The Secret of Stavewood (Stavewood Saga Book 4) (30 page)

Seventy-Four

     
R
ebecca was the last to leave the room as the women all rushed downstairs to prepare for their procession. The workers had built a canopy over the path from the house to the tree-lined lane that led to the front lawn. They would exit through the study and down the covered walkway unseen by the wedding guests. Then they would emerge with their gentlemen at their sides, Rebecca on Phillip’s arm, Katie with her James, Emma and Roland, and Colleen escorted by Ottland. Mark and Luc would be waiting at the altar in front of Stavewood.

      Louisa stood quietly in the room as the door swung open and her father stepped inside.

      “Wow,” Timothy Elgerson said under his breath.

      Louisa smiled nervously.

      Timothy stood transfixed. His daughter had grown from a tiny infant into a beautiful woman, and in her he could see himself and the wife he loved so dearly. Louisa’s resemblance to her mother was staggering and she was stunning and perfect in her white gown. For a moment he was overwhelmed with pride and joy. It was time now to give away his only daughter. She was not a child any longer. He felt a pang.

      “Do I look alright?” Louisa asked timidly.

      “You are a vision,” he said, his deep voice low in the now quiet room.

      “Thank you, Daddy.”

      Timothy Elgerson straightened his black jacket. His shirt was bright white, the collar stiff against his tanned neck. He was tall and elegant, Louisa thought. She’d always loved when the men dressed for occasions. They would become to her a procession of handsome, rugged gentlemen. She could not wait to see Luc.

      “Are we ready?” Timothy swallowed hard and tried to focus on his role.

      “Yes,” she said softly.

      He lifted his arm and Louisa took it gently. “I feel like such a lady,” she laughed nervously.

      Timothy smiled at her with love in his eyes. “I suppose you are,” he said.

      Louisa paused briefly as they passed through the covered pathway. She knew that when she emerged she would be facing the beautiful home and the guests and the wedding party, and her Luc would be there waiting at the end of the long walk.

      Timothy waited at her side as she steadied herself and the waltz began. Louisa looked up into his eyes and he nodded silently.

      As they appeared from the maples the guests rustled, rising to their feet and a whisper passed through the massive crowd. Louisa could hear their murmurs. Young girls remarked how beautiful she looked and deep, male voices whispered “wow”. Louisa’s family stood in a line there, elegant in their tuxedos and gowns. Then she saw her groom and her heart skipped a beat.

      Luc stood taller than all of the party, sophisticated in his sleek black suit. He looked like more than a man. He was her prince and she was a fool not to have believed that he was always there, waiting for her. Louisa held her head high and smiled to him. Her life
was
a perfect fairy tale and she wanted to relish every moment.

      Luc Almquist stood transfixed. Louisa approached and met his eyes and he could not imagine a more perfect picture of a woman, and this was the one he loved. She was the girl that had fallen in the mud and laughed aloud in the rain and that stood shivering in the dark wanting to reach out and trust him when her world was falling apart. She was a child in pigtails and a kiss in the dark. She was a princess and a pixie and a tomboy. She was his heart and right now, in this moment, she was his perfect vision. Luc straightened his shoulders. Today she would take his name and forever be his, in his heart, his world and his arms.

      Timothy Elgerson lifted his elbow where Louisa’s hand held onto him and heard the words of the magistrate.

      “Who gives this woman to this man?”

      Timothy looked into Louisa’s eyes. “Loo, I know you did not find love easily,” he said quietly. “But your search brought you home and you have given Mark to me as part of that. I will always be grateful for that. Thank you.” He kissed her forehead.

      Louisa fought back the lump in her throat. “I love you, Daddy.”

      “Now, go and let yourself be happy.” He looked up into Luc’s eyes and saw him nod almost unperceptively. He knew that Luc would do everything in his power to make Louisa happy, as he had done for Rebecca.

      “Her mother and I,” he answered, in a clear voice that echoed over the property of the estate.

      He took Louisa’s wrist, passed her hand to Luc and then stepped away.

      Louisa looked up into Luc’s eyes and he looked back at her with love and wonder. She remembered her mother’s words describing how, when her father looked at her, she felt perfect in his eyes. Louisa now understood completely.

      Louisa repeated every word, as the magistrate instructed, in a clear, light voice. She promised to always love and honor him. Luc’s voice was deep and clear in the morning air as he repeated his vows solemnly.

      The magistrate held up both of his hands and pronounced them, saying aloud, “Ladies and gentlemen I give you Luc and Louisa Almquist. Mr. Almquist, you may kiss your bride.”

      Luc reached up and carefully lifted Louisa’s veil from her shoulders, letting it fall behind her back. He bent to kiss her and put his lips against hers gently. Louisa wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kiss fervently. As the guests of the only daughter of Stavewood and her handsome groom erupted into cheers, a single beam of sunlight reflected from the golden spire on the turret down onto the kissing couple.

      Rebecca touched Timothy’s arm. “Look!” she gasped. “Stavewood approves.”

      Timothy smiled and pulled Rebecca to his side.

Seventy-Five

     
L
ouisa leaned forward and looked down the receiving line of family and then at the guests gathering across the lawns. She was even more appreciative of her mother’s tea the night before. It appeared as though she would be greeting guests all through the day.

      She leaned to her handsome groom, kissed his smoothly shaved cheek and whispered into his ear. “Guess what?”

      Luc turned from his conversation and smiled at the devilish look in her eye.

      “Yes, dear?”

      “I’m not a spinster. So there!” Louisa smiled brightly.

       “Indeed, you are not!” Luc laughed.

      “Want to know something else?”

      “Alright,” he said cautiously.

      “You asked me once who would want to marry me. Guess who?” Louisa laughed.

      Luc chuckled. “It was me, all along.”

      Together they kissed elderly ladies and little children. Louisa smiled every time Luc got on one knee to flirt with a young girl and let her kiss him on the cheek. Now he was one of the handsome princes that little girls inserted into their own fairy tales. Louisa was less amused however by the bevy of women closer to her own age who teased him that now all hope was lost since he had married. She playfully shooed away a trio of very forward young women who promised they would wait in the wings should Louisa ever throw him over.

      Louisa leaned and whispered into his ear. “I never knew you were such a popular item.”

     “I had to do something with myself while you were traipsing around New York City wasting our time.”

      Louisa kissed his cheek. “Well, now I’m here and they all need to go find their own husbands,” she said.

      “I’ll kiss them all goodbye,” he joked, “and let them know that.”

      Luc understood completely how she was feeling when the rows of workers from the mills came in large numbers to congratulate them. He could see that he’d want to keep a watchful eye on them when the dancing began.

      Rebecca unhooked the length of Louisa’s veil and stepped outside leaving her and Luc standing in the parlor. Louisa sipped a cool cider and Luc downed a strong cup of coffee.

      “Have I told you yet today that you are beautiful?” Luc asked.

      Louisa set her cider on the mantel and wrapped her arms around his neck.

      “Oh?” she asked teasingly.

      “Very,” he replied, his voice low and husky in her ear.

      “Have I told you yet today that I love you?” she asked, running her fingertip across his forehead and brushing it along his golden hair softly.

      “No, I don’t believe you have,” he replied, pulling her to him.

      “Mr. Almquist, you are being quite bold.” Louisa could feel the firm muscles of his thighs pressed against her.

      “Mrs. Almquist, you can’t say no to me any longer,” he teased.

      “Do you think our guests would mind terribly if we chose to begin our honeymoon at this very moment?” Louisa slipped her finger under his shirt collar.

      “Don’t tempt me, Louisa.”

      She giggled lightly. He was not the only one anxious for lovemaking.

      “I would not mind myself in the least,” she whispered close to his ear.

      Louisa heard the double door slide open and Mark stood in the doorway.

      “I had a feeling,” he laughed.

      “Oh no you don’t!” Louisa stepped toward him shaking her finger. “I’m a married woman and you can stop spying on me now!”

      “Not quite, little sister!” He put his hands on his hips. “There’s hundreds of people waiting out there for you to smile and look beautiful. So I get to keep my eye on you a little while longer.”

      Louisa laughed. “Alright.” She downed her cider, took Luc’s hand and pretended to pull him through the foyer.

      “I guess I do whatever she wants now,” Luc called to Mark.

      “Welcome to married life, my friend,” Mark called back as they passed through the big front door.

      Louisa’s face nearly hurt from all the smiling but she never wanted to stop. She had been terrified of being the center of attention but now it felt magical. It was her day and she wanted to live every moment of it. The weather was beautiful and they posed for the photographer amid the roses in the garden with the wedding party and their parents. By late in the day she and Luc had greeted everyone and moved through the crowd enjoying their guests. Louisa could not help but notice that many of the goblets that should have held freshly pressed cider fizzed with champagne. Roland appeared and put a glass into her and Luc’s hand and she smiled with appreciation. The wine was crisp, perfectly chilled and deliciously forbidden.

      The yard was dotted with members of her family, the women in their pretty apricot dresses and the men sharp in dark tuxedos. She smiled as she watched the family she loved so well celebrating their love and lives together. She could no longer imagine wanting to be gone very long again. Whenever she looked up at Luc his eyes met hers and she felt wonderful.

Seventy-Six

     
L
uc and Louisa stepped out onto the dance floor and Louisa’s gown fell softly around her feet. Luc bowed gallantly and Louisa curtsied and took his arms. The trio began to play and a smiling vocalist stepped up and began to sing in a rich, sweet voice that carried out over the crowd as they stood watching the bride and groom. 

At last I meet you face to face

The ideal of my dreams

I've waited to behold you, dear

For years and years 'twould seem

And now you've come to live, to breathe

From out the mystic night

My burning heart, my very soul

Cries out in all its might

I love you, I love you, I love you

You are the ideal of my dreams

I always knew, ‘twould be someone like you

I've loved you forever it seems

      The couple moved gracefully across the floor, Louisa lost in Luc’s eyes. She had chosen the tune, always one of her favorites, because every word spoke of how she felt.

For years in my mind's fondest fancy

A picture of your face I drew

And I knew you somehow

When I met you just now

You are the ideal of my dreams

Somehow I feel you can't be real

You'll vanish like the mist

Before I hold you in my arms

Before your lips I've kissed

But no, you speak, you really live

Warm blood through your veins flows

Come nestle to my throbbing breast

I want the world to know

I love you, I love you, I love you

You are the ideal of my dreams

I always knew, ‘twould be someone like you

I've loved you forever it seems

“I love you,” Louisa whispered into Luc’s ear. He kissed her full on the lips. Louisa let her back arch into his grasp and the wedding guests applauded.

      The trio launched into a waltz and he took her hand and led her around the floor. Her parents stepped up and began their waltz as well, followed by Mark and Colleen, Roland and Emma and then Karl and Irene. Louisa had loved the parties and dances at the estate and in Billington. How, for so many years, had she not found this wonderful man who now led her so gracefully on the dance floor? When the song ended she smiled.

      “I had no idea you were such a wonderful dancer,” she said.

      “I am quite good at many things.” He winked at her suggestively. Louisa had a suspicion that Luc would not be one of those who was shy on his wedding night.

      The wedding festivities continued until sunset and beyond. When Louisa emerged from the upstairs bedroom after freshening up, Luc grabbed her playfully around the waist.

      “This party has been very exciting, but I believe it has come time to bid our farewells.” He pulled her closer.

      “Why, sir. What exactly do you have in mind?” she teased.

      “This,” he said, looking at her hungrily, and he nuzzled her neck boldly.

      “You are completely right,” she said seriously. “It’s time. I want to be alone with you.” She lifted up onto her tiptoes and kissed him, pulling him to her.

      Luc knew it was time for them to say goodbye.

      Louisa took his hand and led him down the stairs and out the front door. She found her parents on the porch and hurried to them.

      “We would like to say our goodbyes but I don’t want it to take all evening,” she said discreetly.

      Rebecca nodded. “Come with me.” She and Timothy led the young couple to the stage where the music played, waited until the band finished their song and then Timothy helped her up onto the platform.

      “Ladies and gentlemen, Luc and Louisa would like to thank you all for coming before they depart to begin their lives together.” Rebecca stepped aside and Luc and Louisa stepped up.

      “Louisa and I thank each and every one of you for sharing this wonderful day with both of us.” He nodded to Louisa and she looked out into the crowd before them.

     “Growing up at Stavewood has been a perfect life,” she called out. “And it has been perfect because of my loving family and all of you. You have all made the most important day of my life wonderful and magical. I will never forget today. Thank you all!” Louisa blew a kiss out into the crowd and they applauded with enthusiasm. Both her and Luc waved goodbye.

      A white coach pulled from behind the stables. Avalanche, adorned in apricot roses, stepped high and tossed his head. The crowd parted as he trotted towards them and stopped in front of the stage, pawing at the ground.

      Mark tipped his top hat from the driver’s seat and smiled. “Your carriage has arrived,” he announced.

      Louisa laughed with delight as Luc took her hand and helped her inside.

      “You knew he was going to do this?” she asked as Luc climbed in beside her.

      “He thought it would make you feel like Cinderella,” Luc chuckled. “It took him a week to teach Avalanche to high step.”

      Louisa was delighted. “I feel more wonderful than any Cinderella!” She kissed his cheek and waved out the window as they pulled away.