by Cathy Bryant
With that, the ladies turned to leave, with William calling after them, “Have a good rest.”
Susanna smiled back at him as they moved toward the house. Suddenly, after entering the house, all she could think about was how selfish her reaction to William’s news had been. Her initial thoughts were of how her life had been altered because of the man, not about how his eternal destiny had been changed.
Once they were settled in the sitting room for tea and relaxation, Maddie inquired as to the reason for Susanna’s solemn mood. Though she had her suspicions, she wanted to allow Susanna the opportunity to talk about whatever was bothering her.
Susanna then explained to Maddie what her initial reaction to the news regarding Jacob Ormsby had been.
“You are too severe upon yourself, my dear. I do not believe for a moment that you were not joyful about Mr. Ormsby’s conversion. It is only natural that the mere mention of the man brings to mind the alteration in your relationship with William. Were you not thinking of that very thing?”
“Maddie, how do you all do it? Everyone, or almost everyone, seems to know exactly what I am thinking. Perhaps it is simply that I am too transparent, for I seem to wear my emotions upon my face. You are right—I am happy for Mr. Ormsby; and, yes, I was reflecting on the turn of events that occurred on account of the man.”
“That is understandable, Susanna, given that your relationship with William has not been the same since your first encounter with young Mr. Ormsby.”
“Thank you for understanding, Maddie. I shall devote some time to prayer this afternoon. It is important that I remember to be thankful when God answers prayer. Mr. Ormsby has come to faith; nothing is more important than that, not even my relationship with William.”
Chapter 38
The day of Elizabeth’s wedding was just two days away when Elizabeth came to the Osgood farm. She hoped to learn exactly how Maddie was coming along with the wedding feast preparations. As Elizabeth’s mother had passed on some time ago, Maddie had insisted on taking charge of this particular aspect of the wedding festivities. In fact, after the nuptials, the feast would be taking place at the Osgood farm.
Upon Elizabeth’s arrival, Maddie got right to work explaining all that she had already prepared, such as breads, cider, cakes, and such. Elizabeth was overjoyed at her progress. Susanna had assisted in the endeavor with full intentions of easing the burden on Maddie. A feast such as the one Elizabeth’s guests were to enjoy would most likely take many hours of preparation.
On this day, Susanna’s focus was entirely on her friend’s special day with no thoughts of her own uncertain future. The ladies worked together for most of the day until it was time for Elizabeth to set off for home. With gratitude in her heart for her friends’ labors, Elizabeth bid them goodbye.
Late that night, Susanna and Maddie collapsed into their beds for a much-needed rest. However, as exhausted as she had been when she retired for the night, Susanna was up with the sun the following morning—ready to get to work. Maddie soon joined her, looking as though she needed a bit more rest.
With concern for her elderly friend, Susanna suggested, “Maddie, I can finish up here. You take it easy today. Tomorrow is sure to be a very wearing day.”
After some argument, Maddie finally relented and went into the sitting room to relax awhile. It was on days such as these that Maddie felt her age supremely. Although it was in her heart to do all that was required to prepare for the wedding feast, presently her body was not cooperating. Sitting just now with her feet up, she was thankful that Susanna was there to take up the slack.
William came to call early in the day with an offer to take care of the animals and anything else the ladies needed. After working late into the night at the Osgood farm—repairing a stall in the barn—William was aware that the ladies had worked well into the night on preparations for Elizabeth’s wedding feast. As they were sure to be at it again today, he desired to lighten the load in any way he could.
Susanna graciously accepted his offer and then volunteered to fix him some breakfast. Though he wished he could remain awhile, he was all too aware just how busy her day was going to be. “Susanna, I thank you, but I believe I shall get right to work. Perhaps when I am through I can assist you.”
Susanna glanced over at William and found that he was smiling at her. “Thank you, William. That is a kind of you, but with the added work you are doing for us, you shall have enough to do.”
Not knowing if she simply didn’t want him near her or whether she was looking to his wellbeing, William simply replied, “From the look of you, I believe you have already exceeded your limits, and the day is just getting started. You didn’t get to bed until quite late, I would imagine, as you were still up when I set off for home late last night.”
Susanna was not aware that he had been at the farm so late, and questioned, “What delayed you so long?”
Leaning against the door, he informed, “One of the stalls was in need of repair. I dared not leave it for another day, or we might have awakened to a horse running freely about.”
“Oh, I had not noticed the condition of the stall. Being here so late, you must be quite tired yourself.”
With a wink, he answered, “Who me? Didn’t you know I never tire?”
Smiling, Susanna answered, “Well, if you are not too exhausted when you are through for the day, then, by all means, come and help.”
With that settled, William hastened out to get started. He was on a mission. If he could complete everything in time to help Susanna, they would be together for as long as he was needed.
Shortly after William had taken his leave, Esther and John Jameson came to check on the progress at Maddie’s. Though there was much yet to be done, they were delighted to see all that had been accomplished. John joined Maddie in the sitting room for tea, while Esther went right to work helping Susanna.
“Mama, it was good of you to come with all you have to do at home.”
“Jane is lending a hand. She was the one who suggested that I come and see what needed to be done for Elizabeth’s wedding. How is Maddie holding up?”
With a look of concern, Susanna replied, “I fear this has been a bit much on her. She desires to do a great deal of the work herself, but she is not as young as she used to be. She appeared so weary at the start of the day that I convinced her to stay off her feet and save her strength for tomorrow.”
“You are a good girl, Susanna—putting the needs of others above your own. I am glad, then, that I came to help.”
Late in the afternoon, Esther Jameson felt sure that her daughter could complete the final preparations on her own. Thus, she and Mr. Jameson set off for home while there was still a little daylight.
Not long after the Jamesons had gone, William knocked at the door. Susanna had thought that he might return, given their conversation earlier; however, as the time had now come, she felt a bit uneasy.
While answering the door, she kept her eyes averted. “Come in, William. You finished rather early, did you not?”
Feeling a little apprehensive about whether she really wanted him there, he responded. “Yes, well . . . Charles helped out with the additional chores. Now, how can I be of assistance?”
“Are you quite sure you are not too tired? I shall understand if you need to get home.”
Moving in closer to ascertain whether Susanna truly desired for him stay, William lifted her chin, and asked, “Susanna, do you want me to go? Is that it?”
All at once she felt her hands begin to shake and quickly dropped her eyes from his gaze. “No, William. If you would like to stay, I shall be delighted to have an extra set of hands to help out.”
When he observed how nervous she was, William let go of her chin and moved toward the counter to see what needed to be done.
After taking a deep breath to calm herself, Susanna directed him to where he would be most useful. They worked side by side for a few more hours, before making their way out of doors and collapsing onto the grass. �
�Thank you, William. That was very kind of you to help. You must be completely spent with all that you have done today—what with the chores around the farm and then assisting me.”
Placing his hand over hers, he whispered, “There is no place I would rather be than here with you.”
Then, as she glanced down at William’s hand on top of hers, she began to tremble. She had not stopped loving him, but had felt helpless as to what to do about it. A tear slipped down her cheek and landed on William’s hand. When he felt the moisture, he gave her hand a squeeze and then let go.
The next thing Susanna knew, William’s arm had come around her shoulder, and he was pulling her against his chest. Exhausted as she was, she didn’t have the strength to pull away. Before she knew it, all of the emotions that had been building within her for so many weeks, let loose a torrent of tears.
Feeling her shoulders shaking beneath his hand, William surmised that she was weeping. He pulled her even closer, and rested his chin atop of her head. Then, he spoke words of comfort. “Susanna, I am not going to lose you no matter how insurmountable the circumstances seem at this point. I trust that God shall make the way clear for us to marry. Not having you as my wife would be unbearable.”
When she felt the warmth of his embrace, she nodded. “I have not completely given up, William. I continue to pray for God’s perfect will and that I shall be able to bear up under it. Either outcome shall have its difficulties.”
Though, as usual he had hoped she would accept him regardless of the obstacles, he was happy that, at the very least, she continued to be open to the idea of becoming his wife.
“I best let you go back in the house. It is time you go to bed, as it is quite apparent that you are utterly done in.” Then he took her by the arm, helped her to her feet, kissed the top of her head, and then directed her through the door.
However, before closing the door between them, she thanked him once again. Though it was time to turn in, she couldn’t help but remain there a moment to consider everything that had happened that evening. Then, smiling, she took herself off to bed.
It was the first time in many weeks that Susanna felt the possibility of a future with William. Though she was unsure about how to put away her worries concerning William’s happiness, she was beginning to see that she had not been trusting God with her fears.
Chapter 39
As William set off for home, he pondered how he might convince Susanna to trust that his feelings regarding her relationship with his parents would not change—she could be free to love him without concern for his happiness. As he entered his house, a plan began to form in his mind as to how to accomplish his objective. He would write to his parents to explain his dilemma. Though he did not expect that they would concern themselves over his problem, he felt that, at the very least, he would be able to tell Susanna that he had written to them about her.
When he sat himself down to compose a missive, he found that his anger toward his parents had somewhat subsided. With the knowledge that this had to be the work of God in his heart, his eyes filled with tears. He had prayed for so long to forgive them. As a result, he found himself moving in that direction.
“Thank you, God. I thought it would take years to let go of the ill feelings I had toward my parents. Lord, I ask that You heal Susanna’s heart too, and help her to let go of her worries concerning the future.”
After an hour or so, William had finished his missive. Heaving a sigh, he sat back against his chair. “Lord, let their hearts be open to hearing from me about my relationship with Susanna. Move them to have compassion for the woman I love.”
His parents would not receive the missive from their son right away for—though the Internal Colonial Postal Union had recently been formed—correspondence between the northern and the southern colonies took a great deal of time. In fact, up until the time of the ICPU, correspondence between certain of the colonies had been even more difficult than sending missives to England.
Though William had never corresponded with his mother’s family in Virginia, he knew to send any missives for his parents to the town in which her family resided. Wherever the local drop off point was for the town, those responsible for the mail would see to it that the residents received their mail.
By this time, the night was half spent. Exhausted, William crawled into bed and fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.
The following day was Elizabeth’s wedding. The third and final week of the posting of the banns had been carried out on the previous Lord’s Day. In view of that, everything was set for Elizabeth and Fred’s joyous day.
Everyone bustled around preparing to set off for town. Elizabeth and Fred were expected to be before the town of Amesbury’s magistrate at noon and then out at the Osgood farm once the ceremony was over.
William arrived at the expected time—ready to escort the ladies to town. As he approached the house, where the ladies were awaiting his arrival, he said a silent prayer for God’s blessing to be upon Elizabeth and Fred’s marriage. Then, just as he was about to knock, Maddie opened the door with a huge smile upon her face.
“Good morning, William. Thank you so much for escorting us today. Thank goodness we have Charles to look after things. Susanna is almost ready. She shall be out momentarily. She retired very late last night; consequently, she did not get up as early as she had intended. You must be a bit weary as well, considering that you were up just as late.”
With a smile, William replied, “Not to worry—I am fine. Did you sleep well?”
“Yes. In fact, I feel quite refreshed this morning. It was good of you and Susanna to relieve me yesterday. However, I felt as though I was a bit of a slacker.”
Upon hearing Maddie’s belief that she had been a slacker, William shook his head with laughter. “Madeline Osgood—a slacker. You are simply too hilarious for words. In my opinion, you are the hardest working lady I have ever known.”
Susanna came into the room, smiling at the sound of William laughing. “What are the two of you chuckling about?”
“Oh, nothing much. It is just that Maddie felt herself a slacker for taking a break yesterday.”
Susanna found this amusing as well. “Maddie, you have never been a slacker in your life.”
“I am happy to have afforded so much amusement for the two of you, but we better be off or we shall be late for Elizabeth’s wedding.”
With that, they set off for town. Upon their arrival, Elizabeth—delighted to see them—swiftly moved toward them. “There you all are. I was wondering when you were going to arrive. We are just about to begin.”
Maddie and Susanna took in the sight of the lovely Elizabeth in her beautiful blue wedding gown. “Elizabeth, you look splendid. What a stunning gown. You and Susanna certainly are remarkable seamstresses.”
“It was mostly Susanna’s doing, Maddie,” she responded warmly. She then placed her arm around her elderly friend’s waist and directed her forward. “Well, let us go in.”
Susanna and William followed along behind Elizabeth and Maddie. Mr. Howard had already gone in to where Fred was patiently waiting. Once they reached the front of the room where the ceremony was to take place, William moved over next to Fred and gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. Fred leaned in close to William, and said with a grin, “What a blessing it shall be to have a wife. In fact, I believe a wife is something to be sought after.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” William replied with a wink. He knew that Fred had not been privy to the difficulties he had encountered in convincing Susanna to become his wife.
Before long, the ceremony was over, and the newlyweds were setting off for the Osgood farm. Many of the couple’s family and friends were waiting there to join in with the festivities.
Though Maddie and Susanna had prepared a great deal of the feast, there were many additional contributions from the ladies who attended church with Elizabeth. Looking around at the assortments of food, Maddie was pleased.
Natura
lly, Fred’s family was there, which afforded Elizabeth the opportunity to introduce Susanna to her newly acquired relatives.
While Susanna was meeting some of the guests, she and William caught each other’s eye. Truth be told, before the day was over, they had glanced at each other dozens of times. They clearly had other things on their minds. For William, all he could think about was getting Susanna alone to tell her about the missive he had sent off to his parents. Susanna, on the other hand, was determined to finally come to a decision.
By evening, most of the guests had departed. Elizabeth and Fred were just about to set off as well. “Maddie . . . Susanna. I don’t know how I shall ever thank you enough for all that you have done in putting this together. Everyone had a lovely time and the food was wonderful. Fred and I are going now, but I shall return in a few days.”
“It was our pleasure,” Maddie replied warmly, while hugging her young friend. “Off with you now. Your groom awaits.”
Elizabeth glanced over her shoulder to where Maddie had directed her comment and found that Fred was waiting patiently by the wagon. After hugging Susanna and saying her goodbyes, Elizabeth made her way over to her groom.
Fred’s eyes lit up at the sight of his bride coming toward him. As she approached, he quickly lifted her up onto the wagon. Then, he hoisted himself up beside his lady. With a wave, they were off with hearts full of joy that their day had indeed been very special. They were amazed that the time had passed so quickly. In a short time, they would enter their home together as husband and wife.
William, Susanna, and Maddie stared after them, feeling content that everything had gone off without a hitch.
“You ladies surpassed all of Elizabeth’s expectations,” William declared proudly.
Smiling, Maddie instructed, “William . . . Susanna, there is very little cleanup since the ladies all pitched in with tidying up before they left. Go on into the sitting room while I make us some tea.”
“No, Maddie. I shall make the tea. You and William go on in. I shall join you as soon as the tea is ready,” replied Susanna adamantly.
