The morning of the fifteenth of February, the wind whirled outside Jonathan's bedchamber window, vibrating the pane of glass not far from where he stood. While his valet finished tying his neckcloth, Jonathan glanced at his reflection in the looking glass. He was dressed in buff-colored breeches, a white shirt, a light blue waistcoat, and a navy tailcoat. It was a fairly simple ensemble for a groom to wear to his wedding, and yet it suited the event perfectly. It was to be a small affair at his parish with only close friends and family attending, including all of Tanglewood's servants. In only two hours, Jonathan would make Cora his wife, and the only question that remained was whether or not her parents would grace them with their presence.
Mr. and Mrs. Notley had insisted on returning to Askern with their daughter to help plan the wedding, but during the past several weeks they had done nothing but brew tension. They had made their temporary home at Knotting Tree and had immediately begun plans for an extravagant June wedding in London, paying no heed to their daughter and future son-in-law who were both opposed to extravagance and waiting until summer. When Cora had insisted the wedding would be held on Friday, the fifteenth of February in the small parish in Askern, her father had dismissed the notion with a wave of his hand while her mother said, "Please, Coralynn, do be serious. Not only is the parish church far too small and simple, but it is too far from London. We must make the location as convenient as possible for all who will wish to attend." From the looks of her invitation list, she wanted to invite the entire United Kingdom, probably so that everyone who was anyone would know their daughter was to marry the son of a duke.
Jonathan and Mr. Shepherd had attempted to reason with them, but they seemed determined to make their eldest daughter's wedding a grand event and rode roughshod over anyone who attempted to negate them. They would not listen when Jonathan had told them they'd engaged a rector. They rolled their eyes when Cora informed them that plans were underway for the wedding breakfast. And Mrs. Notley actually laughed when her daughter showed her the simple, yet elegant wedding gown she had ordered from a seamstress in town.
"That looks more like a nightdress than a wedding gown," Mrs. Notley had scoffed. "Of course you will not be wearing something so plain as that. Your wedding clothes must come from Madam Lanchester in London and no other. Why must you insist on being so difficult?"
Jonathan was grateful he had not been present for that conversation or he might have attempted to slap some sense into the woman. Instead, he had merely fumed when Cora had told him about it later. Apparently, she could feel his anger, for she found it necessary to lay a hand on his arm and say, "Calm yourself, my love. No good will come from arguing with them. Our wedding will go on as we have planned, and if they continue to think it will not, they will not come. I fail to see that as a disadvantage."
She spoke with flippancy, but she could not fool Jonathan. He saw the hurt in her eyes and knew that even though she did not look upon her parents with much affection, she did want them at her wedding.
A knock sounded on Jonathan's door, and a footman entered bearing a missive of some sort. He picked it up and frowned at the smudges and creases. From the looks of things, the letter had traveled some distance. Had his family already responded to the announcement Cora had insisted on sending them? Jonathan had made her wait to send any correspondence until a week before the wedding so they would not have time to come. He knew he would eventually need to make amends with his brother, but he did not want any family drama clouding his wedding day.
He fingered the missive for several minutes before breaking the seal and opening it. He immediately looked at the signature and breathed a sigh of relief. It was only Christopher Jamison, his good-for-nothing friend from a lifetime ago.
Jonathan began to read the letter, attempting to decipher the dreadful handwriting, which seemed to have worsened over the past couple of years.
Ludlow, old chap,
It has been an age—or possibly two. Have you begun to wrinkle? Has your hair thinned, your skin spotted, and have your teeth fallen from your mouth? I picture you quite elderly now. It seems that long since last we met and, try as I might, I cannot imagine you young any longer. I, on the other hand, have aged quite handsomely. I have become devilishly robust and dashing, and though my skin has darkened to an alarming shade of brown, the ladies do not seem to mind. I declare, as an injured war hero, I have become quite popular among them. I would consider it a nuisance if I did not enjoy the attention so very much. Lest you are concerned for my well-being, I escaped the war with barely a limp, though I confess to making it a little more pronounced when the ladies are present. Surely you cannot blame me for that.
As you've no doubt concluded, I am back in England, a naval sea captain no longer. I have lived through many adventures, thought my days were numbered a time or two, and my skin, as mentioned above, has been tried and tested. I visited our families in Cornwall for a fortnight (your family is well, by the by) and have spent another fortnight in London. But it lacks the luster it once had. I thought I might write and encourage you to meet me here, but only last night the most intriguing news has reached my ears that you are to be married.
Married!
Could it possibly be true? If so, I must come at once so that I might meet the woman who has finally captured the heart of the great Lord Jonathan Ludlow. Please say you will have me (not that you have any choice in the matter). By the time you receive this letter, I will already be en route.
I shall see you very soon, my friend.
Capt. Christopher Jamison
Jonathan fingered the letter with a frown. It would be wonderful to see Jamison again, but his timing was dreadful. Immediately following the ceremony, Jonathan had arranged to take his new bride on a wedding trip to the coast, which meant that Jamison would arrive at an empty house with only the servants to keep him company. Perhaps the Shepherds could be prevailed upon to invite him to dinner. If only his friend had bothered to wait for a reply. All Jonathan could do at this point was write a note of apology and leave it with Watts.
He went immediately to his study and penned a brief note to his friend. Watts entered the room just as he finished.
"Lady Harriett is here to see you, my lord."
Jonathan looked up from his desk in surprise. "Who?" Surely, he had heard wrong.
"Lady Harriett. Were you not expecting her?"
"Not at all." Jonathan quickly scribbled his signature to the end of the letter and sealed it, blowing it dry as he stood. He handed the note to Watts with a brief explanation about what to do with it and went directly to the drawing room where, sure enough, Lady Harriett sat waiting for him.
When had she arrived? "Lady Harriett, what a happy surprise this is. What with the recent arrival of your nephew, we did not expect you to make the journey."
She scowled, as though not appreciating his lack of faith in her. "Of course I have come. I would not miss your wedding for the world, though I should have liked a little more notice. Must you have been so quick about it? I hardly had time to forgive my nephew for not being a girl and remake his christening gown into something more masculine."
Jonathan flipped up his coat tails and took a seat across from her. "Does Cora know you are here?"
Lady Harriett shook her head. "I thought it would be fun to surprise her. I arrived only last night and stayed at the inn."
"Not at Knotting Tree? Surely the Shepherd's home would have been more comfortable."
"I seriously doubt it," said Lady Harriett. "Or am I wrong in assuming they are housing Mr. and Mr. Notley?"
Jonathan chuckled, settling back in his chair. "Yes, I can see why you preferred the inn. I realize the wedding has come about rather rushed, but Cora does not wish to inflict her parents on the Shepherds for long, as I'm sure you understand. It is for that reason she wanted the wedding to take place as soon as possible."
Lady Harriett nodded, causing the feathers in her large peach bonnet to sway back and forth. "I understand completely," she said. "I can only imagine what a trial they have been to the Shepherds and to you."
"You have no idea," muttered Jonathan. He went on to explain how ridiculous Mr. and Mrs. Notley had been over the past few weeks. "At first they would not accept that we were to be married today, and when they finally realized that our minds were set, they refused to attend, saying they cannot support a daughter who so willfully defies them."
Lady Harriett gaped at him. "Surely you are jesting. They truly do not intend to come to their own daughter's wedding?"
He shook his head. "I seriously doubt it. No one of importance will be in attendance, other than me, of course, so why should they? It would be a concession for them, and they do not like conceding anything."
"Imbeciles," Lady Harriett muttered, and Jonathan couldn't agree more.
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He must leave very soon for the church but did not want to sound rude. "Is there a reason you have called upon me this morning?"
With a sigh, she rearranged her skirts before placing her palms in her lap once more. "I wanted a private word with you before the wedding. After making such a long journey, I would prefer to remain in Askern until Mother is ready to meet me in London for the season. But I would go mad living under the same roof as the Notleys for even a day, so Knotting Tree is, of course, out of the question. And I don't wish to stay at the inn for more than a day or two either. I heard in town this morning that there is to be a wedding trip, so I came to you with the hope that you would allow me to stay here at Tanglewood while you and your new bride are away."
Jonathan considered her request, thinking it rather providential. Instead of Jamison arriving at an empty house, Lady Harriett could be here to welcome him.
"Of course you may stay for as long as you wish," he said. "But there is one slight complication."
Lady Harriett cocked her head at him, swishing the feathers in her bonnet once more. "Complication?"
"Only this morning a letter arrived from a close friend of mine, a former captain in the navy, informing me that he is on his way to Tanglewood for a visit. He believes he will find me at home, but, as you are aware, I will not be here. Would you consider receiving him in my place? I'm certain he will wish to return to London directly. All he will require is a meal and a bed for the night."
She blinked at him, eyes wide. "You wish for me, who has only my maid to act as chaperone, to receive a gentleman into a house that is not my own and keep him overnight? Surely you must know how improper that would be."
"You're right," agreed Jonathan with a frown. "Perhaps the Shepherds can be prevailed upon to act as chaperones."
"I’m afraid they will be unable,” said Lady Harriett. “According to Lucy, Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd have plans to travel to Danbury following the wedding. They are most anxious to see their new grandbaby, you know.”
"Of course,” said Jonathan. “How could I have forgotten? Well, I suppose all I can ask is for you to explain the situation to Jamison and direct him to the local inn for the night. You will get no argument from him, I am certain."
Lady Harriett nodded slowly, considering the plan. "Very well, In that case I shall be glad to receive your friend." Her lips puckered into a frown. "You mentioned he's a former captain in the navy. Please tell me he is a gentleman and not some scoundrel."
Jonathan thought about all the pranks and scrapes Jamison had dragged him into over the years and smiled. "He is a gentleman, but only in the loosest of terms, I'm afraid. Let us hope the navy has subdued him somewhat."
Lady Harriett blinked in surprise. "You mean to say that I am to receive a man who may or may not behave as a gentleman?"
Jonathan chuckled, wondering what his friend would think of Lady Harriett and what she would think of him. "He is a gentleman, I assure you. He's merely a bit of a loose cannon at times. But if anyone is equipped to manage him, it is you, Lady Harriett. You strike me as a very persuasive sort of person, and I have complete confidence in your abilities." Jonathan's brow furrowed as a new idea struck him. "Come to think of it, I wonder if you might be able to convince a certain Mr. and Mrs. Notley to attend their eldest daughter's wedding."
Her scowl faded, and she pursed her lips, considering his words. After a moment, she smoothed her peach skirts once more and picked up her reticule. "You are quite right, Lord Jonathan. I can be most persuasive when I wish to be, and I suddenly find that I am in a very persuasive mood this morning. Pray forgive me for detaining you on such an important day."
Jonathan rose to his feet and extended his arm to Lady Harriett, walking her to the door. Then he bowed over her hand and said, "I shall inform Watts that you will be arriving this afternoon, and we shall hold the wedding until you arrive."
"You had better," she said. "I would so hate to travel all this way and not witness the marriage of two of my dearest friends."
Jonathan straightened, slightly taken aback by the compliment. "I am honored to be called such, Lady Harriett."
"As you should be," she said. "I do not have many dear friends, after all. But how can I possibly think of you as anything else when you have made Cora the happiest creature in all of England? So long as you keep her happy, you will always be dear in my book. Please accept my felicitations. I shall see you both shortly."
With a parting smile, she swept from the house, her peach skirts swishing about her as she descended the stairs. Jonathan watched her go with a smile. He could see now why Cora thought so highly of Lady Harriett. One could not help but admire the woman. He rather pitied the Notleys for what was to come, but only a little. They deserved whatever lecture she planned to read them.
The grandfather clock behind him chimed the hour, reminding Jonathan that he must be on his way as well. He couldn't very well arrive late to his own wedding.
"I believe it's time." Mr. Shepherd looked at Cora with something akin to fatherly pride and held out his arm. They were standing in a small cloakroom just outside the chapel doors, waiting for the wedding to begin.
Not long ago, she had entered the church as Miss Coralynn Notley and would soon leave as Lady Jonathan Ludlow. How strange that the mere span of one hour could change one's life so drastically. It both thrilled and petrified her. Was she truly ready for this?
She drew in a deep breath and closed her eyes, conjuring Jonathan's face in her mind. In his eyes, she saw the familiar warmth and tenderness and an immediate peace settled around her heart.
Yes, she was definitely ready.
With renewed confidence, Cora took hold of Mr. Shepherd's elbow, grateful that it was he who would be giving her away. In the short amount of time she had known the Shepherds, they felt more like a mother and father to her than her own. Perhaps it was good that Mr. and Mrs. Notley had chosen not to come. The wedding could proceed without arguments or dramatics or any other embarrassments. Deep down, however, Cora was injured by their unwillingness to care about her at all.
The cloak room door opened, and in walked Harry. He was not dressed in his usual livery but in brown trousers and a matching coat. He looked handsome and confident in his lanky way, and Cora found herself wondering if Sally had noticed as much. If they would ever cease goading each other, the two would make a pretty pair.
"Lord Jonathan is expectin' a few more guests to arrive and 'as asked that you wait a bit longer," said Harry, for once not teasing her about committing herself ter a man who changed his name almost as much as she. "A match made in 'eaven, it is," he'd said with a chuckle.
Cora had to agree.
She glanced past Harry, wondering which guests were still missing. Rose was here, along with the Shepherds and all of Tanglewood's servants. Even the Biddings had come. Jonathan couldn't possibly be expecting her parents to have a change of heart, could he? But who else could he be waiting for?
A commotion sounded at the doors, and to Cora's astonishment, in walked her parents, appearing red-faced and disgruntled. What in the world?
Mr. Notley looked at Cora and Mr. Shepherd, frowned at their linked arms, and took a determined step in their direction.
"Mr. Notley, where are you going? The chapel is this way. We must make haste for the service is about to begin." Lady Harriett stepped into view, and Cora squealed in delight, rushing forward to grasp her friend's hands.
"What a wonderful surprise! I cannot believe that you are here!"
Lady Harriett directed a stern look at Cora. "Why must you and Lord Jonathan insist on being shocked by my appearance? Of course I am here. I would not dream of missing such an important occasion. It is not every day one's dearest friend marries, after all."
Cora had never known the blessing of friendship before, but now she felt it keenly. Wondrous and good, it felt almost like a hug to her heart. She did not realize tears had come to her eyes until Lady Harriett looked at her in alarm.
"Good heavens, you cannot become a watering pot yet, not before you have been given away!"
"Get a hold of yourself, girl," hissed Mr. Notley, reminding Cora of his presence.
She quickly dried her eyes and composed herself, turning to face her parents. "Mother, Father, I know this is not the wedding you desired for me, but I am glad you have come nonetheless. I hope you can one day come to understand, as I have, that there are more important things than titles, pomp, and pageantry."
Mrs. Notley frowned and looked away while Mr. Notley ignored Cora completely, turning his glare on Mr. Shepherd instead. "I shall be giving my daughter away, sir."
Mr. Shepherd nodded graciously, ready to concede the role, but Cora would not allow it. She had asked Mr. Shepherd to give her away and give her away he would. She returned to his side and took his arm once more.
"No, Father," she said firmly. "It is Mr. Shepherd who will be giving me away."
Mr. Notley's face became redder still. He spun on his heel to leave the church, but one glance at Lady Harriett's stern expression, and he turned stiffly towards the chapel and strode inside, leaving his wife to rush after him.
Cora stared at Lady Harriett in wonder. How had she convinced them to come? They certainly did not appear happy to be here.
As though reading her thoughts, Lady Harriett flashed a smile and dropped her voice. "I merely reminded them that the Cavendish family has a great deal of influence in Danbury—influence that not even the parents-in-law of Lord Jonathan Ludlow could overcome. It did the trick nicely. You look ravishing, by the way." With a wink she continued on into the chapel, leaving Cora alone with Mr. Shepherd once more.
Mr. Shepherd smiled, giving her arm a pat. "You have honored me, my dear. I'm feeling quite puffed up at the moment and couldn't be more proud to give you away."
Cora returned his smile, detaining him a moment longer. "Before we go in, I must explain my decision. When Lady Drayson first proposed that I come to Knotting Tree, I was anxious at the prospect of traveling so far and putting myself at the mercy of strangers. She assured me that as soon as I met you and Mrs. Shepherd, I would feel more like a daughter than a stranger. And she was right. I can think of no one else I'd prefer to give me away than you."
Mr. Shepherd smiled, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I will most happily claim you as a daughter, my dear. Shall we go in?"
She drew in a deep, fortifying breath before nodding. Together they walked into the chapel, where Cora immediately sought out Jonathan. His eyes were already fixed on her, warm and tender, his lips lifting into a small smile. As she slowly approached, Cora marveled at how a simple look could make her feel so loved and treasured. How had she come to find such a man? She would never understand it, but she didn't have to. She merely needed to embrace the feeling—and him—with her entire body and soul, thanking God every day for placing people and circumstances in her life that had brought her to this point and to him.
Cora arrived at Jonathan's side, where Mr. Shepherd left her with a kiss on her forehead. She turned to face the man she was about to marry, and the ceremony began.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here…"
Cora didn't even attempt to listen. In that moment, no one existed but Jonathan. She smelled his familiar clean scent and noted his freshly shaved face, his smooth lips, and the way his dimple teased her, not quite there and yet not quite gone. His eyes glowed a vivid green, capturing hers with a look that promised her the world and then some.
At some point, she must have said "I will" because Jonathan was taking her right hand in his and repeating after the rector.
"I, Lord Jonathan Benjamin Ludlow, take thee, Miss Coralynn Eliza Notley, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth."
Cora managed to repeat the words as well, even though her heart thudded loudly in her ears and her voice wavered and trembled.
Jonathan lifted her left hand and slid a cool, gold band onto her fourth finger, keeping both of her hands locked in his. She felt the warmth of his body and his breath on her face as he spoke. "With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
More beautiful words had never been spoken. The rest of the ceremony became a blur with the rector's voice droning on in the background. Once it ended, they were ushered outside into a windy and cold February morning. A smiling crowd flanked them on both sides, cheering, extending felicitations, and tossing handfuls of rice and seeds over them. How foreign it all felt, like a beautiful dream.
The couple waved as they climbed into the carriage, at last alone. As soon as the door had been secured, Jonathan leaned in close, murmuring, "Hello, my wife," before he kissed her soundly. The carriage began to move, breaking them apart, so he released her and dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Lady Jonathan, if I was to suggest that we forget our wedding breakfast and depart immediately for our honeymoon instead, what would you say?"
She grinned, liking the idea immensely while knowing they could not. "I would say that I should have broken my fast before the ceremony. Though beautiful and unforgettable, I own I did not expect it to last so long. I'm afraid the experience has left me quite famished. Are you not as well? Surely we cannot leave without at least tasting a bite of the lemon cake Mrs. Caddy has prepared just for you."
He chuckled and relaxed against the cushions. "Very well, you have convinced me. We shall go to our wedding breakfast, but we will stay only as long as it takes for me to eat some cake and you to have your fill."
"Agreed." She snuggled against him and laid her head on his shoulder, only to be jostled away when the coach hit a rut in the road. Jonathan’s arm snaked around her, pulling her tight against him once more.
"Good gads, woman, must I always be putting you back in your rightful place?"
"What place is that, sir?"
He dropped a kiss on her forehead and glanced out the window. "Precisely where you are, my love. At my side, within the circle of my arms, and always in my heart."
Cora warmed at his words, loving them and him. "Why Lord Jonathan, that sounded almost poetic."
"It did, didn't it?" He grinned down at her. "Perhaps there is hope for me yet."
"Perhaps there is."
She kissed him again and continued to do so until they came to an unwelcome stop. The door opened altogether too soon, revealing a large stone house that Cora had seen only once before. The Biddings had kindly offered to host the wedding breakfast, and from the number of carriages that lined the path ahead of them, this particular event, as opposed to the one before, was not lacking in attendance. It appeared as though all of Askern had come.
Jonathan surveyed the scene only to look back at his wife. "It seems the town is ready to embrace the new Lady Jonathan Ludlow. Are you certain you wish to go in?"
Cora watched the house, feeling a twinge of nervousness. The last time she had walked through those doors, her hopes had been trampled upon most cruelly. But things had since changed, her hope had been restored, and Cora could now say that she had no ill feelings for anyone inside that house, not even the Pembrokes. If they could look past her offenses, she could look past theirs. Tanglewood was to be her home now, and she would do everything she could to make friends of the people of Askern. With some it would come easier, as it had with the Biddings. With others, it may never come. But if there was one thing her experience as a housekeeper had taught her, it was to never give up regardless of the obstacles. She had learned that if she pressed forward, everything would right itself in the end.
Cora no longer believed in dreary destinies or unalterable lives. She believed in bumps and lumps, twists and turns, highs and lows. Life was a muddle of happy and sad and always would be. But if a person surrounded themselves with love, friendship, and as much happiness as they could muster, all the bumps, lumps, and lows became slight setbacks on a road leading to exquisite vistas. Cora was on her way there now, she could feel it in her soul, and she could not wait to begin her journey.