by Linda Swift
Clarissa laughed. "I don't think either of us would mind, Polly, just so long as we have the ceremony."
"You sure anxious to marry that man, Missa." Polly shook her head. "Cain't even wait till you wean Miss Demanda. Or have a proper mourning."
"It was the major who insisted we not wait a minute longer," Clarissa said, thinking of the first time she had married Philip Burke. She'd been nursing Elliot then, and had only been in mourning two months. History was repeating itself but this time, she was sure it would have a different ending. "And besides, he has courted me properly for six months, so I think he deserves to move out of that room above his medical office in Clarksville and into Mimosa Manor."
"Yes," Angeline agreed, "especially since he wants to start the renovation of the house as soon as weather permits." She smiled impishly. "I'm glad at least one of us is marrying a man of means."
Thinking of her unfortunate union with Malcolm Wakefield, Clarissa shook her head. "Money is not the important thing." Then, unable to resist giving as good as she got, she added, "Besides, you had your chance at Nathan Forsythe."
"So I did, but I'm glad it worked out the way it has. And isn't it amazing that Mary Jane has her little Annabel Lee and I have my Mari Etta so near the same age? And your Demanda only a few months older. We'll be having a lot of weddings at once when they come of age, won't we?"
"Just like now. You and Devon last November. And it was just a year ago that Nathan and Mary Jane were married on Christmas Eve; remember, Polly?"
"’Deed I do, and it a good thing you not afraid of bad luck."
"Maybe I am," Clarissa mused, "and I just want to cancel out a bad memory with a happy one."
Polly sighed as she tucked the last pin into the garment and leaned back to check her work. "You not the only one wishes she could swap the bad for good." She stood and helped Clarissa remove her dress. "I finish this after I hep Miss Matilda fed the chil'ren their dinner. They be done makin' snowmen by now."
As Polly left the room, Clarissa took Demanda from her cradle and sat down to feed her.
"What did Polly mean by that remark, about the good and bad, sister?" Angeline asked with a puzzled frown.
"She was wishing she hadn't helped Napoleon run away to the North. If he'd stayed, they would have married, I think."
Angeline looked thoughtful. "I guess I never realized that Polly was pining for a man she loved, too."
Clarissa smiled. "Maybe her luck will change."
• ♥ •
Philip sat in his medical office in the old brick building facing the court square, a curtain of falling snow almost obscuring the courthouse that stood directly opposite. His last patient had just left, and he lit his pipe and opened the letter from his sister-in-law which he had saved until he was alone, and began to read.
Oswego, New York
December 13, 1865
My dear Philip,
It was so good to have your letter and to learn your wonderful news. I do wish that we could be with you on the joyous occasion of your wedding, but even if weather permitted safe travel, I agree with you that it would not be best for either family to mingle at this time. However, be forewarned that we will not permit your exile forever. If Mohammed will not come to the mountain, you know. And Edward and I will come to the South next summer in order to see and report in detail on the Reconstruction Act and we will expect to stop by Mimosa Manor while we are in the vicinity.
There has been much rejoicing here at the end of the fighting, and thanks be to God none of our immediate family has been maimed or killed in battle. All of the family is well and enjoying a more relaxed existence now that the pressure to produce iron is lessened for your father and Thomas, and your mother is less involved in providing for the soldiers' needs. And now Elizabeth has a baby sister, born last month. Her name is Virginia Edwina, named for Edward and me, who are her proud godparents. Mother and baby are fine.
We were pleased to hear of your successful new practice in Clarksville. And it is splendid that your wife will be joining you as assistant soon. I am sure I would be delighted to know this capable and independent young woman. It must have been very difficult to be a widow with those three young children and I am certain you will fill the role of husband and father admirably.
As to the matter of Napoleon, I was quite certain that he would choose to remain here in Oswego where I pay him handsomely and where Negroes are better thought of. However, I did read your letter offering him a job in your office, and much to my surprise (and I admit it, dear Philip, chagrin) he eagerly chose to return to the South. So you may expect him on the Nashville & Chattanooga at noon on December 23.
Please write again soon and let me know if Napoleon has arrived safely. And give our best wishes to your beloved bride. She is a very fortunate woman, but I am sure she is aware of that.
Edward sends heartiest congratulations and best of luck to you.
Our love and prayers for your happiness,
Your sister-in-law,
Virginia Varick Burke
Philip smiled as he folded the letter. He would take his carriage to Nashville and meet Napoleon tomorrow. And it would be easy enough to conceal him here in Clarksville until they went to Mimosa Manor for the wedding. Virginia couldn't understand why Napoleon would give up what he had in Oswego to come back to the South, but he had not doubted the outcome of his offer for one moment. Napoleon's heart had never left, and he looked forward to seeing Polly's face when her man came home.
Philip stood and pulled on his great coat. He had to see to the final arrangements for getting the small horse and pony cart to Magnolia Manor without Robert and Elliot being aware of it before Christmas morning. Now that Napoleon would be here, he would count on him to teach Robert how to handle the cart safely. He had already taken care of his other presents. For his little daughter he had bought a porcelain music box and for Clarissa, a gold brooch in the shape of a perfect rose. He had also ordered a grand piano for Mimosa Manor and he could envision evenings when he would play, and Devon would lead the others in singing. He smiled as he locked his office door and walked out into the drifted snow. He was going to enjoy being a family man.
• ♥ •
Candles burned in hurricane lamps on the mantel, casting a soft glow on the couple who stood beside the blazing fire. The minister, Bible open in his hand, adjusted his spectacles and cleared his throat. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here..."
Clarissa and Philip stood hand in hand, facing each other with rapt attention. Her creamy damask gown molded her voluptuous figure to perfection, her luminous brown eyes and golden hair barely visible beneath her enticing lace veil. His tan cut-away coat and striped trousers complemented his luxurious black hair and mustache, and his deep blue eyes gazed at her with adoration.
"...live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of thy life..." the minister's words droned on.
Beside them, Angeline and Devon stood, their faces reflecting their own love and joy. And in the first row of chairs, Robert and Elliot, dressed in new clothes for the occasion, sat on either side of Matilda who held the sleeping Demanda. Polly, holding Mari Etta, sat with Napoleon, neither taking their eyes off the other and smiling with obvious happiness. Behind them, a gathering of neighbors and acquaintances from Clarksville was seated.
"And for this a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave only unto his wife..."
Philip had left his family just as the Scriptures had directed, Clarissa thought, but it would not always be that way. Already his sister-in-law had stated her intention of coming to Mimosa Manor.
"I, Philip, take thee, Clarissa..."
"I, Clarissa, take thee, Philip..."
"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Philip lifted the lace veil and Clarissa's radiant beauty in the flickering candle light almost took his breath away. The chaste kiss he gave her was but a promise of the fulfillment yet to come.
The newlyweds
were embraced and congratulated and feted with a feast in the dining room which looked almost elegant in the glow of candles with holly decorating the table.
And finally, they bade their guests and family goodnight and climbed the stairs to claim the master suite which Matilda had insisted belonged to Clarissa as eldest heir of Robert Giles.
"My wife," Philip said as the door closed behind them, shutting out the world at last. "Now you are mine forever."
"Yes, Philip, forever."
He put his arms around her and would have pulled her to him, but she placed her hands on his chest.
"Philip, there is something I must tell you. I want you to know that Demanda is your daughter. And when I chose to honor my vows to Malcolm, it was because I wanted her to have a name."
He took her face in his hands and lifted it until her eyes met his. "Clarissa, my darling, all of your children are mine no matter what their names. Don't you know that? They are all part of you and all of you belong to me."
Tears of gratitude and love sparkled in Clarissa's eyes and spilled down her cheeks. He kissed them away and when his lips met hers, she tasted the salt on his tongue. Their bodies melded together in a passionate embrace, their mouths lingering in sweet communion. Then, slowly, they undressed each other and began their night of wedded bliss, knowing this time it was forever.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Linda Swift is a native Kentuckian who, with her husband, now divides her time between homes in Kentucky and Florida. They are the parents of a son and daughter. Linda is an award-winning author of published poetry, articles, short stories, and a TV play. She was first published by Kensington and has had historical and contemporary novels, short stories and poetry books published by nine digital publishers since 2008. Her Civil War novel, This Time Forever was adapted as an Independent Feature Film titled Clarissa's War. The DVD is now available for purchase through Dreamscape Media at multiple distributors.
For more information about Linda's work, check:
http://lindaswift.net
https://www.facebook.com/linda.swift.359?ref=ts&fref=ts
http://onceuponaword1.blogspot.com/p/linda-swift
http://www.amazon.com/LindaSwift/e/B004PGXCTQ/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0