“Of course he does?” Abigail asked, and her mother smiled.
“From the moment he looked at you, I knew that’s why he came,” she said and then turned to her future son-in-law. “Do you promise to treat my daughter well?”
“Of course,” Lord Jeremy answered. “I will treat her like a princess, and she and you will want for nothing ever again.”
“Than that is all I ask for,” her mother said. “Welcome to the family, my lord.”
“Please,” he said. “It’s just Jeremy. I would like to welcome you to my family, as the mother of the next countess.”
Chapter 7
Abigail had experienced nervousness many times in the grand estate. She had been nervous when she saw how tired her mother was coming home from work, and she had been nervous when she first started working. After that, she had been nervous when she got yelled at by Lady Charlotte, and then when she got caught spending time with Lord Jeremy.
None of that nervousness, however, was equal to what she experienced as they rode up to the estate this time.
“What if she fires me again?” Abigail blurted out, and Jeremy smiled.
“Remember, you aren’t coming back to work,” he said. “You are coming back to be my wife.”
“Would you not like me to work until you sort out everything?” she asked, and Jeremy shook his head.
“Not unless you would like to,” he said. “This entire time, we’ve talked about how my mother may react, but we have not talked about how your colleagues may react.”
“Oh,” Abigail said and let out a sigh. “I have a feeling they may not be entirely surprised.”
“Oh?” Jeremy asked. “Why is that?”
“Because they’ve seen me look wistfully after you,” she said. “More than once. And Mrs. Perry gave me several warnings against it. It’s as if she knew that I was falling ... well, falling in love.” She blushed. “My goodness, I sound like one of those girls out of a romance novel.”
“I think you sound perfect,” Lord Jeremy said as the carriage came to a stop in front of the estate. He got out first and then came around and held the door for her, despite the fact that the driver would have done that for her.
Going in the front door of the estate was something that she had never done before. Abigail was so nervous that she thought her palms would practically drip sweat onto the floor. Jeremy tried to calm her down, taking her hand and drawing her close. As soon as they entered the estate, however, the judgment was upon them.
Every head turned and stared at them, servants and nobility alike. Lady Charlotte had several relatives visiting, and they recognized Abigail from their previous visits.
Jeremy, however, ignored all of them.
“Where is my mother?” he asked, and one of them pointed towards the upper level. “Don’t be nervous, Abigail,” he whispered to her as they walked. “Remember, I promised to protect you, always.”
Lady Charlotte’s face was indescribable when they first came upon her. She had been looking out the window and spun around, staring in shock at the couple.
“Well, well, well,” she said. “I should have expected this.”
“Should you have expected it because Abigail is such a perfect match for me?” Lord Jeremy asked.
His mother smirked. “Because you did always like to defy me,” she said. “And this is your newest way.”
“Really, Mother?” Jeremy said. “Because I was not the one who robbed an innocent girl of her job, the only job she had to take care of her ailing mother. I was not the one who framed her and sent her away to suffer and starve, was I? And I was not the one who did that because I was so panicked that my child would choose a marriage that wouldn’t advance our family.”
“Lady Rose is …”
“Lady Rose is a lovely woman,” he said. “And she will make someone a perfect wife someday. But that someone is not me.”
Lady Charlotte took a deep breath.
“What would your father say?” she asked him, trying to guilt him into changing his mind.
“My father,” Jeremy said, “God rest his soul, would tell me to do what is best for the estate. And what is best for the estate is Abigail, her spirit, her soul, her ideas, and most importantly, her ability to make me utterly and completely happy. Just like Father made you.”
Lady Charlotte said nothing for a long moment but it seemed that those words affected her. She looked away for a moment and then turned back to the couple, casting her eyes on Abigail.
“Do you even know what running an estate entails?”
“No,” Abigail admitted. “But I am young, I work hard, and I am willing to learn. And my main concern is making Lord Jeremy happy and giving him the strength to run this estate as his forefathers did before him.”
Lady Charlotte said nothing for a long moment and then took a step forward. Abigail took a step back nervously, but the older lady smiled.
“You remind me of someone I used to know,” she said softly.
“My mother?” Abigail asked nervously.
“No, “Lady Charlotte said. “Me.”
Abigail didn’t say anything for a long moment, looking into the older woman’s eyes.
“Is that ... your blessing?” she asked, unsure.
“Yes,” Lady Charlotte said. “That is my blessing.”
Jeremy broke into a wide grin and hugged his mother.
“Thank you,” he cried. “Thank you, Mother!”
“Your happiness is my first concern,” she said to her son. “You two are aware, of course, that many people will oppose this marriage?”
“Yes,” Jeremy said. “But I don’t mind. It will make us stronger.”
“They opposed the marriage of your father and me,” Charlotte said. “And it didn’t stop us. I know that it won’t stop you. You are so like him. I know the two of you will make us proud.”
“Thank you,” Abigail said. “I won’t let you down.”
“Well, my dear,” Lady Charlotte said. “We have a wedding to plan, don’t we? And we should write to your mother, at once. She is part of the family now, after all.”
“I will do so,” Abigail said happily. She couldn’t believe how content she was, in this moment. If this was the feeling the estate was going to give her for the rest of her life, she couldn’t wait to get started.
Chapter 8
Abigail always knew that she would get married someday. She assumed that eventually, she’d fall in love and have a small country marriage, with a handmade dress that her mother had lovingly sewed. She assumed that she and her husband would have a long and happy marriage, and a simple life, working and living on the estate. And while some of those things were true for her today, she wouldn’t exactly be working, and they weren’t having a small wedding. She would be living on the estate as the lady of the house, and everyone in the county and beyond was invited, it seemed.
Her mother being there made her dreams come true. She had spent so many days in this estate wishing her mother would come back and now that she was there, Abigail was over the moon. She was even more delighted that her mother had managed to sew her a dress in time for the wedding. Lord Jeremy had offered to purchase her a beautiful gown but Abigail was confident in her mother’s skills. In addition, she felt wrapped in her mother’s love as she put on the dress, complete with a cathedral-length veil.
“You look so beautiful, my dear,” her mother said. “But are you sure that it’s all right? I know there are many fine dresses you could borrow if …”
“Mother,” Abigail assured her with a smile. “It’s perfect. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Her mother brushed some imaginary fluff off her daughter’s dress.
“I know,” she said. “I just worry about you, my dear, out there with all those high-born ladies.”
“Do you think I cannot hold my own?” Abigail asked with a smile.
“I know that you can,” her mother said. “And you deserve every happiness in the world, my d
ear. If you are happy now, I am happy.”
“I am happy,” Abigail assured her. “And I would have married Jeremy if he were a pauper, the same as if he was a lord.”
“Well then, that, my dear,” her mother said, “is true love.”
A knock came at the door, and one of the nuns stood there with a smile on her face.
“You look beautiful, my dear,” said the nun. “Are you ready?”
“I am ready,” Abigail said. “Is Lord Jeremy here?”
“Everyone is here,” the nun said, and Abigail took her mother’s arm. She noticed that her mother had tears in her eyes then, and she patted her hand in alarm.
“Are you all right?” she asked her mother.
“Oh yes,” she said. “I just wish that your father could see you now.”
“He is watching,” Abigail said. “I know he is.”
Because her father was gone, Jeremy had offered to have a male member of his family walk her down the aisle. Abigail, however, had proposed the unconventional idea of having her mother doing it, and Jeremy had agreed with a smile, as if he had expected it all along.
She could hear that the church was crowded, and it made her heart pound. Her mother took her arm, and the grand cathedral doors swung open just as they approached.
The entire congregation rose, and she gulped. Abigail’s eyes swung over the many unfamiliar faces, knowing that many of them probably disapproved of her marriage. However, when she focused on Jeremy’s face at the end of the aisle, her anxiety vanished.
He looked handsome in his well-tailored suit, and he was looking at her with a smile.
Abigail paced down the aisle in time with the live music that he had hired and reached her soon-to-be husband quickly. Jeremy first thanked her mother and then took Abigail’s hand, gazing into her eyes.
“Hello,” he said to her softly, as the entire congregation sat. “How are you, my love?”
“Nervous,” she admitted, as she put her gloved hands in his.
“Well, I think you look absolutely lovely,” he said with a smile. “And I am honored to be marrying you.”
As always, he put her completely at ease. By the time the priest indicated that he was ready, she felt completely comfortable.
They had spent all day yesterday rehearsing the ceremony, but Abigail had still asked that they not say their own vows, because she knew that she would be too nervous today. The priest nodded to both of them, and they nodded back. He opened the book in front of him and cleared his throat.
“Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by His presence and first miracle at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and His Church, and Holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people. The union of husband and wife is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given each other in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God’s will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore, marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.”
Abigail gazed into Jeremy’s eyes, trying to remain calm and collected. She knew that he would take care of her and guide her through this if she was too nervous to speak.
“I charge you both, here in the presence of God and the witness of this company, that if either of you know any reason why you may not be married lawfully and in accordance with God’s Word, do now confess it?”
She knew that there were a million reasons why they shouldn’t be married and that many people in the congregation might protest their ceremony, even at this late hour. She had heard rumors throughout the land, even though Jeremy told her to ignore them. He assured her that all would be well, despite the rumors, and that the people would come to love her. She knew all that mattered was his love, but she still half expected someone to call out in the church.
Silence reigned throughout the church, and Abigail breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed impossible that no one protested. She wondered if it was because they saw what she saw when it came to the whole situation Perhaps, they saw her undying love for Lord Jeremy or perhaps, they felt the love when he looked at her.
She’d had a few people tell her already that she was clearly his soulmate. Even a few of Jeremy’s braver and more liberal childhood friends had said it to her, which made her happy down to her very core.
Once the silence had lasted for quite a while, the priest turned to them and repeated the question, asking for their reasoning, if any.
“No,” Abigail said. “There is absolutely no reason why we shouldn’t be married.” Her voice was strong, which surprised her. She was shaking inside, but her confidence in her love for him shone through her nerves. Jeremy was gazing at her with such love that she couldn’t help but stand up a little bit straighter.
“No,” Jeremy answered, when it was his turn. “There is absolutely no reason why we shouldn’t be married.”
They’d had two options when they were learning the wedding ceremony. The first option was to learn their vows themselves, which Abigail had rejected. She was happy to have the priest read them to her, and let her respond, as he did with Lord Jeremy.
“Abigail, will you take this man to be your husband; to live together with him in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful unto him as long as you both shall live?”
“I will,” she whispered, feeling like she had spent her whole life waiting to say those words. The few times that she had heard stories of romances that lasted centuries, it always ended with the bride saying those very words. She had seen a few brides in town, and she couldn’t believe that at long last, it was her turn to say such vows. She thought of all the women who had come before her, standing in this very spot. She didn’t doubt that they loved their husbands, but she was sure that she loved Lord Jeremy more.
“Jeremy, do you take this woman to be your wife; to live together with her in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful unto her as long as you both shall live?”
“I will,” he said, and Abigail knew that he meant every word.
Two nights ago, sitting by the fire, the two of them had promised that they would continue the wedding ceremony no matter what happened. However, when Abigail expressed concerned that whatever might happen would physically stop them, Jeremy decided to make her laugh. They had gone over all the situations, including absolutely ridiculous ones. Abigail thought that Mrs. Perry would object to losing an assistant and would throw pancake batter at her, while Jeremy suggested that one of his cousins would so object to the marriage that she would run up and object. It was terribly ridiculous and yet, they could not stop laughing. Abigail hoped that it was a sign for the future; that no matter how much trouble befell them, they could always make each other laugh.
One thing that she was grateful for was Lady Rose and the fact that she had taken the broken betrothal well. In fact, she seemed relieved and had gone off to her country home, where Abigail heard rumors that she had fallen in love with someone else. Abigail thought that, perhaps, she had been in love the whole time, and so the betrothal being broken had given her a chance at real happiness as well.
“Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage?”
“We will,” the congregation chorused. Their young ring bearer, one of Lord Jeremy’s cousins, stepped forward then and brought forth the gold bands that they would wear. The bands had been passed down through generations, and Abigail was honored to wear hers.
�
��Now that Abigail and Jeremy have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of rings, I pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Those whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder.”
The priest looked out into the congregation, and Abigail felt shivers go down her spine. This was the end of the ceremony, and within minutes, they would be married.
“Let us stand and pray together the words our Savior taught us,” the priest said, and everyone bowed their heads. “God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that you may faithfully live together in this life and in the age to come, have life everlasting. Amen. The peace of the Lord be with you always.” The priest looked out through the congregation.
“And also with you,” they all chorused, gazing at the beautiful couple.
“Abigail and Jeremy, having witnessed your vows of love to one another, it is my joy to present you to all gathered here as husband and wife,” he said.
Abigail took a moment to react to the statement. The fact that Jeremy was coming towards her didn’t register in her mind for half a moment, and the kiss took her by surprise. Once he was kissing her, however, her mind came back to reality.
“We’re married,” she whispered to him, in shock.
“We are,” he said, as he pulled back and turned her towards the crowd. The priest had one last announcement to make.
“Ladies and gentleman, lords and ladies,” he said. “It is my great honor to present you, for the first time, Lord Jeremy and Lady Abigail.”
The title sounded so odd against her name, even though she knew it was coming. She saw her mother beaming, standing beside Lady Charlotte, and she smiled back. This was her new life now.
She looked to Lord Jeremy, who led her down the aisle. It didn’t matter what title she had or where they were. It didn’t matter whether they lived in a grand estate or a small cottage. All that mattered was that he was at her side.
The Earl and The Chambermaid Page 5
