Chapter 23
“You make the perfect bride, my dear,” Sarah Knickerbacker declared, stepping back. She and Mary Deeters had helped Judith with all the finishing touches.
Mary led Judith to the cheval mirror. “Just look for yourself.”
Judith studied her reflection for a moment.
The gown of pale blue taffeta had two fringed tiers over the skirt that angled down to a point.
The fringe on the skirt and bodice was done in a darker blue.
The top of the gown appeared as a snug jacket with fitted sleeves.
The bottom and the vee’d trim from the shoulders to the basque waist were fringed.
It was exactly the fashion Judith had wanted.
Simple yet elegant. A gown she could wear for other special occasions.
She turned to glimpse the bustle and then centered her gaze on the mass of brown curls pinned up in a very attractive fashion.
“Mary, you did a lovely job with my hair. Thank you both for all you’ve done to help me today.”
“It was our pleasure,” Mary said, looking to Sarah. She nodded most enthusiastically.
“I’m so happy.” Judith pressed her hands to her heart. “This is just as I had hoped for.”
“You make a beautiful bride, and Roman will be completely captivated,” Sarah declared.
“He’s already quite daffy when it comes to her.” Mary chuckled. “I’ve never seen a man so in love.”
Judith felt her cheeks flush. Roman had been most attentive, and she knew the love he felt for her matched her own for him.
“It’s time we join the others and get this wedding started,” Sarah said, heading for the door. “I’m so excited for you both and quite happy you chose our home in which to start your lives together.”
Mary handed Judith a bouquet of flowers. “I’m still so touched that you asked me to stand up with you.”
Judith gave Mary a hug. “You’ve been a dear friend to me since I arrived.”
“Well, perhaps not that long. I was quite concerned when you first showed up. I wasn’t at all sure why you were here or what you were after. I’m sorry to say, I was very suspicious of your plans.”
Laughing, Judith gave one last look in the mirror. “I knew you were. I wanted so much to say or do something to put you at ease. I had no idea of how Grandfather had treated you and the others. I don’t blame you at all for being apprehensive.”
“Your character and devotion to God quickly proved themselves. It was humbling to watch you in action and realize just how wrong I’d been about you. I hope you’ll forgive me my doubt.”
“No need for forgiveness. It was wise to be cautious.” Judith drew in a deep breath and let it out.
Mary wiped away a tear. “I’m so glad God brought you to Minnesota and to our family in particular. I know you and Roman are going to be so very happy.”
“I’m still amazed at how it all happened.
Back in Philadelphia, I often thought of the fundraiser where I’d met the elusive Dr. Turner.
For years I had considered how I might get in touch with him, but then I chided myself.
I figured if he wanted to know me better, he would surely have done something.
So I told myself I was too old for such notions of romance and falling in love. ”
“You’re never too old.” They embraced once more, and then Mary opened the door of the room. “It’s time.”
Judith followed her out to the parlor, where the rest of the wedding party waited. Roman smiled as Dr. John Lester, his best man, gave him a nudge.
“Ah, our radiant bride. Come right over here and join hands with your groom,” the reverend instructed.
Judith crossed the room as Roman held out his hand.
She took hold of him and felt her heart beat faster with happiness.
She thought of Alden and her parents and wondered if they, along with her brothers and grandfather, were smiling down from heaven.
She liked to think they might know what was happening.
Reverend Knickerbacker led them through their vows.
Judith pledged her life and love to Roman and let her tears fall.
The very idea of spending the rest of her days with this handsome, kindhearted man was an unexpected answer to prayer.
After losing her husband, she had accepted that she might well spend the rest of her life alone, but God had blessed her with Roman.
Judith prayed for God’s protection and wisdom, knowing that the journey they were on would no doubt be fraught with many obstacles over the years. By the time they were instructed to kiss, Judith was ready to leave off with ceremonies and begin the dream.
“Congratulations,” Roman’s mother said as they turned to face the small gathering. She came forward and kissed Roman and then Judith. “I’m so happy for you both. I could not have asked for a more perfect daughter-in-law had I created her myself.”
“I’m so happy,” Claudette said, all but pushing her mother aside to embrace Judith. “I always wanted a sister, and now I have one.”
Roman laughed and steadied his mother. “Claudette seems not to realize her enthusiasm can be dangerous.”
“I’m glad she’s happy,” his mother replied.
“We’re all quite delighted,” Mary said, giving her nephew a hug. “I for one feared this day might not ever come. It seemed every hopeful prospect of a bride for you went completely unnoticed.”
“I couldn’t get Judith out of my mind,” he admitted.
“Yes, but neither could you seem to do anything about furthering a relationship,” Judith said, sounding as if she were annoyed.
Roman laughed and pointed his finger at her. “You could have come to Minneapolis. I was the only Dr. Turner in residence. A large part of the population here knew me.”
She put her hands on her hips. “You could have come to Philadelphia, where your friends already knew how to put you in touch with me.” She waggled her finger at him. “I was quite well-known there, and you wouldn’t have had any trouble finding me.”
Everyone laughed as Roman pulled her into his embrace. “Well, I’ve found you now, and I don’t intend to ever let you go.”
“If you will all join us in the dining room,” Sarah announced, “we have some refreshments waiting.” She pushed back the pocket doors to reveal a table overflowing with a variety of goodies. “Our ladies of the church made this for us.”
Reverend Knickerbacker and Dr. Lester were first to make their way from the room.
Sarah followed, chiding them to leave some food for the others.
Daniel took hold of Claudette, and they made their way to join the others, with Mary and Martha bringing up the rear.
It left Judith and Roman alone for just a moment.
With her still in his embrace, Roman kissed her again. This kiss was leisurely, as if they had all the time in the world. Judith sighed and cherished the feel of his arms around her.
“I suppose we must join the others,” he whispered against her ear.
“I suppose. If we were to just sneak away, it would raise quite the scandal.”
Roman laughed and released her. “And we mustn’t have that.” He grinned in that impish way that Judith had come to love. He took her hand. “Come, Mrs. Turner, your family awaits.”
There were a great many stories told about Roman as a boy, and Judith acquiesced and told tales about her own childhood. How she wished her parents might have lived to be there. Her brothers too.
“You look rather sad,” Roman said as the others chattered away about the coming holidays.
“I was just thinking about my parents and brothers. I wish they could have been here; however, I’m blessed with my new family and the love they’ve shown me. I am quite content, not at all sad.”
“I intend to make you happy every day of your life. Although, I know we’ll have our moments.” He grinned.
Judith shrugged. “We are both opinionated and rather fixed on doing things our own way.”
“I am determined to seek God’s will instead of my own. That alone should help immensely.” Roman laughed, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Did you say something we should all know about?” his mother asked.
Judith pressed her cheek to Roman’s shoulder. “We were just planning for the future.”
When they were finally able to return to the house, Judith saw the palatial estate with new eyes. She imagined it filled with children and great happiness. This house that had so long been a place of greed and devious dealings would now be one of hope and joy.
She smiled as the others disappeared to various rooms. They were making it easy for the new bridal couple to have their privacy. Glancing at her husband, Judith started for the stairs. She didn’t say a word but knew he would follow her.
When they reached the top, he took hold of her hand. Judith led him down the long hallway without a word. She opened the door to her suite—their suite—and drew him inside.
“I hope you like what I’ve done with the rooms. Grandfather had them quite dark and brooding, but I took out all his things and gave most of it to the poor and crated up the rest, including the head of a most impressive stag.”
“I’m sure it’s perfect.” Roman glanced around.
The walls had been painted in hues of light blue and yellowed cream and trimmed in wallpaper with a gold scrolling pattern and fleur-de-lis accents.
The sitting area had a couch and two overstuffed chairs that faced the fireplace.
Someone had thoughtfully lit the fire, and the large blaze set off the room in the perfect glow of firelight and muted sun from the windows.
Against the wall were sparsely furnished bookshelves and a window seat that allowed for comfortable reading and daydreaming. A few small tables and a mahogany Hepplewhite desk and chair rounded out the sitting room arrangements.
“I like that it’s quite secluded here at the end of the wing,” Roman said, closing the door and locking it. He leaned back against it as if shutting out the world and fixed her with a look of love that nearly caused Judith to melt into a puddle. Goodness, but this man had a way about him.
“I suppose it’s time to get back to our affairs,” Judith said as she finished dressing her hair.
For the last week, she and Roman had enjoyed a honeymoon of sorts right there at the house.
The weather had turned cold, and the first snows had left the area blanketed in white, so much of the time they stayed together in their suite, talking of the past and dreaming together for the future.
“I’m sure Dr. Lester is probably more than ready for me to reclaim my duties,” Roman said, watching her as she pinned her hair. “Although I find I could easily forsake it all to remain here with you.”
She laughed and got to her feet. “I won’t tolerate lies from my husband. I know you’ve been longing to return to your patients.”
He came and took hold of her shoulders. “It’s no lie that I would much rather linger here with you, my beautiful wife. You’ve quite bewitched me, and I find myself completely devoted to your company.”
“As am I with yours.” She stretched up on tiptoe to kiss him.
He wrapped her in his arms as she had known he would and kissed her quite thoroughly. Then without warning, he released her and went to retrieve his coat. “Come. I’m sure the others are awaiting us for breakfast, and if I stay here any longer, it will be lunch before I even attempt to leave.”
Judith gave an exaggerated sigh. “I suppose you’re right.”
Roman chuckled and slipped on his coat. He then headed for the sitting room, pausing only a moment to glance back. “I hope this day passes quickly.”