The Visitor

by Lori Wick

  Lizzy had even less interest in performing; her tastes ran to tapestries and books, but she enjoyed listening to music.

  “Very nice,” Edward said when Cassandra was done, the occupants of the room giving her applause.

  “How about some Bach,” Lizzy asked.

  Cassandra gave a slight nod and began. She had yet to look at Tate but knew he was watching her. He’d done little else all evening. She remembered that they had ended their afternoon together with eyes only for each other. With that in mind, Cassandra found the piano a distraction.

  That Tate wanted to keep looking at her was only too clear. What he might not know is that she wanted to look back.

  “Are you going to play for us, Lizzy?” Edward had the cheek to ask when Cassandra finished and moved away from the instrument before anyone could suggest another piece.

  “No,” she said sweetly, her eyes sending a message before she turned to Morland. “Don’t you start,” she warned him when she saw the gleam in his eyes.

  He only smiled.

  “Your sister doesn’t care to play?” Tate asked quietly when Cassandra came back to sit near him.

  “No more than I do.”

  Well remembering her view on the matter, Tate only smiled.

  “It looks as though we’re stuck with cards,” Edward commented, going for the deck.

  The women, thinking they might be asked again to play, were on their feet in a moment. Both of the men in their lives noticed this but only smiled without comment. Morland and Tate liked music, but pushing the women they loved to perform—even women they believed played beautifully—was the last thing they wished to do.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Henry had not stayed to breakfast with the family. He and Cassandra had ridden early and she had gone to the table, but as soon as Henry received the morning post, he retired to his study. He surprised the family by joining them again not five minutes later.

  Cassandra, Edward, and Lizzy watched him take his regular place at the breakfast table, their food forgotten.

  “Have Morland and Tate been exchanging plans?” Henry asked of his sisters.

  “Why would you ask that?” Lizzy ventured.

  “Because I have received a request for your hand in marriage, Lizzy, and one for yours as well, Cassie. They have come in the same post.”

  As though they’d practiced the move, both girls’ hands came to their mouths before they exchanged looks. They grinned at each other like children and then looked back to Henry.

  “I can see by this melancholy reaction that I must say no,” Henry said dryly, pushing from his seat amid his sisters’ laughter. They were chattering before he could exit the room.

  “I think it would be so wonderful to have a double wedding, Cassie.”

  Cassandra sat very upright, as though she’d been affronted.

  “How could you think anything else? I’ve wished for us to have a double wedding for some time now.”

  “With baskets of flowers!” Lizzy went on. “That’s a must.”

  “Yes, but now, should our dresses match or be different?”

  “I think different, Cassie. We have separate tastes, and I’m a few inches taller. One style might not work for both of us.”

  “That’s true. I think we should go into town today and start shopping.”

  “I have to see Anne Weston this morning, but we can go directly after.”

  It wasn’t until that moment that they noticed Edward. His head turned back and forth between them as they talked, as if he were watching a ball fly to and fro over a net.

  “Do you not have anything else to do, Edward?” Lizzy asked with a smile.

  “Not in the least,” he sat back. “I find I’m free all day.”

  The women laughed at him.

  “Would you like to accompany us to town?” Cassandra offered, certain he would say no.

  “I think I’d better. I may not have a chance to witness such a spectacle ever again.”

  “You had to ask him,” Lizzy said to her sister, but no one was very upset. No, indeed. The Misses Elizabeth and Cassandra Steele of Newcomb Park were going to be wed.

  Brown Manor

  “He was acting so oddly Wednesday night, Anne. I didn’t know what to think. And then in today’s post, the letter arrived.”

  “And one for Cassie too?”

  “Yes! Henry sent word back to both men directly.”

  Anne’s sigh was deep, her eyes dreamy.

  “How lovely.” She looked at Lizzy suddenly. “When, Lizzy? When will you be wed?”

  Lizzy looked surprised. “I don’t know. I didn’t think about it. Cassie and I are going shopping later, but I forgot all about selecting a date.”

  Anne laughed at her.

  “I so wish I could have witnessed this firsthand. You have plans to shop for a wedding, but you don’t know the date.”

  Lizzy had to laugh with her, but the question of a date stayed on her mind. It would have been the only thing on her mind had she known that Morland was already at the house looking for her to discuss this very subject.

  “She’s gone to see Anne Weston,” Cassandra told him.

  “I think she mentioned doing that. I forgot all about it.”

  “I don’t suppose I can help with anything?”

  “Only if you’re going to tell me what day she’ll marry me.”

  “Of course I can,” Cassandra said with a smile, shocking Morland, whose mouth was left open. “It’s the same day Tate is going to marry me.”

  “Tate asked for your hand?”

  Cassandra smiled. “Just this morning.”

  Morland hugged her and kissed her cheek.

  “Congratulations.”

  “And to you also.”

  “Thank you. Did I hear you right? We’re having a double wedding?”

  Cassandra stared at him, filled with sudden doubts. She’d failed to consider what the men would want.

  “Well, we thought it would be nice.” Cassandra’s voice had grown soft and uncertain. “I haven’t asked Tate, nor has Lizzy asked you, but then you know that.”

  Morland smiled, just short of laughter.

  Cassandra sighed. “There’s more to this than I imagined.”

  “That’s probably true for all of us, Cassie, but if Tate feels as I do, you may have any wedding you wish. What does Henry think?”

  This time Morland could not stop his laugh. Cassandra’s eyes had grown saucerlike, telling him that Henry had not been let in on the plan either.

  “Don’t panic,” Morland cautioned when he could speak. “Why don’t we first look at a calendar, choose some dates, and see if any of those would work for you and Lizzy. From there, you can ask Tate and gain his input. Henry probably won’t care to have much opinion on any of it.”

  “Good!” Cassandra declared. “That’s a fine plan.”

  When Edward wandered along not five minutes later, he naturally wanted to know what they were doing.

  “Finding a date to be wed.”

  Edward wondered at the fact that Morland and Cassandra were working together but only said, “Can I help?”

  “No!” Cassandra replied with such panic that Edward chuckled.

  “Edward, do you know what I’ve done?”

  “No, what?”

  “I’ve begun planning without ever once asking Tate if he minded a double wedding.”

  “He won’t, Cassie. And as bride it’s your choice.”

  “But it’s his wedding day too.”

  Edward only smiled and reiterated, “He won’t care, Cassie. You may trust me on this.”

  Cassandra only frowned in concentration and went back to the calendar.

  “Let’s see,” Morland was saying. “The bans have to be read two weeks in church, so this Sunday and next, and we could all be married in about ten days.”

  “You can’t be serious, Morland!” Cassandra turned to him. “There are dresses to be made and plans to settle.”

&
nbsp; “Twenty days, then?”

  His face was so serious that Cassandra turned to Edward.

  “Can you please make him understand?”

  “Understand what?” Lizzy wished to know, coming through the doorway in the nick of time.

  Cassandra and Morland began to speak at the same time, and once again, Edward sat back and watched, not sure if even the wildlife in Africa could compete with this spectacle for interest and fascination.

  “Wait a minute,” Lizzy cut in. “I’m not getting any of this.”

  Cassandra closed her mouth and let Morland explain, satisfied to see her sister’s surprise when Morland suggested they marry in 20 days’ time.

  “I don’t think that’s enough time, Morland,” Lizzy said gently. “Will it bother you terribly to have the wedding in August or even September when the weather has cooled?”

  Waiting that long had never occurred to Morland, and he was very bothered but did not immediately answer.

  “Morland?” Lizzy tried again.

  “I’m just considering a few things,” he said but didn’t elaborate.

  Lizzy looked to Cassandra, but she only shrugged.

  “Did you really think it would be in just a few weeks, Morland?” Lizzy asked, not certain what he was thinking.

  “I admit I did.”

  Lizzy didn’t know what to say. Charlotte had taken several months to plan her wedding. It didn’t seem overly long to any of them at the time, but maybe Barrington would disagree.

  “We haven’t actually chosen a date,” Cassandra mentioned. “I still haven’t spoken to Tate.”

  “Well, maybe you should do that, Cassie, and let me know what you decide.” Morland’s smile was normal, and his eyes were kind, but Lizzy could tell he was disappointed.

  “Now, I’d best be off. I understand you were headed to do some shopping.”

  Lizzy was so surprised she didn’t speak. Morland bid them all goodbye and made his way to the door.

  He was gone before Lizzy realized she should have gone after him. Thankfully, her siblings did nothing to add to her confusion. Edward told her that he was ready to go at any time, and Cassandra said she would need only ten minutes.

  Lizzy thanked them, decided to go ahead and shop, and hoped that Morland would come back that evening so they could talk.

  Richmond

  “Back from Lizzy’s, are you?” Aunt Penelope wished to know.

  “Yes.”

  “When are you getting married?”

  “Not for some time, it would seem.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Morland took a chair, sitting down slowly, his face distracted.

  “It seemes Lizzy feels she needs time.”

  “What kind of time?”

  “To prepare.”

  “Well, what day have you set?” The elderly aunt was growing testy.

  “Sometime in August or September.”

  “That’s just two months away, Morland, if that! What did you expect?”

  “I didn’t expect two months.”

  “Gracious, Morland! Did you really think Lizzy could snap her fingers and put this wedding together?”

  Morland had to admit that he must have thought that very thing. Either that or he was utterly unaware of what a wedding entailed.

  “So tell me,” Morland asked, a little testy himself. “What exactly has to be done?”

  Penelope calmed in an instant. Her favorite nephew was never cross with her. Telling her about this situation had most definitely bothered him. Her voice, when she began to speak, held all the patience in the world.

  “It takes some time to make dresses, Morland, especially when working in a small town like Collingbourne. If Lizzy were being married in London, it might be easier, but she’s not. And the dresses can be made only after fabric and design are chosen. Indeed, Morland, you’ll be needing a new suit yourself.

  “And that has to happen before the wedding clothes are made. She’s going to want a new wardrobe for your honeymoon. That event will be planned by you, incidently. And then there are flowers to prepare, wedding hats with veils to be chosen, the pastor to notify, the church spoken for, and bans read.

  “Morland,” she concluded. “There is simply no need to rush this. If you do, your bride is sure to be exhausted when you begin life as husband and wife.”

  Morland could have kicked himself. Had he only stopped and asked a few questions, he could have figured all of this out for himself. He had been at Charlotte and Barrington’s wedding. It had not been an elaborate affair, but it never once occurred to him how it all happened.

  “Thank you,” Morland said simply.

  “Is it possible that you’ll be going back to Newcomb tonight?” Penelope asked, a distinct twinkle in her eye.

  Morland smiled. “If Lizzy hadn’t gone shopping, I’d be leaving on the spot.”

  Penelope smiled at him. “Never forget, Morland, she loves you. And all couples have these things to work out.”

  Morland nodded, rose from his chair, and went to kiss her cheek.

  “Go on now,” she said, shooing him away. “You’ll have me in tears, and it’s bad luck to cry at a wedding.”

  “You don’t believe in luck.”

  “I know that, but I had to say something!”

  Morland laughed as he made his exit. He checked the clock, his mind making calculations. Even if the sisters weren’t back, he would head back to Newcomb in five hours and wait there. He’d speak to Lizzy the moment she returned.

  “I know you want to work things out with Morland,” Cassandra said sternly from her place in the carriage. “And you will work things out. If I know Morland, he’ll be back this very night, but for right now we’re going shopping for the most special day of our lives, and you’re going to have fun!”

  Edward turned in his seat to watch his younger sister. He didn’t think he’d ever heard her so bold. She noticed his appraisal and turned to spear him with her eyes.

  “Don’t you agree, Edward?”

  “Wholeheartedly.”

  Cassandra looked back to Lizzy, her look pointed.

  “I’ll work on it,” Lizzy said, her own eyes sending a message.

  Cassandra let the matter drop. She was sorry that Morland had left before things were settled, but she knew they would work out. There was no point in crying about it now.

  That she was being selfish and unfair occurred to her just moments later. She looked across at her sister and knew she’d been in the wrong.

  “Or we can go another day, Lizzy,” Cassandra said softly. “I should haven’t pushed you. Just say the word, and we’ll go home.”

  “Thank you, Cassie, but I think you might be right. It won’t hurt to look, even if I don’t spot anything I like.”

  “But, Lizzy,” Cassandra teased, “aren’t you getting married in 20 days?”

  Lizzy couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Poor Morland. I do hope he’ll give me a chance to explain.”

  Edward and Cassandra wished for the same thing but made the remainder of the ride to Collingbourne in silence.

  The women went directly to the dressmaker’s shop. Edward did not join them but promised to meet them later. Lizzy had low expectations but did in fact spot a length of white silk that she was immediately drawn to. She fingered the fabric, smiling at the perfect texture.

  “What do you think of this?” she asked Cassandra when the younger woman checked on her.

  “Oh, it’s lovely. It feels marvelous.”

  “Doesn’t it, though?”

  “Will you go with that?”

  “Yes, I think I will. I’m just so surprised to find something so swiftly.”

  “What do you think about this fabric?” Cassandra brought out the bolt she’d found.

  “I like it. Oh, I really like it. I want that.”

  Cassandra began to laugh.

  “Don’t start that, Lizzy. What you have picked out is perfect.”

  Lizzy frow
ned down at her sister’s choice.

  “But I like yours better.”

  “Well, the styles of our dresses are sure to be completely different, so it doesn’t really matter what fabric we choose, does it?”

  “No, probably not.”

  But it was nowhere near that simple. The typically practical-minded Lizzy altered her decision with nearly everything they found.

  Cassandra stuck with her first choice, and Lizzy ended up getting the same. Both were very content. They looked at patterns, but only Cassandra found something she liked. They spoke of looking at hats and accessories, but suddenly both were tired.

  “Is Tate coming for dinner?” Lizzy asked, once they were on their way home. Edward hadn’t said what he had found to do.

  “Yes, and then I’m invited there tomorrow night. Lizzy,” she asked, changing the topic, “what will you do if Morland doesn’t come this evening?”

  Lizzy looked to Edward and then back to Cassandra.

  “I’ll ask a certain brother if he can persuade him.”

  This was the last word on the matter, and in the end it was of no consequence. Morland was there when they arrived, asking immediately to see Lizzy.

  “Please forgive me, Lizzy,” were the first words out of Morland’s mouth.

  “There’s nothing to forgive.”

  Morland shook his head. “I can’t think when I moved off course. My expectations were utter nonsense.”

  “You just didn’t know.”

  Morland still looked contrite. “Aunt Penelope spoke to me.”

  “Oh, no.” Lizzy laughed a little. “Was she very harsh?”

  “A bit, but then she calmly explained it all to me.”

  “I’ll have to thank her.”

  “So what date did you choose?”

  “Tate is coming for dinner, and we’ll work on it then.”

  Morland nodded, still getting used to the fact that things could take as long as they did.

  “I found dress material.”

  “Did you?” Morland asked with pleasure, not having expected this.