The Courtship of the Vicar's Daughter (78 page)

Elizabeth wound the shawl he handed her from the coatrack around her shoulders, whispering back, “Papa only allowed Paul Treves ten minutes.”

“I wasn’t complaining. I was just startled that—” His eyebrows rose. “Only ten? Really?”

“You let him win at whist, remember?”

They stepped out into a cold dark night bereft of stars. A low fog wrapped gauzy fingers in all directions, eerily shrouding the gravestones of the churchyard in the distance. But Elizabeth’s mood was not somber. It had been a fine day, and tomorrow would be an even better one.

At the end of the porch, Jonathan turned to face her and took both hands. “I’ve longed for this moment all evening, Elizabeth.”

She smiled. Even though she had delayed her answer to his proposal, she was not opposed to being kissed by him. Raising her chin just a little, she said, “You have?”

He made no move closer as he continued to talk with his eyes shining. “This afternoon I met with the school board at the
Bow and Fiddle
. They feel pressed to begin a search for a teacher for next year but wanted to see if I would possibly consider staying.”

Elizabeth’s breath caught in her throat. “You’re considering it, Jonathan?”

“I’m more at peace here than I’ve ever been in my life, Elizabeth. I enjoy seeing a child’s expression as he reads his first sentence, knowing that I helped to bring that about. Or having a student ask what causes thunder. Or watching a face glow simply because I praised a composition or sketch. It’s so wonderful knowing that all of this was accomplished only by the grace of God and without any family connections.”

“Then you have your answer, haven’t you?”
And I have mine as well
, she realized, for it was as if some last remaining obstacle was fading away in her mind.

“Almost,” he replied, now looking a little worried. “I wanted to find out how you felt about it first. After all, I initially moved here against your wishes.”

She shook her head. “Things have changed since then. Of course I would like you to stay.”

“Thank you, Elizabeth.” He glanced toward the door and sent a breath between his teeth. “Ever wish you could freeze time?”

“Not until now,” she replied, smiling. “But if you talk fast, you may be able to squeeze in another proposal.”

“Another …” Utter surprise took over his face. “You would say yes?”

“That’s not how it works, Jonathan. You have to propose before I give my answer.”

His mouth curved into a smile. “Will you make me the happiest man alive, Elizabeth Phelps?”

“Gladly, Jonathan Raleigh.”

“Oh, Elizabeth!” In spite of the passion in his voice, he gathered her gently into his arms as if she were a fragile doll. Automatically she raised her chin and closed her eyes. His lips were warm and sweet upon hers. When their lips parted and she opened her eyes again, his face was radiant, almost glowing. It took her a second, lightheaded as she was, to realize it was caused by rays of lamplight shining from the window.

“Oh,” she said, releasing her arms from his shoulders. “I have to go.”

He looked disappointed but nodded. “I’ll see you at the wedding.” With a glance at the door, he added, “I assume this isn’t a good time to speak with your father.”

“He’s nervous enough as it is. Do you understand?”

“Of course. But when does he return?”

“In nine days.”

“I’ll speak with him then.” Another kiss, this time hurried, and Jonathan bounded down the steps. He turned to grin and wave before the darkness swallowed him up completely. “We’ll be sure to play whist first!”

“Will you, Andrew Royden Phelps, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Bishop Edwards asked in the front of Saint Jude’s the next morning. The filled-to-capacity church was decorated appropriately for the Christmas season with branches of holly and fir, red velvet bows, and rows of flickering candles.

Seated at the end of the first pew with Laurel, Grandmother, and the Hollis children, Elizabeth felt goose prickles as her father, looking quite handsome in a new black suit, answered, “I will.” Two small words, spoken with such gravity as if he were verbally chiseling them in stone. And yet his expression was anything but grave. She could see even from the side that he stared at his wife-to-be with blatant adoration and joy across his face.

She had been happy from the first when her father and Mrs. Hollis announced their engagement. Even older people needed companionship, and the affection between the two was obvious. But she had never considered that the romance that made her pulse quicken whenever Jonathan smiled at her was just as strong in her father’s heart. And from the way Mrs. Hollis, looking lovely in an ecru silk appliquéd with lace, smiled back at him, it was obvious that her heart was just as overwhelmed.

“Julia Mansfield Hollis, will you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“I will.”

Elizabeth squeezed her sister’s hand as her father placed the ring upon Mrs. Hollis’s finger. She heard sniffs coming from all directions behind her. Even her grandmother was wiping her eyes. Her father could have married years earlier, Grandmother had told her last night with not a little reproach in her voice, had he given any encouragement to the women who pursued him in Cambridge.

Yet he waited for the better thing, not even knowing when he would find it
. He had trusted that God had a plan and knew that settling for second-best was not part of it. Because of his example, she had been able to restrain herself from rushing into another relationship with Jonathan before the appropriate time.

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles
. Elizabeth had heard her father read those words from the book of Isaiah countless times over the years without fully understanding their meaning. Now she understood and would one day teach them to her children as she had been taught.

She gave her full attention back to the ceremony before her.

“Now that Julia Mansfield Hollis and Andrew Royden Phelps have given themselves to each other in the sight of God and by solemn vows, and with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of a ring, I pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder.”

“Amen,” Elizabeth said with the rest of the congregation.

“God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that you may faithfully live together in this life, and in the age to come have life everlasting.”

After the last congregational
Amen
, Bishop Edwards smiled. “You may kiss your bride.” Now Elizabeth became aware that there were tears in her own eyes as she watched her father take his new wife’s shoulders in his hands. She leaned forward just a bit to send a smile to her new brother and sisters. All three smiled back with their eyes shining as well. The kiss was appropriately brief for a vicar in front of his own congregation, but Elizabeth felt a strong certainty, watching his eyes as they drew apart, that there would be dozens more exchanged before sunset.