by Joyce Alec
Now was not the time.
6
Charlotte
December 1845
The snow fell to the earth below as I watched it from the small window in the parlor. Each snowflake possessed its own unique beauty and I felt envious of their freedom to fly so gracefully through the sky. My thoughts drifted to the beautiful Christmases I spent with my family.
Before Papa died, I lived a carefree lifestyle. We had a vast fortune and Papa loved showering us with gifts. On Christmas Eve, we would feast and sing Christmas carols around the fire. Looking back, those blissful days seemed magical. I would give anything to enjoy one more Christmas with Papa.
Now, I had nothing to look forward to. Lord Tomline was soon to be my husband and this would be my last Christmas in my childhood home. The only thought that gave me comfort was knowing that Christopher and my mother would no longer be in debt. Mama insisted I had a choice in the matter, but to me, there was no choice. I had the opportunity to save my family from ruin, so I had to take it. I agreed with Mama that Lord Vaccos had acted dishonorably. He should have asked for my hand in marriage after spending so much time with me.
Lord Vaccos tried to visit on three occasions after Lord Tomline’s visit, but Mama refused to let me answer the door. Eventually, he stopped calling on me. By now Lord Vaccos must have heard about my engagement. He could have requested an audience with my uncle to ask for my hand in marriage, but he did not. He left me to suffer at the hands of Lord Tomline.
My heart was broken. Although words of love were never spoken, I knew that I loved Lord Vaccos with every breath in my body. I had thought that he loved me.
Christopher sensed my melancholy and sat next to me at the window.
He grabbed my hand tenderly. “Dear sister, tell me what troubles you.”
His tenderness brought tears to my eyes. Christopher was so young, yet he had the innate wisdom of a man much older.
“Oh, Christopher, I just do not understand why Lord Vaccos has not asked me to marry him. My heart trembles at the thought of marrying Lord Tomline. I do not love him.”
I was embarrassed to be sharing my feelings with a boy of twelve, but at that point, it did not matter.
“Then you must refuse him. I am still young and I have a lifetime to rebuild our estate and reclaim our family’s good name. You must not suffer for my sake. I will not let you.”
Looking into Christopher’s eyes, I knew that I must go forward with the wedding. His soul was so gentle and goodhearted that I could not bear the thought of Christopher living a life of hardship.
Lord Tomline was right; I did not have many choices and I should have been happy that he was willing to marry me.
I wiped my tears and put on a strong facade for the sake of my brother.
“Christopher, Uncle Roger knows what he is doing. Please do not be concerned. Lord Tomline is a good match and I know that we will find joy in our marriage.”
This seemed to satisfy Christopher, although I could see that he did not believe my words.
“Well, then, I do believe you should prepare for our weekend in London. Mama said the carriage Uncle Roger is sending should be here shortly.”
Uncle Roger’s townhome in London was filled with grandeur. The furnishings were exquisite and his art collection was the envy of the most prestigious collectors. The beds were soft and the fine linens felt like clouds. The grounds provided the perfect backdrop for a peaceful walk, even with the chill of the cold December air.
Uncle Roger’s wife, the Marchioness of Lissenton, was gentle in nature and in spirit. Their eldest child, my cousin Elizabeth, was my dearest friend. Elizabeth’s younger brother was only ten years old and his rambunctious behavior brought life into the home, and we all enjoyed his presence.
We were to attend a Christmas ball on Saturday evening, but I was not looking forward to it. The annual Christmas ball had been one of my favorite events of the winter season, but this year, it brought me no joy.
Elizabeth was attending the ball with her fiancé. The duke had proposed only weeks earlier, and the wedding was to take place right after the New Year.
My aunt surprised me with a beautiful, red gown. She said that the gown perfectly complemented the color of my hair. I was grateful for her generosity and thanked her for such a lovely gift.
7
Charlotte
The afternoon before the ball, I took a walk with Mama. I longed to tell her that I was terrified of my future, but she seemed so relaxed. Her relaxed demeanor encouraged me to keep my thoughts to myself.
“The dress from your aunt is perfectly lovely. You will look beautiful on the dance floor.”
“Thank you, Mama. The dress was a generous gift.”
My mother kept talking about the Christmas ball, but I kept my answers short, wishing that the topic of conversation would change. When it did not, I told Mama that I needed to rest before getting dressed for the evening.
The maid finished pinning up my last curl. Mama, my aunt, and Elizabeth, all joined me in my room. My thoughts were filled with dread, but the women surrounding me smiled and laughed as if they did not have a care in the world. I tried to join in their jovial conversation, but was soon lost in my own thoughts. Nobody seemed to care that I was marrying a man that treated women poorly, and surely would not be a faithful husband to me.
Elizabeth knew about the night Lord Tomline had scared me on the balcony with his forward actions. It was hurtful that she was making such a fuss about my dress and hair when she knew how much this engagement pained me.
I needed some final moments to myself before I faced Lord Tomline. He would any minute, as he was escorting me to the ball. I asked my aunt, mother, and cousin for some privacy, but they refused.
It was time to go. My heart rate sped up as I knew Lord Tomline would be waiting for me downstairs. I drew in a deep breath with every step that I took. My childhood dreams of love and romance were shattered as I was being forced to marry for money. But in the end, it seemed the Lord Tomline had won the chase. However, he would never win my heart.
I refused to make eye contact with any of the faces that were staring at me as I descended the stairs.
“Lady Charlotte.”
The familiar voice made my heart skip a beat. I met his gaze and instantly felt at ease, until I realized he should not be there.
“What are you doing here, Lord Vaccos?”
“I am here to do something that I should have done the very first time that we met, Lady Charlotte. Now I am remiss that it took so long. My heart aches at the pain that you must have endured these past months. Surely you must know that I never meant to jeopardize your reputation, and I certainly did not mean to hurt you in any way.”
Lord Vaccos turned to my Uncle Roger.
“Lord Lissenton, I would like to ask for your permission to speak to Lady Charlotte privately.”
Surprisingly, Uncle Roger agreed.
I accepted Lord Vaccos’s arm as we headed to the study. As I walked in, I saw poinsettias placed throughout the room, along with beautiful wreaths and a lovely Christmas tree trimmed with red and gold decorations. The setting was lovely, but I could not take in the beauty as my nerves had taken over my senses.
Lord Vaccos turned towards me and lowered himself onto one knee.
“Lady Charlotte, meeting you that night at the ball was the most important moment in my life. I knew that I loved you from the moment we started dancing, but spending time with you deepened that love to something I never dreamed possible. Lady Charlotte, will you marry me?”
“Lord Vaccos, I dreamed of this moment from the time of your first visit to my home. However, it seems you are too late, as I am betrothed to Lord Tomline.”
“No, Lady Charlotte. Your uncle has informed Lord Tomline that he no longer approves of the match.”
“I do not understand.”
“When I first heard of your engagement, I rushed to your home to ask for your hand in marriage. I tried and
tried to reach you, but it seemed it was impossible to find you. I requested the presence of your uncle, but he refused to see me every time I called on him.”
“Why did he finally agree?”
“It seems you have your dear cousin, Lady Elizabeth, to thank for that. She shared the story of how we met with your uncle. After looking into the reputation of Lord Tomline, your uncle refused the marriage and finally agreed to see me.”
“But, Lord Vaccos, Mama and my brother are depending on me. There is nothing in this world I want more than to spend every day with you for the rest of my life, but you must understand why I must refuse.”
“Lady Charlotte, you need not worry. I am perfectly aware of your family’s debts. Even before your uncle agreed to this marriage, I began to pay of your family’s debts. When your uncle found out, he paid off the rest to save the honor of his family.”
At this point, Lord Vaccos was still on one knee, and still hoping that I would say yes.
“Why was I never informed that any of the events transpired?” I asked.
“Your uncle only agreed this week. Your family wanted to surprise you. If you will accept my proposal, we will be married this evening.”
“This evening? You mean right now?”
“Yes, my dear, if you will have me.”
“Yes, Lord Vaccos, yes. With all of my heart, yes.”
“Please, call me Joseph, my love.”
Joseph rose and moved toward me as he pulled me up to his embrace. It was as if we were dancing, but no music played. The rhythm of our heartbeats in unison was all we needed. He held me close to him, not twirling me around, but looking into my eyes. He leaned down and kissed my lips as a wave of passion took over my being. Joseph was mine, and I was his.
THE END
Bonus Books: Mail Order Bride Romances
Part I
New Beginnings
By Eleanor Swan
1
Virginia, 1887
“There, there, little one. There is no need to fuss.”
Haddie Johnson brushed the thin ribbon from her daughter’s small face, readjusting her tiny bonnet as she did so. It certainly was windy that morning, and little Katherine was unhappy whenever the swift breeze caught her around the face or hands. She was swaddled tightly in a cloth that Haddie had wrapped around one shoulder and tied around her waist, giving her free reign of her hands so she could pick fresh vegetables from the garden.
Katherine often enjoyed the colors and sounds around her, her small eyes wide with wonder, but today she was insistent that it was too windy, too cool, for her tiny body to be comfortable.
Haddie had never realized that having a baby would be such a great pleasure. Watching her grow was fascinating, and even though she had been in their lives for two short months, she was becoming a little person of her very own. She was cheerful, quick to laugh, and ravenous. Haddie was happy to sacrifice a few moments of sleep at night to ensure that she was happy and healthy.
Katherine calmed down, her tiny fists uncurling. Haddie passed her a carrot to hold onto and play with while she pulled more from the ground.
The autumn air was turning, the heat of the summer finally dissipating from the days. The trees had begun to change, and the dark Virginia dirt was cold and moist. She wiped sweat from her pale brow, her slanted, blue eyes looking up into the cloudy sky. Her long blonde hair was tied back in a thick braid that cascaded down her back, and Katherine enjoyed pulling on it like a rope.
She loaded her basket with carrots, onions, and potatoes, keen to start a hearty stew with the fresh venison that her husband had brought home the day before. Adam was a strong man, and a lifelong friend. They had agreed to marry when they were children, and they had married as soon as their parents gave them their blessings. They developed a great friendship, and Haddie loved that she was able to spend every night and every morning with him.
He was a hard worker, working at the sawmill in town and helping to keep the towns in constant supply of lumber. He would often come home exhausted but happy, and she always loved providing a comfortable place for him to return to and relax.
A strong gust of wind nearly knocked Haddie over, and Katherine wailed in protest.
“All right, all right,” Haddie said, getting to her feet. She hoisted the basket filled with produce up on her other hip. “Let’s head inside.”
Their home was a small cabin that was far removed from the rest of the town. Adam liked the quiet and the ability to hunt for whatever meat they might need without interfering with other hunters from town. She loved the quiet, too. It made trips to visit her friends seem more like an adventure.
She opened the back door of the house and strode into the small kitchen, humming as she set the basket down on the low table in the middle of the room. Katherine had resorted to cooing softly against Haddie’s chest, obviously happy to be out of the brisk wind.
Haddie placed some firewood on the low hearth, preparing to start the base for her stew.
She hesitated with the small box of matches when she heard the sound of a chair scraping against the floor in the other room.
“Adam? Is that you, sweetheart?”
Her heart did a flip. He wasn’t supposed to be home for a few hours.
She hoisted Katherine further up her hip and hurried into the living space.
Adam was there, sitting at the table near the door. He had a glassy look in his eyes, his cheeks were as red as roses, and the ends of his hair were sticking to his forehead with sweat.
“Adam!” she cried, rushing over to him. She took his face in her hands, and her stomach clenched. “You are burning up! What happened?”
He didn’t reply. He just stared blankly ahead.
“Come, we need to get you into bed,” she said, her hands starting to tremble. She hurried to place Katherine in her bassinet, and as soon as Haddie’s hands left her, she started to scream in protest.
She knew Katherine was fine, but it hurt her heart all the same.
“Come on,” she said, ducking below Adam’s arm and helping him to his feet. Most of his weight slumped against her, but she did her very best to drag him through the room to their bed in the only other small room in their home.
She rolled him onto his back, throwing the thick quilt they had been given as a wedding gift on top of him. He shivered, so she grabbed every blanket that she could find and placed them all on top of him until there was a low mound covering him.
Still, he shivered.
She pulled some more socks onto his feet and covered his head with a cool, damp cloth. She knew that she was going to need to get his fever down.
How did this happen? When he had left for the sawmill that morning, he had seemed perfectly fine.
Well…maybe not entirely. He had complained about being cold, and that he hadn’t slept very well. He had no appetite and took the meal that she had packed for him with him, but she wondered if he had eaten it.
She hurried to the kitchen and fumbled with the matches. Before long, she had a fire going, so she set a pot of water to boil over the flame.
Back in the bedroom, she sat on the edge of the bed, watching Adam’s pained face. His eyes were closed, and he had not said a word to her. She forced herself to stay calm, knowing that if she could get his fever to go down, then he would be just fine.
She just needed to stay focused.
Katherine continued to cry in her bassinet, and Haddie apologized to her every time she passed by her, but she would have to understand that Adam needed her in that moment. She found a bundle of herbs just outside the house that she hurriedly mashed up with a knife, tossed in a bowl, and smothered in boiling water.
She returned to the bedroom and soaked the cloth in the herbs, allowing it to cool before replacing it on his scorching forehead.
His breathing was coming in wheezes, and she could see it was difficult for him.
Soup. He needed something warm fed to him to clear his breathing passages and to relax h
is muscles internally.
She began working on the stew she had meant to make anyways, knowing the broth would be full of things he would need to recover. She forced her mind to not stray from the very important task of caring for him and Katherine while she worked, because if she did, fear would certainly overwhelm her.
She fed Katherine while seated on the bed with him, the soup cooking over the fire. She willed it to cook faster, urging it to be done. She was desperate to do something to help him, desperate for a task that could make a difference.
What she really needed was help, but help was an hour’s journey away. Why, oh, why had they chosen to live so far from everyone?
She looked at him and brushed some of his damp hair from his forehead. He continued to shiver, despite the layers of blankets on top of him. She had put a warming pan beneath the mattress, but still the fever would not relinquish its grasp.
She feared leaving him overnight. She feared falling asleep.
She needed help. She had no choice.
She bundled up, knowing there were still a few hours before dark, stamped out the fire in the kitchen, and attempted to feed a few spoonfuls of the stew to him. Unfortunately, most of it spilled over his chin and onto the quilt.
She gave up. After changing the cold cloth on his forehead one last time, she ducked out of the house, and with Katherine in her arms, ran.
The thought of Adam lying there, in the bed, helpless and ill, was more than enough to keep pushing her. Every time she wanted to slow her pace out of exhaustion, the feel of the heat on his face beneath her fingers spurred her on, and she found new strength.
She saw the house that belonged to her friend Sarah appear on the horizon, and she pushed herself even further to get there. Every moment that passed counted. She had to get help. Adam needed her.
