and for reasons of my own I wish to marry her forthwith.
Thus for this purpose, I have procured a special license.
My factor Mr. Howard will pick her up in my carriage
bringing a wedding gown especially made for her.
I hope this settlement of 5,000 pounds will be sufficient.
I will be waiting her arrival in our small chapel here at Castle Craig.
Elizabeth was speechless.
"Oh, yes. The letter clearly states that Sir Willem desires your hand in marriage, you most particularly, Elizabeth. Imagine! You can see there that he has procured a special license allowing the wedding to take place as soon as you arrive. Tonight. Evidently, there is a small chapel attached to his manor, so..."
Elizabeth's mouth dropped open before she closed it and swallowed hard. "But I've never even met this man. Have you, Father?"
"I have heard of him, of course, though I must admit that I've never had the privilege of shaking his hand. I can't tell you how tall, or short, how old or young, how stout or how thin, neither what color his hair or eyes may be, or whether he has a taciturn or jolly character. But I can imagine how heavy his purse must be." The man was giddy!
"This is beyond strange!" Elizabeth cried. Her hands had begun to shake. "How can this be?"
"No mistake for there is your gown, my dear." Her father pointed to where the lovely garment was draped over the worn sofa along with a veil. You are expected to arrive by moonrise, then the wedding will take place. Tonight. Is it not wonderful! And here I was worrying and wondering how I could ever provide a dowry for Hester, not to mention the rest of you girls Now all your sisters will be provided for. It is an unquestionable godsend."
Elizabeth was speechless as she stared at the elegantly embroidered bodice and filmy overlay on a skirt. The elaborate veil was made, without a doubt, with French lace forbidden to be purchased while England was fighting Napoleon.
Her mother bustled in all in a flutter. "Hurry dear! You must put this on before you travel. The factor said so explicitly so that you will arrive ready to walk down the aisle."
Her mum snatched up the dress like a royal banner and strutted up the stairs flying the colors high. Elizabeth could only meekly follow holding the veil pressed to her thumping heart. The maid had already prepared a warm bath for her.
"There's no time to wash your hair, dear, but it would be sinful to put such a gown on without first washing. However, we must hurry. The man is waiting."
Hester sat on the bed they shared glowering.
Elizabeth quickly slipped behind the screen and bathed. She wiped the few escaped tears away as she rubbed her face clean of dirt from climbing the trees in the orchard. Her maid had ready silk stockings and shoes, also a present from the unknown man. Elizabeth could only hope they would not pinch her feet. Alas, they did.
Her mum pushed their maid aside and attempted to do her daughter's hair herself. It was impossible and painful the way she yanked this way and that, so Elizabeth was relieved when her mother finally yielded to the maid's deft hand. It was then swiftly braided and swept up, her chestnut locks pinned in place with her mother's best comb.
"Can't a mother send her daughter off with at least one of her treasures to remember us by?" Elizabeth could hear the warble in her voice.
"Thank you. It's beautiful," she murmured while Hester continually glowered.
"It's not fair! I'm the oldest," she finally wailed.
Their mother wiggled her shoulders in the manner which signaled she was not to be crossed. "It is not up to us to choose at this time, my dear, but perhaps it will allow you to enter better circles when you do go for your first season in London."
Elizabeth felt light-headed when she finally caught a quick glimpse of herself in the mirror after her mum carefully laid the veil over her face.
"It is exquisite!" her mother clapped. "You make such a beautiful bride, dear. Now, remember to sit up straight in the carriage and no squirming. It is imperative you remain an unblemished vision for your groom when he lays his eyes upon you for the first time." Then her mother started blubbering. It was time to escape, even if she was heading to the unknown. Her maid barely had time to wrap a silk shawl over her shoulders and looked to be in raptures. She followed Elizabeth out still talking. "You are so lovely, Miss Elizabeth. Your soon-to-be husband will be enthralled."
Her father was waiting at the bottom of the stairs still grinning gleefully as she carefully made her way down, pinched toes and all. Her sisters were stunned silent and gaping. Her father proudly escorted her to the footman who swiftly opened the door and helped her inside the elegant carriage. She found herself facing a stranger, quite an elderly, but kind looking man.
Elizabeth had just enough time to wave to the stair-step of sisters squeezed between her parents before they were out of sight.
"Hello, Miss Willington. I'm Mr. Howard. May I say, you look quite stunning. You can be assured Sir Willem will find you breathtaking."
"My name is Miss Willingham, sir."
"What?" He cupped his ear. "That's just what I said." He smiled in a perfunctory manner. Before long he was softly snoring slumped over, chin resting on his chest.
Elizabeth could only shrug at the man's mistake, The view captured her attention as she had never before traveled beyond her village and was quite curious to see the scenery out the window. She threw the veil back over her head, the better to see unhindered. The hayfield's swayed in the wind in an undulating manner. Farmers rode carts with dogs running along barking while a few farm girls who strolled down lanes swinging baskets from their arms stopped to see them pass. Small towns with thatched roofs and cobblestone streets popped up here and there, not much different than the one she called home. Betimes, she caught a glimpse of a fine manor house or even an ancient castle standing back away from the road. Suddenly, the fields turned into rolling forested hills. It was so very green, it made her think of a fanciful unending Christmastide.
However, as she sank back in her seat, her unknown future crowded her thoughts with fearful imaginings. What would her husband be like? Would he be gentle or cruel? Would he be aged or blessed with youthful strength? Most importantly, would he be a lover of God and His Word?
She whispered comforting snatches of verses from I Peter 2 that she had read just this morning, "If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious," Then the reminder of how He saw her, "...chosen of God and precious." Elizabeth sighed with a prayer, "May it be so with me, your faithful servant."
They only stopped once, but Elizabeth was not allowed out of the carriage. The factor quickly came back with a slice of brown bread and a chunk of cheese. "To keep up your strength, young lady. But we must carry on swiftly so as not to miss your wedding."
However, Elizabeth was so thirsty that she found it hard to swallow the food that was offered, yet was too shy to even ask for a drink.
As the miles ground on, she became weary, even teary, but fought to keep any from escaping. Her head ached. Her shoulders were stiff and her hither most parts were sore from sitting on a bench, even though it was cushioned. The swaying of the carriage kept her stomach churning, upset as if on a troubled sea, not to mention her knot of nerves.
Dusk fell, then darkness draped the world. The moon was rising, but the landscape was hidden with only a skeletal silhouette barely revealed through the mists. Elizabeth shivered. The cold had seeped in so that her hands and feet were losing their feeling becoming numb. But it was her heart that quaked most severely.
The carriage finally stopped and the elderly factor awoke from yet another nap and smiled kindly across from her. "It's time to put your veil back on, my dear. Your wedding is nigh."
A footman opened the door and helped her out. A stiff wind attempted to rip her veil from her hair, but she clutched at it just in time. Another man, possibly a butler, put her hand in his arm and walked her past the intimidating front door of the huge manor house or castle, she was not sure, and down a walk to an archway wherein were torches illuminating an ancient chapel. This was it, she sighed. "O Lord, help me," she prayed quietly. The butler opened the groaning door and waved her in. Once inside, she stood alone shaking in her silk slippers. All eyes were upon her.
"Come along, miss," the minister said beckoning her to the altar.
She slowly stepped forward on the uneven stone flooring keeping her eyes down. Elizabeth was afraid of stumbling as it was hard to see through her veil even though candles were flickering everywhere along the walls.
Finally, she looked up to see her groom tall and sedate frowning down upon her. The tension rolled off him in waves. She only had time to wonder, does he even want me here? If not, why was I summoned? He certainly did not look happy to be standing at the altar.
"Dearly beloved..." the minister began while her groom seemed to be trying to stare through the thick lace of her veil. The minister stumbled over her name, but went on.
"You may kiss the bride," he finally beamed while Elizabeth could not help but gulp. Her now husband lifted the veil slowly, then gasped. He stumbled backwards and swore.
"Sir, this is the house of the Lord, I beg you..." but the minister was cut off with the most deadly glare she had ever seen.
"What's the meaning of this?" her husband yelled. He pointed at her, "You, miss are an imposter! Mr. Howard, come forth and explain yourself!"
"Yes sir," the elderly factor answered as he rose from his seat in the back of the chapel and shuffled forward. He had no trouble hearing Sir Willem's shout now. "What seems to be amiss, Sir Willem?"
"This woman! She was not to be my bride. Where is Miss Willington?"
A cry was heard as a young woman stood and ran out, furiously shoving the heavy chapel doors open as she passed. Her family followed with her mother weeping and her father clenching his fists, no doubt uttering oaths under his breath. The wind filled the room with a chill making the candles dance and flutter. Some were even blown out.
"Who are you?" her husband asked sternly with a furious look on his face as he addressed his bride.
Instead of quavering, Elizabeth threw back her shoulders, held her head high and stated clearly, "Formerly, my name was Miss Elizabeth Willingham. But now it seems I am Lady Hightower of Castle Craig. Is this not the reason I was summoned, why my father was gifted a casket of pound bank notes, more than he has seen in his lifetime?" She finally looked her husband straight in the eye with her lips firm to keep from scowling in utter disgust.
"No, I was to wed Miss Elizabeth Willington. You are a dreadful mistake! I ask you again, what is the meaning of this, Mr. Howard?"
The man came creeping up closer more bent over than ever. "Eh? There seems to be some mistake, sir. I was sure you said, Miss Elizabeth Willington. Isn't that who you are, miss?"
"No, as I told you in the carriage, my name is Willingham," she shouted so the poor man could surely hear.
"It seems there is a unfortunate mix-up, sir. Perhaps it is time I retire from your father's service, Sir Willem, since I seem to be losing my hearing and mistook the young lady's name. The driver must have been misdirected as well by the fellow at the inn."
Her husband roared with fury. He turned to the village minister. "This must be annulled. Immediately! I've never set eyes on this woman before in my life. She is not who I choose to marry."
The minister pulled his Bible to his chest and proclaimed, "You, sir, have been married in the eyes of the Lord. Only the Bishop or Parliament can grant you an annulment, not myself. Need I remind you that I already entered your names in the chapel's registry while we waited, that you signed it yourself?"
The man groaned and strode angrily out leaving her at the altar. The minister patted her arm in sympathy. "This is most disconcerting, I'm sure, miss. Most unusual indeed!"
She watched as the wide-eyed guests funneled out with smirks and grins on most faces while staring back at her. She had no doubt that it was the most entertainment they had beheld in their lives, quite a lively scene to witness, most definitely! Finally, an older woman made her way forward and respectfully bowed her head and curtsied.
"I'm Mrs. Higley, the head housekeeper. Follow me, please. I'll show you to your room. I'm sure you are weary and famished, so I will have a tray sent up with your supper."
"Most assuredly. Thank you. I am beyond tired and quite hungry as you guessed. It has been quite a trying day to say the least," she sighed.
The housekeeper looked Elizabeth in the eye. "Please don't judge the master by his behavior tonight. It is not his usual manner atoll. Sir Willem has a gentle soul, he truly does. He was only quite shocked while lifting the veil. But perhaps he will explain his reasons for the sudden marriage to you at another time of his choosing. It is his story to tell, however, not mine."
Willem stormed into his room tearing off his carefully folded neck scarf. His best friend Wallace followed on his heel only to fall laughing on his bed.
"This is not funny, Wallace! What will I tell my father when he returns and finds me married to a nobody and having wasted all that money?"
Wallace chortled some more. "Remember, you did not actually want to marry Elizabeth Willington either. She was just someone handy and eager to be wed." He grinned, "What do you care? It appears that this new miss is more attractive and has a backbone to suit."
Willem growled, "That's not how father will see it. He was upset that I even considered marrying Miss Willington even though her father has a respectable title. I could not stomach that woman, Hortense Gilford, he had singled out for me to marry. I thought you right to escape his wishes by a hurried marriage to Miss Willington in his absense. At least her father is a peer which I hoped would take some of the steam out of his fury. However, I know nothing of Miss Willingham's lineage. Her father could be a farmer or a storekeeper or even a herder of pigs for that matter. Miss Willingham indeed!" He groaned some more and grabbed his hair his hands.
"Buck up, old boy. There is bound to be a way out of this."
"You don't suppose I could send my man Howard back, return the girl and explain that it was all a mistake, that he came to the wrong house, do you?" Willem whimpered.
Wallace barked a laugh. "Fat chance! I'm sure that there were more pound notes in that chest than the man has seen in his greedy little life."
"You're right, of course. But what am I going to do with my new wife? I know nothing about her at all."
"Eat supper with her, but invite me along. I can fill in all the awkward moments, I'm sure," Wallace suggested with a grin. His friend was enjoying this too much. However, Willem rolled over from where the two young men were lying on their backs side by side on the bed staring at the ceiling and tugged on Mrs. Higley's rope.
"My father should have retired Howard long before this. This is all because of the man's blasted hearing, or lack thereof. What a mess!"
"Didn't the man save your father from injury in battle, a musket ball or a canon ball or something back in the Dark Ages, but who remembers? Of course he's not going to bluntly put him out to pasture until he absolutely has to."
Mrs. Higley knocked on his door so he sat up and said, "Enter." He asked, "I want to know if Miss Willingham would care to eat our wedding supper with Wallace and me now?"
"Do you mean Lady Hightower? I'm sorry, sir, but she has retired for the night. I had a tray sent up since she was truly weary from her journey, not to mention the whole marriage mish-mash."
"Mish-mash? Is that what you call it?" Willem asked in a strained voice trying not to yell at the good lady, but wished he hadn't seen the small smile tickling her mouth. He sighed. "Of course you can, "miss-mash," "catastrophe," the most entertaining event in village history, not to mention for the amusement of +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++all the servants below stairs as well. You can choose whatever description you want. Mish-mash is the most innocuous term possible, I suppose."
"Yes, sir. Is there anything else?"
"Well, yes, please have the lady come down to breakfast in the morning, if she's willing."
"Yes, sir." The woman curtsied and was about to leave when he stopped her again.
"Oh, and the two of us will be down soon to partake of the wedding supper mish-mash," and he joined his housekeeper in grinning.
As the door closed, Wallace burst out laughing once again. "Mish-mash?" Willem knew his friend had barely been able to hold it in while his head housekeeper was there.
"Are you hungry, Wallace. I know I am. Let's go down, bride or no bride."
His cook had outdone herself. She had planned for a small supper party. But since the Willington family was not there, it was a small party indeed, a party of two.
"Wallace, did you know that Miss Willington was in the chapel? If so, could you tell if she was expecting to walk the aisle?"
"I suppose not since you never actually asked for her hand. Besides, it was so dark and crowded with your staff that I barely saw that her family was present. Perhaps, however, she might have been a little hopeful since you had not shown interest in anyone else these past few weeks."
"I did not see her there either along with her family in the dark chapel. I had just supposed she'd be the one to come walking in wearing the gown I had the dressmaker make for her. I just assumed Howard had properly made all those arrangements."
"Are you truly disappointed that you are not married to her?" Wallace asked.
"Not really. I had no feelings for her, actually. I just thought we could rub along alright, that she would not become a shrew like my mother was. My father's preferred bride Hortense may have been able to bring more to our coffer, but that woman would have been truly painful to be married to, a real nightmare."
"Here, here! Well, perhaps you should try to get to know this new wife of yours. It might just be you won't want to seek an annulment after all. I say, after dinner we can look in the book of peers and see if there is a Willingham hidden in its pages. You will then only have to hear your father rave, but he can only do that for so long."
"You're right. But I know you well enough, Wallace, to know you will disappear before he returns home to find a surprise daughter-in-law installed here at Castle Craig. I just hope the poor girl I married will not be crushed by his fuming."
"Might I make a suggestion, Willem? I think you should bring in a dressmaker immediately. She will need a whole wardrobe to impress your father."
Willem raised his eyebrows, "Good thinking."
"But it would signal to the girl that you will keep her. Sleep on it, Willem. Talk to her at breakfast and find out if she's as rough as a cob or might have potential as a true lady, the moniker she now wears."
"Since you were the one who talked me into this hair-brained marriage plot, it's fitting that you should make these helpful suggestions to try to help me save face and my so-called marriage. Father's not due back for another week, so we should have a good start on enough dresses for my new wife."
Calling her his wife, made a funny twist in his stomach, something he did not expect. Up 'till now, he had not examined their strange encounter. He wondered what the young woman was truly like. Wallace had not misspoken, she was a beauty. For most of the night, the fearful horror of his wedding kept him awake and only calmed at the remembrance of her serene face.
The next morning, there was no Miss Willingham. Wallace remarked, "We did not arrive too early, do you suppose. Perhaps she is a late riser."
Willem stretched out his breakfast as long as he could, then read the paper while drinking his third cup of tea. But the young woman never entered the dining room. When he saw Mrs. Higley walk past, he called out to her.
"Higley, did you remember to tell the lady that I wished for her to come down to breakfast?"
Oh no, he thought, there was that teasing smile tempting her lips again.
"Yes, sir. I told her last night when I went in to get her tray. She promised to be here. However," and his head housekeeper raised her eyebrows, obviously biting back her smile, "she came down several hours ago. Evidently, she is a very early riser and was surprised to not find you here. She did wait as long as she could, but finally went for a walk, I believe. She said she wanted to explore the grounds, but would wait for you to show her the house, if you so chose to do so."
As soon as the woman left, Wallace was gasping with more laughter at his expense. At last, he grinned, "So you got yourself quite a woman, Willem. Perhaps you'd better hurry out and find her before some gardener takes a fondness for her."
That thought caused a jolt of jealousy. Willem had no real idea of the state of their marriage, however the minister seemed to think they were tightly bound. He let his breath out.
"No reason to overreact, old fellow. Just go take her measure, that's all, to find if she is at all compatible," Wallace advised.
His friend seemed to be full of suggestions, so much so that Willem glared at him. "I believe I do know how to handle my wife, Wallace. I don't need you tagging along, you know."
"What? You would keep me from my chief amusement?" He made a face. "If you insist, I'll grant you a few hours alone. But I too am too curious, so I expect you to satisfy me at least a wee bit."
He went upstairs while Willem suddenly quit twirling the stemware in his hand and strode out to the hall calling for his butler to bring him his coat and hat.
However, he could not find her in the garden, not even in the small kitchen garden. Willem walked further, his eyes roving over his property. There. He saw her on the far side of the pond. But by the time he came around, she had disappeared into the woods. Had she no fear of men without restraint taking advantage of her, or of hunters mistaking her drab dress for a hind?
When he came around a bend in the pathway, Willem finally caught a glimpse of her briskly walking ahead.
"Miss Willingham! Rather, Lady Hightower!"
She paused and looked back at him waiting with a flushed face. Even at a distance, he could see her beauty with rosy cheeks, hair loose and curling around her face, and wide eyes with dark lashes blinking away, what was it, fear? He groaned. Yes, she most probably was fearful of him after the horrendous manner he had behaved at their wedding, barking and yelling.
"Lady Hightower," he spoke more softly as he strode up to her, "I must apologize for missing you earlier this morning. I had some things to take care of before I partook of the meal. I am very sorry indeed." The little lie hardly stung his conscience, but as he looked into her bewildered gaze, he felt humbled and embarrassed.
She said nothing, but gave a slight nod of her head in acknowledgement. So, he went on. "I behaved badly last night. Horridly so. It was the shock of seeing a complete stranger standing before me after the exchange of vows. I'm sure the whole arrangement must have caught you by surprise as well, yes?"
"Indeed, it was quite a shock to suddenly be whisked away to come here with no forewarning."
She reached out and almost put her hand on his arm, but pulled away just before asking, "I am tremendously sorry if I have broken your intended's heart. I'm sure you will diligently seek an annulment as fast as you can."
Willem took a step back in surprise. "Oh, no, you misunderstand the situation. Yes, I quite thought I was marrying someone else, but I never officially gave her my troth. Indeed, my heart feels no loss, but I can't say what she felt. It was probably more anger and embarrassment when it appeared I had led her on. I dare say, she'll get over it before too long. Another season in London will take care of that, I'm sure."
"You mean you were not in love with her, or she with you?" Elizabeth was aghast.
"Of course not. Love matters little in these affairs. Arranged marriages are quite the thing and take place without the luxury of such emotions."
Disbelieving, Elizabeth shook her head, "You mean you never expected to fall in love?"
"Well, there is a difference I suppose between what a man feels for a beautiful, alluring woman, than the illusive deeper matter of love. I'm not sure I ever saw it in practice in any marriage I know of, that is."
"How tragic," Elizabeth whispered clutching her heart. Even though her parents were as different in kind as night and day, there was a bond of love in their relationship that glimmered now and then so that it was evident to their children. It made for a secure and happy home.
Willem swallowed hard realizing she had come from a different experience. "Is that your expectation in marriage?" he practically choked.
Her eyes grew wider still. "I never expected to be married to you, Sir Hightower. I don't know what to think."
Willem felt ashamed of himself, thinking only of how it had affected him. But here was an innocent girl now bound by their vows.
She went on, "You must do what you think is right, sir. But as for me, I understand from Scripture that there is no provision for divorce, except for adultery. However, I am not sure what is allowed by God concerning annulment."
This shamed him more. He had never once thought of his marriage as being seen in the eyes of God. "I'm not sure either. You do know, don't you, that annulment is only possible if there is no--um, you must know, um--no intimate relationship between a man and a woman."
"Oh." Now she was flaming in embarrassment. "I have no real understanding or experience thinking on these things."
"Quite so." He was sure his cheeks were girlie pink by now as well. She was a true innocent. She was unlike any young woman of his acquaintance. Most of his friends had totally different expectations of fidelity in marriage, after, that is, they provided an heir to their husband. London's society was quite loose, he suddenly realized. Nary a single conversation ever had mentioned God. Indeed, the only time he heard God's name was as a swear word or in church whenever he attended, which was rare.
Willem studied her as she nervously stood there as if pinned like a butterfly in a collection. Rightly so, for he had quite a collection of young women in his past, but none like her. It positively shamed him.
Finally, he crooked his arm and asked, "Would you care to walk back with me? It is hunting season, and I would not like for you to be an accidental target for my gamekeeper. At least my coat is bright blue, so he should not likely mistake me for a stag."
"Thank you." She tentatively put her hand through his arm, but barely allowed it to touch him. She took a deep breath, and blurted, "If you wish, you could send me home while you decide what to do about our marriage, Sir Hightower."
He looked down at her, with surprise showing in his eyes, "Is that what you wish? Such an idea never entered my mind. We are married, after all, at least for now. But I must warn you, when my father returns in a week, there will be quite a scene. My intent was not so much to surprise him, but to thwart the wedding plans he had for me." He shuddered.
She stopped and looked up at him and said as if it was a new revelation to her, which it most surely was, "So that is what this mish-mash marriage, as Mrs. Higley calls it, is about? Only, your factor accidently found the wrong young woman. As you revealed earlier, it is not one of the heart, but evidently is a marriage of avoidance. I am most certain that I will be a grave disappointment to your father. I am also sure he will press you to gain an annulment. Perhaps it is better if you did send me home."
"I would spare you, but if this marriage, as you say, is accepted in God's eyes, perhaps it is worth fighting for, for a fight there will be."
She looked earnestly up at him, "Do you think he will disinherit you because of me?"
He looked as if she'd shot him. "I never thought of that, but he can be quite vindictive if he does not get his way. It is a real possibility, I suppose, but ghastly even to consider the thought."
"I'm sorry. Please, if it comes to that, just send me home out of society's eyes so that I would not shame you. Perhaps this whole mish-mash would be forgotten in time."
"I'm sure it is already written up in the London papers, which I've avoided reading. But certainly my father has done so, which means he'll come loaded for bear."
"I'm made of sterner stuff than you might think, Sir Willem. I will do whatever you want me to do, as long as it is honorable."
They had stopped again on their walk. "I'm having a dressmaker coming who will make you a whole new wardrobe, some of which will be done by the time my father gets here."
Then he looked up when he heard the crunch of a carriage on the drive. "Oh, no! Speak of the devil," Willem sagged before standing once again straight as a soldier. "he's here."
Elizabeth gasped. Her earlier boasts of being made of sterner stuff nearly evaporated, so she whispered, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
"What did you say?" Willem bent towards her, but never took his eyes off his father's carriage.
"I was quoting Scripture," she told him.
"And is it proper to claim the apostle's words for your own encouragement? I've never heard of such a thing." She had claimed his whole attention.
"Most assuredly, sir. He is our Father and encourages us to come to Him when we face trouble or difficulties."
"I find that most peculiar, but I wish I had the confidence you do of God's help after I've made such a grand mess of things."
"Put your trust and faith in Him, Willem, I mean, Sir Hightower," she looked ashamed for her boldness using his given name.
"Please, you are my wife and as such are entitled to use my name. As I just said, we are married," he winked and grinned. It engendered a faint smile upon her face. Willem somehow felt emboldened by having her by his side. It was as unexpected as it was pleasant. But it was more. He no longer felt so insecure since he was not left alone to face his father.
This was a whole other side of him than she had heretofore seen. But truly this walk was all she had to judge him by, not withstanding the wedding itself. Her hand trembled in his arm, but she held on tighter now preparing to face the lion in his den.
Thus thinking, she blurted out, "Willem, you can be like Daniel in the lion's den, who was able to say, 'My God hath sent His angel, and has shut the lions' mouths that they have not hurt me.'" She boldly went on, "Or be like Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego who said, 'If it be so, our God whom we serve will deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto to thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods.'"
"What? Are those other Scriptures? I mean, of course I remember the stories from when I was a little boy, but never as you have quoted with such boldness." He looked at her with intense curiosity, almost as if she was a special exhibit of a newly discovered species at the zoo. "Do you actually believe we can likewise claim to have courage like Daniel or those three?"
"Yes, they were young men who had been made captives, but chose to serve God no matter what. God has promised to see us through any difficulty, even if it does not go as planned."
"Extraordinary!" Willem exclaimed. "Well, here goes. We are going in the lion's lair like Daniel and might even be thrown in a fiery furnace of hot words, so to speak. We will indeed face my father's anger and rage like their king. Are you ready?" He squeezed her glove that was now more tightly tucked in his arm.
"Would you like me to first pray?"
Willem's eyebrows could not have risen higher. "You can do that outside of the chapel walls? Most assuredly then. We need all the help we can get."
He followed her example and bowed his head and closed his eyes as she simply said, "Dear God, we need your help. Please go before us now and give us courage as well as the wisdom we will need, we pray. Amen."
"That's it? It wasn't very long and boring, nor flowery speech that wilted before one could leave the church doors. Quite fascinating. Yes, quite fascinating indeed."
Elizabeth was embarrassed, but not ashamed. Someone needed to call upon God to get them out of this mish-mash marriage mess.
"It might be best if you scurry up the servants' stairs before my father sees you, and put your wedding dress back on. You know, put the best foot forward sort of thing."
"If that's what you wish," Elizabeth said as she looked down at her worn, drab garment she'd chosen for her walk outside.
"I'll wait at the bottom of the main stairs for you. My father usually goes straight to his office when he gets home from a trip. With any luck, that's exactly what he'll do again." Just then they heard the clatter of hooves and saw Wallace riding away. He tipped his hat with a grin then used his quirt to induce more speed out of his steed.
"Coward," Willem scowled. "This originally had been Wallace's whole idea, but I own it now and must face the consequences. I'm sorry to have involved you, Elizabeth, for your sake. May I call you that?" He squeezed her hand.
"Yes, of course. This is all in God's hand. 'He works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.'"
"More Scripture?" Willem asked impressed at her knowledge of the Bible.
"Yes, for it is the book by which we learned to read and have read ever since. I hide its words in my heart..."
"Amazing. You are amazing Miss Willingham, excuse me, Lady Hightower. I must not make that mistake before my father. Now hurry." They went in through the kitchen and he showed her the servant's staircase.
"Betsy, please go with her to make sure she doesn't get lost, if you would, please."
The poor girl just stared a minute gaping before she clattered up after Elizabeth. She'd never heard the master say, "if you would, please," before in her life, as if she too was a grand lady.
Her maid appeared as soon as Elizabeth slipped into her room. "I would like to wear my dress from yesterday, please. I have nothing else suitable to meet the lord of the manor."
"Of course, miss. I've been told that the seamstress will arrive tomorrow." The girl shook out the wrinkles and helped her put it on. In the daylight in front of a mirror, Elizabeth got her first good look at her gown. It was exquisite, but more amazing was the way it fit her like a glove, as if she was made to wear it, to be the chosen bride. In a few sweeps, her hair was made suitable.
"If we had more time, I could do something fancier, but this will do, I hope," her maid said.
"I like it. Thank you." Elizabeth donned her gloves and took a deep breath before walking toward the staircase. Willem was waiting below. The look on his face held admiration with something else she could not identify.
"You look lovely, Elizabeth," he said as he tucked Elizabeth's arm in his. "Here we go," he said as he knocked on his father's study door.
"Enter."
The stern man behind the desk appeared a little surprised at her being there on his son's arm before he began glaring and turning red with rage looking at his him. "How could you shame me like this, Willem. Is this your idea of a joke? It is all over London what you have done, marrying the wrong woman of all things. How is that even possible?" The man glowered half standing over his desk while leaning forward as if he could jump down his throat.
Willem looked down at her as if to gain strength, and calmly said, "What's done is done, and I find her quite lovely, don't you?" Now he had a glint of challenge in his eye.
"It matters not if she is as beautiful as the Queen of Sheba, this marriage will be, must be annulled. You did have the sense not to bed her, did not you, son? Your valet said, not. But I know you, that if you find a tart to your liking..."
"Be careful, Father," Willem said with an undercurrent of bold fierceness. "She is my wife, and I refuse to have her stand here and take your insults. And I also refuse to shame her by going to the Bishop or to Parliament. Is that the kind of public display you would choose? I believe the best way to live this down is to act as if Miss Willingham was truly the one I had chosen to be my bride."
His father threw his ink pot across the room, barely missing her, where it then exploded into the fireplace after leaving a trail of ink across the room. He yelled like what she imagined William Wallace's fierce cry had been like going to battle. It startled her greatly, almost making her come undone until she realized what a childish display this was. She tried to hide her disgust, but the way he glared at her, she might have failed in that effort.
"What do you have to say for yourself, you grasping, low borne..."
"Father, I'm warning you..." Willem stiffened tucking her more tightly against him.
She startled both of them, as well as herself, by speaking up. "I must admit sir, it was quite an unimaginable surprise to be told to go with all haste with your factor in your carriage to Castle Craig to marry your son. Howard is a kind man, but it hardly gave me any time to think what it all meant, especially since he fell asleep for most of the journey and could not answer questions. I thought that I durst not disturb the sleep of such an important man as your factor. Sir Hightower never could have guessed what had occurred until he pulled the veil up and found me, a total stranger. Likewise, I had no idea that I was not the intended bride as I had been told, but neither was it something I could grasp how it had all happened. It was something that never
in my wildest dreams would I have thought possible, becoming the bride to such a respected man, in such a highly regarded family. Actually, I was content in my home with seven silly sisters and a dear mother and father who loved me and wished me the best. They both thought it was a gift fallen from heaven that Sir Willem had chosen me. I'm very sorry, sir, but I don't think you will find our family in the book of peers there on your desk."
She sighed and went on, "But the minister refused to annual the marriage on the spot saying we would have to appeal to the Bishop or Parliament. Of course in my view, the only important thing is what God thinks. Of such things we were discussing as your worthy son was showing me the grounds just as you arrived. I have never heard the likes
His father opened his mouth, then closed it, with a shocked look on his face. He tried to work up his glower again, but only looked silly as if he was a pouting toddler. Finally he waved them away. "Out! Out! Just leave me to my business. I will speak with you on this later, Willem, alone."
Willem took her elbow. A butler opened and closed the door for them. Judging by his attempts at hiding a grin, the man had surely had been listening with his ear pressed to the door so he could report back to the rest of the staff. Willem only winked at the man whom he had known his whole life.
He led her into a large parlor glowing like sunshine with its yellow paper painted with flowers.
"How lovely!" she burst out. Then she covered her mouth wondering if that was improper. Willem seated her at a sofa while he took a chair and stared at her, hardly blinking.
"What's wrong? I'm sure I was out of line back there. I hope it does not make it more difficult for you with your father, Willem," she said in embarrassed hushed tones.
Finally a huge smile broke across his face as he declared, "I'm just in awe. You were magnificent, my lady! Oh, Elizabeth, I have never seen my father stunned to silence as you did to him in there. He absolutely did not know what to make of you. I think you have made me a believer in taking the words of Scripture to heart and even in something as simple as your prayer. Just amazing!"
"Well, I was so proud of you and grateful too for taking up for me, warning him not to disrespect me. You were rather magnificent yourself." And then there they sat beaming at each other for who knows how long.
Finally Willem stirred and looked away saying, "I believe this calls for a celebration. Would you like tea?" He pulled the cord for a maid to come. When she arrived, he said, "I wish for tea to be served, but make sure cook offers up some of those delicious desserts she had made for the wedding supper, if there are any left."
Elizabeth clapped soundlessly in her gloves and shyly said, "And if she has any more of those chocolate delicacies, I would be most delighted. Thank you." The maid curtsied and left.
Willem smiled more gently at her. "I'm glad you at least got some enjoyment out of our ruined wedding supper. I'm sure Mrs. Higley made you quite a feast to take to your room, however."
"Yes, and did you know I was brought hot chocolate in my room this morning? I've never heard of such a thing before! If I stayed, I'm sure I would soon become quite spoiled to the uttermost."
Willem knotted his eyebrows and asked, "Do you do not wish to stay? I thought..."
"Oh, I thought you would want to send me away to disappear in the country back where I came from whether we got the annulment or not."
"But then you could never marry if the Bishop never granted one."
"Neither could you." She sucked in air and blurted, "I'm sorry, I hadn't thought...it would indeed be a problem for getting an heir." She blushed deeply upon realizing what she had just said.
"I had not thought that far ahead either, but what if I wanted you to stay. What if we truly made this a marriage, one which could not be annulled? I guess, I never properly asked for your hand in marriage, did I, Miss Willingham?"
Right then, he slipped off the couch and went to his knee and said with a certainty in his voice, "Miss Willingham, though I had not thought to love you, I believe you have half carried me there already. It would be my honor to take you as my wife, if you would have me as your husband. Are you willing, my lady, dear Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth was stunned, but tears smarted her eyes. She responded in a quavering voice, "I believe God would have us not only in a proper marriage, not a mish-mash one, but also one where we can love each other, honor each other, and honor God, as well as providing a happy home fit to bring children into. Yes, Willem, I will become your wife." Then she timidly leaned forward and whispered in his ear, "But I'm afraid you will have to explain what all that entails for I admit to being quite ignorant on the subject." She blushed prettily.
He couldn't help but chuckle. Then with a glint in his eye, he smiled and said, "That is not a problem at all, dear Elizabeth, believe you me." He took the kiss that he had missed in the wedding ceremony, then sat back with a grin splitting his face. Suddenly, he was enormously glad for the mish-mashed, hurried up wedding after all.
Then tea was served.
