Love Everlasting

by Tracie Peterson

  “Well, perhaps it doesn’t have as much to do with you as it used to. I once felt certain that showing my father that a respectable woman of society would have me as a husband would prove something to him. It came purely as a welcome surprise that you turned out to be an heiress, as well.” He gave her a smug look of satisfaction. “A very welcome surprise. I believe it will show those friends of his a thing or two after they all boasted of their connections when I was young. Ultimately, I will show my father that I have gained far greater wealth than he will ever know. And finally, I will reveal to him that I have had his business associates and friends in my control for some time.” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Then he will regret not only what he did, but he will despair of his very life before I’m through with him.”

  Abrianna thought to tell him that he would never have any benefit from her money, but she knew it was best to let him think whatever he wanted. Instead, she questioned him about his father.

  “Do you really suppose it was easy for your father to take a stand? It sounds to me that he had his values and wanted to teach you something about them. Perhaps he always intended for you to come back and seek forgiveness.”

  “I will never ask any man for that. Nor any woman.”

  She shivered at the implication. “And what of God’s forgiveness, Mr. Welby?”

  He shook his head. “I won’t ask for His, either.”

  “But why not?”

  Welby picked up his wine goblet and swirled the contents for a moment. He tossed back the remaining contents, then shrugged. “I won’t give Him the satisfaction of rejecting me like my father did.”

  Abrianna tried to focus on the meal but found that what little appetite she had mustered up was now gone.

  She suppressed a yawn that drew Welby’s attention. He offered a sympathetic smile. “I suppose I haven’t given you a great deal of time to rest during all of this. You must understand, of course, that I couldn’t risk leaving you too much time to yourself. You might have plotted against our marriage and me.”

  “I’m not really as horrible a person as you believe me to be. Not that you care to know my heart.”

  He considered her a moment. “You’re wrong. I hope you might believe me when I say that I am sorry that things had to take this course. I would much rather have had you fall in love with me and desire this union.”

  She could almost believe him. His words and expression seemed genuinely contrite, but Abrianna wasn’t going to allow herself to feel anything for him but regret. “I’m sorry, but I’m so very tired. I wonder if you might consider taking me home.”

  He nodded. “Of course. I want you well rested for Saturday.” He signaled the waiter. After arranging for the bill, Welby got to his feet and helped Abrianna to hers.

  She let him help her with her cloak and didn’t move away from him when he took hold of her elbow. Abrianna figured once they were in the carriage, he might try to kiss her or worse and so decided to approach the subject of her purity once they were alone.

  The carriage had barely begun to move when Abrianna spoke. “I want to thank you for understanding my desire to remain pure until we . . . until our marriage. I could not face myself, much less a church filled with people, and wear white, if I were not . . . not unspoiled.”

  He chuckled. “You have some strange notions, my dear.”

  “Nonsense. I think you would find most women think as I do,” Abrianna said. “Besides, you must consider my belief in the Bible. The Bible makes it clear that fornication is a sin.” She tried not to be embarrassed about the topic of their conversation but to stand on the truth. “I desire to come to my husband without blemish on my reputation or my convictions.”

  “Yes, but were we to . . . fornicate, as you put it,” he said, sounding amused, “it would be less than two days before we were legally wed.”

  “I understand that, but what if one of us were to die? Any number of things might happen, although I certainly do not anticipate it.” She tried to sound casual about the entire idea. “If I were to allow your desires, we would be forever changed. At least I would be. And if I were the one remaining and you were the one who died, I might even find myself with child. I could never find acceptance in the public eye as an unmarried woman having a baby.”

  “I suppose you make a good point. However, I think you overestimate your unmarried sisters around the world. Believe me when I say that many a young woman finds herself happily engaged in amorous games prior to her wedding.”

  “Well, I’m not one of them. And I only brought it up to thank you. I know it was not your desire to put off such things. But I do appreciate that you have acted in an honorable way . . . for the most part.” She cringed. She hadn’t meant to add the latter and could only hope it hadn’t offended him.

  “If being a virgin on your wedding night is that important, then I will give that to you as my gift. It hasn’t been easy knowing that I could have forced the matter, given all that I have available to me.”

  “I realize that you could have threatened someone I love with an accident or death. Perhaps it shows some decency in you that you have considered my feelings on the matter.”

  He laughed most heartily. “Your naivety knows no bounds, Abrianna. There is nothing decent about me.”

  The carriage came to a stop, and Abrianna breathed a sigh of relief as the groomsman opened the door and Welby climbed out. She had no idea how she might have answered Welby’s last statement. It quite amazed her that the man took such pride in being evil. She drew a deep breath and rose. She only had to get through tomorrow and then her ability to play a part would determine her entire future.

  “No,” a still, soft voice seemed to whisper to her heart. “I hold your future.”

  She smiled and nodded as Welby helped her down. God held her future. Her actions were of little consequence if God was not in control.

  Abrianna entered the house to find her aunts awaiting her return. Her father had told her that he would inform her aunts of the wedding-day plans so they would not despair of the situation. She knew they had been very hurt by her unwillingness to confide in them.

  “We would like to speak to you for a moment, Abrianna,” Aunt Miriam declared.

  “Of course.” Abrianna draped her cloak on the banister before following the trio into the small private sitting room. A fire was burning out in the hearth, but the room was still toasty and warm.

  “We were going upstairs to prepare for bed, but your father came to us and explained what has been going on.” Aunt Miriam sat down beside Poisie on the settee. Aunt Selma took the chair opposite them and nodded.

  “I am sorry,” Abrianna said in a hushed voice, “that I could not say more. In fact, I doubt it is wise for us to say much even now. I find that Mr. Welby has spies in the most unlikely places.”

  “Surely not here!” Aunt Poisie put her hand to her throat. “Goodness, but I couldn’t sleep at all if I thought that. Perhaps we should all take up weapons?” She posed the thought as a question and looked to her sister for confirmation.

  “I don’t believe he has anyone here, but I would practice caution,” Abrianna replied. “I never meant to hurt any of you, and I have been most grieved by the fact that I have. Please know that I am sorry, and I hope you will forgive me.”

  “Of course,” Aunt Miriam said. “We could never hold anything against you. We love you.” Aunt Poisie bobbed her head in approval.

  “Indeed we do,” Aunt Selma added. “You were placed in a most difficult position, and it is to our utter despair that we realize we play a small role in it. Had you not felt our safety compromised, you might never have made the choices you did.”

  Abrianna held up her hand. “Let’s say nothing more. If all goes well, we can discuss it at length after Saturday.”

  “Agreed.” Aunt Miriam got to her feet. “Is there anything we might do to help?”

  “Just pray.” Abrianna looked into each of their faces. “I know God has con
trol of this matter. I know there was a reason that things happened as they did. I can even see where He has tempered my pride and self-confidence. I know that I was often of the belief that there was nothing I could not handle by myself. I realize the mistake in that. Now I can see that there is nothing God cannot handle, and I am only an instrument in His hands.”

  Aunt Miriam came to her. She placed a light kiss on Abrianna’s forehead. She stepped away and gave one of her rare smiles. “That gives me great peace.”

  “It gives me peace, as well,” Aunt Selma said. She hugged Abrianna close. “We will all endeavor to bear this as best we can.” She joined Aunt Miriam by the door.

  Aunt Poisie came forward and took hold of Abrianna’s hands. “Just as David slew Goliath with God’s help and direction, you will see your giant slain.” She frowned. “Well, perhaps not slain but at least conquered. Yes. Conquered is a much better way of saying it. After all, there has been more than enough killing.” She gave Abrianna a quick peck on the cheek, then joined the others.

  Once they had gone, Abrianna gave a sigh. Flora would be waiting for her upstairs, eager to hear all about the evening’s events. The young woman had been a great source of comfort prior to the others knowing what had taken place between her and Welby, but tonight Abrianna had no desire to talk about the evening. Her mind churned with thoughts of Saturday and all that might take place at the morning wedding. She knew there was a risk that everything would fall apart. There was even a risk she would die.

  She looked around the small sitting room. “If my life is the price, Lord,” she prayed in a whisper, “then I willingly lay it down for those I love.” The thought gave her little satisfaction, however. She didn’t want to die. She wanted a life with Wade. She wanted to minister with him, bear his children, and grow old together.

  One of Aunt Selma’s crocheted doilies caught her eye. Abrianna lifted it from the back of the chair and studied the pattern. She’d never been any good at crocheting, no matter how much time Aunt Selma had taken to teach her.

  Abrianna smiled sadly and replaced the doily. She had wasted a lot of those lessons because of stubbornness and a lack of desire to know what her aunts longed to teach her. If things went the way she prayed, Abrianna vowed to spend the rest of her unmarried days learning whatever they desired to teach her. It was the least she could do for three old women who loved her more than life.

  She blew out the lamp and moved down the darkened hall to the stairs. She was about to pick up the lamp her aunts had left lit on the foyer table when she saw a shadow move in the hall. Abrianna went to see who or what it might be and found herself suddenly wrapped in a tight hold. She suppressed a scream at the familiar scent of cologne.

  “I thought you’d never come,” Wade whispered against her ear.

  “You scared a dozen years off my life. Oh, Wade, how I’ve missed you and our talks.” She couldn’t see his face well, but she knew it by heart. Reaching up she put her hand to his cheek and felt the stubble. “You need a shave.”

  He laughed. “I’ve been much too worried about you to tend to shaving.”

  “Nevertheless, you need one.” She frowned. “How did you get in here without someone seeing you? You know that Welby has this place watched.”

  “I do. But they are looking for a dashingly handsome young man who will walk up the drive and knock at the front door. They hardly expected me to be hiding in the school’s omnibus for your father to drive me in unseen.”

  “So you are a dashingly handsome sneak. How wonderful.” She laughed in spite of her worry about him. “Next thing I know you’ll be climbing up the lattice and appearing in my bedroom. Which reminds me, had I only agreed to elope with you, we might not find ourselves in this predicament. I must say, God has taught me a great lesson in giving up my desire to master and control my life. I will happily let you take charge in the future.”

  “Ah, Abrianna, how I love you.” Releasing his hold, he stepped back. “I’ve missed you so much, and I can’t bear to see you in the company of another.”

  “Well, hopefully it will be concluded soon. Have there been any changes to our plan?”

  “No. Kolbein has figured the perfect place for you to be when you send for Welby. It’s a large room, but a good portion of it has been utilized for storage. There are old altar pieces and large furnishings that have been kept there. They will allow us to remain hidden until we can spring the trap on Welby.”

  “But how will you get in there unseen?”

  “Kolbein has that all figured. We will go well ahead of time and hide in one of the locked rooms well away from the main part of the church. There are a series of rooms that connect to each other, and this is one. We will wait until the ceremony is just about to start. You will send your father to fetch Welby, and we will sneak in and take our places. When Welby comes, you will give the performance of your life, and we will capture Welby in his confession.”

  “Oh, Wade, I do hope and pray this all works out the way you plan. I’m so afraid.”

  “I know, sweetheart. But believe me, I won’t let anything happen to you or anyone else, if I have any say in the matter.”

  She sighed and stepped closer to wrap her arms around him. With her cheek resting against him, Abrianna felt his strength give her courage. “I love you so dearly. Facing all of these trials makes me realize how silly it was to fear marriage ruining our friendship. It makes me also see how foolish it was to worry about money or anything else.”

  “It’s made me see that, as well. I was a fool to be so wrapped up in my pride. Do you forgive me?”

  “Of course. Do you forgive me?”

  “Do you really have to ask?”

  He put his hand in her pinned-up hair, much as Welby had done the night he’d forced his kiss on her. Wade bent her gently backwards and pressed his mouth to hers. Abrianna felt her heart pound so hard that she felt certain Wade could hear it. She tightened her hold on him and let the warmth of his kiss spread a fire throughout her body. For a moment she found herself not caring at all what might happen. Thankfully, Wade still had the presence of mind to realize the danger at hand. He straightened and, once certain that she was steady on her feet, let go his hold.

  “When this is over with, we’re getting married,” he said in a matter-of-fact manner. “Wedding or no wedding. I don’t want to wait any more than is absolutely necessary.”

  “Me either,” she whispered. “But I think we’d best not meet like this again. Your kisses do something to me, and I don’t trust myself.”

  He chuckled. “I was thinking the same thing.”

  Abrianna drew in a deep breath. “Good night, then.” She stepped away but found each step harder than the next. She couldn’t understand what was happening to her, but it was hard to remember her standards and beliefs in light of the passion that single kiss had awakened. She felt completely helpless in her longing. Turning back, she whispered his name, but there was no response. Disappointment and relief washed over her, and for a moment she stood wondering what to do. Her senses gradually returned, and without further delay she headed for the stairs.

  24

  Abrianna waited for Flora and Eloise to put the finishing touches on her hair. She had chosen a Grecian arrangement, where her dark red curls could be drawn up and pinned at the front and side, while allowing the rest of her hair to spill down her back.

  “You look beautiful.” Eloise took a step back. “Pity it has to be wasted on this occasion.”

  “It is indeed a pity.” Abrianna tried not to sound overly nervous. “Let’s finish this. Flora, will you attach the train and then help me into the overlay?”

  The younger woman nodded and quickly went to work with the beautiful cathedral train. “This is fit for a queen’s coronation,” Flora declared.

  “Perhaps when this is all over, I could send the gown to one of the crowned heads of Europe,” Abrianna mused. “Imagine it arriving and the royal stewards trying to decide why a woman in America would
send them such a concoction of fabric and lace. There are a great many princes and princesses, I’ve heard. Seems most every country over there has several to spare. Even so, I doubt they’d want this mess.”

  Flora giggled. “They already believe all Americans to be fools. I read that much in one of the newspapers last year. I had wanted to visit Europe prior to hearing such things. That just seemed rude and uncalled for.”

  “Well, let them have their notions.” Eloise set the crowned veil atop Abrianna’s head. The circlet of pearls fit perfectly over the crest of the pinned curls. Eloise held the bulk of the veil aside while Flora helped Abrianna into the lace overlay. When everything was in place, they stood back to admire their work.

  “You may not have chosen this style,” Eloise declared, “but you look truly beautiful. Should I pull the veil over your face?”

  Abrianna gazed into the cheval mirror that someone had thoughtfully placed in the room. She had to admit the image reflected there was of a royal princess rather than a mischievous hoyden who frequented the docks to feed old sailors.

  “No. There’s no need. I must speak face-to-face with Welby.”

  “The man certainly spared no expense,” Eloise said, handing Abrianna her gloves. “Even these gloves are edged with pearls.”

  “Pity he didn’t use the money to benefit the poor or help those in need. When I think of the money this gown costs and how it could have been put to much better use, it sickens me. Maybe not as much as actually marrying Welby, but it’s close.”

  A knock sounded on the door, and all three women started at the noise. Eloise went quickly and admitted Kolbein. “It’s time, Abrianna. The men are ready. I’m going to let them in back there.” He pointed to where she’d been told there was another door. “It will only take a moment, and we will all be in place, so send for Welby now.”

  She nodded. “I’ll have Flora go get him. Do you know where he is?”

  Kolbein nodded. “He’s speaking at the back of the church with Jay. Jay thought to keep him busy there for easier access.”