He laughed softly.
“Miss Tabitha Waites was indeed a very determined and opinionated young woman! Yes, I fell in love with her. Probably from the first time I saw her, when she was wearing that ridiculous green hat!”
Tamina nestled closer to him, glorying in the feel of his strong arms encircling her.
Mischievously she replied,
“It’s a great pity you did not fall in love with Lady Tamina when you first saw her! In fact I have the distinct memory that at the Mercer’s ball, you thought I was an impudent youngster, who should have been tucked up in bed and not annoying her elders and betters on the dance floor!”
The Earl gasped and frowned.
Then, as he gazed into her laughing sapphire eyes, he realised to his astonishment that, yes, this was the elfin bird of paradise who had first told him of Lady Eunice’s treachery on that fateful night!
“When did you realise we had met before?” he asked in delight.
Tamina smiled.
“I kept thinking I had seen your face somewhere before, but it was not until you peered over the top of the cliff that it came back to me!”
He ran his fingers tenderly over the scratches on her cheek.
“So when I ask your father for your dear hand in marriage, I can in all honesty say that we have known each other for a little longer than I had thought!”
The expression on Tamina’s face changed to one of deepest devotion.
“I love my parents and would never wish to hurt them in any way. But, even if they refused permission, I will marry you, Ivan. You are my soulmate, the man I have longed for in my dreams. I love you with all my mind, body and being.”
“Then our dreams are identical, Tamina, my dearest sweetheart. I love you with all my heart and soul too and know that I shall wait impatiently for the day when I can claim you as my wife!”
And so saying, he bent his head to claim her with a kiss that confirmed once and forever the love they shared.
*
Three months later to the day, just before Christmas, a wedding took place in the parish church of Braithwaite, the village that nestled in the folds of the Devon hills, part of the vast Braithwaite estate.
Snow lay on the ground decorating the trees and gardens, but the sky was a liquid blue and a pale sun was shining brightly on all the guests who had gathered to celebrate this much acclaimed marriage, the joining of two great families.
St. Anselm’s Church was decorated with branches of greenery and beautiful white lilies. Little circlets of holly hung from the ends of the pews, the scarlet berries making a splash of colour in the soft candlelight.
Elegant in grey silk and lace, the family emeralds gleaming at her neck, Tamina’s mother, escorted by her two sons on special leave from the Services, made her way slowly down the aisle, smiling acknowledgement at those gathered to witness her daughter’s joy.
Representatives from all the great families of the land were present.
The Lord and Lady Mercer, and Mary-Rose their daughter, The Duke and Duchess of Marlow, whose daughter Charlotte was to be Tamina’s bridesmaid, and even Countess Lichley, Tamina’s elderly Godmother.
They all mingled with the local gentry and the staff from the Braithwaite and Daventry estates.
Tamina and the Earl had also invited two very special guests.
Sitting proudly in a pew near the front of the Church, Mr and Mrs Joe Goodall waited hand in hand for the ceremony to begin.
Nancy, resplendent in amber velvet, her bright red hair swept up under a concoction of feathers and lace, kept glancing down at the shiny gold ring on the third finger of her left hand.
She did not reckon that anyone could be as happy as she was today. As Lady Tamina’s maid she would now be working alongside her Joe once their Master and Mistress were wed.
She could still see the look on her old Dad’s face when she had told him. As the old saying went – worth a pound of cherries – that had been!
Standing at the altar, Ivan, the Earl of Daventry, was trying hard not to fidget. He was not nervous, but what was taking her so long?
Just then the organ music swelled to a crescendo and he turned to see a vision in shining white silk and lace coming towards him on the arm of her father. A long veil like a cloud of winter snow trailed behind her supported on her golden head by the famous Braithwaite diamond tiara.
She had refused to have the veil cover her face and, as he watched, the Earl could see the smile he loved so much blaze up at him.
As he reached for her hand, his fingers warmly squeezing hers, Tamina felt a wave of love and adoration sweep over her and she thanked God for seeing her through all the trials and tribulations they had shared on land and sea and bringing her to safe harbour.
“I will love you forever, my darling Tamina, into Eternity and beyond,” he whispered against her veil, “I feel I must have waited a million years for this glorious moment.”
“I love and adore you, Ivan, and this wonderful day will live in my consciousness for all my life. My love for you knows no limits and will last and last - you have made me the happiest woman in the world.”
For the love they shared was not a hidden one, but was there for all to share, joining them as man and wife, together and forever.
Then as the Parson approached them, they were lifted up by the beauty and wonder of their feelings for each other to the celestial glory of the Kingdom of Love.
In Hiding Page 13
