The Steeplechase
Page 11
He laughed. “Yes, there’s that.”
“Will you love her?”
“Of course I will.”
“And not do as Father has?”
“Never.” He tugged her arm. “Now come, let’s get this thing done.”
Standing before the preacher, surrounded by hundreds of onlookers, Martha’s knees shook so badly that she feared she’d sink into the green lawn. As though sensing her distress, Phillip moved closer and took her elbow, sending a sensation of warmth and support through her. All would be well.
Somehow their vows had been said because the preacher was looking at Martha and Phillip expectantly. She’d been aware that she’d repeated some words, but for the life of her couldn’t recall for certain what she’d said. All she recalled was staring up into the handsome face of the angel who would be her husband. A lock of golden hair fell across his forehead as he bent and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. The look in his eyes sent a shiver of anticipation through her. She was Phillip’s wife. Mrs. Paulson. This was her home, her family. Tremors began in her neck and traveled down to her satin slippered feet. Phillip pulled her close to his side as they wheeled around to face the onlookers.
“I give you Mr. and Mrs. Paulson. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
The crowd erupted in “Huzzahs!” from the militia, claps of approval from the gentry, and from the corner of her eye Martha spied baskets of flower petals tossed onto the heads of the children, some of whom now wrestled on the ground. Johnny raced down the aisle between the chairs, straight at them. Christopher rose to intervene but her little brother shot past him and right at them. He launched himself into their arms.
Phillip winked at her before hoisting Johnny up onto his shoulders. Linking her arm through her husband’s, the three stepped forward—ready to face whatever lay ahead—with God’s help.
The End
Acknowledgements
Thanking God for the ability to keep writing! My family is owed a debt of gratitude for their support. Thank you, Regina Fujitani, who served as professional Beta reader. Blessings to my Beta readers: Chris Granville, Caryl Kane, Tina Rice, and Gracie Yost.
Advance readers – Sydney Anderson, Sonja Hoeke Nishimoto, Britney Adams, Joy Gibson, Kay Moorhouse, Teresa Danner Kander, Bonnie Roof, Deanna Stevens, Betti Mace, “Chappy” Debbie Mitchell, Nancy McLeroy, Amy Campbell, and Emily Yost.
Thank you to cover designer and publisher Cynthia Hickey for putting together this collection. God bless my friend and editor Narielle Living.
I’d also like to acknowledge my Pagels’ Pals reader group members – thanks for being there for me! And my Overcoming with God blog “Angels” for their ongoing support – Diana, Teresa, Noela, and Bonnie. I’d also like to thank the bloggers at Colonial Quills and members of our Colonial American Christian Writers group.
Thank you, Martha Osborn Phillips and Rev. Dr. Paul Lucien Phillips for letting me “borrow” your names and play with them a little. Rev. and Mrs. Phillips have had cameo roles in my other stories but this is their debut as hero and heroine! Martha and Phillip were a wonderful couple to hang out with, like their real-life counterparts!
Equestrian Glenye Oakford has been such a support and encouragement and has been so helpful with my horse questions. And I want to thank Misty and Mark – you two keep me moving so I can continue writing books!
I’m glad God put all of you in my life. I’m blessed.
Editorial Notes
I pray that history buffs, especially those who love horses, will give me an allowance on the time frame for my novella. The Steeplechase itself was not begun, as a sport, until later in the 1800s, well after this 1810 time frame. What I envisioned as a “What if?” was young gentlemen of the Tidewater area preparing for the possibility of war, again, with England. Since I live in this area now, I thought—“what if” I lived here or had children, including adult children, and I sensed the build-up to another confrontation with the British. In fact, the War of 1812 is considered by some to be the second war of independence.
More “What ifs” were—what if you were an Anglican priest (we have beautiful old Anglican churches in the Commonwealth of Virginia that sat empty during this time) and you had no flock? What happened to you if you were an American and had no desire to go to England? When the very notion of using a Book of Common Prayer, intended for British citizens, would label you as anti-American? And what of your children? Hence this story was born.
Privateers were indeed enlisted to help combat the British during the War of 1812. Young men living along the coast of young America were abducted and forced to serve aboard British ships. Transportation around the peninsula of Virginia would have been by boat, horseback, carriage, or a combination of all. As my husband pointed out – “They had no motorboats back then!”
“Light Horse Harry” Lee, or Henry Lee III, Revolutionary War hero, Governor of Virginia, and father to Robert E. Lee had a difficult life. As indicated in the story, he spent time in a debtor’s prison and wrote a book that helped in covering some of those obligations. His children with Anne Carter Lee resided at Shirley Plantation during that time, in Charles City. The plantation is open to visitors and offers tours. You can even see Robert E. Lee’s child’s bed in the Great House.
Wanting to visit Bruton Parish and Grace Episcopal Church? Would you be surprised that these colonial era churches, included in this story, are active parishes today? If you visit Colonial Williamsburg, you’ll find Bruton at the edge of one corner of the Palace Green. Grace Episcopal is situated on hilltop in historic Yorktown, near the center of old York Towne.
Footnotes:
Song: I Leave My Heart With Thee, (circa 1804-1806), words anonymous, set to music by Mr. James Hook (1746-1827).
Author Biography
Carrie Fancett Pagels “Hearts Overcoming Through Time” is an ECPA-bestselling, award-winning Christian historical fiction author. Working as a psychologist for twenty-five years failed to “cure” her overactive imagination. Carrie and her family reside in Virginia’s Historic Triangle, which is perfect for her fascination with history. Carrie enjoys reading, traveling, baking, and beading—but not all at the same time!
Visit Carrie’s blogs: OvercomingwithGod.com and ColonialQuills.org!
Contact Information: Website is www.CarrieFancettPagels.com
Carrie has an author page on Facebook, is on Twitter (cfpagels), goodreads, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Google+.
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Thank you for reading The Steeplechase! If you enjoyed it, would you please consider posting a review?
Other books/stories by Carrie Fancett Pagels:
My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude’s Mooring (Barbour, July 2017).
Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands (Barbour, June 2017) includes Carrie’s novella “Dime Novel Suitor.”
ECPA Bestseller, The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection (Barbour, November 2017) includes Carrie’s novella “Requilted With Love.”
Saving the Marquise’s Granddaughter (White Rose/Pelican, June 2016).
Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance (Hearts Overcoming Press, January 2016) 2nd edition.
The Christy Lumber Camp Series (Hearts Overcoming Press): The Fruitcake Challenge (September, 2014) a Selah Award finalist, The Lumberjacks’ Ball (April, 2015) and Lilacs for Juliana (August, 2015). ALL three books were long list finalists for Family Fictions’ Book of the Year.
Maggie Award Finalist2016 in Romance Novellas! The Substitute Bride (Hearts Overcoming Press, October, 2015), a novella set in Shepherd, Michigan.
“Snowed In” published in A Cup of Christmas Cheer (Guidepost Books, October, 2013).
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