Her heart sank as she got an inkling of where this was going.
“Based on my reporting,” he continued, “my editor published the stories and sold tons of papers. Everyone was happy as could be, except, of course, for this politician and his family, who kept protesting his innocence. Naturally, no one believed him—after all, they’d read the truth in a respected newspaper. So, in order to get himself and his family away from all the harsh public attention, this cheating politician gathered his wife and daughters and set sail on their private yacht for a getaway. Unfortunately, they were caught up in a storm, and the boat capsized. The politician and one daughter drowned. The wife and other child survived.”
She placed a hand on his arm to show her sympathy for both the victims and him. “How awful.”
He seemed not to notice her gesture. “A week later, the story I had written proved false. The carefully crafted lie and so-called proof had been engineered and fed to me by one of his political opponents. Someone who knew it was a story I couldn’t resist.”
“Oh, Everett, I’m so, so sorry.”
“Because of my lack of objectivity, a good man and his family were publicly raked over the coals. And my actions, no matter how indirect, led to his death and that of his daughter.” He stood and looked down at her. “I just thought you should know what sort of man you were yoking yourself to before it was too late for you to back out.”
With that, he turned and left her there.
Daisy felt at a loss as she watched him leave. What he’d done had had terrible consequences. But she could see that he was hurting, that he was filled with remorse and self-loathing. She should have said something, done something to comfort him. But she’d failed him.
Father above, Everett is a man in need of forgiveness, both from You and from himself. I know You will forgive him if he but asks, but how can I help him to see that? Please, help me find a way.
* * *
Everett walked into his office and sat at his desk shuffling papers, but was unable to concentrate on any of it. Telling Daisy had been the right thing to do, the honorable thing. But that hadn’t made it any easier.
She now had to choose between marrying a man who had done this truly unforgivable thing, or live with a tarnished reputation. What was she thinking? It had been cowardly of him to leave so abruptly, but reliving that nightmare had scraped his feelings raw, and he couldn’t bear to see loathing or rejection in her eyes.
He had attended the funeral, had seen the politician and his daughter laid to rest. The sight of those two caskets had been convicting. The sight of the grieving widow and surviving daughter had wrenched something deep inside him.
He’d stood in the back of the crowd, not wanting his presence to bring further pain to this family. But somehow the widow had seen him. For one endless moment, their eyes had locked across that cemetery lawn and he’d felt her pain. When she finally looked away—turned her back on him—he’d walked away.
Would Daisy turn her back on him, as well?
His door opened and Daisy marched in, her dog at her heels. Her eyes were flashing with some strong emotion and he surged to his feet, bracing himself for the worst.
“It wasn’t very gentlemanly of you to walk off that way without me.”
He tried to read her expression. “My apologies.”
“Apology accepted.” She lifted her chin. “I just wanted to let you know that I ran into Adam on my way here and, since I haven’t heard back from my father, I asked him to walk me down the aisle Saturday. He agreed.”
Was that her way of telling him she intended to go through with the wedding? But did that mean she’d just taken the better of two unappealing options? “Adam is a good choice.”
“Glad you approve.” She smiled. “And for the record, though he is remarkably thickheaded and obtuse, I think my husband-to-be is also a good choice. Those things I said about him earlier still stand.”
And with that, she spun around and walked away.
* * *
Everett slowly sat back down. She was going through with it, wanted to go through with it. The flood of emotions surging into him almost made him dizzy. There had been no loathing, no rejection in her eyes when she looked at him. There had been anger, yes, but something else, too, something amazingly like affection.
How could that be? Deep down he knew he wasn’t a very likable person, even when one didn’t know his secrets. Yet she saw something good in him. What was it she had said about him? A man who is perhaps too much of a stickler and takes himself too seriously but who has a good heart, is a loving brother, has a strong sense of what is right and honorable, and does his duty without question.
He wasn’t sure he really was that person, but suddenly he very much wanted to be.
* * *
Daisy’s wedding day dawned bright and clear. The sky was dotted here and there with wispy clouds that posed no danger of rain and only served to intensify the blue of the sky behind them.
Daisy stood at the back of the church with Adam and Reggie, waiting for her cue to walk down the aisle. This was it. In a few short moments, she would speak the vows that would tie her life irrevocably to Everett’s. It was a scary thought, but exciting, too.
At least she was properly attired for the occasion—Everett would have no reason to apologize for her appearance. She looked down at her skirt, gently touching the luxurious fabric, admiring the scalloped hem and lace trim.
The gown Hazel and Abigail had created for her was just about the finest she’d ever seen, much less worn. And that included gowns she’d seen in her grandmother’s drawing room and in Abigail’s catalogs.
Abigail had played the role of sister of the bride with relish. She insisted on arranging Daisy’s hair, piling it all up fancy with a few ringlets cascading down. And there was a coronet of flowers in her hair. The girl had also picked a bouquet of lovely wildflowers, along with roses from Reggie’s garden.
She felt like a princess. And an impostor.
Everything about today would be perfect, if only she was marrying someone who loved her. Was this truly the answer to her prayers? Or was it rather the penance she must pay for not listening to Everett’s concerns over their use of that door?
Everett had been so good about not making her feel he was angry or unhappy with the circumstances that had brought them to this. But she knew he had to feel some amount of frustration.
Would they be able to get past that?
Reggie was keeping an eye on the preacher, looking for the signal that it was time to start. Then, as if picking up on Daisy’s nervousness, she turned and gave her a smile. “You look mighty fine, fine enough to fit in in my grandfather’s parlor back in Philadelphia. Don’t you agree, Adam?”
“That, she would. In fact, I can only remember one bride who looked lovelier.” He winked at his wife, and Daisy was surprised to see a faint blush stain Reggie’s cheeks. Would she and Everett ever share those kind of special moments?
Reggie looked into the sanctuary again, then turned with a smile. “All right, they’re all set.”
Daisy’s heart stuttered, as if she’d been caught in the act of something improper. Adam tucked her arm under his elbow and smiled down at her. “Shall we?”
She pushed away the last minute wave of panic, and nodded.
Adam’s smile took on an understanding edge, and he patted her hand. “Deep breath. Smile. Eyes straight ahead. You’ll do fine.”
She smiled gratefully, lifted her head and signaled she was ready.
All heads turned to face her as she stepped into the aisle, but Daisy’s gaze sought and then locked onto Everett’s. She saw his eyes widen just a bit as he took in her appearance. His obvious approval gave her a little boost of confidence.
Then Adam gave her arm a squeeze, and they were moving forward. The walk down the aisle seemed both infinitely long and unbelievably short. Then Adam was releasing her and handing her off to Everett.
The cynicism that seemed a natura
l part of his expression appeared to be curiously absent now. Instead, it was replaced by something softer yet stronger at the same time. She responded with a shy smile.
When he took her hand, there was a moment of connection, of intense awareness, that almost made her jump. She could tell he felt it, too. Was it because of the occasion? Or something more?
His hold was warm, strong, possessive. But as before, there was protectiveness and tenderness, as well. She was suddenly filled with a sense of peace, of rightness. This was meant to be. Did Everett feel that, too?
Reverend Harper’s words broke the spell, and both Everett and Daisy faced forward. But she remained acutely conscious of the man at her side, and the warm comfort of his hand holding hers so protectively.
She stood through the entire ceremony as if watching it from a distance, as if it were happening to someone else. The only thing grounding her was the feel of his hand holding hers.
To her surprise, Everett had a ring to place on her finger at the appropriate time. As he slipped it on her finger, she stared down at it, a simple gold band with a small, square-cut, blue stone set on prongs. She was enchanted by just how perfect it was, how very right it looked on her finger.
She looked up and found Everett watching her, and for once there was no guarded quality in his expression. Just warm encouragement, and something more primitive that she didn’t quite understand but didn’t fear. And that was the very best wedding present he could have given her.
When the vows had been recited and Reverend Harper pronounced them man and wife, Everett bent down to give her a kiss. It was sweet and warm and altogether breathtaking. And over much too soon.
Then they were turning to face the congregation. The first person Daisy saw was Abigail, and she was surprised to see the girl had a tear trickling down her cheek, but her smile was beautifully joyful.
Then Everett was leading her down the aisle in firm, sure steps. And from every side, Daisy saw smiles of shared happiness and approval.
Had this marriage had the unexpected effect of giving her a firmer standing in the community?
She pushed that thought aside—that wasn’t the kind of thing one should contemplate about one’s marriage.
As they stepped out on the church steps, Daisy blinked a moment in the brightness of the sunshine. Then she blinked again in surprise. A flower-festooned motorized carriage was waiting for them, with Chance sitting in the driver’s seat.
Reggie had offered to hold a reception for them at her home after the wedding, and Daisy would have been fine with making the short trip there on foot. But such a thoughtful, romantic gesture from Everett caught her off guard, and her pulse quickened in pleasure at what he’d done. When she turned to thank him, though, it was obvious from his expression that he was as surprised as she was.
Before Daisy could say anything, Abigail rushed up and gave Daisy a hug. “We’re truly sisters now. I’m so happy.” Then she stepped back. “Do you like the conveyance? I thought you should be transported from the church in style.”
“It’s very thoughtful. Thank you.”
“Yes, thank you, Abigail.” Everett turned to Daisy. “Shall we?”
The reception was set up in Reggie’s beautiful and expansive backyard. To Daisy’s surprise, there was a grand turnout. She and Everett greeted guests as they arrived until Daisy felt she must have shaken every hand in town.
* * *
As Everett circulated among the guests, his gaze kept drifting back to his wife. There was no trace of the peddler’s daughter in her today. This Daisy would fit in any society ballroom or parlor. It was partly the dress, of course. But it was more than that. There was a sort of natural grace to her, a genuine friendliness that shone through from within.
Perhaps fate had dealt him a winning hand, after all.
He was making his way to Daisy’s side to offer her a cup of punch when Reggie waylaid him. “I’m ready to photograph you and your bride. I’ll fetch Daisy if you’ll find your sister.” She pointed toward a large oak that shaded one side of her lawn. “I’ve got the camera set up over there.”
Everett finally tracked down Abigail. She and Constance were chatting with Jack, who was keeping an eye on Kip and Buck. By the time they reached Reggie, Daisy was already there.
Reggie had set up her camera so that the tree would serve as a backdrop for the picture. “Let’s get a photograph with just the bride and groom first,” she instructed. “If the two of you would stand right there.”
She fussily arranged Daisy’s dress, having her hold her flowers just so. Then she stood back, studying them. A grin teased the corners of her mouth. “You are married now. You can stand closer together. And don’t be afraid to hold hands.”
Everett didn’t need to be told twice. Holding his wife’s hand had become one of his favorite pastimes.
“Perfect. Now if you’ll just hold it there for a few minutes... Okay. Now you’d mentioned wanting to get a picture of the two of you with Abigail.”
Daisy nodded. “Yes. A family picture.”
“In that case,” Abigail interjected, “Kip should be in the picture, too.”
Everett frowned. “That animal is not part of the family.”
“Come now,” Reggie said, “posing with an animal will be just like old times for you.”
“What’s this?” Abigail looked from Reggie to Everett.
Before either Reggie or Everett could elaborate, Daisy jumped in. “I’ll tell you about it later.”
With a nod, Abigail stood between the two of them, with Kip right in front of her.
A few minutes later, Reggie straightened. “Beautiful. I’ll deliver them to you as soon as they’re ready.”
Daisy was glad when the reception began to break up. It had been a lovely gathering, but she was ready to return home. Except she was also a little anxious, too. At least Abigail would be there to act as a sort of buffer, to keep things feeling normal and familiar.
But to her surprise, Abigail gave her and Everett farewell hugs.
“You two go on without me,” she said. “I’ve already packed a bag, and I’ll be spending the night at the Harpers’ home with Constance. And Jack has volunteered to keep an eye on Kip for you tonight, with his parents’ permission, so Kip is staying right here. That means you will have the house entirely to yourselves.”
Daisy couldn’t quite make herself look at Everett, who remained maddeningly silent. “That’s very sweet of you, but it’s really not necessary,” she said weakly.
“Of course it is.” Abigail gave her an arch smile. “You two may not have been able to take a honeymoon trip, but as newlyweds you should have some privacy on your first night together.” She made a shooing motion with one hand. “So go along, and I’ll see you at church tomorrow morning.”
Any further protest would raise brows, so Daisy merely nodded. Would Abigail’s absence make this first night easier or more awkward?
And what in the world was Everett thinking?
Chance and his motor carriage were still there, waiting to take them home. Chance stepped forward and doffed his hat as he gave a sweeping bow. “Shall we be on our way?”
Daisy would have rather walked—anything to slow things down a little. But Everett handed her up, and within minutes they were stepping down in front of their home.
Now what?
Chapter Twenty-Two
Everett took her elbow—there was that spark again—and led her to the door. He opened it, and Daisy preceded him inside.
It was only four o’clock in the afternoon, so it was nowhere near time to retire for the evening. Daisy didn’t know which was worse—waiting for night to fall, or how she was going to feel when it actually was time to retire for the evening.
She gave him her best attempt at a smile. “I’m going upstairs to change out of this fine dress and back into my everyday clothes. Then I’ll see about fixing us some supper.”
He released her arm. “Don’t rush the meal on my account.
I’m not very hungry at the moment, and there’s some paperwork down here I need to get to.”
Is that how he planned to spend the afternoon of their wedding day? But she merely nodded and headed for the stairs.
Daisy opened the door and stepped into the bedchamber she was supposed to share with Everett now. She’d been in here before, when the new furniture arrived, but somehow it looked and felt different now.
Her belongings, meager as they were, were all here—thanks to Abigail.
Her mother’s Bible lay on the bedside table, and her silver hairbrush, which had also belonged to her mother, was on the dressing table. The dressing screen stood discreetly in what had once been a second bedroom.
The sight of her everyday shoes on the floor right next to Everett’s seemed almost unbearably intimate.
A few minutes later, when she hung her dress in the wardrobe, she studied Everett’s clothes hanging neatly there. His things were so refined, so impeccable. And her clothing, with the exception of this beautiful gown, was sadly lacking in comparison.
It was just one more reminder of how mismatched they were.
To give him credit, however, Everett hadn’t made her feel unworthy, at least, not lately.
She quickly pulled out one of her serviceable homespuns. She was who she was—no point wishing she was someone else. Time for this Cinderella to head back to the kitchen.
* * *
Everett hadn’t watched Daisy as she climbed the stairs earlier, but he’d been very aware of her every movement. He knew this was difficult for her, but she seemed to be holding up well. His wife was a woman of strong character.
His wife—it was really and truly done now. It might not be the marriage he’d planned for himself, but he could already see there was much to like in this arrangement.
As for this sudden awkwardness between them, it was normal for a new bride to be nervous—that had to be all it was. Because surely she knew she had nothing to fear from him. He intended to let her set the tone for the physical part of their relationship. More than likely, she planned to sleep on the chaise tonight. But he was confident that in time she would grow more comfortable with him and the idea of sharing the marriage bed. After all, she had said she’d like to have children.
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