Longings of the Heart (30 page)

“Really? How wonderful!” Hannah tried to sound excited, but she had reservations.

“He went to Mr. Atherton and asked permission. And last night right after dinner he asked if we could take a stroll ’round the grounds. And then he asked me.” Lydia’s eyes shone and her freckled skin looked rosy. “We’re to be married the third week in January.”

“You’ve not long to prepare, then. How shall you manage?”

“It will be a simple wedding. And we don’t want to wait.”

“But you’ve a gown to make.”

“I know. I thought ye might help me with it.” Lydia smiled.

“Of course I will. I’d be honored.”

“David said I can choose any fabric I like. Will ye come to town with me to pick it out?”

“Today?”

“No. But soon.”

“That sounds like fun.” Hannah couldn’t still a sense of disquiet. Although recently David and Lydia had been getting along splendidly, the difference in class couldn’t be ignored. And it hadn’t been that long since David struggled over the disparity.

Hannah hugged Lydia. “I’m so happy for you. Can you come in for tea?”

“Mrs. Atherton told me I could stay as long as I liked.”

“Good. I already have tea on.”

Hannah and Lydia settled across from each other at the kitchen table, and Thomas excused himself, setting off to take care of outdoor chores. With a cup cradled between her hands, Lydia studied Hannah. “Ye don’t seem as happy as I thought ye’d be.”

“Of course I’m happy. But I must confess to feeling a bit of hesitation.”

“I know what yer going to say . . . ’bout our differences. Yer worried.”

“I am, just a little. I know David loves you, but you’ve had conflicts about the way you talk and dress and—”

“I know our social classes are different, but there’s more to us than that. David seems quite happy with who I am. And he says he loves me and doesn’t want me to change.”

“And his family?”

Lydia shrugged. “They live in London. It’s not likely we’ll ever meet. And of course they shan’t be at the wedding. In fact David and I will be married before they even know of the engagement.”

“And what if they do come one day? Has David said how they’ll feel about such a match?”

“He said they’d most likely be unhappy, but he doesn’t care ’bout that. And he assures me that if his parents knew me, they’d love me just as he does.”

Hannah sat back. “Do you believe him?”

“What am I to believe? I can’t know the answer without meeting them.” Lydia’s voice had taken on a sharp tone. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter. We’re getting married and we can’t wait for his parents’ approval.”

Hannah leaned across the table and took Lydia’s hands in hers. “I’m thrilled for you, really. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

Weeks of wedding preparations passed quickly, and soon it was Lydia and David’s day. Lydia had asked Hannah to stand with her. David had chosen a colleague from Sydney Town.

The morning of the wedding, John, Hannah, and Thomas set off for the church. The air was hot and still, but thankfully the temperatures weren’t the suffocating kind.

Hoping to be of help, Hannah and John arrived early. There were only a handful of carriages in front of the church, the Ather-tons’, David’s, and another one Hannah didn’t recognize.

John held Hannah’s hand as she stepped down from the wagon. Thomas clambered out and dashed around toward the back of the church. “Don’t stray,” John called after him.

“I won’t,” Thomas reassured him.

“And don’t get dirty.” Hannah watched the boy. “Some days he acts as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. He’s so changed.” “That he is. He’s happy.”

“It’s a wonder. I remember thinking he’d never find happiness.” Hannah leaned against John. “Although I know God is powerful, he still surprises me.”

“He does, indeed.” John escorted Hannah toward the church.

Her heart pounded in anticipation, almost as if it were her own wedding. She stopped at the bottom of the steps and looked at John. “It wasn’t that long ago we were exchanging vows.”

John kissed the top of her hand. “I remember.”

“It’s only been a little more than a year.”

Hannah’s heart warmed at the memory, but the passing of time also reminded her how many months had come and gone and she’d still not conceived. She loved Thomas and the life they had together, but the longing for a baby still remained. Perhaps in time she’d find peace in God’s decision.

Shrugging off the melancholy, she hurried up the steps and went to a small room adjacent to the foyer where Lydia should be waiting. Hannah knocked softly.

The door opened and Lydia peeked out. “Oh. Thank goodness. Come in.” She nearly yanked Hannah inside and then hugged her. “I’ve been waiting for ye. I don’t know what to do.” She paced.

“You look lovely. And I’d say there’s nothing for you to do but wait.” Hannah gazed at Lydia. “You look absolutely beautiful. David will be overcome.”

Lydia stepped in front of a large mirror and studied her reflection. She nudged a lock of auburn hair into place, then held her arms away from her sides. “I must say it doesn’t look like me staring back.”

“You’re stunning. The dress is lovely.”

Lydia rested a hand over her abdomen. “Ye don’t think it’s too tight in the waist, eh?”

“No. It’s perfect.”

Lydia smiled and did a pirouette. “Ye really think so?”

“I’ve never seen a lovelier bride.”

“Well, I’m sure that’s not true, but I’ll accept the compliment. It was your good eye for material. Thank you.” Lydia smoothed a wide belt made of white satin and peered down at the gown that dropped freely to the floor. “Are ye sure white is proper . . . for me?”

“Lydia,” Hannah said in exasperation. “It absolutely is.”

“But I’m not . . . untouched.”

Hannah remembered the night on board the prison ship when Lydia had been hauled away by one of the sailors. “You are pure. Christ has made you so.”

Lydia smiled. “I guess white is just right, then. Thank ye for reminding me.”

“Does David know about what happened?”

“Yes. I wasn’t ’bout to face the same dilemma ye did with John. I told him straight out. He didn’t act shocked or surprised. I suppose being a female prisoner . . . he thought it possible. I think I saw tears in his eyes when he heard what had happened. He reassured me that he loved me no matter what might be in my past.”

Lydia moved to a chair and sat down. “Mrs. Atherton is so kind. She tried to get a pardon for me, but the governor refused. He said my crime was too heinous and that he couldn’t pardon prisoners at the drop of a hat, that he’d already granted too many.”

“Will you stay on at the Athertons’, then?”

“No. David’s home is too far from there. I’ve been transferred to the mercantile. They need help. It will be close to David’s office, and we’ll live in town.” She smiled. “It’s not perfect, but it’s good.”

“And it’s closer to my home.” Hannah smiled.

“That’s true.” Lydia turned back to face the mirror. “I can’t believe I’m about to become Mrs. David Gelson, the wife of a physician and part of an upper-class family.” Her eyes teared. “If I were living in London, this wouldn’t be possible.”

A haunted expression touched her eyes and she hugged her-self about the waist. “I remember standing over my mother’s husband with a pistol in my hand. He was sprawled out on the floor, dead, lying in his own blood. I knew my future was the gallows. When I was given transportation, it felt like a gift. And it was. Being placed with the Athertons gave me a new life.”

“It’s so like God to do those kinds of things. He makes treasure out of what we see as rubbish.” Hannah felt the sting of tears.

“He does. And I’ve always believed he could do whatever he chose to do, but there were times . . .” Lydia couldn’t continue. She dabbed at her eyes. “I’d best stop or I’ll look a mess when I walk down the aisle.”

Lydia’s green eyes were lit with joy when she handed her simple bouquet to Hannah and turned to David. While the couple vowed to cherish each other and to live out their lives together, Hannah met John’s gaze. She knew he was remembering, just as she was, the day they’d promised themselves to one another. It seemed so close, like yesterday. The wealth of God’s gift was overwhelming. Her life truly was a miracle.
He’s
given more than I deserve.

Making a final pledge, David slipped a ring on Lydia’s finger. His eyes were filled with love and devotion, and Hannah’s qualms vanished. She was certain he loved her enough to overcome their differences.

The reverend pressed the couple’s hands between his own and said a prayer of blessing. He smiled at them and then said, “David, you may kiss your bride.”

David tenderly pulled Lydia into his arms and pressed his lips to hers. True to Lydia’s forthright way, she responded without hesitation. The couple smiled at each other, their love so powerful that it could be seen, like a great wave, sweeping over them.

The reverend whispered congratulations, then turned to the guests and said, “I’d like to introduce Dr. and Mrs. David Gelson.”

David grasped Lydia’s hand and led her down the aisle. As they moved through the church, people reached out and wished them well. Feeling especially tender toward John, Hannah grasped his hand and they followed their friends.

Revelry, good food, and music followed. When the sun lay low in the sky, David escorted Lydia down the church steps and helped her into his buggy. Among cheers and blessings, the couple drove off.

Hannah stood on the church steps, John on one side and Thomas on the other. She waved, watching the fading buggy and blinking back tears.

“Shall we go?” John asked.

“Yes. But I need to get my reticule from the dressing room. I shan’t be long.”

While Thomas and a friend raced through a grove of gum trees, John moved to the wagon to wait for Hannah. He felt quiet inside, grateful and happy. But at the sight of Deidre walking toward him, tranquility fled. She’d not bothered him in some time, and he’d hoped the nightmare was over. He grabbed a handful of grain from a bag and gave some to each horse. “I’ll have a word with ye,” Deidre said, striding up to John.

He didn’t look at her. “I’ve nothing to say to you.”

“Oh, but ye have. I’m in need of help.”

Resting a hand on one horse’s broad face, he looked at Deidre, making no attempt to conceal his disdain. “I suppose you would be, since Mrs. Atherton discharged you as she should have.”

“She did indeed. But she had no reason. I’m an excellent maid. In fact, I should have been the housekeeper. I’m wondering if someone was spreading tales about me.”

“I wouldn’t know about that. I’d say you’re lucky not to be in prison.”

“I’ve served my time.” She glanced at the Atherton carriage driving away. “She’ll be sorry for letting me go.”

“Is that a threat? I’d be careful if I were you. The Athertons are well loved.”

She glanced at the church. “I’m here to speak ’bout my needs. I’m in a bad way and in need of funds. Without work I’ve no resources.”

“Then, I’d say you’d best find employment.” He almost grinned, but the sight of her was so distasteful he couldn’t manage it. He inspected the horses’ harnesses.

Her voice dripping with contempt, Deidre spat, “Turn ’round and face me. Ye don’t turn yer back to me.”