterson for their encouragement and assistance. It is a genuine privilege to work with such talented editors as well as every member of the Bethany House family.

  Thanks to Mary Greb-Hall, Lorna Seilstad, and Mary Kay Woodford for their prayers, critiques, expertise, and friendship.

  Thanks to Gretchen Greminger, curator of the Jekyll Island Museum, for her speedy replies and helpful responses to my questions.

  And special thanks to you, dear readers, for your e-mails and letters of encouragement, your expressions of kindness and love, your prayers, and your eagerness to read each book.

  Above all, thanks and praise to our Lord Jesus Christ for the opportunity to live my dream and share the wonder of His love through story.

  ~Judy

  JUDITH MILLER is an award-winning author whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her bestselling novels. Judy makes her home in Topeka, Kansas.

  TRACIE PETERSON is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 80 novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops
at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Belgrade, Montana.

  For more information on Tracie and Judith’s books, including behind-the-scenes details and photos from the Bridal Veil Island series, check out the Writes of Passage blog at writespassage.blogspot.com.

  Books by Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller

  * * *

  Bells of Lowell

  Daughter of the Loom

  A Fragile Design

  These Tangled Threads

  Lights of Lowell

  A Tapestry of Hope

  A Love Woven True

  The Pattern of Her Heart

  The Broadmoor Legacy

  A Daughter’s Inheritance

  An Unexpected Love

  A Surrendered Heart

  Bridal Veil Island

  To Have and To Hold

  www.traciepeterson.com

  www.judithmccoymiller.com

  Resources: bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook

  Website: www.bethanyhouse.com

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