Natasha's Legacy (25 page)

“What I would give to witness this evening,”
Rose admitted.

Three sets of eyes turned and glared at
her.

The day had been
planned.
Alex rose well before dawn and rode to his sister’s
for breakfast. After a visit and words of encouragement, he went to
Sarah’s parents’ home. With a pounding heart and clammy hands, he
knocked on the front door.

During a brief telephone conversation, Papa
Stewart told him Sarah had a relaxing morning and the carriage
arrived on schedule. With the females due home momentarily, he left
his sister’s residence.

The room was ready when Alex arrived at the
restaurant. The staff looked prepared and Papa Stewart had assured
him there was no need to compensate anyone in Sarah’s presence. It
had been taken care of in advance. He was to enjoy the evening.

Now it’s my turn.
Standing inside the door of the restaurant, looking out the window,
his palms grew sweaty. About to rub them against his tuxedo pants,
he stared at the cloth.

“Perhaps that is not a good idea. This red
rose will surely wilt in my hand
.
” Alex
found a napkin and wiped his hands. “Where is that carriage with
Sarah?”

It finally arrived. With the driver
instructed to assist Sarah to the door, Alex struggled to remain
patient. His heart pounded into his throat. He shuffled his feet
and scratched the back of his neck. “Help me God. Help me get
through this.”

Seeing Sarah, his heart stopped. She was
stunning the evening of his party, but her appearance didn’t
compare to this evening. He stared at the woman before him in
disbelief. The gown, her hair curled with ribbons, and the pearls
dangling around the side of her face enhanced her beauty.

“Breathe. Remember to breathe. This is it.”
Alex inhaled deeply. “This is the day I’ve thought about, dreamed
about. Please God. Let it be perfect.”

He opened the door. Not a word was spoken.
Sarah knew what was happening. The driver placed Sarah’s hand in
his, turned, and walked back to the carriage.

“Oh my gosh. I’m going to cry,” she
admitted.

“No salty kisses tonight,” he warned and then
kissed her hand.

A smile broke free. “I can’t make that
guarantee.”

“We are marking the occasion with a picture.”
He pointed toward a photographer, a gentleman who’d been waiting at
the side of the building. They stood in front of the door. Alex
took his place slightly behind and to her left, just as the
photographer had instructed. He placed his hands on her waist. The
bright flash lit their faces.

“Thank you.” He turned to Sarah. “Shall
we.”

A soft melody echoed in the building as they
walked the hallway. It was one of Sarah’s favourite songs. At the
end of the hallway, candles illuminated the room, giving it a
romantic glow. There was a single table set for two with silver
candelabras strategically placed for lighting in the centre of the
room. Stepping inside, he looked toward Sarah. She was gazing
around, smiling.

“You’re pleased?”

“Very pleased.”

Alex shut the door to the room, waited for
Sarah to look his way, and made a circle motion with his fingers.
Her face shone as she slowly spun around, allowing Alex to admire
her gown and hair. He lifted her hand and kissed it.

“How is it possible you are able to look even
more beautiful?” Alex walked to the small table and pulled out the
chair. “I took the liberty of ordering,” he told her, keeping his
tone just above a soft whisper.

The door opened when he took his seat across
from her. The waiter walked into the room. Without speaking, he
poured two glasses of red wine. The waiter turned and left the
room.

“I didn’t hear other patrons as we entered.
The other tables weren’t even set for dinner.”

“I have reserved the entire building. I
recall being told you wanted to be romanced with a unique evening.
Do you approve of my choice of venue?”

“Yes. Very much so.”

He looked at his wine glass. My hands are so
clammy I will surely drop it. Stop it. I’m not to be this nervous.
Not with all the planning. Sarah deserves this, and so do I. He
picked up his wine glass.

“A toast. To falling in love. To being in
love.”

Sarah picked up her crystal glass and took a
sip of her wine and then the waiter arrived with the full plates.
As expected, given the reputation of the Wedgwood, the meal was
incredible.

Once the plates were cleared, Alex listened
for the next song to begin, stood, and extended his hand to her.
She stood and walked to the centre of the room.

“Kiss me,” Sarah pleaded.

Looking into her eyes, Alex smiled. He leaned
forward and gently kissed her forehead and then they danced. When
the song ended, he walked back to his chair, picked up his wine
glass and took a sip. His mind drifted to Nana Natasha’s diary. In
particular, how Nana declined Papa’s proposal.
Why is this entering my mind? This can’t be an omen. Don’t
let it be an omen.

“I didn’t expect to be as nervous,” he
admitted. “Papa Stewart believes he is cursed, not meant to be
married. Having inherited many of his characteristics, I’m afraid
I’m also cursed while proposing. Please don’t decline again.”

“I didn’t turn you down. I would never turn
you down. Why did I force you to do this? I should have accepted
after celebrating your birthday.”

“No. You were right not to. You deserve
something special. Something memorable.”

“I didn’t expect this. I didn’t expect this
day to come.”

“Have you reached the point when Nana
declined Papa’s proposal?”

“The tears ran down my cheeks. I was grateful
to be alone when reading that section.”

The proposal in his dream had progressed
smoothly, but reality was difficult. The pounding in his heart
intensified. Reaching for his glass, Alex allowed more wine to flow
into his mouth. Perhaps a sweet wine would have been a better
choice. He reached for his glass of water and enjoyed the sensation
of the cool liquid entering his mouth and working its way down to
his stomach.

“I’m as nervous as the day we became
acquainted. I struggled to say my name.”

“I won’t force you to continue,” she informed
him, shaking her head ever so slightly. She picked up her glass. “A
toast. To continuing our life together.”

Alex took a deep breath, getting as much
oxygen as possible into his lungs.

“Ev-very m-moment of this day and evening has
been p-planned. I shall complete my p-portion and state the words
you have waited years to h-hear.” His hands were trembling as he
reached into his jacket pocket, produced a small ring box, and
removed the lid. He knelt on one knee, removed the ring, and placed
it on the edge of her left finger.

“Oh my gosh.”

“I l-love you, S-Sarah. W-would you d-do me
the honour of b-becoming my w-wife? “Will you m-marry me?”

Sarah put her free hand over her mouth and
then quickly removed it. He saw that beautiful smile.

“I never thought this day would come.” Sarah
stared at her finger. “I didn’t expect a ring. I didn’t expect you
to propose. If I’m dreaming, don’t wake me. Allow me to enjoy this
moment.” Tears continued to race down her cheeks.

Alex chuckled. His hands trembled so much, he
almost dropped the ring. He pushed the diamond up to her knuckle,
and then held her fingers together. Looking at her, she hadn’t
responded. He took another breath.
Please, put me
out of my misery and say yes
. He placed his free hand on his
chest. “You’re n-not dreaming. Please. M-marry m-me. Agree to
become my w-wife.”

“Yes. Oh my gosh. Yes. I love you, Alex. I
would be honoured to become Mrs. Alexander Stewart Venderkemp.”

Alex took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
He wanted to jump for joy and scream out. ‘I did it. I proposed and
Sarah accepted.’
Okay, pounding heart, settle.
It’s over. Memorable, and I did it
. Alex pushed the ring
onto her finger, stood, placed his hands on her cheeks, and wiped
her tear soaked cheeks before giving her a gentle kiss.

Staring at the simple, yet elegant ring, she
admired the gold band with a single row of inset diamonds.

“We shall be married,” Sarah boasted.

“I love you, Sarah. I love you with all my
heart.”

Their embrace quickly turned into an intimate
kiss.

* * *

“I’m proud of you,” Keeghan admitted,
clasping her hands together. “You did it. You proposed and it was
beautiful. What a sap I am. I’m all choked up. I can’t wait to see
the wedding.”

“My wife is a hopeless romantic,” Will
admitted. “Loveable, isn’t she.”

“Is she loveable, Constable? Shall we
continue?” Alex asked.

“Yes, please,” both Keeghan and Will said in
unison.

* * *

Walking out the restaurant door, the carriage
was gone, but a buggy with a driver was waiting for them.

“I thought you might appreciate the view.” He
pointed into the sky.

Sarah snuggled beside him. They watched the
twinkling stars as they travelled toward the orphanage.

“The memories of this evening will stay with
me to my last breath. Thank you, Alex.”

When they arrived, Alex thanked the driver,
reached for Sarah’s hand, and began walking to the corner of the
property.

“We’re not returning indoors,” he informed
her.

Sarah squeezed his hand when he stopped at
the tree where they sat that day and talked and talked, becoming
acquainted. The same tree where Rose and Richard interrupted a
passionate kiss. Guided by the moonlight, Alex found and lit the
lantern. As promised, his family had been busy. A bottle of wine
was laying on a blanket with two glasses, more blankets, pillows,
and large folding privacy barriers.

“Mr. Venderkemp. More wine? Is it your
intention to take advantage of me? To seduce me?”

Alex chuckled.
Indeed it
is.
Raising his eyebrows, he shrugged his shoulders.

“You fool.” She giggled. “One of the many
attributes I love.”

Sarah poured the wine as Alex adjusted the
privacy barriers, giving them complete seclusion and protection.
Joining her on the blanket, he reached for his glass.

“Another toast,” she announced. “To an
evening we will never forget.” She looked up to the twinkling stars
and back into Alex’s eyes. “An evening of new beginnings.”

After a drink, Alex took her glass from her
and set both on the ground behind him. He placed his hand behind
her head and pulled their bodies together. They spent a magical
night under the moonlight.

* * *

Hope and Rose were in the parlour chatting
and drinking their warm milk when the buggy pulled up and Alex and
Sarah stepped out.

“They are home,” Rose acknowledged. “I'm
going to bed.”

“I will be up in a couple minutes.” Hope
reached for the mugs.

Ten minutes later,
Hope crawled under the covers and snuggled into Adam’s arms. “Alex
and Sarah are home. They are engaged for marriage. I know they are.
This day should have occurred some time ago. Sarah should have
moved in as Alex’s wife. I regret—”

“Hope! Not another word,” Adam warned. “One
change could have disrupted history. We have no idea what has
occurred in private, but we do know Sarah wasn’t content when she
first moved into our home. What possessed her to stay with our son?
Something he said? Alex isn’t convinced she will accept his
proposal this evening. He is terrified he’s cursed. We must be
grateful Sarah entered his life and they’re still together.”

“Indeed.”

“It’s possible Elaine could have re-entered
his life. I don’t have to remind you, she arrived at the orphanage
on more than one occasion hoping for private time with our
son.”

“I will not utter another sound, but I'm very
pleased.” She closed her eyes, but her mind was far too active to
sleep.

* * *

Exhausted, the light from the rising sun woke
Alex from a deep sleep. He rolled onto his back.

“Um. We should return indoors,” Sarah mumbled
and then yawned.

“The children will be cared for.” Alex
struggled to pry his eyelids apart. He yawned. “Once my family is
aware we’re awake, breakfast will be delivered.”

Sarah smiled, settled on her back, and raised
her hand to look at the ring. In all their years together, he had
never seen Sarah so happy. The previous twelve hours had been the
best in their lives.

It had been a struggle getting to this stage
of his life. His courtship with Christine, his relationship with
Elaine. Both affected him, scarred him. Then he thought of Sarah’s
contract offer. It still amazed him she agreed to remain by his
side. Sarah performed in four concerts a year in the city. Each
event was sold out within days of the announcement. She once spoke
of her nerves performing in front of a large audience, but she
wasn’t the least bit nervous at those events. She glowed on the
stage, a fact never discussed. Alex drove her home after each
performance and she shared his bed.

Alex’s mind drifted to their first kiss. He
mentioned it recently, but she hadn’t given him a definite answer.
What will it take to gain her forgiveness?
His degree in psychology had not been of value as he attempted to
read Sarah’s mind over the years.

“The ring is beautiful, Alex.”

Her words brought his back to reality. “I
received Rose’s approval for the ring. I have to ask. What is
required to receive forgiveness for the inappropriate kiss?”