Chapter 25
During the next few hours, Kathryn continued to run the cool cloth over Peter’s face. “Vicar, you must fight. We all need you. Remember, you promised to wed Mr. Clifford and me. How can we marry without you?”
Peter’s eyes fluttered open. “Grace?”
“It’s Kathryn. Oh, Peter, I’m so pleased to see you awake,” she said.
“What happened?” he asked, his voice raspy.
She explained to him what had happened and how Grace had kept a vigil at his bedside for the past two days.
“Where is she now?”
“Sleeping, I hope, but I’ll go wake her. She’ll want to know your fever has broken.”
“No, don’t wake her. Let her sleep.”
“Peter, I must wake her. I promised to do so if anything changed. I cannot break my promise.”
“Of course.”
Kathryn flew out of the room and down the hallway to the spare bedchamber. Grace was asleep, and she went to her, putting her hand on her shoulder to gently shake her. “Grace, wake up, dear.”
Grace’s eyes flew open, and she jumped out of bed. “Oh!” she gasped. “Is he worse?
“Not at all. Peter is awake. The fever’s broken.”
Grace stood still for a moment while the information sank in before she raced out of the room to be by her husband’s side. Peter’s eyes were closed. “Peter, my darling, can you hear me?”
He opened his eyes and gave her a weak smile. “I’m here, love, but I’m so very tired.”
She tenderly kissed his forehead “Sleep now, my darling. I’ll be here when you awaken.”
He closed his eyes, and a great sigh of relief escaped Grace’s lips. She said a silent prayer of thanks to God that Peter had been spared.
Kathryn stood beside her. “Let him sleep now. Come, you must eat.”
Grace nodded and followed her friend to the kitchen. The basket of food Mrs. Greenleaf had sent over earlier was sitting on the table.
“Let’s see what Cook has made for us this time,” Kathryn said, taking the various dishes out of the basket. After spreading everything on the table, she put on the water for tea.
Grace sat at the table with tears streaming down her face. “Thank the Lord Peter’s fever has broken,” she said in between sobs as the strain and fear of the last few days poured out of her.
Kathryn went to her and wrapped her arm around her shoulders. “Yes, it’s truly a blessing. You’ve been so brave.”
“I didn’t feel very brave. I was so scared I would lose him. When I overheard Lord Berkeley telling the doctor that his father had died of a similar fever, I feared for his life.”
“I cannot imagine how awful that must have been for you. We all love Peter and were praying for his recovery.”
“Thank you for being here, Kathryn. Your presence gives me much comfort.”
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
A steady stream of visitors—Jacob, Audrey, Mia, and Easton—came to see Peter over the next two days. They stayed only moments—long enough to see that the vicar was indeed recovering.
Dr. Thicke came to examine Peter the next day. As he lay his head on his chest, he said, “Yes, good. This sounds much better.”
Grace smiled. “Thank you, Dr. Thicke. I do believe your tonic helped a great deal.”
“Mr. Wallings, though the fever has broken, you must rest for the next few days to regain your strength,” Dr. Thicke said.
Peter shook his head. “That’s not possible. I have responsibilities.”
“I shall take over until you’re well, Mr. Wallings,” Mr. Randolph said from the doorway.
“Thank you, Mr. Randolph. That would be much appreciated,” Grace said as she looked over her shoulder at the curate. “As you can see, my husband has a bit of a stubborn streak.”
Mr. Randolph chuckled. “I shall do whatever is needed. Please don’t worry.”
“I’m not worried, Mr. Randolph,” Peter said. “You will do wonderfully well. I have complete faith in you.”
“High praise indeed, Mr. Wallings. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I shall take my leave to work on Sunday’s sermon.”
“Please, no fire and brimstone,” Peter said with a chuckle.
“Not at all, sir,” the curate said as he left the room.
The doctor also took his leave. “Call me if anything changes.”
“Thank you, Dr. Thicke,” Peter said.
“Now, my darling, you must rest,” Grace said.
“I’d much rather talk with you.”
“I’ll be back very shortly. I’m expecting Lady Kathryn, Lady Devon and my sisters this afternoon to go over the wedding breakfast plans.”
Peter gasped, a stricken look on his face. “How long have I been sick?”
“Four days, my darling, but each day, you’re getting stronger.”
“But I was supposed to marry Lady Kathryn and Clifford yesterday. Did Mr. Randolph perform the service?”
“Not to worry. They’ve postponed the wedding until next week. They wanted to ensure you’re well enough to preside over the ceremony.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Grace kissed Peter’s forehead. “Sleep now. I’ll return later.”
It wasn’t long before Kathryn, Audrey, Mia, and Lady Devon arrived at the vicarage. Grace went out to greet them as Charles handed them down from the carriage.
Audrey was the first to greet her. “Dearest, how are you? Peter?”
“He’s getting stronger every day. I’m much relieved. Please come in and I’ll make tea.”
The ladies sat at the kitchen table while Grace heated the water for tea.
“My dress arrived from Mrs. Spencer while Peter was sick, and it’s more beautiful than I could have ever imagined,” Kathryn said.
“I’m so pleased to hear that. You’ll make a beautiful bride,” Grace said.
“At the very least, I’ll be wearing a beautiful dress.”
Lady Devon grasped Kathryn’s hand. “My darling daughter, you will make a beautiful bride no matter what dress you wear, although I agree with you. Mrs. Spencer did a magnificent job on it. It’s as stunning as any dress a London modiste could create.”
The women talked about the wedding arrangements for the next two hours, and Kathryn agreed that the wedding would be Tuesday next to give Peter enough time to fully recover his strength.
Each day, Peter grew a little stronger. After two more days of bed rest, Grace allowed him to venture downstairs.
“As much as I love our bedchamber, my dear, I’m very happy to leave it for a bit,” Peter said.
“You’ll soon be fully recovered. Have patience, my love.”
“I want to look over the sermon Mr. Randolph’s prepared for Sunday services.”
Grace shook her head. “Oh no, you mustn’t worry about that. Mr. Randolph can handle Sunday services this week.”
“My darling Grace, I’m feeling much improved.”
“I’m glad to hear it, and you’ll be fully recovered by Tuesday to perform the Clifford wedding.”
Peter’s shoulders sagged a little. “You’re right, of course.”
Kathryn awoke to the sun streaming in her window. Today was her wedding day, and she thought her heart would burst with joy. At the end of last Season, she’d lost hope that she would ever receive a proposal and had convinced herself that she would be content helping her sister with the children.
Her sister and her husband, Viscount Sterling, had arrived at Dandridge Manor with the children the previous day. She was thrilled that they could make the journey to see her marry the man of her dreams.
There was a knock on her door.
“Come.”
Eleanor walked into the room. “Good morning, Kathryn.”
Kathryn slid out of bed and went to hug her sister. “I’m so very pleased you were able to come for the wedding.”
“How could I not? My little sister is getting married, although I must confess, I was very surprised Papa gave his blessing for such a match.”
“Mr. Clifford is a good and honorable man, Eleanor, and he loves me,” Kathryn said, a little more harshly than she intended.
“Darling, you misunderstand me. I’m thrilled that you’ve found someone to love. My surprise is more about Papa. I’m glad he’s not going to force you to marry someone of his choosing.”
“I am as well, although it took much convincing before he said we could marry.”
“I can imagine. I have something for you,” Eleanor said, holding out a small jewelry box.
“Thank you. There was no need for you to give me anything. Having you and your family here is a wonderful gift in itself.”
Eleanor chuckled. “When Mama told me about your wedding dress, I knew these would be perfect. Go ahead, open it.”
Kathryn opened the small box and gasped. Inside, nestled on a bed of white satin, was a beautiful pair of emerald earbobs. “Eleanor, these are too much. I cannot accept such an extravagant gift.”
“Of course you can. Besides, it was actually Sterling’s idea.”
“It was?”
Eleanor nodded. “Yes, he’s very generous and wanted you to have these.”
“I shall cherish them always.”
There was another knock on the door, and Selena entered the room. “Lady Kathryn, are you ready for your bath?”
“Yes. Thank you, Selena.”
Eleanor kissed Kathryn’s cheek. “I’ll see you at the church, sister.”
After her bath, Kathryn sat at the vanity table while Selena performed her magic on her hair. “You’re going to look beautiful, my lady.”
“You’re too kind, Selena.”
Before she put on her dress, her mother came into her room.
“Good morning, my darling. How are you feeling?” Lady Devon asked.
“Like I’m living in a dream.”
“It’s no dream, daughter. Today you’ll become a wife, and hopefully a mother soon.”
“Mama, I can hardly believe how happy I am.”
“You deserve every bit of happiness, my dear. I’m so sorry I wasn’t observant enough to see how unhappy you were during the Season.”
“It wasn’t your fault. You mustn’t blame yourself, because I’ve found the most wonderful man to marry.”
“Yes, you have. I quite like your Mr. Clifford.”
“And Papa?”
“Oh, I daresay he won’t admit it, but he admires Mr. Clifford a great deal.”
“That makes me very happy indeed.”
Lady Devon held out her hand. “I thought you might like these to thread through your hair.”
“Oh, Mama, what beautiful ribbons, and the exact shade of my dress. Thank you.” She turned to Selena. “Can you weave in the ribbons?”
“Of course, my lady. That will not be a problem,” the maid said.
“Well, I must go now and let you finish dressing. We’ll see you at the church.”
When Selena finished with the last of the buttons on her dress, Kathryn looked at her reflection in the mirror and was shocked by what she saw. No longer was she the mousy girl who hugged the wall, but a passably pretty young woman about to be married.
“Selena, you’ve worked a miracle.”
“Nonsense, my lady. I told you that you would be a beautiful bride,” she said, handing Kathryn her gloves.
Kathryn pulled on her gloves as she descended the staircase to see her father waiting for her.
“My darling Kathryn, how lovely you look.”
“Thank you, Papa.”
Lord Devon held out his arm and walked with her out to the carriage.
The carriage ride to the church didn’t take long, and soon Kathryn and Lord Devon were standing at the back of the church. Her sister would be one of the witnesses, and Sam had asked her brother to be the other one.
“Are you ready, my dear?” Lord Devon asked.
Kathryn nodded and took her father’s arm. Much to her surprise, the church was nearly full of well-wishers. “Papa, I didn’t invite all these people. I know you wanted a small wedding. I’m sorry.”
“Kathryn, there’s no need to apologize. The good people of Reading already love you. Lady Fletcher and Mrs. Wallings have told me of the good work you’ve done with the schoolchildren.”
“They did?”
“Indeed. I’m very proud of the woman you’ve become.”
“Thank you, Papa.”
Kathryn looked down the aisle to see Sam looking so handsome, and her heart filled with joy. She was glad that they’d waited until Peter recovered to marry. It wouldn’t have been the same without him presiding over the ceremony.
“Shall we?” Lord Devon asked.
Kathryn nodded and walked down the aisle with her father. She couldn’t stop smiling as she stood by Sam’s side, listening to Peter perform the ceremony.
“Lady Kathryn Julia Wilson, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony?
Wilt thou obey him and serve him, love, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live? ” Peter asked.
“I will,” Kathryn said in a clear, strong voice.
She hardly heard the rest of the ceremony until the vicar said, “For as much as Samuel Joseph Clifford and Kathryn Julia Wilson have consented together in holy wedlock and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring and by joining of hands, I pronounce that they be man and wife together, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
The congregation broke into applause as the happy couple and their witnesses signed the church registry. Many of the parishioners stood outside to wish them happy.
Kathryn held onto Sam’s arm tightly, afraid this was all a dream that could disappear in a puff of smoke. She’d thought that she’d live out her life as the ugly spinster sister, but today, she was a happy and cherished wife.
When they were in the carriage on the way to Dandridge Manor for the wedding breakfast, Sam caressed her cheek. “Are you happy, my darling?”
“Oh, Sam. I’ve never been happier. I was so afraid something would happen that would prevent us from marrying.”
“Nothing happened, my love,” he said, pulling her into his arms for a number of scorching kisses. “We’re married and never have to be parted again.”
“I love you, my darling.”
“And I love you, my dear sweet Kathryn.”