Authors: Linda Daly
Following their hosts into the study, everyone began to mingle freely,
chatting amongst themselves as the servants brought refreshments. Sitting
on a padded ledge overseeing the gardens and facing the other guests, Elise
smiled cordially, listening to Joshua recount their trip abroad to their
parents. She was intrigued by how the Myles’ and Robbins’ immediately
huddled together, catching up on each of their lives, while the Sterling’s sat
quietly on the opposite side of the room keeping Vivian company. Elise,
nodding at Miranda, who smiled at her while chatting with Alfred and her
father, noticed how lovely her friend looked.
Miranda’s in love
, she thought
to herself and then looked about the room and realized Tad was not present.
“Excuse me, Michael.” Elise interrupted. “I’ve just realized Tad’s not
with us this evening. Will he be joining us for dinner?”
“Yes dear, of course. He had errands to run. In truth, I haven’t seen him
all day. So he will be pleasantly surprised to see that you all have arrived
earlier than expected.”
“Ah . . .” Elise answered absent mindedly, watching Alfred make his
way across the room to speak with Benjamin in private, far removed from
the other guests. From the look on her grandfather’s face, Elise got the
distinct impression he was troubled by something. Watching discreetly, she
saw the two men excuse themselves and head toward the gardens. As they
passed, she nodded at her grandfather, who smiled fondly back at her while
escorting Benjamin outdoors, without stopping to say a few words.
Hmm, how odd
, Elise thought. Wondering what could be so urgent that
he wouldn’t take the time to chat for a spell, she glanced at Miranda,
hoping to get her attention so she could gesture for her and Lucas to join
them. Instead, Elise observed Miranda who was too preoccupied watching
the Reverend Myles and Alfred to even notice her.
Curiosity getting the best of her, Elise immediately tapped Joshua on
the shoulder and whispered, “Darling, I think I’ll stretch my legs and get a
breath of fresh air for a spell.”
Nodding, Joshua leaned closer to her and asked, “Shall I join you?”
“Heavens no. You find out all the news I know that you’re dying to
hear, while I have a nice chat with my dear friend, Miranda.”
Politely excusing herself from Sarah and Mary, Elise went directly to
Miranda and hugged her, while saying to Lucas. “Mr. Brown, why don’t
you visit with Michael and Joshua, while I steal Miranda away for one of
our chats.”
Chuckling, he boisterously said, “I was wondering how long it was
going to take for you two to get your heads together.”
“Come Miranda, let’s take a stroll in the gardens.”
“The gardens you say . . .” her voice trailing off while smiling sweetly
at her friend. It was obvious to Elise that Miranda was stalling, which only
heightened her interests further.
“As lovely as that sounds, it seems so selfish of me to occupy all your
time when you’ve just returned. Perhaps after dinner we could sneak
away.”
Leaning closer to Miranda, Elise whispered softly, “I may have been
away for a spell, but I know when you’re trying to keep something from
me. The way I see it, we can go to the gardens now and discuss our secrets.
Just as we have since we were babes, or I can find out on my own. The
choice is yours.” Smiling sweetly she leaned into the flustered Miranda and
continued. “Oh please don’t be a ninny, Miranda. You know, I mean you no
harm. I’m just curious as to what has you so keen on Grandfather
Honeycutt and Reverend Myles going to the gardens, and why you don’t
want me out there.”
Still smiling, Miranda looked at her friend and shook her head
whispering coyly, “Dearest Elise, your imagination is running away with
you. What possible secrets would I have, for goodness sakes? It just so
happens, when I saw Alfred going to the gardens I was just wondering if he
had an opportunity to complete a special surprise we have for you and
Joshua’s homecoming, is all. So don’t you dare try to wiggle it from me.
My lips are sealed.”
Not fooled by the ploy Miranda was trying to use on her, having used it
countless times herself in the past, Elise smiled and applauded softly not to
draw attention to them.
“Bravo, Miranda. Well done. Why, I don’t believe I was ever as
convincing as you were just then. However, my dear, it isn’t wise to use
one of my own tricks on me. I see right through them.”
Seeing Miranda’s smile fade, Elise added. “Why must you insist on
taunting me by trying to conceal something from your oldest friend? As
soon as I saw you, it was obvious you were trying to hide that you have
found love. You radiate with the glow as only a woman can who has found
true love. Who is he Miranda?” she whispered.
Giggling nervously, Miranda said, “He? Whatever are you babbling
about?”
“You’re in love and loved in return. Don’t try to deny it Miranda.”
Leaning closer, she whispered enthusiastically, “Is it Tad?”
Shaking her head, Miranda for the first time since they had been
chatting, looked sincerely at her friend. “I’m sorry to disappoint you Elise.
Although Tad and I have been courting, we are not in love like you, and
your Joshua . . . Which reminds me, I really must speak with Alfred.
Promise you will act surprised. I’ll be right back for that chat.”
With that, Miranda turned and scurried away before Elise could stop
her. Watching her friend, Elise shook her head gently.
Fine Miranda, run
from me now, but I know something is not right, here. And by gosh, I intend
to find out before the night is over.
Turning her attention to Felicity, Elise
decided that perhaps she might find out something from Miranda’s newest
friend. Smiling cordially, she joined Felicity and Annabelle as they chatted
softly sitting on the settee arm in arm.
Seeing Elise approach, Felicity asked, “My, but you look so distracted
Elise. Are you well?”
Keeping the pasted smile to her lips, she cooed, “Yes. Quite well, thank
you Felicity, dear. It’s just so close indoors, after all that delightful sea air.
Perhaps you two would care to join me for a stroll in the gardens?” Elise
asked, while glancing at Annabelle, who nodded in agreement.
As the three of them strolled past Lucas, the Honeycutt’s and the
Carmidy’s, Elise was aware of the watchful eye of her husband as he
continued conversing with Michael about current events.
“So am I to understand you correctly? The latest theory is that Booth
shot the President from a personal vendetta, rather than a hopeful
restoration of the Confederacy?”
Returning Joshua’s smile, Elise glanced at Annabelle and whispered,
“That’s one thing I sure didn’t miss while we were abroad.”
Confused by such a comment, Felicity said, “What’s that?”
“All that talk of poor Mr. Lincoln’s death. Why it’s depressing.”
The three women rushed past the crowd gathered around William
Carmidy and heard him reply, “According to eyewitnesses, Booth was seen
with Lucy Hale the morning of the assassination at the National Hotel.
Rumor has it, their meeting was to inform Booth that their engagement was
to end, since she would be traveling with her father, John Hale to his newly
appointed assignment as Ambassador of Spain. That, by the way, Lincoln
had appointed him too that very day!”
Caught up in the conversation, Joshua said, “Really father! Why I
wasn’t aware Booth was even engaged. The last I had heard, he was quite a
womanizer.”
Anxious to bring Joshua in all the latest news, Michael said,
“According to my sources, not only was Booth and Lucy engaged, but he
was insanely jealous of an involvement between Lincoln’s son Robert
Todd, and his betrothed.”
Hearing the latest comment as she left Alfred’s study, Felicity smiled at
her friends. “Thank heavens we don’t have to worry of such betrayal from
our husbands.”
Nodding her head, Annabelle added. “Yes, indeed. I shudder to think
though how close I was to choosing unwisely.”
Knowing whom she was referring too, Elise said, “I know precisely
what you mean.”
Slightly distracted by not seeing Benjamin, Alfred, or Miranda
anywhere in sight, Elise turned her attention back to her friends and smiled
to mask her curiosity. “Although in truth, there was never anyone else for
me but my Joshua. Nevertheless, I feel lucky knowing I would never end
up so happy, if I had chosen another path.”
“Oh don’t be so sure it was luck, Elise. I have come to believe firmly
that what happens in our lives is not luck, but rather is all in God’s plan.
You and Rupert, Joshua and Elise and my Ben . . .” Pausing, suddenly
feeling very awkward, Felicity glanced sheepishly at her friend.
Sensing her friend’s awkwardness, Annabelle tucked her arm through
hers knowingly, and warmly said, “No two people belong together dear
friend, more than you and Benjamin Myles. Thank heavens, your dear
Auntie had the wisdom to break tradition.”
Seeing Felicity well up with tears in her eyes, Elise suddenly felt as if
she were intruding on them and tried gracefully to excuse herself.
Recognizing why she was excusing herself, the two women insisted she
remain, explaining they had no secrets Elise hadn’t already heard, being a
trusted friend. Reluctantly, Elise listened soberly, nodding occasionally as
Felicity explained in detail how she and Benjamin were reunited. In return,
Annabelle recounted the years they had been apart beginning with the
death of her father, her ill-fated infatuation with Francois and how Rupert
had been there to mend her broken heart once again when she discovered
what a scoundrel Francois actually was.
Hearing them speak of such intimate details, exposing their hearts and
the love they had for their husbands, it was clear to Elise these two women
shared the same friendship that she and Miranda had. Time apart from one
another had little effect on the way they felt for each other, or the ability to
sense the other’s thoughts. Precisely why as Elise sat listening to Annabelle
and Felicity rekindle their friendship, her thoughts were on Miranda.
No matter what her friend said, she knew Miranda had found love.
If
not with Tad, than who?
she wondered
.
So caught up in her own thoughts
Elise hadn’t realized that Annabelle had asked her a question. Hearing no
chatter amongst her companions, Elise looked at them and seeing the
strange look on both of their faces as they stared at her, blushed.
“Oh, do forgive me. Seeing how you two speak so freely with one
another has made me start to worry about Miranda.”
“Worry you say? Whatever for Elise?” Felicity asked, fanning herself
to cover the warmth in her cheeks she suddenly felt by having Elise bring
up Miranda now of all times. Especially, since she knew that Benjamin had
probably already joined her and Gilbert in holy matrimony. Hastily,
Felicity added to help ease Elise’s troubled mind.
“Although we’re not as close as you and she are, I can assure you,
Miranda is very happy.”
“Yes. She does have that certain glow to her, doesn’t she?” Elise asked
suspiciously, aware of Felicity’s sudden uneasiness. Guessing that Miranda
had confided in her made Elise jealous, but she refrained from showing her
disappointment and waited for Felicity to respond.
“Glow you say? I guess I didn’t see any change in her appearance,
since I see her nearly everyday at the orphanage.” Seeing an opportunity to
change the direction of the conversation, Felicity hastily added. “Oh dear, I
do hope Miranda’s not having a relapse. You know, she was quite ill last
week and missed several days at the orphanage.”
“No I wasn’t aware of that,” Elise replied politely, all the while
thinking,
Who are you fooling? Miranda’s no more sick than you or I am.
Hearing of the orphanage, Annabelle quickly asked, “With Miranda ill
and Benjamin away, how did you manage, Felicity?”
Glancing at Elise before she answered, Felicity wondered if her feeble
attempt of redirecting the conversation had been successful. Unable to
gauge by the look in Elise’s eyes or in her mannerisms, Felicity surmised,
You must have been an excellent spy
.
Not more than one-hundred feet away, inside the small servant’s
quarters that was now being used to harbor Gilbert, Benjamin smiled
warmly at Miranda.
“As you can guess, I’m equally surprised and honored to perform this
ceremony for you and Mr. O’Flaherty, Miranda. And although it is quite
pleasant that Mr. Honeycutt and Gilbert’s sister, Margaret-Anne are here to
witness this joyous occasion, I would be amiss in my duties by not stating
the obvious and that is your father’s absence. Are you certain you want him
to miss such an important occasion, Miranda? Especially when he’s so
near?”
Looking at Benjamin, Miranda nodded. “Yes, Benjamin. I’m certain.
As hurtful as it will be for both father and I, for years to come, I truly feel
this is for the best.”
Inhaling a deep breath and looking at Alfred then back at the intended
bride, Benjamin hesitantly nodded his head. “Very well, as you wish.”
Taking a moment as if gathering his thoughts, Benjamin closed his
eyes before glancing back at Miranda and Gilbert. “Often times, before
joining two individuals as one into one of God’s holiest ordinances, I
remind couples that the vast differences of their past must never be
forgotten. Today, looking at the two of you, never have these words seem
so poignant. As you embark on this new journey, not as two individuals but
rather one, be certain to bring with you the essentials of a strong union.
Patience, respect, and above all, love. The love you feel for one another,
your patience to see the other’s points of view and respecting each other, as
individuals, with their own unique personalities along with different
heritages will make for a strong and lasting bond. My solemn prayer for
you both is that if you honor these commitments to one another, your life
as man and wife will flourish as each day passes.”
Pausing, Benjamin smiled fondly at Miranda.
“Dearest Miranda, moving thousand of miles away from the protection
of your loved ones may be painful and exceptionally hard on you. Are you
prepared to forsake the life you once lived and cleave only to Gilbert, all
the days of your life?”
Solemnly, Miranda glanced at Gilbert and said without hesitation, “I
am. We shall build a life from our love with the help of God.”
Nodding as if satisfied with her response, Benjamin directed his
attention to Gilbert.
“And you, Mr. O’Flaherty. As you stand beside your intended this
afternoon, with your future uncertain, are you prepared to place Miranda’s
needs and desires in front of your own?”
Hearing his question, Gilbert glared at Benjamin. “I’ll not be giving
any explanation to some Englishmen, despite that collar, Parson.”
Shocked by such a comment, Miranda gasped while Albert, shouted,
“That will be quite enough, Mr. O’Flaherty. How dare you speak to
Reverend Myles in such a vile manner?”
Turning his attention to his host, Gilbert said apologetically, “Forgive
me, sir. I meant no disrespect to ya. But I’ll be damned if I’m going to
answer such an intimate question to the likes of him.” He scoffed, coldly
nodding at Benjamin.
Confused by his sudden outburst, Miranda looked pleadingly at Gilbert
while reaching for his arm. “Why are you saying such things, Gilbert?”
Sheepishly looking over at her, the anger faded from his eyes and he
smiled lovingly at her before responding in a soft whisper. “I already told
ya Mandy, the day God brought us together was the most blessed day of
my life and I will cherish ya until the day I die.”
“Then why are you so angry? Benjamin has done nothing against you.
He is here at my request, because he’s a trusted friend.”
Rubbing his hands through his hair, Gilbert glanced at Benjamin then
back at Miranda and he tenderly smiled at his bride to be. “I know how
much it means to ya that we are legally wed, and so out of respect for ya,
Mr. Honeycutt, and even that collar the parson wears, I will answer any
question he asks. But mind ya lass, this will be the last time I will ever be
judged by some Englishmen, who knows nothing of me, or answer
questions regarding my devotion to ya.”
Before Miranda had a chance to respond, Benjamin coughed politely
and smiled warmly at the man before him. “Mr. O’Flaherty, forgive me for
being so intrusive on your privacy. And although, I do not know you
personally, it is clear that the love you feel for Miranda is one of great
depth. Will you kindly allow me the honor and privilege to join you as man
and wife in the eyes of God and all his holy saints?”
Nodding at Benjamin then looking at Miranda, Gilbert smiled.
“Nothing would make us happier, Parson.”
Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Miranda accepted Gilbert’s
hand. Although, she had no idea why he had taken such an instant dislike to
Benjamin, she knew that despite Gilbert’s obvious objections, what
mattered most to him was her happiness. A loving smile replaced her frown
and as they were legally joined as one. She took great solace in knowing
that in spite of the anger he harbored in his heart towards others, Gilbert
loved her more.