Chapter Twenty-eight
THE VILLAGE CHURCH grew in size through the window as Jane’s carriage approached. It stood gray-stoned and well-worn in the snow-covered winter landscape. The carriage halted at its weathered front door. A cluster of interested villagers waited nearby.
Pulling her fur-lined cloak about her, Jane took William’s proffered arm and stepped down onto the frosty ground. Her sisters followed them along the pathway into the church. Inside, they paused as Anna and Charlotte arranged her dress’s train and took her cloak for later use.
The organ announced the arrival of the bride. Her! Exhilarated, expectant, excited, Jane waited to walk down the aisle to Jonathan. She carried the hardiest of spring flowers in her bouquet.
William stood beside her in their father’s place, ready to transfer her to Jonathan’s authority.
It no longer mattered to her that she would lose her existence in the law.
She now knew that Jonathan would treasure her and support her in her work.
He had ensured that a contract preserved all the money with which Mrs. Courtice had endowed her.
Her unmarried sisters had generous dowries, her brothers had careers mapped out for them, and Charlotte, for now, was safe from her husband.
She was not just content with her forthcoming marriage. She was ecstatic.
Jane’s heart was bursting with happiness and hope for her future with Jonathan.
She stood inside the chapel doors and Jonathan turned to look at her. His smile began at the corners of his eyes and added the upturned corners of his mouth before spreading across his whole face. His deep dark eyes glowed with his love.
And she was truly happy to become his wife.
Jane joined him at the altar, and he took her hand from William.
Her brother Francis was assisting with the service, as he was now curate to the elderly minister of the parish and was soon to take his place.
All her sisters were seated expectantly in the pews.
Her other brothers unfortunately were serving overseas.
A coterie of Jonathan’s female relatives was seated on the opposite side, led by Aunt Lucinda, whose response to receiving her invitation from Jonathan’s hand was merely, “Well, I never!” He reported her reaction as positively supportive compared with her previous views.
The service, which made them indivisible in the eyes of the church, the law, and society, was quickly over. Jane had thought she would never see this day arrive, much less welcome it as she did.
The bells pealed as they walked out into the crisp, frost-laden day.
Valentine’s Day would forever be the anniversary of their wedding day.
THE END
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